New Kings and Kingdoms - Long Answer Questions
Big landlords or warrior chiefs in different regions. They were expected to bring gifts to kings and provide military support.
They were subordinates to the Chalukyas of Karnataka. Dantidurga overthrew his Chalukya overlord and performed 'Hiranya-garbha' to become a Kshatriya.
Literally 'Golden Womb'. A ritual performed with Brahmanas. It was believed to lead to the 'rebirth' of the sacrificer as a Kshatriya, even if he was not one by birth.
A ruling dynasty. Harichandra (a Brahmana) gave up traditional work and took up arms to establish a kingdom in Rajasthan.
A long struggle between the Gurjara-Pratihara, Rashtrakuta, and Pala dynasties for control over Kanauj (Ganga valley).
A ruler from Afghanistan (997-1030). He raided the subcontinent 17 times, targeting wealthy temples (Somnath). He used the loot to build Ghazni.
A scholar entrusted by Mahmud of Ghazni to write an account of the subcontinent. His book is 'Kitab-ul-Hind'.
They ruled the region around Delhi and Ajmer. Their most famous ruler was Prithviraj III.
Sultan Muhammad Ghori defeated him in 1192 (Second battle of Tarain). Prithviraj had defeated Ghori in 1191.
They developed a powerful navy and controlled the Kaveri delta. They had a very organized administration and local self-government.
Rajaraja I and his son Rajendra I built the big temples of Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram.
They are considered amongst the finest in the world. Most were of deities, but some were of devotees.
A settlement of peasants.
Groups of villages formed a larger unit called Nadu. It performed administrative functions like justice and tax collection.
Land gifted to Brahmanas. This led to many Brahmana settlements in the Kaveri valley.
An assembly of prominent Brahmana landholders in a Brahmadeya. They worked in committees (irrigation, gardens, temples).
By lottery system. Names were written on palm leaves, put in a pot, and a young boy picked them out.
A tax taken not in cash but in the form of forced labour.
Land revenue tax.
To demonstrate their power and wealth, and their devotion to God.
New Kings and Kingdoms - Important Facts
Samantas were subordinates.
Dantidurga was a Rashtrakuta chief.
Hiranya-garbha means Golden Womb.
Kadamba Mayurasharman established kingdom in Karnataka.
Pratiharas ruled in Rajasthan/Gujarat.
Rashtrakutas ruled in Deccan.
Palas ruled in Bengal.
Kanauj was a prized city in Ganga valley.
Tripartite Struggle involved 3 parties.
Mahmud of Ghazni raided Somnath Temple.
Kitab-ul-Hind was written in Arabic.
Chamanas are known as Chauhans.
Prithviraj III reigned 1168-1192.
Muttaraiyar family held power in Kaveri delta.
Vijayalaya founded the Chola empire.
Thanjavur is famous for Brihadeshwara temple.
Rajendra I raided the Ganga valley.
Chola Navy reached Southeast Asia.
Bronze images of Cholas are world-famous.
Kaveri river branches into channels.
Agriculture expanded in Tamil region.
Embankments prevented flooding.
Nagarams were associations of traders.
Uttaramerur inscription details the Sabha system.
Sabha required members to own land.
Members had to know the Vedas.
Age limit for Sabha: 35 to 70.
One could not be a member if they didn't submit accounts.
Vetti (forced labour) was the most common tax.
There were 400 terms for taxes in Chola inscriptions.
Kings shared power with Samantas.
Prashastis contain details of administration.
Nagabhata's prashasti describes his victories.
Brahmanas were rewarded with land grants.
Copper plates recorded land grants.
Kalhana wrote about Kashmir kings (Rajatarangini).
Kalhana used critical sources mostly.
Wars were fought for wealth and land.
Temples were hubs of economic activity.
Devadasis were temple dancers.
Sculpture making was specialized.
Settlements were irrigated artificially.
Tanks and canals were built.
Sluice gates controlled water flow.
Vellanvagai: Land of non-brahmana peasants.
Shalabhoga: Land for school.
Devadana: Land gifted to temples.
Pallichchhandam: Land for Jain institutions.
Periyapuranam is a Tamil work.
China governed by Tang dynasty at this time.
New Kings and Kingdoms - Important Dates/Terms
Emergence of new dynasties
First Battle of Tarain (Prithviraj won)
Second Battle of Tarain (Prithviraj lost)
Reign of Mahmud of Ghazni