Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty: Map & History
Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty is mapped in the atlas for 732 CE – 1039 CE, with a peak mapped extent of about 919,187 km².
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The Pratihara dynasty, also called the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Pratiharas of Kannauj or the Imperial Pratiharas, was a prominent medieval Indian dynasty which initially ruled the Gurjaradesa until its victory in the Tripartite Struggle in 816 in which Pratiharas secured the throne of Kannauj. Cadet branches of the dynasty ruled other minor states in the subcontinent. Pratihara are known for their sculptures, carved panels and open pavilion style temples.
Modern Countries Once Part of Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty
At its mapped extent, Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty in Depth
History
The original centre of Pratihara power is a matter of controversy. R. C. Majumdar, on the basis of a verse in the Harivamsha-Purana, 783 CE, the interpretation of which he conceded was not free from difficulty, held that Vatsaraja ruled at Ujjain. Dasharatha Sharma, interpreting it differently located the original capital in the Bhinmala Jalor area. M. W. Meister and Shanta Rani Sharma concur with his conclusion since the writer of the Jaina narrative Kuvalayamala states that it was composed at Jalor in the time of Vatsaraja in 778 CE, which is five years before the composition of Harivamsha-Purana.
Nagabhata I (739–760), was originally perhaps a feudatory of the Chavdas of Bhillamala.
Legacy
Historians of India, since the days of Elphinstone, have wondered at the slow progress of Muslim invaders in India, as compared with their rapid advance in other parts of the world. The Arabs possibly only stationed small invasions independent of the Caliph. Arguments of doubtful validity have often been put forward to explain this unique phenomenon. Currently it is believed that it was the power of the Pratihara army that effectively barred the progress of the Muslims beyond the confines of Sindh, their first conquest for nearly three hundred years. In the light of later events this might be regarded as the "Chief contribution of the Pratiharas to the history of India".
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Pratihara dynasty (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty: Key Facts
| Capital | Kannauj |
|---|---|
| Official language | Sanskrit |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Founded | 8th century |
| Dissolved | 1036 |
Preceded by
- Gupta Empire
- Empire of Harsha
Succeeded by
- Chavda dynasty
- Chaulukya dynasty
Facts from Wikidata Q5324 (CC0).
Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty appears, with the other states of the time.
Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 919,187 km² in 785 CE.
Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty exist?
The Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty is dated to 732 CE – 1039 CE, in the Early Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty?
The capital of the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty was Avanti, Kannauj.
How large was the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty at its peak?
At its peak in 785 AD the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty covered about 919,187 km².
How did the map of the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty change over time?
The Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty appears on 3 dated world maps in the atlas, from 750 CE to 1000 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
Other Sovereign Realms
Early Middle Ages • Capital: Constantinople
Classical Antiquity • Capital: Pataliputra, Ujjain
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Early Middle Ages • Capital: Chang'an