The Tripartite Struggle Of Kannauj - General Knowledge of Modern India

The Tripartite Struggle Of Kannauj

General Knowledge of Modern India: During the 8th century, there was a struggle between the three major kingdoms of India namely the Palas, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas for control of Kannauj. The Palas ruled the eastern parts of India while the Pratiharas controlled western India (Avanti-Jalore region). The Rashtrakutas ruled the Deccan region of India. The struggle between these three dynasties for the control of Kannauj is known in Indian history as the tripartite struggle.

Both Dharmapala, the Pala king and Pratihara king, Vatsaraja clashed against each other for Kannauj. The Pratihara king, Vatsaraja emerged victorious but was defeated by the Rashtrakuta king Dhruva I. Although the Rashtrakuta kings returned to their kingdoms in the south, the Pala king Dharmapala took advantage of the situation to capture Kannauj. But his control over Kannauj was temporary.

More General Knowledge of Ancient History

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Thus began the Tripartite Struggle which lasted for two centuries and weakened all three dynasties for a long time. This resulted in the political disintegration of the country and benefited Islamic invaders from the Middle East.

IMPORTANCE OF KANNAUJ

• Kannauj was located on the Ganges trade route and was connected to the Silk Road. This made Kannauj very important strategically and commercially. Kannauj was also the erstwhile capital of Harshavardhana's empire in North India.
• Yashovarman established the kingdom at Kannauj around 730 AD. He was followed by three kings named Vajrayudh, Indrayudh and Chakrayudh who ruled Kannauj from the end of the 8th century to the first quarter of the 9th century.
• Unfortunately, these rulers proved weak and the rulers of Kannauj, the Gurjara-Pratiharas of Bhinmal (Rajasthan), the Palas of Bengal and the Rashtrakutas of Bihar and Manyakhet (Karnataka) fought against each other to take advantage of Kannauj's immense economic and strategic potential. Keep on fighting
• This tripartite struggle for Kannauj lasted for about two hundred years and finally ended with the result being in favor of the Gurjara-Pratihara ruler Nagabhata II. Nagabhatta II made Kannauj the capital of the Gurjara-Pratihara kingdom. This empire ruled for about three centuries.