CLASS 7 GEOGRAPHY · NCERT · CH 2: NEW KINGS AND KINGDOMS (NCERT CLASS 7 — OUR PASTS II)
NCERT-aligned Class 7 Geography topic. Every item is anchored to a real location on India's map — built for boards (CBSE, ICSE, state) and UPSC aspirants.
Who was the most powerful Gurjara-Pratihara ruler?
MIHIR BHOJA (r. 836-885 CE) — moved the capital to KANNAUJ, repelled Arab raids, briefly held the empire from Sind to Bengal. Adopted the title "ADIVARAHA" (the original boar incarnation of Vishnu).
What was the Tripartite Struggle?
A long contest (8th-10th c.) for control of KANNAUJ between three powers: GURJARA-PRATIHARAS (north India), RASHTRAKUTAS (Deccan), and PALAS (Bengal). Kannauj sat at the heart of the Ganga-Yamuna doab — control = legitimacy as paramount ruler of north India.
What does "samanta" mean?
Subordinate ruler / vassal who paid tribute and provided military support to the overlord; over time, powerful samantas became "MAHA-SAMANTA" (great vassal) and finally MAHARAJADHIRAJA (king of kings) — Pratiharas, Cholas, Rashtrakutas all rose this way.
Who finally ended Pratihara power?
MAHMUD OF GHAZNI sacked Kannauj in 1018 — Pratiharas never recovered; replaced in stages by Gahadavalas, then Chauhans.
How did the Pratiharas resist Arab invasions?
After the Arab conquest of SIND (711 CE under Muhammad bin Qasim), Arab raids pushed east; the Pratiharas (under NAGABHATA I and later Mihir Bhoja) repeatedly REPULSED Arab armies trying to cross the Thar/Rajasthan into the Ganga plain. Pratihara role as "guardian gate" = one reason they're called "PRATIHARA" (gatekeeper).
Why did the Pratiharas decline?
After Mihir Bhoja's death (885 CE); successor Mahendrapala I held the empire briefly; then RASHTRAKUTA king Indra III sacked KANNAUJ in 916 CE — a devastating blow. Pratiharas reduced to a regional power; finally Mahmud of Ghazni's sack of Kannauj 1018 CE ended them.
Pratihara cultural achievements?
Rich architectural patronage at OSIAN, JODHPUR, ABANERI (the famous CHAND BAORI step-well); great Sanskrit court poetry (RAJASHEKHARA at Mahendrapala's court — author of "Karpuramanjari" and "Kavyamimansa"). Style of Pratihara temple sculpture became foundational for later Nagara temple architecture.
Who founded the Rashtrakuta dynasty and how?
DANTIDURGA (r. 735-756) — a Chalukya feudatory who overthrew his Chalukya overlord; performed HIRANYA-GARBHA ritual to declare himself a Kshatriya king (a feudatory becoming a sovereign was unprecedented).
What is the Kailasa Temple and who built it?
A monolithic rock-cut temple at ELLORA (Cave 16) — entirely carved DOWNWARDS out of a single rock cliff; commissioned by Rashtrakuta king KRISHNA I (~756-773 CE). One of the largest monolithic structures in the world.
Most famous Rashtrakuta literary patron?
AMOGHAVARSHA I (r. 814-878) — Kannada poet-king; his court produced "Kavirajamarga" (the earliest available Kannada literary text) and the Jain mathematician MAHAVIRACHARYA who wrote "Ganitasarasangraha" (~850 CE).
When did the Rashtrakutas fall?
Around 973 CE — overthrown by their own Chalukya feudatories (Tailapa II of the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani).
Who was Govinda III and what was his greatest victory?
GOVINDA III (r. 793-814 CE) — extended Rashtrakuta power FURTHEST north; defeated the PRATIHARAS, captured KANNAUJ, then went south and defeated the Pallavas + the Pandyas + the Cheras; even reached the Vindhyas. Briefly the most powerful ruler in India.
This topic is part of the NCERT Class 7 History syllabus, drawn from the chapter Ch 2: New Kings and Kingdoms (NCERT Class 7 — Our Pasts II). Content is cross-referenced against the latest NCERT textbook editions + standard reference works.
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