> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.upscprep.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Previse 2025: Medieval India - Dynasties - URL: https://www.upscprep.com/previse-2024-medieval-india-dynasties-upsc-prelims/ - Published: 2024-05-01T10:31:08.000Z - Updated: 2025-05-01T06:05:09.000Z - Description: GS1 | Medieval Indian History - Author: UPSCprep.com - Tags: Previse 2025, UPSC Prelims, #show-toc Let us look into a few dynasties from the early medieval Indian history which are important for Prelims 2025. ***Here are few PYQs:*** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/image.png) ![Chalukya, Chandela, Rashtrakuta, Vijayanagara](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/image-1.png) ### **Pratiharas (8th-10th CE)** - The Pratiharas or Gurjara-Pratiharas ruled over western and northern India. - **Nagabhata-I** was the founder but the most important king was Mihira Bhoja. - They had an ongoing conflict with the Palas of eastern India and the Rashtrakutas of southern India. - **Nagabhata II** defeated Pala king Dharmapala and fought Rashtrakuta king Govinda III. - **Mihira Bhoja** was a devotee of Vishnu and adopted the title of Adivaraha. He built the Telika Temple located within the Gwalior Fort. - Pratihara is derived from the Sanskrit word which means "doorkeeper". ![Pratiharas dynasty | Pratiharas or Gurjara-Pratiharas | UPSC Prelims | Medieval History](https://resources.cdn.yaclass.in/311c2bc3-4233-4151-ae7f-4c9c94093961/Gujara.svg) --- ### **The Palas (8th-11th CE)** - After the death of Harsha, the Pratiharas, Palas and Rashtrakutas were engaged in a tripartite struggle for the control of the Ganga–Yamuna doab. - Pala empire was founded by **Gopala** and was one of the most powerful Buddhist imperial powers in the Indian subcontinent. - Gopala founded the monastery at Odantapuri, which is India's second oldest Mahaviharas. - Dharampala founded the Vikaramasila monastery in the Bhagalpur district and built Somapura Mahavihara in present-day Bangladesh. - Next important ruler was **Mahipal** who checked the invasion of northern India by Rajendra Chola. ![Pala Empire | UPSC Prelims | Medieval History](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/u-CydeMaxvGVJSqdKF3GAK_GOdjVsQJM7ZayOBKZlQXAuaGRpFtJCvOAy73m8OyCsmdU-yS611_V5L-j3lxQ9r6YIausBGVlVrHrS-1I7--cqGpK2lYzkLyESLQnLhIEhGJwN9zR4IiTWAfFAZLgwhU) --- ### **Sena Dynasty (11th-12th CE)** - The Sena dynasty rulers were devout Hindus who ruled the Indian subcontinent's northeast region. - The dynasty was founded by **Samantha Sen** in southern India but his successor **Vijaya Sena** was the real founder in North East India. - Deopara Prashasti commissioned by Lakshmana Sena described the Senas as migrant Brahmaksatriyas from Karnataka. - Vijayasena defeated the last ruler of the Pala dynasty, Madanapala, and established the Sena dynasty. - Next ruler was his son, **Ballala Sena** who introduced social reforms known as Kulinism in Bengal. - He was succeeded by Lakshamanasena, the greatest ruler of this dynasty, who was finally defeated by Muhammad Bhaktiyar Khalji and the dynasty ended. ![Map of the Sena Empire | Sena Dynasty (11th to 12th CE) |UPSC Prelims | Medieval History](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Map_of_the_Senas.png/1920px-Map_of_the_Senas.png) --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/04/image-53.png) [Join Now](https://courses.upscprep.com/products?ref=upscprep.com) --- ### **Chalukyas (6th-12th CE)** - After the downfall of the Gupta dynasty, Chalukyas rose to power. - There are three closely related but individual Chalukyas dynasties. - The Chalukyasof Badami were the successors of Vakatakas' in western Deccan. - In the eastern Deccan, Eastern Chalukyas became independent after the death of **Pulakesin II**, with the capital at Vengi. - The Western Chalukyas ruled from Basavakalyan after the fall of Rashtrakutas. - It was the first time that a South Indian kingdom seized control of the entire region between the Kaveri and Narmada rivers. - A new style of architecture called Vesara developed and Kannada literature was patronized. - Also, Telugu literature under the patronage of the Eastern Chalukyas was developed. - Sources include inscriptions like in Badami cave, Kappe Arabhatta record, Peddavaduguru inscription, Kanchi Kailasanatha inscription and Pattadakal Virupaksha Temple inscriptions. ![Chalukya Dynasty: History, origin, rulers and all you need to know about one of the significant empires in Indian history | Knowledge News - News9live](https://images.news9live.com/h-upload/2022/10/10/568547-chalukyamap.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/12BGjPrBElz_52UU-vzu3k2ZIPe5wh8VCmKQ8gOhpBTRKB8Mx41UyOa7yQLk-GjQ1RJ7yeKv1VLdXYLWNwQEBvWn_Wh3mddJdCltAPE_jVFc-S4N-iz2lZfMvyq0itYgY8jO69C877jv83Jl_xoeTu0.png) --- ### **Rashtrakutas (750-900 CE)** - Dantivarman or Dantidurga was its founder with capital at Malkhed near Solapur, by overthrowing the Chalukyas. - **Krishna I** was the greatest ruler who defeated the Pallavas and established dominance over parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. - He started the art of sculpting and built the largest rock-cut Hindu structure at Ellora. - **Amoghvarsha** was the next greatest ruler who contributed to Literature by writing Kavirajamarga and Prasnottara Malika. - Next ruler was **Indra III** who was called the greatest Indian King by Al Masudi. - **Krishna III** fought against Paramaras of Malwa, eastern Chalukya of Vengi and Cholas of Tanjore. - He patronized poets Pampa and Ponna who were called Ratnatraya along with Ranna. ![Rashtrakutas | UPSC | History](https://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1668864080_Rashtrakutas_Drishti_IAS_English.png) --- ### **Cheras (9th-12th CE)** - The Cheras were a Dravidian sovereign dynasty who ruled in two periods. The early Chera between the 4th and 5th centuries BC and the Later Chera (Kulasekharas) between 8th and 12th centuries AD. - The Cheras were one of the three major powers of ancient Tamilakam, alongside the Cholas of Uraiyur and the Pandyas of Madurai. - Also referred to as 'Keraputras,’ **Uthiyan Cheralathan** was the founder and is mentioned in Sangam literature. - The later Cheras were dominated by the Kulasekhara Dynasty with Mahodayapuram or Kodungallur as their capital, under whom Vaishnavism spread. - The Kollam Era (a Malayalam calendar system) was initiated by Kulasekhara Cheras which marked the foundation of Kollam city. ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/xi5lZd2T2KHqls_ReCGPPf10ahKy_j1vTzG-EyGRRGgPD8jWxXuiXUZmc4rQpjBH1FREOU6UCTsG9p5r-CV0fTr3BTgdyYaaMzIADPfGBOgvby6ZHls5h7bczbu07J3g3wxQooS0Dhoq1KNQczpPmDQ) ## Sign up for UPSCprep.com Simplify your UPSC journey Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.