Tripartite Struggle

The Tripartite Struggle, also known as the Kannauj Triangle Wars, was a two-century conflict between the Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas in the 8th and 9th centuries for control over the Kannauj area of northern India. The Palas ruled the eastern regions, while the Pratiharas ruled the western regions and the Deccan area. The war lasted for two centuries and was won by Rajput Pratihara emperor Nagabhata II, who established Kannauj as the capital of the Pratihara state. Kannauj was seen as a sign of status and authority, as it was the former capital of Harshvardhana's empire and was connected to the silk road, making it ideal for trade and commerce. The Rashtrakutas, weak and easily defeated, sought to plunder through warfare. The first phase of the tripartite struggle began around 790 AD with a clash between Dharmapala and Vatsaraja. The second phase saw Nagabhatta II invade Kanauj and expel its ruler Chakrayudha, leading to a battle for control. The Rastrakutas' power began to wane alongside the Palas, and the Pratiharas emerged victorious.

The Tripartite Struggle featured the Pratihara Empire, the Pala Empire, and the Rashtrakuta Empire. The Tripartite conflict in the ninth century concerned dominance over Northern India. In the end, the Pratiharas won. In the early Middle Ages, Kannauj was seen as a prestige and authority symbol. The old capital of Harshvardhana's empire, Kannauj, symbolized political domination over northern India. Being in charge of Kannauj meant being in charge of the Central Gangetic valley, which was strategically and economically important due to its abundance of resources. Due to its proximity to the Silk Road, this site was perfect for trade and commerce. Between the end of the eighth and the first quarter of the ninth centuries, Kannauj was controlled by three kings: Indrayudha, Vijrayudha, and Chakrayudha. These monarchs were quite frail and quickly overthrown.The Rashtrakutas came to Kannauj because they wanted to loot via warfare.

In northern India, the period of political upheaval that occurred in the eighth and ninth centuries, followed by the struggle that resulted in the fall of Harsha's empire, is referred to as the "Tripartite Struggle." The three major empires of Pratihara, Pala, and Rashtrakuta were at war with one another over Kannauj throughout this time. The Rashtrakutas governed the Deccan, the Pratiharas ruled the western parts of India (Avanti-Jalaor area), and the Palas ruled the eastern parts of the country (Bengal region). Following a two-century conflict, the city was made the capital of the Pratihara kingdom by Rajput monarch Nagabhata II, who ruled for over three centuries.

1. The Rashtrakuta Dynasty
   • The term "Rashtrakuta" means "Country" (Rashtra) and "Chieftain" (Kuta) in Sanskrit. The Rashtrakutas may have been descended from Ashoka, whose edicts from Mansehra, Girnar, and Dhavali include the name Rathika.
   • But in 753 CE, their ascent started when their King Kirtivarman II was vanquished by Dantidurga, a feudatory of the Chalukyas of Badami.
   • According to the Dantidurga Ellora chronicle, he assumed the title Rajadhiraja in 753 CE and proclaimed himself monarch over the local feudal rulers. The Rashtrakutas eventually came to dominate the Deccan and central India, emerging as the most powerful family in India.
2. The Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty
   • Mythological theories:
     • Pratiharas have been mentioned by Chander Bardai in Prithviraj Raso to have sprung from an Agni-kund during a sacrifice made on Abu Mountain by Sage Vashista.
     • Pratihara means "doorkeepers" in literature. The name Pratihara comes from the belief that they are descended from Lakshmana, who was the doorkeeper for his brother Rama.
   • The first mention of the Pratiharas of Mandavyapura (modern-day Mandor near Jodhpur) dates back to the sixth century CE. They were the dominant Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty by the eighth century, and they governed from the middle of the eighth until the eleventh century.
   • Nagabhatta-I was the Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty's founder. It is estimated that he governed from around 730 until 760 CE.
   • Nonetheless, the Aihole inscription of Ravikirti and the Harshacharita of Banabhatta both claim the existence of Gurjaras prior to Nagabhatta-I. Despite their self-designation as Pratirharas, they are referred to as Gurjaras in all of these inscriptions.
   • It's greatest king is regarded as Gwalior Prashasti's hero, Mihir Bhoja.
3. The Pala Dynasty
   • The country's northern and eastern regions saw a sudden outbreak of anarchy (Matsyanyaya) following the death of Gauda King Shashanka, which gave the Pala people the opportunity to take control and form the Pala Empire.
   • After Gopala was chosen as king by his feudal lords in 750 CE, he established the Pala empire. He founded Bihar Sharif's Odantapuri University.
   • The Vikramshila University in Bhagalpur and a Buddhist monastery in Gaya were established by Dharmapala, the country's greatest king.
   • They ruled over Bengal and Bihar from the eighth and the twelfth century, for about four centuries. The name "Pala," which means "protector," belonged to the dynasty of rulers.

• In the early Middle Ages, Kannauj was associated with power and prestige.
• Control over Kannauj, the historic capital of Harshvardhana's empire, signified political dominance over northern India.
• Control of Kannauj also meant controlling the Central Gangetic valley, a strategically and economically important region because of its abundance of resources.
• This site was perfect for trade and commerce since it was connected to the Silk Road.
• Three kings ruled over Kannauj between the end of the eighth and the first part of the ninth century: Indrayudha, Vijrayudha, and Chakrayudha.
• These rulers were readily subdued due to their extreme weakness.
• The Rashtrakutas were drawn to Kannauj by their desire to pillage via violence.

Tripartite Struggle - Phase I

• The Pala, Pratihara, and Rashtrakuta kingdoms engaged in a tripartite fight for control over Kanauj.
• Around 790 AD, Dharmapala and Vatsaraja engaged in combat to start the first stage of the tripartite conflict.
• Dharmapala was defeated in the fight at Prayag between him and the Pratihara king Vatsaraja.
• Vatsaraja was eventually vanquished by Dhruva, the ruler of Rashtrakuta.
• After Vatsaraja's defeat, Dharmapala assumed control of Kannauj, but Dhruva again vanquished him.
• However, Dhruva had to return to the south in order to defend his own country, thus he was unable to solidify his triumph.
• After Dhruva's death in 793 CE, a succession dispute decimated the Rashtrakutas.
• The Rashtrakutas' swift retreat from Northern India gave the Palas a chance to strengthen their position while also destroying their rivals, the Pratiharas.
• Using this opportunity, Dharmapala restored Kannauj and installed Cakrayudha as king.
• Through a string of victorious expeditions, Dharmapala made a name for himself as the ruler of almost all of Northern India.

Tripartite Struggle - Phase II

• The successor of Vatsaraja, Nagabhatta II, attacked Kanauj, drove out Cakrayudha, the monarch of that region, and took possession.
• Since Dharmapala's apprentice was Chakrayudha, a conflict between Dharmapala and Nagabhatta II was unavoidable.
• In a fight at Munger, Nagabhatta II vanquished Dharmapala.
• The fight for Kannauj grew more intense when Nagabhata II captured the city.
• Govinda III, the Rastrakuta monarch who succeeded Dhruva, quickly overthrew him, therefore his victory was fleeting.
• Not long after this triumph, Govinda III departed for the Deccan.
• The Rashtrakutas' and the Palas' dominance had started to decline by the end of the ninth century.
• By the time the tripartite conflict ended, the Pratiharas had triumphed and had established themselves as the dominant group in central India.

• Pratihara Ruled the North: The Rajput Pratihara emperor Nagabhata II ultimately overthrew the rival group after a century-long battle, establishing Kannauj as the Pratiharas' capital, a position they held for over three centuries.
• Pratiharas united the North: Ramabhadra briefly lost Kannauj following the reign of Nagabhata II. However, the north was once more politically unified under the capable leadership of Mihir Bhoja.
• There was peace, and the Rashtrakutas did not fight the Pratiharas.
• As a result, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas both lived through the height of their power.

• Weak rulers:
  • Amoghvarsha's enthusiasm in art exceeded his concern for Deccan statecraft.
  • Eventually, it became clear that the Pratihara kings had done nothing to keep the feudatories together.
• Independency was proclaimed by feudatories
  • Western Deccan Rashtrakuta feudatories were seized by the Chalukyas.
  • Factories of Rajasthan proclaimed their independence from the Pratiharas. When Chandela murdered the last monarch, he took Gwalior captive.
• Rebellions:
  • There were several uprisings and declarations of independence throughout the Palas' sphere.
• Attacks of Ghazni:
  • Mahmud of Ghazni conquered Kannauj in 1018 as a result of his attacks.
  • The Mahmud of Gazni attacked the Palas often, which also made them weaker.
• The Rise of the Cholas:
  • North and eastern Bengal, as well as north and south Bihar, were reclaimed by the final great Pala emperor, Mahapalla I (988–1038 AD). Rajendra Chola-I beat him as well in 1020–1023.
  • In an effort to restore the Rashtrakuta kingdom, Krishna III (939–967 AD) of the Rashtrakutas fought the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi and the Paramaras of Malwa. He clashed with Parantaka I, the Chola monarch. Rashtrakutas found these battles to be expensive.

• The history of the Rashtrakuta is described in the Ellora Record of Dantidurga and the Samangarh inscription.
• The Rashtrakuta history before 753CE is recounted in the Navsari Grant.
• The Badal Inscription states that the Utkala race was exterminated, the Huna people were subdued, and the pride of the Dravida and Pratihara people was dispersed by the Pala monarch Devapala (810–840 CE).
• Inscriptions like Gwalior Prashasti and Barah copper plate commemorate Mihir Bhoja.
• According to Kalhana's Rajatarangini, Mihir Bhoja's domains reached up to Kashmir in the north.
• During the reign of Pratihara ruler Mahendrapala (885–910 CE), the Arabian traveler Al-Masaudi visited Gujarat and named the kingdom Al-Juzr and its ruler Baura.
• Inscriptions found on Sanjan Copper Plates mention Amoghavarsha's rule.

Two centuries were spent in the tripartite struggle for dominance of the Kannauj region by the three great Indian dynasties: the Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas. Finally, Pratiharas triumphed and became the dominant group in central India. But the tripartite conflict made all three dynasties weak. The political disintegration that resulted from this gave the Middle Eastern Islamic invaders an advantage.