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Multan
& Sindh
Hindushahi
Kingdom
Kashmir
Kanauj
Chandelas
Tomars
Chauhans
Chalukyas
& Parmars of Malwas
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In
the beginning of 11th century A.D., on the eve of the Muslim
invasion the whole Bharat was going through a period of political chaos
and confusion. The society was suffering from a feeling of discontent
for all. Neither religion nor any political institution was able to
guide the society. The condition of the poor people was simply deplorable.
Their income was not enough to make both the ends meet and still they
were being exploited. While analyzing the situation one can trace back
the roots, in the land system at that time. The land was being granted
to military and administrative officers. There was a kind of barter
between the king and these officials. In return of the land, they had
to render their services to the king. Those who received lands thus
had full freedom to utilize it as per their wishes. They usually cultivated
the land, with the help of forced labour. The bureaucrats had become
head strong, despotic and corrupt.
There had been no invasion on India for around three to four centuries.
The result was that the military power was neglected. The Indians were
living in isolation. They were so contented in their own world that
they did not even bother to know the developments outside India. The
rulers of this time also indulged in fighting amongst each other, waging
wars for supremacy. There were a large number of states present in India
on the eve of Muslim invasion.
Sindh and Multan during this period were being ruled over by the Arabs.
Arabs had already conquered Sindh in 712 A.D. and had established their
control over Multan also. These Muslim states could continue to rule
peacefully in the country not of their own, in spite of the presence
of the Hindu kingdoms around them. The reason was that the Hindu kingdoms
never thought of joining hands against them. They were jealous of each
other and fought amongst themselves. On the other hand, Arabs acquired
complete independence, by throwing off the yoke of Caliph.
Another was the Hindushahi Kingdom ruled by the able king, Jaipal. This
Hindu kingdom could prevent itself being invaded by the Arabs for nearly
2000 years but ultimately had to give up. Then the capital was shifted
from Kabul in Afaganistan to Waihind. Kashmir was the other important
contemporary kingdom ruled over by Shankarvarman. But it was engaged
in its wars and conflicts with the Hindushahi and Kanauj. The Pratiharas
ruled over Kanauj. It is believed that the Pratiharas descended from
Lakshamana. The dynasty that followed them was Gadhawals. The ruler
of Chandelas fought against Mahmud of Gazani. After his death, the kingdom
had to suffer defeat at the hands of Prithviraj Chauhan.
The Tomars of Delhi for years had acted as the defenders of the gateway
to the Gangetic plains. During the reign of Mahipala Tomar, the Rajputs
attacked them. This was the reason why; they had to enter into some
alliance with the Muslims against the Rajputs. The Chauhans were the
first to realize the danger from the Muslim conquerors and the need
to fight against them. There was a rivalry between the Chauhans and
Tomars and the Chauhans and Chalukyas. The desire of the Chauhans to
become the supreme power in the north India, made them attack the Chandelas.
They had been on hostile terms with Parmars of Malwa, but because the
Paramars of Abu regarded the Chalukyas their overlords, the Chauhans
had to fight against them also. The struggle for supremacy was on in
Southern India also, as in Northern India. The account is available
in the study of the Deccan Kingdoms during this period.
While assessing the condition of Bharat before Muslim invasion, following
conclusions can be drawn. There was no lack of warring spirit among
the Hindus. But this was of no avail on account of mutual rivalry and
animosity. As described by Dr. Panikkar, "the Hindu social structure
was firm and was capable of resisting external pressure. However political
structure was weak. The ideal of Bharat Varsha was completely forgotten.
There was no sense of unity, no determination to resist the foreigners.
It was only dynastic interest that united the people and that was not
sufficient to check the Muslim invaders.”
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