Question

What was ‘tripartite struggle’?

Answer 1

Hint:
> It took place during the 8th century AD.
> The struggle was for Northern India.
> The tripartite struggle lasted for about two centuries.

Complete answer:
The Palas ruled the eastern part of India, whereas the Pratiharas controlled the western part of India. The Rashtrakutas have ruled over the Deccan region of India. The struggle for power over Kannauj between these three dynasties is known as the 'tripartite struggle.' The struggle was between the Pratihara Empire, the Pala Empire, and the Rashtrakuta Empire. It made all three dynasties vulnerable in the long run. This resulted in the country's political disintegration and benefited Islamic invaders from the Middle East.

Kannauj was situated on the Ganga Trading Route and linked to the Silk Route. It has made Kannauj strategically and commercially very important. It was also the former capital of the Harshvardhan empire in northern India.

Yashovarman set up a kingdom in Kannauj around AD 730. It was followed by three kings, namely Indrayudha, Vijrayudha, and Chakrayudha, who ruled Canauj between the end of the 8th century and the first quarter of the 9th century.

Unfortunately, these rulers turned out to be weak, and the Kingdom of Kannauj, the Gurjara-Pratiharas of Bhinmal (Rajasthan), the Palas of Bengal and Bihar, and the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (Karnataka) waged war against each other to take advantage of the immense economic and strategic ability of Kannauj.

This tripartite struggle for Kannauj continued for almost two hundred years, and the outcome eventually ended in favour of the Gurjara-Pratihara ruler Nagabhata II, who made Kannauj the capital of the Gurjara-Pratihara empire. This kingdom has been ruled for almost three centuries.

Note:
> After Harsh, Kannauj became the centre of attraction for the various forces. It had reached the same position as Magadh before the Gupta period.
> In reality, Harsh and Yashovarman have made it a sign of imperial power. In order to become the ruler of Chakravarti in northern India, it was considered appropriate to take possession of Kannauj.
> Apart from being of political significance, the economic importance of the town of Kannauj has also increased to a large extent and has also proven to be an important factor for its attraction.