After the decline of the Guptas and Harsha’s empire, India witnessed the rise of the Rajput kingdoms. During this period, India also faced invasions from Arabs, Turks, and Afghans, which laid the foundations for Islamic rule in the subcontinent.
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Rajput Kingdoms
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The Rajputs rose to power between the 8th–12th centuries A.D.
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They claimed descent from the solar (Suryavanshi), lunar (Chandravanshi), and Agnikula (fire-born) clans.
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Important Rajput dynasties: Pratiharas, Chauhans, Paramaras, Chalukyas (Solankis), and Gahadavalas.
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They were brave warriors but divided, which made India vulnerable to foreign invasions.
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Society was feudal in nature, with land grants to nobles.
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Women’s position declined; practices like sati and child marriage became common.
Arab Invasions
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The first Arab contact with India was through trade in Sindh and Gujarat.
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In 712 A.D., Muhammad-bin-Qasim invaded Sindh and defeated King Dahir.
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Sindh became part of the Umayyad Caliphate, but Arab rule did not extend deep into India.
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The Arabs introduced Islamic culture, astronomy, mathematics, and medicine, and promoted Indo-Arabic trade.
Mahmud of Ghazni (997–1030 A.D.)
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Ruler of Ghazni (Afghanistan), he invaded India 17 times between 1000–1027 A.D.
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Main aim: plunder the wealth of India and establish his empire.
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Famous raids:
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Somnath Temple (1025 A.D.) in Gujarat, known for its immense wealth.
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Attacks on Mathura, Kannauj, and Thaneshwar.
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He patronized scholars like Al-Biruni (Kitab-ul-Hind) and poet Firdausi (Shahnama).
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His invasions weakened Indian kingdoms but he did not establish permanent rule.
Muhammad of Ghor (1173–1206 A.D.)
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Ruler of Ghor (Afghanistan), he aimed to establish permanent control over India.
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Defeated by Prithviraj Chauhan in the First Battle of Tarain (1191 A.D.).
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Returned and defeated Prithviraj in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 A.D.), opening the way for Muslim rule in India.
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He appointed his general Qutb-ud-din Aibak, who later became the founder of the Slave Dynasty in Delhi (1206).
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His victory marked the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate.
Results of the Invasions
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Exposed the political weakness and disunity of Indian kingdoms.
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Brought North India under Turkish control, leading to the rise of the Delhi Sultanate.
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Promoted Indo-Islamic cultural and trade contacts.
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Economic losses due to temple plunder and destruction of cities.
Key Takeaway
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The Rajputs were valiant but their internal disunity made India vulnerable.
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The Arab invasion of Sindh marked the first Islamic foothold in India.
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Mahmud of Ghazni plundered India’s wealth, while Muhammad of Ghor laid the political foundation for Muslim rule in India through the Delhi Sultanate.