๐ Chapter 3 โ Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries
Class 7 Part 2 ยท Tapestry of the Past ยท Short Notes
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"India never spoke her last word. In all things, she continues, survives and renews herself." โ Louis Renou & Jean Filliozat (French Indologists)
๐ The Period 6thโ10th Centuries โ Overview
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๐After Gupta Empire declined โ many regional kingdoms emerged across India
๐Not an age of chaos โ but a vibrant era of regional culture, art, temple building & trade!
๐บ๏ธKey powers: Harsha (North), Chalukyas (Deccan), Pallavas (South), Palas (Bengal/Bihar), Rashtrakutas
606 CE โ Harแนฃhavardhana rises at Kannauj
Last great North Indian empire before medieval period โ patron of scholars, poets, and Buddhism6th century โ Rise of Chalukyas
Ruled Deccan โ great temple builders (Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal). Rivalled with Pallavas650 CE โ Bhakti tradition begins in South India
Devotional movement โ saints like Alvars & Nayanmars compose beautiful devotional poetry712 CE โ Arabs conquer Sindh
Muhammad bin Qasim defeats Raja Dahir โ first successful Arab penetration into India750 CE โ Rise of Pala dynasty (Bengal/Bihar)
Patrons of Buddhism โ built Vikramashila University & other great monasteries9th century โ Cholas become dominant
Tamil dynasty rises to become the greatest naval power of Asia!๐ฟ โฆ ๐ฟ
๐ Major Kingdoms of This Period
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๐ Magnificent temple art of the Pallavas & Chalukyas
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๐ฟ South Indian sculpture โ incredible craftsmanship
๐ Harsha (606โ647 CE)
๐Capital: Kannauj
๐Wrote 3 Sanskrit plays; Xuanzang visited his court
๐๏ธPatron of Buddhism & arts
๐ Pallavas (4thโ9th c.)
๐Capital: Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu)
๐๏ธShore Temple, Mamallapuram โ temples carved from rock!
๐Spread Indian culture to SE Asia
โ๏ธ Chalukyas (6thโ8th c.)
๐Capital: Badami & Vatapi (Karnataka)
๐Built cave temples at Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal
โ๏ธConstant rivalry with Pallavas
๐ Palas (750โ1100 CE)
๐Bengal & Bihar
๐๏ธBuilt Vikramashila & Odantapuri universities
๐๏ธGreat patrons of Buddhism & Tantric arts
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๐ Temple architecture flourished in this era โ a golden age of Indian stone carving
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โ The Cholas โ India's Greatest Naval Empire
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๐ Chola bronze Nataraja โ finest metal art ever created
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๐ Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur โ Chola architectural masterpiece!
โBy 9th century, Cholas became the dominant power in South India
๐Rajaraja Chola I (985โ1014): Built the magnificent Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur โ a UNESCO site!
๐ขRajendra Chola I (1014โ1044): Led naval expedition to Southeast Asia โ conquering up to Malaya & Indonesia!
๐ฟFamous for Chola bronzes โ especially the Nataraja (dancing Shiva) โ world's finest metal sculptures
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๐ The Bhakti Movement & Arab Invasions
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๐ Bhakti saints โ devotional poets who transformed Indian spirituality
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โ๏ธ Arab invasions โ first attempts to enter India from the west
๐Bhakti Movement = devotional tradition (from 650 CE) โ personal love for God, open to all castes
๐ตAlvars (Vaishnava saints) & Nayanmars (Shaiva saints) โ composed beautiful devotional poetry in Tamil
๐Arab navies attacked India's west coast (637 CE) but were repulsed โ India held its ground!
โ๏ธ712 CE: Arabs finally conquered Sindh under Muhammad bin Qasim โ but couldn't penetrate further
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โญ Quick Summary
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๐ Key Points
๐Post-Gupta period = many regional kingdoms โ not decline but vibrant era of regional cultures
๐Key kingdoms: Harsha (North), Chalukyas + Pallavas (Deccan/South), Palas (East), Cholas (South)
โCholas = greatest naval power โ Rajendra Chola's SE Asia expedition; Nataraja bronzes; Thanjavur temple
๐Bhakti Movement begins (650 CE) โ Alvars & Nayanmars; devotion open to all
โ๏ธArabs conquered Sindh (712 CE) but couldn't go further โ India's kingdoms held their ground