Gahadavalas Of Kannauj: Rise, Reign and Decline (11th-12th Century AD)

The Gahadavalas, Suryavanshi Kshatriyas, rose to power in the late 11th century, ruling the kingdom of Kannauj. Their expansion included Varanasi and Delhi, establishing dominance in northern India. However, internal conflicts and external invasions led to their eventual decline.

An Overview Of Gahadavalas Of Kannauj

1. Rise and Fall of Gahadavalas

• Origins and Territorial Expansion: They were Suryavanshi Kshatriyas who ruled the kingdom of Kannauj in the late 11th century. 
  • They gradually pushed the Palas out of Bihar and made Varanasi their second capital.
• Rebuilding the Kannauj Kingdom: Som Chand from Kannuaj established the Kannauj kingdom in the 10th century after ousting the Katyuri Kings. 
  • He retained the name Kurmanchal for the state, with Champawat as its capital, and named the region Kumaon.
• Foundation of the Gahadwar Dynasty at Kannuj: Chandradeva founded the Gahadavala dynasty in 1090 A.D., expanding the kingdom to include Delhi, Ayodhya, and Varanasi. 
  • His successor, Govindachandra, reached the zenith of power, moving the capital to Varanasi and patronizing both Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries.
• Expansion to Include Delhi: Under Chandradev, the Gaharwar kingdom successfully captured Delhi from the Pratiharas, establishing dominance. 
  • Chandradev’s successor, Madanpala, ruled briefly before Govindachandra took over, facing Muslim aggressions with success.
• Significance of Loss of Delhi: The loss of Delhi during Vijayachandra’s reign marked a decline in Gahadavala power. 
  • Jaichandra, the last great king, faced challenges from Chauhans and Muslim invasions. 
  • His daughter’s elopement with Prithviraj III may have contributed to the kingdom’s downfall.
• Collateral Branches of Gahadvala Dynasty: Some branches of the Gahadvala dynasty fled to the Kumaon hills, while others established themselves in areas like Vijaypur-Kantit and Manda. 
  • The Bundela clan also emerged from these migrations.

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2. Rulers and Their Contributions:

• Chandradeva (~1090 AD): He founded this dynasty and successfully wrested Delhi from the Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas.
• Vijayachandra (1154−1170 AD): He successfully faced the aggressions of the Ghaznavids. 
  • During his reign, Delhi was lost, and the Tomar rulers stopped recognising Vijayachandra as their sovereign.
• Jaichandra (1170−1194 AD): During his reign, the Chauhans from Ajmer, under Prithviraj Chauhan, annexed Delhi. 
  • In the Battle of Chandawar (1194 AD) (near Firozabad, on the banks Yamuna River), Mohammad Ghori defeated Jaichandra and sacked the kingdom.
• Siyaji: Jaichandra’s grandson, Siyaji, founded the Rathore clan, which ruled the princely state of Marwar from Jodhpur. 
• The glory of Kannauj ended with the conquest of Iltutmish.

Conclusion

The Gahadvalas, led by rulers like Chandradeva and Vijayachandra, witnessed a period of territorial expansion and cultural patronage. Yet, the loss of Delhi and challenges from Chauhans and Muslims contributed to their downfall. Collateral branches of the dynasty sought refuge in regions like Kumaon and Vijaypur-Kantit, shaping the legacy of the Gahadvala dynasty.