The Struggle for Empire is the fifth volume of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s History and Culture of the Indian People. Covering the period from 1000 CE to 1300 CE, it depicts a tumultuous era of transition, shifting from the "Classical" stability of previous centuries to a period defined by intense internal rivalry and the first major waves of Islamic conquests.
The title reflects two simultaneous struggles: the internecine wars between Rajput clans for the throne of Kannauj, and the collective (though often disorganized) resistance against Central Asian invaders.
The volume begins with the tripartite struggle for hegemony in Northern India. This was the age of chivalry, complex clan loyalties, and the rise of several powerful dynasties:
The Palas and Senas: Dominating Bengal and Bihar, maintaining a stronghold of Buddhism and later a revival of Hinduism.
The Gahadavalas and Chauhans: The struggle for Delhi and Kannauj, culminating in the reign of Prithviraj Chauhan, whose defeat at the Second Battle of Tarain (1192) is marked as a turning point in Indian history.
The Chandellas and Paramaras: Known for their architectural patronage (Khajuraho) and literary contributions, despite constant warfare with their neighbors.
The Chaulukyas (Solankis): Ruling Gujarat and resisting early raids, notably the defense of the Somnath temple.
While the North struggled with invasions, South India reached a pinnacle of maritime and political power under the Cholas.
Rajaraja I and Rajendra I: The volume details their naval expeditions to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia (Srivijaya), effectively turning the Bay of Bengal into a "Chola Lake."
Administration: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the unique Chola system of local self-government and village assemblies (Sabhas).
A central theme of Volume V is the series of invasions that fundamentally altered the course of the subcontinent.
Mahmud of Ghazni: The volume analyzes his seventeen raids, focusing on the economic impact and the destruction of religious centers like Somnath.
Muhammad Ghori: Unlike Ghazni, Ghori sought political annexation. The book tracks the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate starting with Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
Factors of Defeat: R.C. Majumdar and the contributors provide a critical historical analysis of why the numerically superior Indian armies often failed against the more mobile and unified Central Asian cavalry.
Despite the constant warfare, this was a period of immense creative output:
Temple Architecture: This era saw the construction of the most magnificent temples in India, including the Sun Temple at Konark, the temples of Khajuraho, and the Hoysala temples in the South.
Literature: The rise of regional languages (Apabhramsa, early Hindi, Kannada, and Telugu) alongside Sanskrit. Notable works like Kalhana’s Rajatarangini (the first systematic history of Kashmir) were written during this time.
Philosophy: The emergence of the great Acharyas—Ramanuja and Madhva—who challenged the Advaita philosophy of Shankara and laid the intellectual foundations for the Bhakti movement.
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