The Gurjara Pratiharas were a powerful dynasty in early medieval India. Brahmanism was one of the important sects which evolved during this period which included various other sects under it. They occupied western India, a region popular with Arab travellers. The Arabs referred to the Gurjara Pratihara dominion as Al-Jurz, and they regarded them as one of the three most powerful Indian ruling dynasties, the other two being the Palas and the Rashtrakutas. The Pratiharas were ultimately the most successful in this conflict, establishing their authority over the city and the surrounding area. In this article, we will discuss the Religion of Pratiharas which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Pratiharas - History

• The Pratihara Kings ruled from the sixth to the eleventh centuries C.E. In the mid-sixth century C.E., Harichandra established the kingdom of the Pratihara Kings near modern Jodhpur.
• Harichandra was a Brahmin with two wives, one of whom was Brahamana and the other a Kshatriya.
• His sons from his Brahamana wife were known as Pratihara Brahmins, while his sons from his Kshatriya wife established the Pratihara ruling dynasty.
• His four sons each established their own kingdom. Their power was concentrated in Jodhpur, Nandipura, Broach, Ujjayani, and the surrounding areas.
• Nagabhatta I, who ruled between 730 and 756 C.E., laid the groundwork for the Pratihara dynasty's greatness. His reign was notable due to his successful confrontation with the Arabs.
• He established an empire that stretched from Gujarat to Gwalior and resisted Arab invasions to the east of Sindh.

Religion During the Pratiharas

• During this time, various sects of Brahmanism advanced. The prominent sects of Brahmanism during this period were Vaishnava, Shaiva, Sakta, and Surya.
• The construction of temples and statues was considered a sacred duty by the followers of these sects. The temples were supported by donations from kings and other wealthy individuals.
• Shaivas worshipped Siva under various names such as Indra, Sankar, Pashupati, Yoga Swami, Shambhu, and so on.
• Siva was worshipped by kings such as Vatsaraja, Mahendrapala, and Trilochanapala. Vishnu, Surya, and Brahma statues were also erected in Siva temples. Aside from this, there were other small sects that worshipped various goddesses.
• Durga, Chamunda, Bhagavati, and Kali were the most prominent of these goddesses. In some places, Surya and Vinayaka were also worshipped.
• From a religious standpoint, the Pratihara kings were tolerant and allowed the people to perform whatever acts they desired. However, they cannot be said to have pursued a policy of religious tolerance as a whole.
• It is because, within a religion, people were free to follow any sect. There are also some references to persecutions of other religions' adherents.
• Aside from idol worship, Yajanas and charitable giving at religious sites were also prevalent. According to an inscription, on the day of Sankranti, Trilochanapala donated a village to 6,000 Brahman after worshipping Lord Siva.
• Buddhism was in decline during this time period, and the number of its adherents was dwindling. So it was with Jainism, whose adherents were mostly concentrated in Rajputana, Gujarat, and Deogarh.

Social Condition

• The caste system was prevalent in India during the Gurjara-Pratihara period, and references to all four Vedic castes can be found in the inscription.
• The Brahmans are referred to as Vipra in the inscription, and several Prakrit wards are used for Kshatriyas.
• Each caste's members were divided into different classes. Among the Brahmans, the Chaturveda and Bhatta groups were prominent.
• The Kanchuka and Vakata groups were prominent among the Vaishyas. In the time of the Pratiharas, Arab writer Ibda Khurdadab mentioned seven castes.
• There were classes such as Savakufria, Brahman, Kataria, Sudaria, Bandalia, and Labla, according to him. The King was chosen from the Savakufria class, whereas the Brahman class did not drink wine and married their sons to Kataria class daughters.
• Katarias were classified as Kshatriyas. Sudarians were considered Sudras and typically engaged in farming or cattle rearing.
• The Basuria class was a Vaishya class whose job was to serve the other classes.
• Sandila class members completed Chandals' work. The Lahuda class is made up of low and wandering tribes.

Conclusion

As can be seen, while Jainism and Buddhism were declining, during the reign of Pratiharas, Brahmanism advanced. In addition, Muslims were flocking to India to convert to their faith.

FAQs

Question. Who were the Pratiharas?

Question. What was the religion followed by the Pratihara Dynasty?

Question. How did the Pratiharas contribute to Hinduism?

Question. Did the Pratiharas support other religions?

Question. What were the Pratiharas' contributions to Indian architecture?

MCQs

1. Which religion did the Pratiharas predominantly follow?

A) Jainism

B) Buddhism

C) Hinduism

D) Zoroastrianism

2. Which of the following religions did the Pratihara dynasty support alongside Hinduism?

A) Jainism and Buddhism

B) Christianity and Islam

C) Jainism and Zoroastrianism

D) Buddhism and Sikhism

3. The Pratihara dynasty was known for the construction of which type of religious structures?

A) Mosques

B) Jain Temples

C) Hindu Temples

D) Buddhist Stupas

4. Which Pratihara ruler is most famous for supporting Hinduism?

A) Mihira Bhoja

B) Harsha Vardhana

C) Chandragupta I

D) Raja Raja Chola

5. The Pratihara dynasty is most associated with which region of India?

A) Southern India

B) Northern India

C) Western India

D) Eastern India

GS Mains Questions and Model Answer

Q1: Discuss the religious policies of the Pratihara Dynasty and their impact on the cultural development of medieval India.

Answer: The Pratihara Dynasty was known for its religious tolerance and support for multiple religions, primarily Hinduism, but also Buddhism and Jainism. Their support for Hinduism was demonstrated through the construction of temples dedicated to deities like Shiva and Vishnu, influencing temple architecture and religious practices. At the same time, the Pratiharas supported Buddhist and Jain religious institutions, which promoted intellectual exchange and the spread of religious diversity in the region. This policy of tolerance not only helped consolidate their rule but also contributed to the cultural and religious richness of medieval India.

Q2: Analyze the role of the Pratihara Dynasty in the propagation of Shaivism and Vaishnavism.

Answer: The Pratihara Dynasty played a significant role in the propagation of Shaivism and Vaishnavism in northern India. Many Pratihara rulers were devout followers of Lord Shiva and Vishnu, and they provided patronage to temples and religious scholars. The Pratiharas also encouraged the construction of temples dedicated to these deities, which became central to religious and cultural life in their realm. This patronage helped solidify the influence of Shaivism and Vaishnavism, ensuring their dominance in the region for centuries to come.

Q3: Evaluate the Pratihara Dynasty’s contributions to the religious and architectural heritage of India.

Answer: The Pratihara Dynasty’s contributions to India’s religious and architectural heritage were substantial. The dynasty’s strong patronage of Hinduism led to the construction of several important temples that exemplified the architectural style of the period. These temples were characterized by intricate carvings and expansive structures that showcased religious devotion. The Pratiharas also supported Jainism and Buddhism, fostering a diverse religious environment. The combination of religious support and architectural innovation during their reign helped shape the religious landscape of medieval India, influencing later dynasties and contributing to India’s rich architectural tradition.

Previous Year Questions on Religion of the Pratiharas 

1. UPSC CSE 2021

Question: Discuss the religious and cultural contributions of the Pratihara dynasty in medieval India.

Answer: This question requires an analysis of the Pratihara dynasty’s religious and cultural impact, with a focus on their support for Hinduism, the construction of temples, and their role in promoting religious tolerance by supporting Jainism and Buddhism. The candidate should also discuss their architectural contributions.

2. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Evaluate the significance of the Pratihara dynasty in the political and religious history of medieval India.

Answer: This question asks for an evaluation of the Pratihara dynasty’s political influence, especially in northern India, as well as their contributions to religious practices and temple construction. It should include an assessment of how their rule affected the cultural and religious landscape of the region during medieval times.