Experts have designed these Class 7 SST Notes Chapter 3 Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries Class 7 Notes for effective learning.
Class 7 Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries Notes
Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries Notes Class 7
Class 7 SST Chapter 3 Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries Notes
→ Harshavardhana (Harsha) became king in 606 CE, shifted his capital to Kannauj, and ruled much of northern and eastern India.
→ Harsha used royal titles showing his authority (“great king of kings”) recorded on coins and copper-plate inscriptions.
→ He was a patron of literature and is credited with three Sanskrit plays; his court poet Banabhatta wrote Kadambari and Harsacharita.
→ Inscriptions show Harsha was a devotee of Shiva, but he also supported Buddhist scholars and respected multiple religions.
→ The Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang (630-644 CE) travelled across India, collected over 600 Sanskrit manuscripts, and left a detailed travel account used by historians.
→ Xuanzang visited Harsha’s court; described Kannauj as wealthy and Harsha as generous, just, and militarily active.
→ Harsha held grand assemblies at Prayaga every five years and made large donations to monks, brahmins, and the poor.
→ Harsha tried to expand south of the Narmada but was checked by Pulakeshin II of the Chalukyas.
→ After Harsha’s death (647 CE) North India entered political instability and small kingdoms vied for power.
→ Kannauj became a prized city and the centre of the long Tripartite Struggle among the Palas, Gurjara-PratTharas. and Rashtrakutas.
→ The Palas (Bengal-Bihar) were founded by Gopala (c. 750 CE); Dharmapala expanded their power and patronised Mahayana Buddhism.
→ Palas founded major learning centres such as Vikramashila and Somapura Mahavihara and supported Nalanda.
→ Vikramashila was a selective university with coileges and strong links to Tibet; it flourished for centuries before being destroyed in the 12th century.
→ The Gurjara-PratTharas (origin around western India) defended northwest India from Arab invasions and, under rulers like Bhoja (9th century), extended influence to Kannauj.
→ The Rashtrakutas (centered in Karnataka) rose under Dantidurga, ruied large parts of the subcontinent, and briefly occupied Kannauj; they patronised art and temple-building (e g., Kailashanatha at Ellora).
→ Amoghavarsha I (Rashtrakuta) ruled long and promoted literature, administration, and religious tolerance; he wrote in Sanskrit and Kannada.
→ Kashmir (KashmTra) under dynasties like the Karkotas produced the RajataranginT by Kalhana (12th century), a major historical source; Lalitaditya and later Queen Didda are notable rulers.
→ Kashmir was a major centre of Sanskrit learning and developed Kashmir Shaivism; scholars like Abhinavagupta influenced philosophy, arts, and aesthetics.
→ The Deccan and South saw competing powers: Chalukyas (Badami and later KalyanT), Paliavas (Kanchi), Pandyas, Cheras, and the rising Cholas.
→ Pulakeshin II (Chalukya) checked Harsha in the Deccan; later Chaiukya branches and Paliavas shaped regional politics and temple architecture.
→ Paliavas at Mamallapuram and Kanchi excelled in rock-cut architecture and maritime trade; Narasimhavarman I defeated Pulakeshin II.
→ The Cholas re-emerged under Vijayalaya and Aditya I, made Tanjavur their capital, developed irrigation in the Kaveri delta, and built powerful naval and temple institutions.
→ Village assemblies and local self-governance grew—example: Chola inscriptions at Uttaramerur describe selection and functioning of village sabhas.
→ Land grants expanded; temples, monasteries, and elites acquired land, producing intermediaries who sometimes exploited cultivators but also promoted irrigation and agriculture.
→ Maritime trade increased: west coast links with West Asia and east coast trade with Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia; ports hosted diverse foreign traders (Christian, Muslim, Jewish).
→ Society became more complex: many new jatis appeared, occupational groups solidified, but varna-jati systems varied regionally and showed some flexibility.
→ Women’s roles varied; inscriptions show women donating land and participating in economic and religious life; some queens ruled effectively (e.g., Tribhuvana Mahadevi I).
→ Religious life was plural: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism coexisted; new Tantric practices and the early spread of Bhakti (south Indian Alvars and Nayanars) promoted devotional worship across social lines.
→ Mathematics and astronomy advanced: Brahmagupta (zero, negative numbers, algebra), Bhaskara I (trigonometry), Virahanka (Fibonacci-type sequence), and Mahavira (pure mathematics) made significant contributions.
→ Foreign incursions included the Hunas (early medieval waves that were eventually absorbed into Indian society) and Arab naval raids and later Muhammad bin Qasim’s conquest of Sindh; Arab rule remained limited geographically.
→ Cultural transmission occurred both ways: Sanskrit works were translated into Arabic from the 9th century onward, and Indian numerals/zero spread to the Arab world (later reaching Europe).
→ Overall the period was politically fragmented but culturally vibrant: regional kingdoms promoted temple architecture, literature, learning, trade, and scientific progress while society adapted and renewed itself.
→ Tripartite: A situation that involves three distinct parties (Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas).
→ Monolithic: It is made of a single (‘mono’) stone or rock (‘lithic’).
– Idol: A worshipped image. Because orthodox sects of Judaism, Christianity and Islam condemn the worship of idols, we prefer to use the term ‘image’ or Indian words such as mūrti or vigraha.
→ Infidel: For medieval Islam, infidels were non-Muslims, especially Hindus, Buddhists or Jains.
→ Mlechchha: This term, which originally referred to those who did not speak clearly or did not follow Vedic culture, came to refer to foreigners.
→ Samanta: A subordinate chief or vassal who governed local territory on behalf of a king.
→ Bhakti: Personal devotion to a chosen deity expressed through songs, prayers, and loving service.
→ Jati: A social group or community often linked to a particular occupation or birth; the basis of everyday social identity.
→ Mațha: A monastery or religious institution that serves as a centre of learning and spiritual practice.
→ Inscription: A written record carved on stone, metal, or copper-plate used to record grants, victories, or official proclamations.