upscools
Uttarakhand PCS Prelims 2021

Tripartite Struggle for Dominance

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which among the following Rashtrakuta King defeated Pratihara ruler Nagabhatta II?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept The Tripartite struggle saw frequent southward and northward movements. The Rashtrakutas often intervened in North Indian politics to prevent any single power from controlling Kannauj.

Explanation Govinda III (r. 793–814 CE) launched a spectacular northern campaign around 800 CE. He decisively defeated the Gurjara-Pratihara king Nagabhatta II and the Pala king Dharmapala, establishing Rashtrakuta dominance as far as the Himalayas.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option B is correct. Govinda III is considered one of the greatest Rashtrakuta emperors for his wide-ranging military successes.
Logic 2: While Dhruva also defeated Pratiharas, it was specifically Govinda III who crushed the revived power of Nagabhatta II.

Active Recall

Question

Why did the Rashtrakutas usually retreat after their northern victories?

Answer

They were primarily interested in asserting their supremacy and collecting tribute rather than the direct long-term administration of North India.

Core Insight

Govinda III's reign marks the period when a Deccan power successfully dictated terms to the major dynasties of both Northern and Eastern India.

Practice Navigation