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Urban Centres and Urban forces in c. 600-900 CE Rajasthan:
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27. Urban Centres and Urban forces in c. 600-900 CE Rajasthan: Historic Insights from Contemporary Temple Remains,
Epigraphs and Coins
Shanta Rani Sharma
Challenging the postulation that the period was one of urban decline, the paper on the basis of an extensive examination of extant rich temple remains and other archaeological source materials, Prākrit literature and epigraphs correlates the dynamic rise of Rajasthan on the Indian political scene with concomitant urban growth. Taking cognizance of the various theories of urbanization, it highlights the urban characteristics of various contemporary settlements, such as, Bhillamala, Mandor, Chittor, Kalyanpur, Nagda, Kaman, Sambhar, Osia and Samoli. Diverse factors furthering the operation of urban forces, including the initiative by rulers, agricultural surplus, widespread trade, use of coined money, flourishing crafts, socio-cultural manifestations of urbanism, such as, fluidity of the caste system, artistic and architectural vitality, tolerant spirit, secular orientation of education, high standard of Prākrit and Sanskrit literary activity, urban life style and evidence of a distinct urban administration are duly identified.
The period c. 600-900 CE marks a landmark in the history of Rajasthan, when the Imperial Pratihāras, ably aided by the lineages later known as the Rajputs, raised Rajasthan from comparative political obscurity to the centre stage of action. The decline of the tribal republics of the Mālavas, Yaudheyas and Arjunāyanas and the establishment of the small kingdoms established by the Cāpas at Bhillamāla, Mauryas at Chittor and parts of Kotā, Guhilas at Mewar and the Mandor Pratihāras at Mandor by the seventh century marks the process of the gradual emergence of a territorial polity and political stability. In the eighth century the Imperial Pratihāras, rising to the forefront in the aftermath of Nāgabhatta I's successful repulsion of Arab expeditions sent out by Junaid, the general of Khalif Hashām(724-43 CE), obtained victories as far as Bengal, accompanied by other Rajasthan lineages, viz., the Cāhamānas of Sākambhari, the Guhilas of Chatsu and the Pratihāras of Mandor.
Rajasthan, which had hitherto played a relatively insignificant role, now carved a permanent niche on the Indian political scene. In the ninth century, the Arab traveller Sulaiman, while describing the king of Jurz as the greatest foe of the Mohemmedans, took note of the prosperity and efficient administration of his realm. The present paper situates this remarkable development in its proper historical perspective by establishing that it synchronized with the process of urbanization in a
