Origin of the Pratihara Dynasty
By D. R. Mankad
Summary
This article contributes to the debate over the ethnic origins of the Pratihara dynasty. Dr. D. C. Ganguly had argued that the Pratiharas were a branch of the Gurjara tribe who entered India with the Hunas, citing the Rajor inscription where a minor dynasty calls itself ‘Gurjara‑Pratihara.’ The author critiques this interpretation, citing earlier scholars such as Gaurishankar H. Ojha and C. V. Vaidya who argue that ‘Gurjara‑Pratihara’ means ‘Pratiharas of the Gurjara country’ rather than ‘Pratiharas who are Gurjaras.’ He notes that many dynasties are named after their offices (e.g., the door‑keeper, prati‑hara) rather than their ethnic origins. The article also reports an alternative thesis—advanced by M. P. Mehta—that the Pratiharas were originally Brahmanas and that the dynasty’s founder was Harischandra, a Brahmana mentioned in the Mandor and Ghatiala inscriptions. Further, titles like ‘Gurjarendra’ or ‘Gurjaradhipati’ in inscriptions refer to kings who ruled Gujarat, not to their tribal affiliation. The article concludes that the evidence does not support the Gurjara tribal hypothesis and that the Pratiharas likely arose from local elites in the Gurjara region, possibly of Brahmana origin.
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Conclusion
By reviewing inscriptional evidence and earlier scholarship, the article undermines the theory that the Pratiharas were ethnically Gurjara. The term ‘Gurjara‑Pratihara’ should be read geographically, and there is reason to believe the dynasty had Brahmana origins. The study demonstrates how careful epigraphic interpretation can alter our understanding of royal lineage.