Gurjara-Pratihara

a Rajput dynasty in northern India from the beginning of the eighth century to 1018. Beginning its expansion from the territory of Rajasthan, the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty seized Malwa, Gujarat, and most of the Ganges valley. They suffered a number of serious defeats at the hands of the Palas and Rashtrakutas, but they emerged triumphant in the struggle to create an empire, which embraced the greater part of northern India. However, in the middle of the tenth century, their vassals seceded, creating independent Rajput principalities. In 1018, Mahmud of Ghazni plundered their capital, and the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty ceased to exist.