Campaign against Pratiharas

The **Campaign against Pratiharas** was led by Devapala of Pala Empire against Nagabhatta II, Ramabhadra and Bhoja who were the rulers of the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty. Devapala's Campaigns began when Nagabhatta II tried to establish Pratihara rule over Kannauj after the death of Dharmapala who was the father of Devapala.

## Background

When Govinda III went back to South India, Kannauj was left unguarded from Nagabhatta II and Dharmapāla. Nagabhatta II took control of Kannauj, but there was no battle fought between them.

It is possible that Nagabhatta II attempted to take control of Kannauj after Dharmapala's death since Nagabhatta II relocated his capital to that location. However, Devapāla later regained control over Kannauj.

### Campaigns against Nagabhatta II

During the reigns of Dharmapala and Devapala, the Tibetans, led by Mu-tig Btsan-po, claimed to have subdued Dharmapala, while his successor Ralpacan claims to have boasted their success all the way to Gangāsāgara. These took place at the end of Dharmapala's reign and the beginning of Devapala's reign. Additionally, Tibet was allied with the Pratihāras in their attack on the Pala empire. But the Pratihāras under Nagabhatta II were successfully expelled from western territories of Bihar by Devapāla.

### Campaign against Ramabhadra

After the death of Nagabhatta II, Ramabhadra became the next king of Gurjara Pratihara dynasty. Devapala launched a campaign against the Gurjara Pratiharas in Madhyadesha, using a successful military strategy. Devapala's bold actions, combined with Ramabhadra's weak leadership, caused a crisis within the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty.

According to Dasharatha Sharma, Ramabhadra did not lose control over Gujarat, Bundelkhand or other territories to Devapala. He also states that none of the records indicates that Kalanjara mandala region was taken by Devapala.

### Campaign against Bhoja

While Devapala was engaged in fighting the Tibetans, Mihira Bhoja took advantage of the situation and attacked the Pala empire. Davidson states that Bhoja defeated the Palas with assistance from vassal states like the Kalachuris.

After dealing with the Tibetans, Devapala led a campaign against Bhoja. Not only did Devapala humble the ruler of Gurjara, but he also defeated the Hunas and Kambojas in his campaign against Bhoja.

Devapala, in the inscriptions and on the inscription recording his reign, credits to him for subjugating the Gurjara Pratihara Empire, Hunas and Kambojas. It is inferred that the Gurjara Pratihara king in this case was Bhoja. Devapala's victory over the Pratihara king probably occurred late in his reign, sometime between 840 and 850 CE.

## Aftermath

Mihir Bhoja, the ruler of the Gurjara Pratihara Empire, was unable to regain his family's wealth and power as long as Devapala was alive. Therefore, Devapala successfully defeated three different rulers from the Gurjara Pratihara Empire in his campaigns and continued the Pala Supremacy over North India.

## Infobox (military conflict)

- **conflict**: Campaign against Pratihāras
- **place**: North India
- **date**: 9th CE
- **territory**: * Devapala reconquered Kannauj from Nagabhatta
* Devapala subjugated the Gurjara Pratiharas during Bhoja's reign
- **result**: Pala Empire Victory
- **combatant1**: Pala Empire
- **combatant2**: Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty
* Tubo, Tibetan Empire
* Vassals of Pratiharas
* Hunas
* Kambojas
- **commander1**: Devapala
- **commander2**: Nagabhatta II
Ramabhadra
Mihir Bhoja
Ralpacan
- **image**: Map of Pala Empire under Devapala.png
- **image size**: 350
- **caption**: Pala Empire after Devapala's campaign against Bhoja.