The Tomara Dynasty (c. 8th Century – 12th Century CE)

The Tomara Dynasty (c. 8th Century – 12th Century CE)

The Tomaras were a significant early medieval Rajput dynasty who are immortalized in history as the founders of Delhi (Dhillika). They served as a vital bridge between the late classical age and the advent of the Delhi Sultanate.

1. Origin and Background

• Lineage: Claim descent from the Chandravanshi (Lunar) संबोधन, specifically the Pandava lineage of the Mahabharata.

• Ethnic Roots: Identified as one of the 36 royal clans of Rajputs.

• Early Status: Originally functioned as feudatories (Samantas) of the Gurjara-Pratiharas of Kannauj.

• Geographical Base: Centered in the Hariyana (Haryana) region and the Indraprastha (Delhi) tract.

2. Founder and Capital

• Founder: Anangpal I (also known as Bilandev) is traditionally credited with establishing the dynasty in the 8th century (c. 736 CE).

• Capital: Dhillika (Delhi).

  • Strategic Importance: Located on the Aravalli ridge, providing natural defense and control over the trade routes connecting the Indo-Gangetic plains to the northwest.

  • Lal Kot: The first fortified city of Delhi, built to resist nomadic and central Asian incursions.

3. Political History

• Anangpal II (Anangpal Tomar): The most celebrated ruler. He is credited with the re-establishment of Delhi in the 11th century (c. 1052 CE) and the construction of Lal Kot.

• Sovereignty: During the 10th century, as the Gurjara-Pratihara power waned, the Tomaras declared independence.

• External Conflicts:

  • Ghaznavids: Faced repeated invasions by Mahmud of Ghazni and later his successors. Mahipala Tomar famously recovered Thanesar and Hansi from the governors of Maudud (Ghaznavid).

  • Chauhans: Constant friction with the Chahamanas of Shakambhari. Ultimately, the Tomaras lost Delhi to Vigraharaja IV (Visaladeva) in the mid-12th century.

4. Chronological Table of Rulers

5. Administration and Governance

• Polity: A decentralized feudal structure. The King was the head, supported by a council of ministers.

• Feudalism: Heavily dependent on the Samanta system, where local chiefs provided military support in exchange for land grants.

• Defense: Specialized in fort-based defense (Durga). The Aravalli terrain was utilized for strategic retreats.

6. Economic Conditions

• Urban Center: Lal Kot emerged as a major commercial and administrative hub.

• Agriculture: Focus on irrigation in the semi-arid Haryana region. Construction of stepwells (Baolis) and tanks was common.

• Coinage: Issued "Dehliwala" coins—mostly billon (mixed metal) coins featuring a horseman and a bull, which remained popular even under early Sultanate rulers.

7. Society, Religion, and Culture

• Religion: Devout followers of Hinduism (specifically Vaishnavism and Shaivism).

• Patronage: Granted land to Brahmins (Agraharas) and supported the construction of Sun temples.

• Social Order: Rigid Varna system; the rise of the Rajput identity was a defining social feature of this era.

8. Art, Architecture, and Contributions

• Lal Kot: The citadel of the first city of Delhi. Its ramparts are still visible near the Qutub Minar complex.

• Suraj Kund: A massive sun-pool/amphitheater in Faridabad, built by Surajpal Tomar.

• Iron Pillar of Mehrauli: While originally Gupta-era, Anangpal II is credited with bringing it from Udayagiri (MP) and installing it in Delhi as a victory pillar.

• Temple Architecture: Developed the early Nagara style in the Delhi-Haryana region (many temples were later recycled for Sultanate monuments).

9. Historical Sources

• Literary: * Prithviraj Raso (Chand Bardai): Mentions the transition of power from Tomaras to Chauhans.

  • Pasanaha Chariu: A Jain work describing the prosperity of Dhillika under Tomaras.

• Archaeological: * Anangtal Baoli: A large tank in Mehrauli attributed to Anangpal II.

  • Mahipalpur Inscriptions: Confirming the names of later Tomara kings.

  • Numismatics: "Bull and Horseman" type coins.

10. Decline and Legacy

• Decline: Exhaustion due to constant wars with Ghaznavids and the rising Chahamanas (Chauhans).

• Transition: Delhi was annexed by Vigraharaja IV around 1150–1160 CE. However, the Tomaras continued as local subordinates for some time.

• Legacy: * They turned Delhi from a minor settlement into a political epicenter.

  • The "Horseman and Bull" coin style was adopted by the Ghorids and Mamluks.

11. UPSC Value Addition

Prelims Boost (One-Liners)

1. Founder of Delhi: Anangpal Tomar is the consensus founder of "Dhillika."

2. Lal Kot: The first of the "Seven Cities of Delhi."

3. Suraj Kund: Built by Surajpal; represents medieval water harvesting.

4. Anangtal: A 11th-century reservoir in Delhi.

5. Coinage: The "Dehliwala" coins were the precursor to Sultanate currency.

6. Iron Pillar: Anangpal II relocated it to Delhi to legitimize his Pandava lineage.

7. Battle of Hansi: Mahipala Tomar's rare victory against the Ghaznavids.

8. Pasanaha Chariu: Primary Jain source for Tomara history.

Mains Enrichment (Analytical Points)

• Strategic Vision: The Tomara choice of Delhi as a capital shifted the focus of Indian politics from Kannauj back to the Yamuna-Aravalli junction.

• Military Buffer: For centuries, the Tomaras acted as the "Gatekeepers of India," absorbing the initial shocks of northwestern invasions before they reached the heart of the Gangetic plain.

• Cultural Synthesis: Their coinage and administrative units (Nadus/Vishayas) provided the structural template upon which the Chauhans and later the Delhi Sultanate built their empires.