Either of two dynasties of Hindu India.
The Pratiharas were the most important dynasty of 9th-century northern India. The line of Haricandra ruled in Mandor, Marwar (present-day Jodhpur, Rajasthan state), in the 6th9th centuries, generally with feudatory status. The line of Nagabhata ruled first at Ujjain and later at Kannauj in the 8th11th centuries. This line is generally considered the more important one; at its peak of prosperity and power ( 0441; 836910), it rivaled the Gupta dynasty in the extent of its territory. The last important Pratihara king was driven from Kannauj by Mahm 016B; d of Ghazna (1018). Other Gurjara lines existed, but they did not take the surname Pratihara.