Tomars of Delhi

Tomars of Delhi: Being one of the clans of Rajputs, were the Tomars of Delhi, who ruled over areas of present-day Delhi and Haryana, beginning from the 8th till the 12th century. In the beginning, they were feudatories of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty. Then in the 10th century, they established an independent kingdom around Delhi by the 10th century. The Chauhans of Ajmer took over their capital in Delhi in the 12th century.

In this article, we have talked about the Tomars of Delhi, their features, territories, Tomars as Feudatories and as Independent rulers, their founder- Anangpal II, and the decline of Tomars.

Tomars of Delhi: Overview (c.736 CE–c.1152 CE)

Tomar Status	Vassal state of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty  (8th-10th century CE)
Capital	Anangpur (c.736 – c.1052 CE) Lal Kot, Delhi (c.1052 – c.1152 CE)
Type of Government	Sovereign Monarchy (10th-12th century CE)
Established in	c.736 CE
Declined in	c.1152 CE
Region	Present-day Delhi and Haryana
Founder	Anangpal II
Religion	Hinduism
Common Languages	Apabhramsa
Preceded By	Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty
Succeeded By	Chahamanas of Shakambhari

Tomars of Delhi

When it comes to finding out about the Tomars of Delhi, it is quite difficult. As reconstruction of Tomar history is not easy as it lacks valid evidence. Our knowledge about the Tomars, comes from medieval Bardic sources. These are not historically reliable. Other source for Tomar history is from inscriptions and coins.

Amongst India’s early medieval dynasties, the Tomar dynasty is one that ruled in Northern India. As per the writings of the Puranas, it was first discovered in the Himalayan region. As per bardic sources, Tomar dynasty was one of the 36 Rajput tribes.

Tomar’s family’s history begins from the period from Anangpal’s rule, who founded Delhi in the 11th century CE, to Delhi being included in the Chauhan (Chahamana) kingdom in 1164.

Features of the Tomar dynasty are:

• A monarchical administrative structure where in the monarch had the supreme power.

• A group of ministers assisted the king. This was a hereditary position. These ministers hailed from influential families & were nominated by the King.

• Language- Apabhraṃśa

• Religion- Hinduism

Rule of the Tomars

The Tomaras ruled over the regions of present-day Delhi & Haryana. As per the 13th century inscription, Tomaras ruled the Hariyanaka (Haryana) region. As per a 14th century inscription, Tomars built Dhillika (modern day Delhi). Around Delhi, there was a fortified wall named Lal Kot which was built by Anangpal Tomar. It is said that from the Asigarh Fort to Thanesar, was the stretch of the Tomara kingdom. The Chahamanas succeeded the Tomars.

The Tomar regions included parts of present-day Delhi, Haryana, and some parts of Uttar Pradesh. From the 8th-10th century CE, in the beginning the Tomars were the feudatories or vassals of Pratiharas. Bardic literature referred to the dynasty as “Tuar” and categorized them as one of the 36 Rajput clans. As per the Bardic literature, the Tomar dynasty was founded in 736 CE by Anangpal I. He built a wall named ‘Lal Kot,’ around Delhi, which was their capital.

Later when Lal Kot came under Prithviraj Chauhan‘s control in 1180 CE, it was transformed into a gigantic 13-gated Fort known as Qila Rai Pithora.

With the fall of the Pratiharas’ , the Tomaras became independent rulers in the 10th century. Once Tomars gained their independence from the Pratiharas’, they fought with their neighbours- the Chauhans of Ajmer and the Gahadavala dynasty.

The rulers who succeeded Anangapala were Tejapala, Madanapala, Kritapala, Mahipala, Lakhanapala and Prithvipala.

According to the Chahamana king, his ancestor Chandana (c. 900 CE) killed the Tomara leader Rudrena (or Rudra) in a fight.

Later on, Anangpal II, came to be known as Anangpal Tomar, who in 1052 founded Delhi. This can be proven as it is said in an inscription of 1383. He also built the Anangpur Dam.

It is also said that a king named Mahipala could also have been a Tomara ruler. Another Tomara ruler, who is said to have commissioned the Suraj Kund reservoir is Surajpala.

Anangpal II- Founder of Tomar Dynasty

The most popular Tomar ruler who founded the Tomar dynasty is Anangpal II, popularly known as Anangpal Tomar. He came up with Dhillika Puri, which later became Delhi. As per many coins and inscriptions, it is believed that Anangpal Tomar ruled over present-day Delhi and Haryana in between the 8^th-12^th centuries. The city was made from ruins and he built the Anang Tal Baoli and Lal Kot under his supervision.

Prithviraj Chauhan, the Rajput ruler succeeded his grandfather Anangpal Tomar II.

Decline of Tomars

In the 12th century, the Chahamanas of Shakambhari (Chauhans of Sambhar or Chauhans of Ajmer) replaced the Tomars. With the Tomars being feudatories, and became the feudatories of Chauhans while capturing Delhi in the 12th century.

Prithviraj Chauhan was handed over the throne by the last Tomar Rajput king, Anangpal Tomar (also known as Anangapala) as per barbic legends. But this is often debated as historical evidence shows that Someshvara passed the Delhi throne to his son Prithviraj. As per the Bijolia inscription of Someshvara, his brother Vigraharaja IV had captured Dhillika (Delhi) and Ashika (Hansi). He probably defeated the Tomara ruler Anangapala III.

Conclusion

Even though as per coins and literary evidence, it is seen that the Chauhan kingdom incorporated Delhi into their regime. However, the Tomara kings like Anangapala and Madanapala continued to rule as feudatories, until the Muslims’ final conquest of Delhi in 1192–93. The Tomara dynasty who as per bardic traditions, were one of the 36 Rajput tribes. Anangapal founded the Tomar kingdom’s capital at Delhi in 11th century CE & eventually incorporated Delhi within the Chauhan (Chahamana) kingdom in 1164. Tomars ruled over present-day Delhi, Haryana and some parts of Uttar Pradesh. Thus, we get to see how initially Delhi became a capital and how the Tomar dynasty were one of the earliest dynasties in early medieval Northern India.

People Also Read:

• Rise of Rajputs

• Important Dynasties of the Medieval India with their Capital

• Important Battles of Medieval History of India

FAQs on Tomars of Delhi

Name the founder of the Tomar Dynasty.

In 736 CE, Anangpal I, founded the Tomar dynasty.

Name the founder of Delhi.

In 1052, Anangpal II, who came to be known as Anangpal Tomar, founded Delhi.

Who overthrew the Tomar Dynasty?

In the 12th century, by taking control over Delhi, the Tomars were replaced by the Chauhans of Ajmer.

Which dynasty did the Tomars belong to?

Tomars belong to the Rajput dynasty.

Where did the Tomars rule?

From the 8th-12th century, the Tomars ruled over parts of present-day Delhi and Haryana.