The period following the death of Harsha was marked by complete anarchy and chaos. Due to the absence of any sovereign authority for a considerable period of time the small provincial units were engaged in petty struggle among themselves. The kings of Kamrupa and Kashmir made unsuccessful attempt for mastery over northern India. The same happened with Yashovarman of Kanauj.On a whole the condition of northern India was the complete disruption of administrative machinery. Ultimately three political powers rose in power from the chaotic political situation. They were the Palas (ruled over Bengal and Magadha in the east), the Pratiharas (ruled in Rajputana in the west) and the Rashtrakutas (in Deccan). These three powers made the continuous attempt to won the sole authority over entire northern India. This triangular conflict between the Pala, Pratihara and the Rashtrakuta is known in history as the famous Tripartite Struggle.

The famous tripartite Struggle, which continued for a century constituted an important epoch in the history of ancient India. The tripartite Struggle was marked by several and downs. However the end the Pratiharas emerged triumphant out of this struggle. Apart from the contemporary literary records, several epigraphic inscriptions provide the important source about the tripartite struggle. From these sources it is known that initially the two contenders were the Palas and the Pratiharas. From his base in Bengal, Dharmapala made an attempt in the west in order to occupy Kanauj. While Dharmapala was successfully advancing towards the west, Vatsaraja made westward advancements in order to capture Kanauj. The confrontations of the two superior powers made the struggle inevitable. In the battle of Doab, Vatsaraja defeated the Pala king Dharmapala. Vatsaraja then placed his vassal Indraraja on the throne of Kanauj. But Vatsaraja failed to consolidate his victory. The Rashtrakuta king Dhruva II crushed Vatsaraja by his army in the battle of Jhansi. He then advanced to the region of Doab and also dashed the Pala power. Then he retired to Deccan without consolidating his success in the northern India.

The sweeping success of Dhruva led Dharmapala to strengthen his authority against the Pratihara supremacy. Dhruva had already broke the Pratihara supremacy and returned to Deccan. As a result Dharmapala made a fresh attempt to conquer Kanauj without any opposition from the west. From the Bhagalpur Copper Plate it is known that Dharmapala conquered Kanauj by defeating the Pratihara vassal Indraraja in that region. He placed Chakrayudh as his vassal on the throne of Kanauj. The "Monghyr Copper plate" described Dharmapala`s conquest over the extensive region of Northern India. He also advanced towards the limits of the Himalayas. The "Khalimpur Copper Plate" stated that Dharmapala held a Durbar at Kanauj, which was attended by the vassal chiefs of Dharmapala.These include the kings of Bhoja, Matsya, Madara, Kuru, Yadu, Yavana, Avanti, Gandhara and Kira. But Dharmapala could not enjoy undisturbed sway over the region. Nagabhatta II, the Pratihara king made a renewed attempt against Dharmapala. He occupied Kanauj by defeating Chakrayudh, the Pala vassal in Kanauj. When Dharmapala advanced to resist him, Nagabhatta inflicted a crushing defeat on him in the Battle of Monghyr. Later Nagabhatta made a sweeping advance in the heart of the Pala kingdom in Bengal.

Again the Rashtrakutas appeared on the political scenario. The Rashtrakuta king Govinda III advanced towards the north. According to the historians, Dharmapala made alliance with the Rashtrakutas. Later the Rashtrakuta king Govinda III dashed Dharmapala and his vassal Chakrayudh. But Govinda III, returned to Deccan and Dharmapala consolidated his Empire.

Deva Pala succeeded to the vast Empire left by Dharmapala. But he had to face attacks by the Gurjaras. During the reign of Dharmapala, Bengal became a powerful military and political power. In the hands of Devapala, the Pratiharas suffered several reverses. Devapala also crushed Bhoja I or Mihir Bhoja. Shortly after this Mihir Bhoja suffered crushing defeats from the hands of the Rashtrakutas. However the Pala power made a quick decline after the death of Devapala. In due course, the Pratihara king built up his fortune.

The tripartite character of the struggle began to decline after the downfall of the Pala supremacy in 850 AD. The later Pala kings were not competent enough to participate in the struggle again the formidable powers of the Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas. The Pala power in the south was declined due to the Rashtrakuta invasion. Under Bhoja, the Pratihara power attained a huge ascendancy. After Bhoja I, his son carried out the expansion and annexation policy of his father. Finally the Pratiharas enjoyed the undisputed sway in the tripartite Struggle. But the Pratihara power began to decline when Rashtrakuta king Indra III defeated Mahipala Pratihara. After the decline of the Pratihara power the vassal chiefs became powerful. They began to unfurl their flag of independence. Ultimately due to the absence of any great power the tripartite struggle ended.