Bappa Rawal

Last updated

Bappa Rawal
Bappa Rawal.jpg
Statue of Bappa Rawal at Mewar
Ruler of Mewar
Reign728 CE–764 CE [2]
Predecessor Chitrangada Mori of Mori Rajputs clan
Dynasty Guhila dynasty
Religion Hinduism

Bappa Rawal (c. 8th century) was a king of the Mewar kingdom in Rajasthan, India. The chronicles consider him to be the founder of the Guhila Rajput dynasty. He is credited with repelling the Arab invasion of India. He is identified as the ruler of the Guhila dynasty, and called by the names Kalabhoja, Shiladitya, and Khumana.

Contents

Literary accounts

According to the 15th century text Ekalinga Mahatmya (also called Ekalinga Purana), Bappa was the ninth descendant of the Guhila dynasty's founder Guhadatta. The text credits him with establishing the Mewar Kingdom in 728 CE, and with building the Eklingji temple. [3]

The Ekalinga Mahatmya and other bardic chronicles state that Bappa's father Nagaditya and all other male members of his family were killed in a battle with the Bhils of Idar. [3] [4] He remained in disguise, accompanied by his two loyal Bhil attendants. He was brought up by a Brahmin lady of Nagda, who employed him as a caretaker of cows. One day, he met the sage Harit Rashi. [4] The sage agreed to initiate him into a Shaivite order, it is also said that Kaalbhoj went into extraordinary spirituality. After completing his Tapasya, as directed by Harit Rashi, he defeated his father's killers, and established the Mewar Kingdom. [3]

According to legends the rishi also encouraged Bappa to build renowned Eklingji Temple at Nagda, which has been family deity of rulers of Mewar ever since. [5]

Indologist David Gordon White notes that there is a similar legend involving the sage Gorakhnath and the Gorkha king Prithvi Narayan Shah. The 11th century writer Al-Biruni has also recorded a similar legend involving the alchemist Vyadi and the king Vikramaditya. [6]

Historicity

Period

The exact period of Bappa Rawal is not certain. According to the Ekalinga Mahatmya, Bappa Rawal established the Mewar Kingdom in 728 CE, [3] and abdicated the throne in 753 CE/764 CE. [7] D. R. Bhandarkar and G. H. Ojha believed this to be an authentic date. [8]

Identification

The word "Bappa" means "father", and Rawal is a royal title. Therefore, scholars such as C. V. Vaidya, D. R. Bhandarkar, G. H. Ojha, and Kaviraj Shyamaldas believe that "Bappa Rawal" is not a proper noun. [4]

Bappa Rawal is mentioned in some inscriptions that provide genealogical lists of the Guhila dynasty, but other inscriptions containing such lists do not mention him. For example, he is mentioned in the 959 CE Unawas inscription and the 971 CE Ekling inscription. However, the 977 CE Atpur inscription and the 1083 CE Kadmal inscription do not mention him. Therefore, the historians have assumed that "Bappa Rawal" is an epithet for one of the Guhila rulers, and different scholars have tried to identify him with different Guhila kings. [9]

According to the Atpur and Kadmal inscriptions, the Guhila ruler Mahendra was succeeded by Kalabhoja. Several historians, such as G. H. Ojha, have identified Bappa Rawal as Kalabhoja, because the 977 CE Atpur inscription mentions Khumana as a son of Kalabhoja, and the 1404 CE Uparaganva (Dungarpur) inscription of Maharawal Pata names Khumana as the son of Bappa Rawal. R. V. Somani endorses this identification, but cautions that the evidence is not conclusive: Bappa Rawal may have been a different ruler who belonged to another branch of the Guhilas. [10]

The Atpur inscription names Śila as the successor of Nāga, and predecessor of Aparājita. The 1460 CE Kumbhalgarh inscription names Bappa as the successor of Nāga, and predecessor of Aparājita. [11] This suggests that Bappa Rawal was another name for Shiladitya (Śila), the great-grandfather of Kalabhoja. Based on this evidence, Dasharatha Sharma and D. C. Sircar have identified Bappa Rawal with Shiladitya. [9] However, R. V. Somani disputes this identification, arguing that this inscription contains several errors, including naming Bappa Rawal as the father of Guhadatta (who was the dynasty's founder according to some other inscriptions). [12]

Some other historians, such as D. R. Bhandarkar, identified Bappa Rawal with Kalabhoja's son Khumana, based on the calculation of average reign of the Guhila rulers. [9]

Military career

According to some ancient records, Bappa Rawal captured famous Chitrakuta (Chittor Fort) from the mlechchhas. [13] Scholars such as R. C. Majumdar and R. V. Somani write on the basis of available records that the Arab invaders defeated the former rulers of Chittor, and Bappa Rawal gained control of Chittor after repulsing the Arab invaders. According to Majumdar, the Moris (Mauryas) were ruling at Chittor when the Arabs (mlechchhas) invaded north-western India around 725 CE. [13] The Arabs defeated the Moris, and in turn, were defeated by a confederacy that included Bappa Rawal. [14] [15] Majumdar believes that his heroics against the Arabs raised Bappa Rawal's status to such an extent that he wrongly came to be regarded as the founder of the dynasty. [13] R. V. Somani writes in his book that Bappa was a part of the anti-Arab confederacy formed by the Pratihara ruler Nagabhata I. [14]

Shyam Manohar Mishra of Lucknow University theorized that Bappa Rawal was originally a vassal of the Mori ruler Manuraja (Maan Maurya). He probably led the Mori campaign against the Arabs, which made him more famous than his overlord. Later, he either deposed Manuraja (Maan Maurya), or became the king after Manuraja died childless. [16]

After successful campaigns against Arabs, several conflicts occur in India most famously between Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas, Rashtrakuta king Dantidurga occupied Ujjain and performed Hiranyagarbha ceremony there, however in short time, Rashtrakutas left and Nagabhata regained his power. Historian R.V. Somani theorizes that in these conflicts, Bappa Rawal also faced Dantidurga's armies by helping Pratiharas in their struggle, and thus succeeded in capturing the eastern parts of Mewar region; he also contested with Karanatakas and the Cholas as described in the inscription of Chittor. [14]

Gold coins

Multiple gold coins, bearing the Nagari legend "Shri Voppa" or "Shri Vopparaja" have been attributed to Bappa Rawal. However, the identification of Voppa or Vopparaja with Bappa Rawal is disputed. These coins have been alternatively attributed to the king Vappuka of Surasena dynasty, who is mentioned in a 955 CE (1012 VS) inscription from Bayana. [17]

One gold coin bears the legend "Shri Voppa", and features Shavite icons: a trishula (trident), a linga, and a bull. Below these is the image of a man in prostrate position. The man has features with large pierced ears, and the holes are exaggerated. According to Indoligst David Gordon White, this may be a representation of Bappa's initiation into a Shaivite sect, as ear piercing has been associated with the Nath Siddhas (a Shaivite sect), who were custodians of the Eklingji shrine before the 16th century. [18] White, however, believes that Bappa is more likely to have been initiated into the Pashupata sect. Pashupata names commonly ended in Rashi (IAST: Rāśi), and thus, Harit Rashi was likely a Pashupata sage. Moreover, "Rawal" (from Sanskrit rāja-kula, "royal lineage") was the name of a clan among the Pashupatas in the 8th century: in the 13th century, this clan was absorbed into the Nath sect. [19]

One gold coin features a haloed Rama holding bow and arrow, with a bull to his left, and an elephant to his right. The other side of the coin features an enthroned ruler with attendants on his sides, with the legend "Shri Voppa" below. [20]

Another gold coin features the legend "Shri Vopparaja", with the images of a bull, a trident, a linga, and an attendant. The other side features a cow with a suckling calf. [20]

Monuments

The 1925 Indian silent Mewadpati Bappa Rawal portrayed Rawal's life on screen. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eklingji</span> Rajput Era Ancient Shiv Temple

Eklingji is a Hindu temple complex in Udaipur District of Rajasthan in western India. It is situated in Kailashpuri village, near the former capital of Mewar, i.e., Nagda. Eklingji is believed to be the ruling god of Mewar Princely State and the Maharana of the Royal dynasty rules as his Dewan(Minister).

Nagabhata I was the founder of the imperial Pratihara dynasty in northern India. He ruled the Avanti region in present-day Madhya Pradesh, from his capital at Ujjain. He may have extended his control over Gurjaradesa, which includes parts of present-day Gujarat and Rajasthan. He repulsed an Arab invasion from Sindh, probably led by Junayd ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Murri or Al Hakam ibn Awana.

Guhila is a clan of Rajputs. They ruled a number of kingdoms and principalities including Mitaron, Mewar, Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, Shahpura, Bhavnagar, Palitana, Lathi and Vala.

Maharana Hammir Singh (1302–1364), or Hammir, was a 14th-century ruler of Mewar in present-day Rajasthan, India. Hammir Singh, was a scion of the cadet branch Rana of the Guhila dynasty, who regained control of the region, re-established the dynasty after defeating the Tughlaq dynasty, and captured present-day Rajasthan from Muslim forces of Delhi and became the first of the 'Rana' branch to become the King of Mewar with title of Maharana. Hammir also became the progenitor of the Sisodia clan, a branch of the Guhila dynasty, to which every succeeding Maharana of Mewar has belonged.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ratnasimha</span> Ruler of Mewar from 1302–1303

Ratnasimha was a ruler of the Kingdom of Mewar in present-day Rajasthan, India. He belonged to the Rawal branch of the Guhila dynasty, which ruled from the Chitrakuta fort. The last ruler of this branch, he was defeated by Alauddin Khalji during the Siege of Chittorgarh in 1303 CE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chittor Fort</span> Historic fort in Rajasthan, India

Chittorgarh, also known as Chittod Fort, is one of the largest forts in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort was the capital of Mewar and is located in the present-day city of Chittorgarh. It sprawls over a hill 180 m (590.6 ft) in height spread over an area of 280 ha above the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River. The fort covers 65 historic structures, which include four palaces, 19 large temples, 20 large water bodies, 4 memorials and a few victory towers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chitrangada Mori</span> Ruler

Chitrangada Mori was a ruler of the Mori Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Rajasthan</span> Brief history of the Indian state of Rajasthan

The history of human settlement in the western Indian state of Rajasthan dates back to about 100,000 years ago. Around 5000 to 2000 BCE many regions of Rajasthan belonged as the site of the Indus Valley Civilization. Kalibangan is the main Indus site of Rajasthan, here fire altars have been discovered, similar to those found at Lothal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Mewar</span> Former kingdom in the Indian subcontinent

The Kingdom of Mewar was an independent kingdom that existed in the Rajputana region of the Indian subcontinent and later became a major power in medieval India. The kingdom was initially founded and ruled by the Guhila dynasty followed by the Sisodiya Dynasty. The kingdom came to be known as the Udaipur State after it became a princely state in the nineteenth century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mori Kingdom</span> Indian kingdom

The Mori Kingdom, also known as the Later Mauryas, was a kingdom that ruled over southwestern Rajasthan and northern Malwa in India. The kingdom was established in the 7th century, and reigned for a period of about 120 years. The Mori Rajputs controlled the Chittor Fort, and were a powerful military regime in this region before the rise of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty.

The Guhilas of Medapata colloquially known as Guhilas of Mewar were a Rajput dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mewar region in present-day Rajasthan state of India. The Guhila kings initially ruled as Gurjara-Pratihara feudatories between the end of 8th and 9th centuries and later were independent in period of the early 10th century and allied themselves with the Rashtrakutas. Their capitals included Nagahrada (Nagda) and Aghata (Ahar). For this reason, they are also known as the Nagda-Ahar branch of the Guhilas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Chittorgarh (1303)</span> Alauddin Khaljis conquest of Chittor

The siege of Chittorgarh occurred in 1303, when the Khalji ruler Alauddin Khalji captured and sacked the Chittor Fort, toppling the Guhila king Ratnasimha, after an eight-month-long siege. The conflict has been described in several legendary accounts, including the historical epic poem Padmavat, which claims that Alauddin's motive was to obtain Ratnasimha's beautiful wife Padmini; though this legend is considered historically inaccurate by most historians. Alauddin ordered the fort to be pelted with stones from his siege engines (munjaniqs). When the fort was stormed, Rajput women committed Jauhar while most of the warriors died defending the fort. The city of Chittor was completely sacked by Alauddin's army and several temples were desecrated.

Rawal Bharttripatta II or Rawal Bhartribhatta II (Bhartṛipaṭṭa) was a ruler of the Guhila dynasty in the Udaipur region of Rajputana in India in the first half of the 10th century. He became the Rawal in 942/43 after his father Khuman III and was succeeded by his son Allata in 951.

Rawal Tejasimha, also known as Rawal Tej Singh, was a monarch of the Guhila dynasty who ruled from 1252 to 1273 after his father Jaitrasimha and before his son Samarsimha. He married the Songara princess Rupadevi.

Rawal Jaitrasimha also known as Rawal Jaitra Singh was the ruler of the Guhila dynasty from 1213 to 1252. During his rule, the Guhila Kingdom attained a high political status. Ekalinga Mahatmya mentions his title as Rajakula (Rawal), his own inscriptions call him a Maharajadhiraja.

Rawal Ranasimha also known as Rana Singh was the ruler of the Guhila dynasty in the 12th century. He succeeded his father Vikramsimha. He was succeeded by his son Kshemasimha.
His name became the regnant title of the Kingdom of Mewar who descended from his second son Rahapa. Hammir Singh, a descendant of Rana Singh, became the first ruler of Mewar after the main branch of the family went extinct after the 1303 siege by Alauddin Khalji.

Samantasimha or Samant Singh was the ruler of the Guhila dynasty during the second half of the 12th century. He succeeded his father Kshemasimha. After the death of the powerful Chaulakya king Kumarapal, Samantsingh successfully invaded Gujarat. He was later deposed from Mewar. He sought refuge in Vagad and established himself there but was soon expelled from there as well.

References

  1. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani. "History of Mewar: From earliest times to 1751 A.D." Jaipur: C. L. Ranka. p. 40.
  2. ↑ Tod, James; Crooke, William (1 January 2010). Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (3 Vols): Or the Central and Western Rajput State of India. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 281. ISBN   978-81-208-0380-0."Bappa on the throne of Chitor S. 784 ( A.D. 728 ) , we will proceed to glean from the annals , from the period of his departure for Iran , S. 820 ( A.D. 764 )"
  3. 1 2 3 4 David Gordon White 2012, p. 120.
  4. 1 2 3 Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 41.
  5. ↑ Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. New Delhi: Rupa Publication. p. 158. ISBN   81-291-0890-9.
  6. ↑ David Gordon White 2012, p. 311.
  7. ↑ Tod, James; Crooke, William (1 January 2010). Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (3 Vols): Or the Central and Western Rajput State of India. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 281. ISBN   978-81-208-0380-0."Bappa on the throne of Chitor S. 784 ( A.D. 728 ) , we will proceed to glean from the annals , from the period of his departure for Iran , S. 820 ( A.D. 764 )"
  8. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 43.
  9. 1 2 3 Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 42.
  10. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 40-42.
  11. ↑ N. P. Chakravarti 1987, p. 119.
  12. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 39.
  13. 1 2 3 R. C. Majumdar 1977, p. 298-299.
  14. 1 2 3 Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 45.
  15. ↑ Khalid Yahya Blankinship 1994, p. 188.
  16. ↑ Shyam Manohar Mishra 1977, p. 48.
  17. ↑ The Journal of the Numismatic Society of India. Vol. 22–23. Numismatic Society of India. 1960. p. 279. But this attribution presents some difficulties because Mewar, in those days, had altogether a different currency and the Guhila rulers of Mewar never adopted the device of cow suckling a calf on the reverse of their coins. Still more, they never issued gold coins because Mewar was not a very big empire during that period. Therefore, it is not plausible to identify Voppa or Vopparaja of these gold coins with Bappa Rawal of Mewar or any other ruler of the neighbouring region.
  18. ↑ David Gordon White 2012, pp. 120–121.
  19. ↑ David Gordon White 2012, p. 121.
  20. 1 2 Arthur L. Friedberg & Ira S. Friedberg 2017, p. 481.
  21. ↑ Mahendra Mittal (1975). Bhāratīya Calacitra. Alankar Prakashan. p. 208.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.