Chudasama dynasty

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Chudasama dynasty
c. 10th century–1472
Capital Vamanasthali
Junagadh
Religion
Hinduism
GovernmentMonarchy
• c. 9th century
Chudachandra
• c. 10th century
Graharipu
• late 11th century
Navaghana
• early 12th century
Khengara
• 1294–1306
Mandalika I
• 1451–1472
Mandalika III
History 
• Established
c. 10th century
• Disestablished
1472
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Blank.png Chavda dynasty
Vaghela dynasty Blank.png
Gujarat under Delhi Sultanate Blank.png

The Chudasama dynasty, a Samma branch, ruled parts of the present-day Saurashtra region of Gujarat state in India between the 9th and 15th centuries. [1] Their capital was based in Junagadh and Vamanasthali.

Contents

The early history of the Chudasama dynasty is almost lost. The bardic legends differ very much in names, order and numbers and so are not considered reliable. Traditionally, the dynasty is said to have been founded in the late 9th century by Chudachandra. Subsequent rulers such as Graharipu, Navaghana and Khengara were in conflict with Chaulukya rulers Mularaja and Jayasimha Siddharaja. Thus they are mentioned in contemporary and later Jain chronicles. After the end of Chaulukya rule and that of their successor Vaghela dynasty, the Chudasamas continued to rule independently or as vassals of the successor states, the Delhi Sultanate and Gujarat Sultanate. The first known Chudasama ruler recorded in inscriptions was Mandalika I, during whose reign Gujarat was invaded by the Khalji dynasty of Delhi. The last king of the dynasty, Mandalika III, was defeated and forcibly converted to Islam in 1472 by Sultan Mahmud Begada, who also annexed the state. [2]

Origin

The Chudasamas are variously considered to be an offshoot of the Sammas of Sind, [3] [4] or of Abhira origin. [5] [6]

The origin of the Chudasama to Chudachandra Yadav , a Rajput of the Sama tribe . The ruling dynasty was , therefore called Chudasama. [7]

Several inscriptions link the Chudasamas to the legendary lunar dynasty (or Chandravansh); later inscriptions and the text Mandalika-Nripa-Charita link them to the Yadava family of the Hindu deity Krishna. [8] For example, the inscriptions at Neminath Temple (c. VS 1510/c. 1454 CE) on Girnar describes them as being of Yadava origin. [9]

According to a legend, the father of Ra Chuda (that is, Chudachandra) was a Samma chief of Sindh; his mother was the sister of Wala Ram (c. 875), the last of chiefs of Vamansthali (modern Vanthali), who had earlier served as governors under the king of Vallabhi. [10] Nainsi ri Khyat (17th century) also states that the Chudasamas migrated to Saurashtra from Sindh. [11] The Chudasamas were described as being associated with abhiras and as having close links with the Jadejas chieftains of Kutch, who claimed Rajput descent. [8]

History

South Asia non political, with rivers.jpg
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Location of the Chudsamas, and neighbouring in South Asia, circa 800 CE. [12]

The Chudasama dynasty were in constant conflict with the Chaulukyas. Hemachandra states that Mularaja of the Chaulukya dynasty fought against Graharipu, the ruler of Junagadh, to protect the pilgrims going to Prabhas Patan. [13]

There are no known inscriptions of the period before Mandalika I. Still, it is certain that they had established their rule in the Saurashtra region before Mularaja came to power in Anahilavada because literary sources tell of battles between Chudasama kings and Chaulukya kings; Mularaja and Jayasimha Siddharaja. A Vanthali inscription records Mandalika, a king whose kingdom was captured by Jagatsimha, a feudatory of Chaulukya king Viradhavala. This Mandalika king must be another Mandalika king mentioned in latter half genealogy. As Viradhavala is known to live in VS 1288, he must be assigned the same date. As another Vanthali inscription date VS 1346, it must have been under the Jagatsimha's family till then. It seems that a later Chudasama king Mandalika regained Vanthali when Chaulukya rule weakened. So the later genealogy starts from him in later inscriptions. The Chudasamas continued to rule till VS 1527 (1472 CE) when they were defeated by Sultan Mahmud Begada. As inscriptions says about their resistance to Gujarat Sultans, it can be said that they were the most powerful dynasty in Saurashtra region at that time.[ citation needed ]

Coins

Based on historical records, it is known that the coins known as Kodis, Karshapan or Pan, Vishopak, Dram and Rupak were used in Chudasama domains. Eighty Kodis were equal to one Karshapan and sixteen Karshapan were equal to one Dram. One Dram was equal to twenty Vishopak. [14]

Constructions

Uparkot fort rediscovered by Chudasama ruler Graharipu Uparkot Fort 19 Clicked by Hariom Raval.jpg
Uparkot fort rediscovered by Chudasama ruler Graharipu

The Uparkot Fort of Junagadh was occupied by Chudasamas during the reign of Graharipu. Later it is said to have been rebuilt by Navaghana who had transferred his capital from Vamanasthali to Junagadh. He is also attributed with the constructions of Navghan Kuvo and Adi Kadi Vav, a well and a stepwell respectively, in the fort. His descendant Khengara is attributed with a stepwell, Ra Khengar Vav, on the way to Vanthali from Junagadh though it was built by Tejapala, the minister in the Vaghela court. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junagadh</span> City in Gujarat, India

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Vanthali is a city and a municipality in Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat.

The Chudasama are a Rajput clan found in the state of Gujarat in India. They are offshoot of Samma (tribe) of Sind.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navaghana (king)</span>

Navaghana was an early Chudasama king known only from the ballads and folklore of Saurashtra of Gujarat, India. His capital was at Vamanasthali which he later moved to Junagadh during his last years of reign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graharipu</span> 10th-century Indian dynasty

Graharipu was a 10th-century Chudasamaking of Saurashtra region of western India with his capital at Vamanasthali. He was a contemporary of Mularaja, the first Chaulukya ruler of Anahilapataka. Graharipu built or repaired Durgapalli, the ancient fort in Junagadh identified as Uparkot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaulukya dynasty</span> Indian dynasty that ruled Gujarat from 940 to 1244

The Chaulukya dynasty, also Solanki dynasty, was a dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Gujarat in western India, between c. 940 CE and c. 1244 CE. Their capital was located at Anahilavada. At times, their rule extended to the Malwa region in present-day Madhya Pradesh. The family is also known as the "Solanki dynasty" in the vernacular literature. They belonged to the Solanki clan of Rajputs.

Stepwells are wells in which the water is reached by steps. They are most commonly found in western India especially Gujarat where over 120 such wells are reported. The origin of the stepwell may be traced to reservoirs of the cities of the Indus Valley civilization such as Dholavira and Mohenjo-daro. The stepwells were constructed in the south western region of Gujarat around 600 AD. From there they spread north to Rajasthan and subsequently to north and west India. Construction activities accelerated during the tenth to 13th century during the Chaulukya and Vaghela periods. The construction of these stepwells hit its peak during the 11th to 16th century. The Muslim rulers of the 13th to 16th century did not disrupt the culture that was practiced in these stepwells and encouraged the building of stepwells. The wells lost their significance in the 19th century due to introduction of water pumps and pipe-systems.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chronology of Chudasama dynasty</span>

The early history of the Chudasama dynasty in Saurashtra is largely lost. Bardic legends vary significantly in names, sequence, and numbers, rendering them unreliable as historical sources. Mandalika Kavya, a Sanskrit poem by Gangadhara, provides some information on the dynasty, though it holds limited historical accuracy. Certain inscriptions from the period offer early genealogical details, but these also vary in their order of succession. Historians like Ranchhodji Diwan, A. K. Forbes, James Burgess, and Gaurishankar Oza have attempted to determine a more consistent genealogy and chronology. Based on dates from inscriptions linked to Chudasama kings and other literary sources, the genealogy and chronology of the dynasty's later period are now relatively established. It is known that they ruled approximately from Vikram Samvat (VS) 900 to VS 1527, or around 875 CE to 1472 CE.

The Last Hindu Rajput Ruler Of Saurashtra Mandalika III, called by the epithet Ra Gangajalio, was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1451 CE to 1472 CE. His capital was at Junagadh.

Ra Mokalasimha, also known as Muktasimha, was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1384 CE to 1396 CE. He ruled from Junagadh and later moved his capital to Vanthali when Saurashtra came under influence of the Delhi Sultanate.

Khengara was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1331 CE to 1351 CE. His capital was at Junagadh.

Mandalika I was a Chudasama King of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1294 CE to 1306 CE. His capital was at Junagadh.

Khengara was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned in the 12th century. His capital was at Junagadh. He was a contemporary of Jayasimha Siddharaja, the Chaulukya ruler of Anahilapataka. According to bardic tales, he was a son of Navaghana and had succeeded him.

Navaghana alias Khengara was a Chudasama King of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned in the late 11th century. His capital was at Junagadh. He was a contemporary of Jayasimha Siddharaja, the Chaulukya ruler of Anahilapataka. According to bardic legends, Jayasimha attacked during his reign and he was defeated and became is vassal. He moved capital to Junagadh. He was succeeded by Khengara who had vowed to take revenge.

Chudachandra, also known as Chadrachuda or simply Chuda, was the founder of the Chudasama dynasty of Saurashtra.

The early history of Chudasama dynasty of Saurashtra region is almost lost. The bardic legends differs very much in names, order and numbers so they are not considered reliable. Mandalika Kavya, a Sanskrit poem by Gangadhara, gives some information on dynasty but it has little historical value. Some of their inscriptions gives their genealogy but they too differ in order of succession. Ranchhodji Diwan, A. K. Forbes, James Burgess and Gaurishankar Oza had tried to fix genealogy and chronology. They ruled about from Vikram Samvat (VS) 900 to VS 1527.

The Gohil dynasty or Gohil or Guhilas of Saurashtra ruled parts of Saurashtra region of present-day Gujarat state of India as subordinates or independents starting 12th century. Their origin is traced to Guhila dynasty of Gujarat and they had migrated to Saurashtra in 12th century. The earliest known inscription of Gohils is found from Mangrol. They later moved to the east coast where they established themselves and the region came to be known as Gohilwar and ruled till the independence of India in 1947. The erstwhile princely states of Bhavnagar, Palitana, Lathi, Vala and Rajpipla belonged to Gohil rulers.

Ra Khengar Vav or Ra Khengar stepwell is a 13th-century stepwell located near Koyliphatak village between Vanthali and Junagadh in Gujarat, India.

References

  1. ↑ Sheikh, Samira (2009). "Pastoralism, Trade, and Settlement in Saurashtra and Kachchh". Forging a region: sultans, traders, and pilgrims in Gujarat, 1200-1500. Oxford University Press. pp. 101–128. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198060192.003.0004. ISBN   9780198060192.
  2. ↑ Gupta, R. K.; Bakshi, S. R., eds. (2008). Studies In Indian History: Rajasthan Through The Ages: Marwar and British Administration. Vol. 5. New Delhi: Sarup & Sons. pp. 22–23. ISBN   978-8-17625-841-8 . Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  3. ↑ Kapadia, Aparna (16 May 2018). Gujarat: The Long Fifteenth Century and the Making of a Region. Cambridge University Press. p. 80. ISBN   978-1-107-15331-8 . Retrieved 24 June 2021. The Chudasamas were a branch of the Samma lineage that acquired the principality of Vanthali from the local ruler.
  4. ↑ Gujarat. Popular Prakashan. 2003. p. 1174. ISBN   978-81-7991-106-8.
  5. ↑ Congress, Indian History (1953). The Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. p. 95.
  6. ↑ Rajan, K. V. Soundara (1985). Junagadh. Archaeological Survey of India.
  7. ↑ Chaube, J. (1975). History of Gujarat Kingdom, 1458-1537. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. p. 16. ISBN   978-0-88386-573-6.
  8. 1 2 Aparna Kapadia (2018). Gujarat: The Long Fifteenth Century and the Making of a Region. Cambridge University Press. pp. 80–81. ISBN   978-1-107-15331-8.
  9. ↑ Parikh, Rasiklal Chhotalal; Shastri, Hariprasad Gangashankar, eds. (1977). ગુજરાતનો રાજકીય અને સાંસ્કૃતિક ઇતિહાસ: સલ્તનત કાલ [Political and Cultural History of Gujarat: Sultanate Era]. Research Series - Book No. 71 (in Gujarati). Vol. V. Ahmedabad: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Institute of Learning and Research. p. 157.
  10. ↑ Harald Tambs-Lyche (1997). Power, Profit, and Poetry: Traditional Society in Kathiawar, Western India. Manohar. p. 31. ISBN   978-81-7304-176-1.
  11. ↑ Tanuja Kothiyal (2016). Nomadic Narratives: A History of Mobility and Identity in the Great Indian Desert. Cambridge University Press. p. 56. ISBN   978-1-107-08031-7.
  12. ↑ Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 145, map XIV.1 (e). ISBN   0226742210.
  13. ↑ Thapar, Romila (2004). Somanatha. Penguin Books. p. 108. ISBN   9780143064688.
  14. ↑ Gazetteers: Junagadh. Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications. 1975. p. 467.
  15. ↑ Jutta Jain-Neubauer (1981). The Stepwells of Gujarat: In Art-historical Perspective. Abhinav Publications. p. 22. ISBN   978-0-391-02284-3.
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