Guhila dynasty

Last updated

Guhila dynasty
Country Kingdom of Mewar
Founded566
Founder Rawal Guhil
Current headNone (extinct)
Vishvaraj Singh Mewar (cadet branch)
Final ruler Ratnasimha (main branch)
Bhupal Singh (cadet branch)
Seat
Deposition1303 (main branch)
1948 (cadet branch)
Cadet branches House of Sisodia

The Guhilas of Medapata colloquially known as Guhilas of Mewar were a Rajput dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mewar (Medapata, modern Mewar) region in present-day Rajasthan state of India. [1] [2] 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. [3] Their capitals included Nagahrada (Nagda) and Aghata (Ahar). For this reason, they are also known as the Nagda-Ahar branch of the Guhilas.

Contents

The Guhilas assumed sovereignty after the decline of the Pratiharas in the 10th century under Rawal Bharttripatta II and Rawal Allata. During the 10th-13th centuries, they were involved in military conflicts with several of their neighbours, including the Kingdom of Malwa, the Kingdom of Sambhar, the Delhi Sultanate, the Chaulukyas, and the Kingdom of Gujarat. In the late 11th century, the Paramara king Bhoja interfered in the Guhila throne possibly deposing a ruler and placing some other ruler of the branch. [4]

In the mid-12th century, the dynasty divided into two branches. The senior branch (whose rulers are called Rawal in the later medieval literature) ruled from Chitrakuta (modern Chittorgarh), and ended with Ratnasimha's defeat against the Delhi Sultanate at the 1303 Siege of Chittorgarh. The junior branch rose from the village of Sisoda with the title Rana and established the Sisodia Rajput dynasty.

Origin

The history of the Guhilas has been obscured by bardic legends. The early Guhilas claimed to be the descendants of Nagar Brahmins through their ancestor Guhadatta, who was a Brahman migrant from Anandapura in Gujarat. The Āṭpur Inscription of Śaktikumāra (977 CE) mentioned Guhadatt as a Brahman. The Cāṭsu Inscription of Bālāditya (986 CE) mentioned Guhila king Bhatripatta as a Brahman and compared him to Parashuram. The Chittorgarh Stone Inscription (1283 CE) mentioned Bappa Rawal, who was responsible for cementing the Guhilas in Mewar, as a Brahman who left his priestly duty for royal regal. The inscriptions also refer to Saktikumara's son, Ambaprasada, "Like the lord of the Bhrigu lineage (Parashurama), he was fierce and a destroyer of Kshatriyas."

The Kumbhalgarh Inscription (1460 CE) also mentions Bappa Rawal as a Brahman. The Eklingji Stone Inscription (1489 CE), established by Rana Raimal, father of Rana Sanga, mentions the city of Nagahrida in the beautiful region of Medapata (modern Mewar), where a Brahmana named Bappa lived. The inscription highlights that, through the favor of Lord Sankara (Shiva), Bappa, referred to as the dwijvarya (the best among Brahmanas), became a king. The inscription is also called Bappa dwijendra, meaning "Brahmin king," signifying his Brahmanical origin. Muhnot Nainsi, the dewan of Jodhpur in 1660, also describes the origin of the Sisodiya family, further supporting their Brahmin origin in his Khyat.

During the reign of Rana Kumbha, a poet named Kanha Vyas from his court composed the "Eklinga Mahatmya." The first chapter of this book was written by Rana Kumbha himself, where Rana Kumbha first declares his gotra (Vaijyapan), and then mentions his ancestor Vijaditya, whom he refers to as Nagarkulamandano — which can be translated as "the ornament or pride of the Nagar lineage."

The Guhila dynasty ruled from Chittor Fort, which fell to the Delhi Sultanate in the Siege of Chittorgarh (1303), marking the end of the dynasty. Chittorgarh fort.JPG
The Guhila dynasty ruled from Chittor Fort, which fell to the Delhi Sultanate in the Siege of Chittorgarh (1303), marking the end of the dynasty.

By the 13th century, having consolidated their rule over the Medapata (Mewar) region [5] [6] Their post-13th century records and the subsequent bardic legends name the dynasty's founder as Bappa Rawal, [7] who is not mentioned in the Atpur inscription. [8] These accounts state that Bappa Rawal consolidated his rule with the blessings of the Pashupata sage Haritarashi. [6] Different historians identify Bappa Rawal with different kings mentioned in the Atpur inscription, including Kalabhoja, Shiladitya, and Khummana. R. C. Majumdar theorizes that Bappa achieved a highly significant military success, because of which he gained reputation as the dynasty's founder. [8]


The later bardic chronicles mention a fabricated genealogy, claiming that the dynasty's founder Guhaditya was a son of Shiladitya, the Maitraka ruler of Vallabhi. This claim is not supported by historical evidence. [9]

History

Statue of Bappa Rawal at Mewar (r.728 CE-763 CE). Bappa Rawal.jpg
Statue of Bappa Rawal at Mewar (r.728 CE–763 CE).

R. C. Majumdar places Guhadatta in the 5th century CE, assuming a 20-year reign for each generation. [10] R. V Somani places him somewhere before the first quarter of the 6th century. [9] [11]

According to the 977 CE Atpur inscription and the 1083 CE Kadmal inscription, Guhadatta was succeeded by Bhoja, who commissioned the construction of a tank at Eklingji. The 1285 CE Achaleshwar inscription describes him as a devotee of Vishnu. [12] Bhoja was succeeded by Mahendra and Nagaditya. The bardic legends state that Nagaditya was killed in a battle with the Bhils. [12]

Nagaditya's successor Shiladitya raised the political status of the family significantly, as suggested by his 646 CE Samoli inscription, as well as the inscriptions of his successors, including the 1274 CE Chittor inscription and the 1285 CE Abu inscription. R. V. Somani theorizes that the copper and zinc mines at Jawar were excavated during his reign, which greatly increased the economic prosperity of the kingdom. The 16th century Buddhist writer Taranatha mentions a reputed artist named Shringadhara, who was patronized by the king Shila of Maru country. Somani identifies this king as the Guhila king Shiladitya, although some other historians have identified him as Harshavardhana or the Maitraka king Shiladitya. [13]

Shiladitya was succeeded by Aparajita, who is attested by the 661 CE Kunda inscription. This epigraph records the construction of a Vishnu temple by Yashomati, the wife of Aparajita's commander Varaha. According to the bardic chronicles, Aparajita was also killed in a battle with the Bhils. His son Mahendra succeeded him. [14]

Mahendra was succeeded by Kalabhoja, who has been identified as Bappa Rawal by several historians including G. H. Ojha. [15] Kalabhoja (Bappa Rawal) known for his magestic victory against Arabs during initial Arab invasion of India. [16] Bappa Rawal defeated Arabs in the banks of River Indus and pushed them out of Present day Baluchistan. Bappa Rawal them marched towards Gahzni and defeated the local ruler Salim [17] and returned to Chitor.

The Guhilas originally acknowledged the suzerainty of the Gurjara-Pratiharas. In the 10th century, Bharttripatta II became an independent ruler, and assumed the title Maharajadhiraja , as attested by a 943 CE inscription. His successor Allata (reigned c. 950s CE) killed one Devapala, who according to Majumdar, might have been the Gurjara-Pratihara king Devapala. [8]

Sahasra Bahu Temples in Nagda, Rajasthan, 10th century CE. Sahasra Bahu temples, Nagda, Rajasthan.jpg
Sahasra Bahu Temples in Nagda, Rajasthan, 10th century CE.
Sahasra Bahu Temples relief in Nagda, Rajasthan, 10th century CE. Nagda(Rajasthan)Relief1.jpg
Sahasra Bahu Temples relief in Nagda, Rajasthan, 10th century CE.

Guhilas of Ahar

Towards the end of the 10th century, Ahar became the second capital of the Guhilas. [18]

In the later half of the 10th century, the Paramara king Munja defeated the elephant forces of the Guhilas, and plundered their capital Ahar. The defeated Guhila ruler (either Naravahana or his son Shaktikumara) took shelter with Dhavala, the Rashtrakuta ruler of Hastikundi. As a result of this victory, the Paramaras gained control of the eastern part of Mewar, including Chittorgarh. [19]

Shaktikumara's son Ambaprasada was defeated and killed by the Chahamana king Vakpati II. Among his successors, Vijayasimha (r.c. 1108–1116) was a son-in-law of the Paramara king Udayaditya and a father-in-law of the Kalachuri king Gayakarna. [18]

Rawal branch

According to the 15th century text Eklinga-Mahatmaya, the family split into two branches during the reign of Ranasimha alias Karna: the Rawal (senior) branch of Chittor, and the Rana (junior) branch of Sisoda. [20] The later Sisodia Rajput dynasty of Sesoda thus descended from the Guhilas of Mewar. [21]

Kshemasimha succeeded his father Ranasimha alias Karna. By 1151, Chittor was under the control of the Chaulukya king Kumarapala. [18] Kshemasimha's son Samantasimha appears to have achieved military success against Kumarapala's successor Ajayapala. However, he was defeated by Ajayapala's feudatory Prahladana, the Paramara chief of Abu. The 1231 CE Abu prashasti inscription states that Prahladana defended the Gurjara king (that is, Ajayapala) after Samantasimha had broken the king's power on the battlefield. [22]

Roof carvings, Sahasra Bahu Temples in Nagda, Rajasthan, 10th century CE. 10th century Sas Bahu Hindu temple, art carving, Nagda near Udaipur Rajasthan 2015.jpg
Roof carvings, Sahasra Bahu Temples in Nagda, Rajasthan, 10th century CE.

Shortly later, the Naddula Chahamana king Kirtipala, who was also a Chaulukya feudatory, ousted Samantasimha from Mewar. Kirtipala probably launched this invasion during 1171-1179 CE, with the approval of his Chaulukya overlord. By 1182, [18] Samantasimha's younger brother Kumarasimha regained the control of his ancestral kingdom by appeasing the Chaulukya king Bhima II. [23] After losing his ancestral realm, Samantasimha established new branch of the Guhilas in the area of Vagad. However, he was displaced from Vagad by Bhima II in 1185 CE or thereabouts. He was aided by Sambhar-Ajmer ruler Prithviraja III with whom he fought against the Ghurid conqueror Muhammad of Ghor in Second Battle of Tarain. [24] [25]

Kumarasimha was succeeded by Mathanasimha, Padmasimha and Jaitrasimha. [18]

Jaitrasimha

During the reign of Jaitrasimha (r. c. 1213–1252), the Guhilas achieved a high political status. [26] He fought with multiple rulers like Turushkas at Naddula [27] which was possible held by Ghurid dynasty who captured it from Chauhans, [27] Tribhuvana-Ranaka (identified with the Chaulukya king Tribhuvanapala) at Kottadaka, [28] Iltutmish invaded Mewar, and destroyed Nagada. His relatives also possibly fought with Panchalagudika Jaitramalla. [26]

The Guhila records also credit him with military success against the king of Shakambhari. The rulers of Shakambhari had already ended by this time, therefore, this may be a reference to the Chahamanas of Ranthambore. Jaitrasimha is also said to have defeated the Sindhuka army, whose identity is uncertain. [26]

Decline

Jaitrasimha's son Tejasimha ascended the throne sometime before 1260. The earliest Guhila inscription discovered at Chittor is from Tejasimha's reign, and refers to "Chitrakuta-maha-durga" (the great fort of Chittor). [26]

Tejasimha's son Samarasimha succeeded him sometime during 1267–1273. He defeated Krishnaraja, a ruler of the Paramara branch of Abu. He lost control of Abu soon, when Krishnaraja's son Pratapasimha, supported by the Vaghela king Sarangadeva, conquered it during 1285–1287. Sometime before 1285, Samarasimha helped Sarangadeva repulse a Turushka (Turkic) invasion of Gujarat (possibly a Delhi Sultanate army during Balban's reign). [26] His Chirwa inscription states that he "like unto the primaeval boar [...] in a moment lifted the deeply sunk Gurjara land out of the Turushka sea". [29] Towards the end of the 13th century, when Alauddin Khalji's army invaded Gujarat, Samarasimha saved his kingdom by paying a tribute. [26]

The Rawal branch ended when Ratnasimha was defeated by Alauddin Khalji in the Siege of Chittorgarh (1303). [30] The Rana branch survived in form of the Sisodia dynasty which continued to rule Mewar till Independence of India from British control.[ citation needed ]

Genealogy

Different sources offer different lists of the Guhila kings. The earliest extant inscription that provides a genealogy of the dynasty is the 971 CE inscription of Naravahana. However, it is badly damaged, and only three names can be read: Guhila, Bappa and Naravahana. [31]

The following inscriptions are the major sources of the dynasty's genealogy: [32] [33]

Early kings

The following table lists the early kings of the dynasty, as given in the various inscriptions. [32] [33]

#Name (IAST)Atpur
inscription		Chittor
inscription		Abu
inscription		Sadadi
inscription		Kumbhal-garh
inscription		Date of own inscriptionsNotes
1Bappa✓✓✓✓Called Bappaka in Abu inscription
2Guhila✓✓✓✓✓Called Guhadatta in Atpur inscription
3Bhoja✓✓✓✓✓
4Mahendra (I)✓✓
5Nāga✓✓
6Śila✓✓✓✓ ?646 CE (703 VS)
7Aparājita✓✓661 CE (718 VS)
8Mahendra (II)✓✓
9 Kālabhoja ✓✓✓✓✓
10Khommāṇa (I)✓✓Called Sh[Kh]ummāṇa in Kumbhalgarh inscription
11Mattaṭa✓✓✓Called Manttaṭa in Chittor inscription
12Bhartṛipaṭṭa (I)✓✓✓✓✓Called Bhartṛibhaṭa in all inscriptions except the Atpur one
13Siṃha✓✓✓✓Called Athasiṃha Chittor inscription
14Khommāṇa (II)✓Son of Siṃha
15Mahāyaka✓✓✓✓Called Mahāyika in Abu inscription, Son of Khommāṇa
16Khommāṇa (III)✓✓✓✓Called Khumāṇa in all inscriptions except the Atpur one, Son of Mahāyaka
17 Bhartṛipaṭṭa (II)✓942 CE (999 VS), 943 CE (1000 VS)Son of Khommāṇa (III), Married Mahālakṣmī of Rashtrakuta family
18 Allaṭa ✓✓✓✓✓951 CE (1008 VS), 953 CE (1010 VS)Son of Bhartṛipaṭṭa (II), Married Huna princess Hariyādevī
19Naravāhana✓✓✓✓✓971 CE (1028 VS)Son of Allaṭa, Married a daughter of Jejaya of Chahamana family. Held religious debates in court between Buddhists, Jains and Shaivite Hindus. [34]
20Śalivāhana✓✓Son of Naravāhana
21Śaktikumāra✓✓✓✓✓977 CE (1034 VS)Son of Śalivāhana
22Āmraprasāda✓✓993 CE (1050 VS)Called Ambāprasāda in Kumbhalgarh inscription, Son of Śaktikumāra. Slain by Chauhan Vakpatiraja II in Battle.
23Śuchivarman✓✓✓ ?The Kumbhalgarh inscription lists Anantavarman (a son of Śaktikumāra) instead
24Naravarman✓✓✓Son of Śaktikumāra
25Kīrtivarman✓✓ ?The Kumbhalgarh inscription lists Yaśovarman (a son of Śaktikumāra) instead
26Yogarāja✓✓According to Kumbhalgarh inscription, his descendants did not rule. Possibly deposed by Bhoja of Paramars. [35]
27Vairaṭa✓✓✓Descendant of Junior branch from Allata. Possibly placed on throne by Bhoja. [36]
28Vaṃśapāla✓✓Called Haṃsapāla in Kumbhalgarh inscription
29Vairisiṃha✓✓✓Son of Vaṃśapāla
30Vijayasiṃha✓1164 VS, 1173 VSSon of Vairaṭa. Married Śyāmaladevī (daughter of Paramara king Udayaditya) forming a matrimonial alliance with the traditional enemy of the house; His daughter Alhaṇadevi married the Kalachuri king Gayakarna. The Kumbhalgarh inscription mentions an unnamed narendra (prince), who is identified with him. [37]
31Vairisiṃha (II)✓✓Son of Vijayasiṃha. Called Virasiṃha in Kumbhalgarh inscription
32Arisiṃha✓✓
33Choḍa✓✓✓Called Choḍasiṃha in Sadadi inscription
34Vikramasiṃha✓✓✓Son of Choḍa (Abu insc.) or Elder brother of Choḍa (Kumbhalgarh insc.)
35 Raṇasiṃha ✓✓1223 VSSon of Vikramasiṃha. Called Karṇasiṃha in Ekalinga Purana. Rana Branch descends through his son Rahapa.

Post-split Rawal branch

After Raṇasiṃha, the dynasty split into the Rawal branch and the Rana branch. The following is a list of the rulers of the Rawal branch. Except Ratnasiṃha, all these rulers are mentioned in Abu, Sadadi, and Kumbhalgarh inscriptions. Ratnasiṃha is mentioned only in the Kumbhalgarh inscription. [38] [39]

#Name (IAST)Date of own inscriptionsNotes
36Kṣemasiṃha1228 VS, 1236 VS, 1256 VS, 1258 VSSon of Raṇasiṃha; his elder brother Mahanasiṃha apparently died before their father Raṇasiṃha
37 Sāmantasiṃha Son of Kṣemasiṃha
38KumārasiṃhaYounger brother of Sāmantasiṃha
39MathanasiṃhaCalled Mahanasiṃha in Kumbhalgarh inscription, Son of Kumārasiṃha
40Padmasiṃha
41 Jaitrasiṃha 1270 VS, 1279 VS, 1284 VSCalled Raula Jayasiṃha in Kumbhalgarh inscription. Son of Padmasiṃha. His younger son Sīlhaḍa seems to have ruled Vāgaḍa.
42 Tejasiṃha 1317 VS, 1322 VS, 1324 VSSon of Jaitrasiṃha. The Kumbhalgarh inscription gives his title as Rāula. Married Jayatalladevī
43 Samarasiṃha 1330 VS, 1331 VS, 1335 VS, 1342 VS, 1344 VS, 1345 VS, 1356 VS, 1358 VSSon of Tejasiṃha. Assumed the title Mahārajākula. The Kumbhalgarh inscription gives his title as Rāula.
44 Ratnasiṃha 1359 VSSon of Samarasiṃha. Assumed the title Mahārajākula in Dariba inscription. The Kumbhalgarh inscription gives his title as Rāula.

The 1439 Sadadi inscription of Kumbhakarna lists the following five rulers as Samarasiṃha's successors: Bhuvanasiṃha, Jayasiṃha, Lakṣmasiṃha, Ajayasiṃha, and Arisiṃha. These names are followed by that of Hammīra and other his Sisodia successors. These names are also mentioned in the text Ekalinga Māhātmya (also called Ekalinga Purāṇa). However, these rulers actually belonged to the Rana branch of the family. [38]

The 1460 Kumbhalgarh inscription of Kumbhakarna states that after Ratnasiṃha departed from the battlefield (during the 1303 Siege of Chittor), Lakshmasiṃha of the Rana branch died fighting to defend the fort. [30]

Rana branch

Guhila dynasty
Guhila headquarters at various times

Rahapa, a son of Ranasimha alias Karna, established the Rana branch. According to the 1652 Eklingji inscription, Rahapa's successors were: [40]

Hammir Singh re-established the family's rule over Mewar under the title of Rana.

For Sisodia successors of Hammir Singh, see Ranas of Mewar.

Related Research Articles

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

Chittorgarh is a major city in the state of Rajasthan in western India. It lies on the Berach River, a tributary of the Banas, and is the administrative headquarters of Chittorgarh District. It was a major stronghold of the Rajput State of Medapata. The city of Chittorgarh is located on the banks of river Gambhiri and Berach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bappa Rawal</span> Founder and Rawal of Mewar from 728-763

Bappa Rawal 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.

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 or Rawal Ratan Singh 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 Hindu kingdom that existed in the Rajputana region of the Indian subcontinent and later became a dominant state in medieval India. The kingdom was initially founded and ruled by the Guhila dynasty followed by the Sisodiya Dynasty.

<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.

<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.

The Chahamanas of Jalor, also known as the Chauhans of Jalor in vernacular legends, were an Indian dynasty that ruled the area around Jalore in present-day Rajasthan between 1160 and 1311. They belonged to the Chahamana (Chauhan) clan of the Rajputs

Kirti-pala, also known as Kitu in vernacular legends, was an Indian king belonging to the Chahamana dynasty of Javalipura. A member of the Naddula Chahamana family, he carved out a principality for himself with Jalore at its capital. He ruled parts of southern Rajasthan as a feudatory of the Chaulukyas, and participated in their successful battle against Muhammad of Ghor in 1178 CE. He also fought with other Chaulukya feudatories, including Asala of Kiratakupa and the Guhila chief Samantasimha.

Banvir, also known as Banbeer was the ruler of Mewar Kingdom between 1536 and 1540. He was nephew of Rana Sanga, born to his brother Prithviraj and his cocunbine.

<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 of little historically significance 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samadhishvara Temple, Chittorgarh</span> 11th century Shiva temple in Chittor Fort of India

The Samadhishvara Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Chittor Fort in Rajasthan, India. It is dedicated to Shiva, who is called "Samadhishvara", that is, "Lord of Samadhi". Epigraphic evidence suggests that the temple was constructed in the 11th century, and was further restored in the 13th and the 15th centuries.

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.

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. ↑ Brajadulal Chattopadhyay (2006). Studying Early India: Archaeology, Texts and Historical Issues. Anthem. p. 116. ISBN   978-1-84331-132-4. The period between the seventh and the twelfth century witnessed gradual rise of a number of new royal-lineages in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, which came to constitute a social-political category known as 'Rajput'. Some of the major lineages were the Pratiharas of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and adjacent areas, the Guhilas and Chahamanas of Rajasthan, the Caulukyas or Solankis of Gujarat and Rajasthan and the Paramaras of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
  2. ↑ David Ludden (2013). India and South Asia: A Short History. Simon and Schuster. p. 89. ISBN   978-1-78074-108-6. By contrast in Rajasthan a single warrior group evolved called Rajput (from Rajaputra-sons of kings): they rarely engaged in farming, even to supervise farm labour as farming was literally beneath them, farming was for their peasant subjects. In the ninth century separate clans of Rajputs Cahamanas (Chauhans), Paramaras (Pawars), Guhilas (Sisodias) and Caulukyas were splitting off from sprawling Gurjara Pratihara clans...
  3. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, pp. 51.
  4. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, pp. 59–61.
  5. ↑ Rathore, Abhinay. "Bappa Rawal". Rajput Provinces of India. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  6. 1 2 Nandini Sinha 1991, p. 68.
  7. ↑ Rathore, Abhinay. "Bappa Rawal". Rajput Provinces of India. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 R. C. Majumdar 1977, p. 299.
  9. 1 2 Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 34.
  10. ↑ R. C. Majumdar 1977, pp. 298–299.
  11. ↑ Ali, Daud (1 January 2005). "NANDINI SINHA KAPUR: State Formation in Rajasthan: Mewar during the Seventh-Fifteenth Centuries. 308pp. Delhi: Manohar, 2002". Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient.
  12. 1 2 Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 36.
  13. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, pp. 37–38.
  14. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 39.
  15. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 40.
  16. ↑ Rathore, Abhinay. "Bappa Rawal". Rajput Provinces of India. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  17. ↑ Proud, Rajput (25 November 2018). "The History of Bappa Rawal - Founder Of The Mewar Dynasty". Rajput Proud. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 D. C. Ganguly 1957, p. 89.
  19. ↑ Krishna Narain Seth 1978, p. 94.
  20. ↑ Akshaya Keerty Vyas 1937, pp. 311.
  21. ↑ R. C. Majumdar 1977, p. 298.
  22. ↑ Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 128.
  23. ↑ Ashok Kumar Srivastava 1979, p. 5.
  24. ↑ Gopinath Sharma (1992). "RAJASTHAN". In Mohammad Habib; Khaliq Ahmad Nizami (eds.). A Comprehensive History of India: The Delhi Sultanat (A.D. 1206-1526). Vol. 5 (Second ed.). The Indian History Congress / People's Publishing House. p. 803. COMPRISING the districts of Dungarpur and Banswara was known as Vagad in old days. It was occupied chiefly by Bhils and to a small extent by Rajputs of the Chauhan and Pramara clans. Samant Singh of Mewar was forced by circumstances to migrate to Vagad and to set up a separate principality with its capital at Baroda in the last halť of the twelfth century. But his rüle was short-lived. After a reign of about ten years, he was overpowered by Bhim Deva II, who established his sway about the year 1185 and posted his chief, Vijayapal, over Vagad. The fugitive prince, according to local traditions, repaired to the court of Prithviraja and died a martyr's death at the famous feld of Tarain
  25. ↑ Rima Hooja (2006). A HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN (PB). Rupa & Company. p. 350. ISBN   978-81-291-1501-0. In the final quarter of the twelfth century AD (as noted already), Mewar's Guhila chief, Samantasimha, sought refuge in the Vagar area, following his defeat at the hands of Kirtipal of Jalore and the Chalukyas of Gujarat, along with the loss of his capital city. Samantasimha established a principality centred around his new small capital of Baroda sometime around c. 1171 or so. This probably proved short-lived. Ojha holds, on the basis of the Virpur Inscription, that having been forced to quit his estates, Samantasimha subsequently found a place at the court of Prithviraj Chauhan III, and finally met a hero's death at the battle of Tarain
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 D. C. Ganguly 1957, p. 90.
  27. 1 2 R. B. Singh 1964, p. 264.
  28. ↑ Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 168.
  29. ↑ Peter Jackson 2003, p. 133.
  30. 1 2 Akshaya Keerty Vyas 1937, p. 313.
  31. ↑ Anil Chandra Banerjee 1958, p. 15.
  32. 1 2 N. P. Chakravarti 1987, pp. 119–121.
  33. 1 2 Anil Chandra Banerjee 1958, pp. 14–15.
  34. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, pp. 55.
  35. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, pp. 59–60.
  36. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, pp. 59.
  37. ↑ Akshaya Keerty Vyas 1937, pp. 310–314.
  38. 1 2 N. P. Chakravarti 1987, p. 121.
  39. ↑ Akshaya Keerty Vyas 1937, pp. 312–313.
  40. ↑ D. C. Ganguly 1957, p. 91.

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.