Chahamanas of Naddula

Last updated

Chahamanas of Naddula
c. 950 CE–1197 CE
Chahamanas of Naddula
Find spots of the inscriptions issued during the Naddula Chahamana reign. [1]
Capital Naddula
Religion
Hinduism
Government Monarchy
History 
 Established
c. 950 CE
 Disestablished
1197 CE
Today part of India

The Chahamanas of Naddula, also known as the Chauhans of Nadol, were an Indian dynasty. They ruled the Marwar area around their capital Naddula (present-day Nadol in Rajasthan) between 10th and 12th centuries. They belonged to the Chahamana (Chauhan) clan of the Rajputs.

Contents

The Chahamanas of Naddula were an offshoot of the Chahamanas of Shakambhari. Their founder, Lakshmana (alias Rao Lakha), was the son of the 10th century Shakambari ruler Vakpatiraja I. His brother Simharaja succeeded their father as the Shakambhari ruler. [2] The subsequent rulers fought against the neighbouring kingdoms of the Paramaras of Malwa, the Chaulukyas, the Ghaznavids, as well as the Chahamanas of Shakambhari. [3] The last ruler Jayata-simha was probably defeated by the Ghurid Empire general Qutb al-Din Aibak in 1197 CE. [4]

History

Early rulers

Lakshmana, the founder of the dynasty, was a son of the Shakambhari Chahamana king Vakpatiraja I. While his elder brother Simharaja succeeded Vakpatiraja, he carved out a principality at Naddula in the mid-10th century. [5] According to the legendary text Lakhana Raula Prabandha, the Brahmanas of Naddula hired him to protect the town against freebooters called the Medas. [6]

Lakshmana's son Shobhita defeated the ruler of Arbuda (modern Mount Abu), who probably belonged to a Paramara branch. [7] [8] Shobhita's son Baliraja fought against the Paramara king Munja, with both the sides claiming victory. [8] Baliraja probably died heirless, and was succeeded by Lakshmana's younger son Vigrahapala. [9]

Vigrahapala's son Mahindu helped the Hastikundi Rashtrakuta prince Dhavala against one Durlabharaja, who can be identified as the Shakambhari Chahamana king Durlabharaja. [10] Mahindu was succeeded by his elder son Ashvapala, whose son and successor Ahila seems to have repulsed an invasion by the Chaulukya king Bhima I. [11] Ahila, who probably died heirless, was succeeded by Mahindu's younger son Anahilla. [12]

Expansion

Anahilla (r. c. 1024-1055 CE) was among the dynasty's most successful rulers, and greatly expanded the kingdom. [13] According to the Sundha Hill inscription, he defeated Bhima, captured Shakambhari, killed the Paramara king Bhoja's general Sadha, and defeated the Turushkas (Turkic people). [14] Historian Dasharatha Sharma theorizes that the Bhoja occupied Shakambhari after defeating the Shakambhari Chahamana king Viryarama, and Anahilla helped Viryarama's successor Chamundaraja in evicting the Paramaras. [15] On the other hand, R. B. Singh theorizes that Anahilla helped Bhoja against Viryarama, but their alliance broke, leading to a conflict between Anahilla and Bhoja's general Sadha. [16] The Turushkas were probably a Ghaznavid force. [13]

Anahilla was succeeded by his sons Balaprasada and Jendraraja one after another. Jendraraja appears to have defeated a Chaulukya ruler, either Bhima I or Bhima's successor Karna. [17] [18] Jendraraja's sons Prithvipala, Jojalladeva, and Asharaja succeeded him one after another. [19] Prithvipala defeated Karna, probably in alliance with his other neighbours such as the Shakambhari Chahamana king Vigraharaja III and the Paramara king Udayaditya. [20] He also seems to have defeated a Paramara chief of Vagada. He [21] Jojalladeva is said to have occupied the Chaulukya capital Anahillapura, possibly during a raid. [22]

Dynastic feuds

Asharaja was dethroned by Prithvipala's son Ratnapala around 1119 CE. As a result, he sought shelter from the Chaulukya king Jayasimha Siddharaja. [23] As a Chaulukya vassal, he participated in Jayasimha's war against the Paramara king Naravarman. [24] Meanwhile, Ratnapala was succeeded by his son Rayapala, who was dethroned by Asharaja's son Katukaraja around 1145 CE. [25] Katukaraja was succeeded by Asharaja's younger son Alhanadeva, who served as a vassal to the Chaulukya king Kumarapala. [26] For a brief period, Kumarapala replaced Alhanadeva with his own governor at Naddula, when the Chaulukyas were fighting a war against the Shakambhari Chahamana king Arnoraja. Later, he reinstated Alhanadeva as the ruler of Naddula. [27] [28] In the mid-12th century, Alhanadeva curbed some disturbances in Saurashtra on behalf of Kumarapala. [29]

Alhanadeva was succeeded by his elder son Kelhanadeva, while his younger son Kirtipala established the Chahamana principality at Jalore. [30]

Decline

In 1178 CE, the Ghurids led by Muhammad of Ghor, invaded the Chaulukya kingdom and temporarily dislodged Kelhanadeva from Naddula. Kelhanadeva, his brother Kirtipala and other Chaulukya feudatories helped the Chaulukyas defeat the Ghurids at the Battle of Kasahrada in 1178 CE. As a result, Kelhana managed to regain control of Naddula. [31] As a Chaulukya feudatory, Kelhanadeva also repulsed an invasion by the Yadava ruler Bhillama V. [32]

By the time of Kelhanadeva's son Jayatasimha, the Ghurids had grown more powerful, having defeated the Shakambhari Chahamana king Prithviraja III. In 1197 CE, the Ghurid general Qutb al-Din Aibak invaded Naddula and surrounding regions. Jayatasimha abandoned Naddula, and probably joined a Hindu confederacy to oppose the Ghurids at Mount Abu. Qutb al-Din Aibak defeated this confederacy, and the Naddula kingdom disintegrated into several principalities in the subsequent days. [33] Samantasimha, who is attested by five inscriptions dated 1199-1201 CE, might have been a successor of Jayatasimha. [34] [33]

Coinage

Alexander Cunningham had two Horseman and bull type coins, he categorised those coins as "unknown Rajput coins". One coin he published had legend on the reverse as "Sri Kalhana or Kilahana". Scholar Prafulla Chandra Roy suggested that these coins belong to Chauhan dynasty of Nadol. Col James Tod also procured many Horseman and bull type coins from Nadol. [35]

List of rulers

Following is a list of Chahmana rulers of Naddula, with approximate period of reign, as estimated by R. B. Singh: [36]

List of Chauhan rulers of Naddula
Serial no.KingsReign (CE)
1 Lakshmana alias Rao Lakha or Lakhan950–982
2 Shobhita 982–986
3 Baliraja 986–990
4 Vigrahapala 990–994
5 Mahindra alias Mahindu994–1015
6 Ashvapala 1015–1019
7 Ahila 1019–1024
8 Anahilla 1024–1055
9 Balaprasada 1055–1070
10 Jendraraja 1070–1080
11 Prithvipala 1080–1090
12 Jojalladeva 1090–1110
13 Asharaja alias Ashvaraja1110–1119
14 Ratnapala 1119–1132
15 Rayapala 1132–1145
16 Katukaraja 1145–1148
17 Alhanadeva 1148–1163
18 Kelhanadeva 1163–1193
19 Jayatasimha 1193–1197

Family tree

Chahamanas of Naddula
Lakshmana
(1)
r. c. 950-982
Shobhita
(2)
r. c. 982-986
Vigrahapala
(4)
r. c. 990-994
Baliraja
(3)
r. c. 986-990
Mahindu
(5)
r. c. 994-1015
Ashvapala
(6)
r. c. 1015-1019
Anahilla
(8)
r. c. 1024-1055
Ahila
(7)
r. c. 1019-1024
Balaprasada
(9)
r. c. 1055-1070
Jendraraja
(10)
r. c. 1070-1080
Prithvipala
(11)
r. c. 1080-1090
Jojalladeva
(12)
r. c. 1090-1110
Asharaja
(13)
r. c. 1110-1119
Ratnapala
(14)
r. c. 1119-1132
Katukaraja
(16)
r. c. 1145-1148
Alhanadeva
(17)
r. c. 1148-1163
Rayapala
(15)
r. c. 1132-1145
Kelhanadeva
(18)
r. c. 1163-1193
Jayatasimha
(19)
r. c. 1193-1197

Related Research Articles

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

The Chaulukya dynasty, also Solanki dynasty, was a dynasty that ruled parts of what are now Gujarat and Rajasthan in north-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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chahamanas of Shakambhari</span> Dynasty that ruled Sapadalaksha

The Chahamanas of Shakambhari, colloquially known as the Chauhans of Sambhar or Chauhans of Ajmer, were an Indian dynasty that ruled parts of the present-day Rajasthan and neighbouring areas in India, between the 6th and 12th centuries. The territory ruled by them was known as Sapadalaksha. They were the most prominent ruling family of the Chahamana (Chauhan) Rajput clan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vigraharaja IV</span> King from 12th-Century India

Vigraharāja IV, also known as and also Visaladev was a king from the Chahamana (Chauhan) dynasty in north-western India, and is generally considered as one of the greatest rulers of the dynasty. He turned the Chahamana kingdom into an empire by subduing the neighbouring kingdoms of Chaulukya, Naddula, and Tomara kingdoms. He also repulsed Muslim invasions, from the Ghaznavid ruler Bahram Shah and defeated Khusrau Shah in Vigraharaja IV's first war against the Muslims.

Viryarama was an Indian king belonging to the Shakambhari Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the Sapadalaksha region, which included parts of present-day Rajasthan in north-western India.

Vakpatiraja II was an Indian king belonging to the Shakambhari Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the Sapadalaksha country, which included parts of present-day Rajasthan in north-western India.

Chamundaraja was an Indian king belonging to the Shakambhari Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the Sapadalaksha country, which included parts of present-day Rajasthan in north-western India.

Arnoraja was an Indian king belonging to the Shakambhari Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the Sapadalaksha country, which included parts of present-day Rajasthan in north-western India. Arnoraja defeated the Ghaznavid king Bahram Shah in the Slaughter of Turushkas near Ajmer, and also defeated several neighbouring Hindu kings including the Paramaras and the Tomaras. He had to face defeats against the Chaulukyas, and was ultimately killed by his own son, Jagaddeva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lakshmana (Chahamana dynasty)</span> King of Naddula

Lakshmana also known as Raval Lakha or Lakhana was an Indian king who established the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. A son of the Shakambhari Chahamana king Vakpatiraja I, Lakshmana carved out a principality around Naddula.

Shobhita was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula, and achieved military successes against the Paramaras of Chandravati.

Mahindu, also known as Mahendra or Mahindra, was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula.

Ahila was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula. He defeated the Chaulukya invader Bhima I.

Anahilla was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula. He defeated the Chaulukya king Bhima I, defeated a general of the Paramara king Bhoja, and also defended his territory against the Ghaznavids.

Bala-prasada was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula.

Jendraraja was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula, and achieved military successes against the Chaulukyas.

Prithvi-pala was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula. He achieved military successes against the Chaulukyas, the Paramaras of Vagada, and a Ghaznavid raider.

Jojalla-deva was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula. The Chahamana records claim that he invaded the Chaulukya kingdom, and occupied their capital Anahilapataka.

Asharaja was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula, before being dethroned by his nephew Ratnapala. He then accepted the suzerainty of his family's rival, the Chaulukya king Jayasimha Siddharaja. He participated in Jayasimha's successful war against the Paramara king Naravarman. His son Katukaraja seized the Naddula throne after his death.

Alhana-deva was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula, as a vassal of the Chaulukya king Kumarapala. During his reign, the Chahamanas of Shakambhari invaded Naddula, and Kumarapala replaced him with his own governors. Later, Kumarapala restored his rule in Naddula, as a result of his service in Chaulukya military campaigns.

Kelhana-deva was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula, as a Chaulukya vassal. He participated in the 1178 CE Battle of Kasahrada, in which the Chaulukya forces defeated the Ghurid ruler Muhammad of Ghor.

Jayata-simha was an Indian king belonging to the Naddula Chahamana dynasty. He ruled the area around Naddula. He was probably defeated by the Ghurid general Qutb al-Din Aibak, and the Naddula kingdom disintegrated after his death.

References

  1. Anita Sudan 1989, pp. 312–316.
  2. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 233.
  3. Sailendra Nath Sen 1999, p. 334.
  4. R. B. Singh 1964, pp. 262–263.
  5. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 234.
  6. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 121.
  7. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 238.
  8. 1 2 Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 122.
  9. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 239.
  10. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 124.
  11. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 125.
  12. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 242.
  13. 1 2 Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 126.
  14. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 243.
  15. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, pp. 34–35.
  16. R. B. Singh 1964, pp. 243–244.
  17. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 127.
  18. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 246.
  19. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 246-248.
  20. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 247.
  21. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 128.
  22. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 129.
  23. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 251.
  24. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 249.
  25. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 253.
  26. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 254.
  27. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 111.
  28. R. B. Singh 1964, pp. 255–257.
  29. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 255.
  30. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 142.
  31. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 259.
  32. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 137.
  33. 1 2 R. B. Singh 1964, p. 264.
  34. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 140.
  35. Roy, Prafulla Chandra (1980). The Coinage of Northern India: The Early Rajaputa Dynasties from the 11th to the 13th Centuries A.D. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications. p. 126. ISBN   978-81-7017-122-5.
  36. R. B. Singh 1964, pp. 252–265.

Bibliography