One of the greatest Indian Kings “The Mighty Yashodharman Vikramaditya” was a Chap Gurjar Ruler of Malva or Ujjain or Avanti. His capital was at Mandsaur or Dasapura.
He ruled Malva as feudatory to Gupta Kings. This Chap dynasty later served as the feudatories to Maitriks of Vallabhi.
The Famous poet Kalidasa was in his court. (and not in the court of Chandragupta-2.) Some scholars claim that the Vikramaditya of Kalidasa was this Yashodharman only.
The name "Gujardesa" was founded by Yashodharman in 480 AD (Earlier it was Gujarat), he was Chap by his surname as written at pillar inscription at Vasantgarh. According to the pillar inscriptions of Mandsaur and in Nalanda, He was mentioned as the founder of Gurjardesh. He took the title of Narpati Gurjar after defeating the Huna king MihirGul in 528 AD. King NarasimhaGupta “Baladitya” of Magadha helped him in defeating the White Huns under MihirGul, who fled to Kashmir and began his rule there (where he died in 542 AD). In this decisive fight all the ‘White Huna’ chiefs were slaughtered and the army left was assimilated into Gurjars.
It erased the ‘White Huna’ rule permanently from the Indian scenario.
Note: The ‘White Huna’ King Tomaran (father of MihirGul) was defeated and perhaps killed by Bhanugupta of the Gupta Dynasty in 510 AD.
3.2 About White Huns:
The white Huns attacked India between 454 and 510 AD. They were actually pushed into India by actual Huns or Turk Huns during this period .Some scholars believe that they were called and considered Huns by mistake. Though, their culture and physical descriptions were not so different from actual Huns. They might have been a group of Kushans who settled in Persia at the time of the fall of Kushan rule. When they were attacked by Gok-turks or genuine Huns, They had to enter India in order to save their life and to save their identity they had to fight out the tribes ruling India that time. They were no way related to the genuine Huns. Their natural assimilation into the Indian population is key evidence that they were accepted as a lost Indian tribe by other Kshatriyas. They were son worshippers and were called Shaiv (One who believes in Lord Siva). They were never discussed after 6th CE. But even today we find many people in Kshatriya tribes with Hun Surname. There is a chunk of around 36 Hun Gujjar villages near Meerut.
The first attack under Chu-Han in 455 AD was repelled back by SkandaGupta and India was saved from Huns for a short period of time (10 years). In 465 AD, fresh Hun armies attacked Guptas under Tomar-han or Tomaran-1. This time the Guptas were vanished by Hunas and many flourishing cities under Gupta territories were completely demolished. Huns were one of the most cruel tribe to attack India. They killed innocent people for fun and entertainment The Gurjars kept fighting under Yasodharman. The ruling seat of Huns or hepthallites was Sakala (modern Sialkot in paksitan). Tourman-2 was killed by Gupta ruler Bhanugupta in 510 AD. After him his son Mihirgul* (means Sunflower) took over the throne, he was even crueler than his father. He was also defeated by Yasodharman in 528 AD. The remaining Huns were assimilated into Kshatriya population. The Huns ruled as petty rulers in Kashmir until 567 AD under Vasukula (son of MihirGula). Nothing much is known about them after that.
* MihirGula or MihirKula has two meanings
1. ‘Sunflower’ and
2. ‘From solar dynasty’.
This also proves that Hepthallites were actually Hindus Kshatriyas, who returned to their homeland and were considered as foreign invaders or Hunas.
Map 3.2 Map shows Empire of White Huns in India
Famous White Hun Rulers in India
o Chu-han (?-454)
o Tomar-Han Akhsunvar (467- 496)
o Tomar-Han (496?- 502) or Tomaran-1
o Mihirakula (502 – 530/540)
o Ajitjanya or Vasukula-1 (530-567)
o Vasukula-2 or Torman-2(530 – 567)
o Narendra or Narana
o Baka (570-600)
Mihiragula was succeeded by his son called Ajitanjaya (Toraman-2 or Vasukula)
The last Hephthal king Narana/Narendra managed to maintain some kind of rule between 570 and 600 AD over the 'nspk' or 'napki' or 'nezak' tribes that remained after most of the Alχon had fled to the west.
3.3 Malavas
The name Malava is now applied generally to the old Central India Agency including the former Gwalior, Indore, Dhar, Bhopal and other States together with some contiguous areas of the old Central Provinces such as the Saugor District. After India’s independence, many of the said Native States were merged in the State of Madhya Bharat which was itself merged at a later date in the State of Madhya Pradesh.
In the fourth century B.C., when Alexander invaded the north-western regions of India, the Malavas (called Malloi by the Greeks) lived in the land lying to the north of the confluence of the Ravi and the Chenab and were probably confederated with the Ksudrakas (called Oxydrakai by the Greeks) inhabiting the Montgo¬mery region of the Punjab.
Map 3.3 Root followed by Alexander the Great
The association of the Malavas and Ksudrakas is known to the “Mahabharata” and to the early grammarians who class these tribes among peoples living by the profession of arms. Both Malavas and Kshudrakas were defeated by Alexander one after the other.
From the Punjab, the Malavas, or at least a large section of the tribe, migrated to Rajasthan. This movement may have begun during the Indo-Greek occupation of the Punjab (Called Fun-jab by the Greeks), but appears to have continued down to the time of the Scythian conquest of that country. The Malavas of Rajasthan are the earliest Indian people known to have used an era which has been identified with the so-called Vikrama-Samvat of 58 B. C.
The name Avanti or Avanti is derived from that of the Avanti people said to be the descendants of Avanti, the son of Kartavirya Arjuna of the Yadava-Haihaya clan.
3.3.1 Maukharis
Maukharis, known from the Badva inscriptions3 of 238 A.D acknowledged the supremacy of the Malava republic and belonged to the Malava stock. Epigraphic evidence represents the Mukhara or Maukhari princes as descendants of the hundred sons whom king Asvapati obtained through the grace of Vaivasvata (Yama),4 while the Mahabhrata states how the Madra king Asvapati obtained one hundred sons called ‘the Malavas’ through his queen Malay.
3.3.2 Guptas of Malava
3.3.3 Kalchuri’s of Malava
3.4 Maitrik dynasty of VallabhiPura
The famous town of VallabhiPura or ballabhi was founded by the 17th Ruler of western Kshatrapa Dynasty named Vijayasena (238-250 AD).
Maitrik Dynasty was established at VallabhiPura by Senapati Bhattarak in around 470CE. There is a strong possibility that Maitrikas, who were ruling as feudatories to Guptas and later to Yasodharman were of Saka (Kshatrapa) origin. The territory they ruled and their names also support this fact very much.
Bhattarak was the army chieftain of Yashodharman. This Maitrik dynasty was the branch of Kushans only. Maitrikas made their capital at Ballabhi or VallabhiPura. Bhattaraka was succeeded by his son Dharasena (I), both of them called themselves Senapatis. Then came Dharasena’s younger brother Dronasimha, the first of maitrikas to use the title Maharaja or KING. His younger brother was Dhruvsena (I), who in turn was followed by his younger brother Dharapatta. These five kings ruled for a short span of time (hardly 30 years).
Next Maitrik ruler, Dharapatta’s son, namely Guhasena ruled till 524 AD.
(Here we find the foundation of guhila dynasty which played an important role in Indian history)
King Nasirban of Persia (Full name was Naushervan-E-Adil) invaded Gujarat in 524 AD, Guhasena Died during war, his pregnant queen, Pushpavati, was on a pilgrimage to northern parts (Idar district, better known as Mewar). On receiving the news, Pushpavati went into hiding in the wilderness of the idar district. There she was said to have given birth to a son Guhil or Guhaditya (namedafter his father) who founded the Royal Guhilot family in 569 AD.
However VallabhiPura was later recovered by Dharasena-II (571-572).
Dharasena-II was succeeded by his son Siladitya-I Dharmaditya. He ruled between 606 AD and 612 AD, covered an extensive territory. His was the most powerful kingdom in Western India. Siladitya was succeeded by his younger Brother Kharagrha-I, Kharagraha was succeded by his son Dharasena-III who annexed Gujarat to his territory. A successor of hasty temper, Dhruvasena-II Baladitya, the younger brother of Dharasena-III ruled till 641 AD. Second somnath temple was built by next ruler Dharasena-IV in 649 AD, Who used the titles like Paramabhattâraka, Mahârâjâdhirâja, Paramêshvara, and Chakravarti. There was a lot of trouble after the death of Dharasena-IV, but was only restored during the next ruler Dêrabhata who was the son’s son of the illustrious Shîlâditya (I.), who was the (elder) brother of his father’s father (Kharagraha I.). The successor of Derabhata was his brother Kharagraha-II Dharmaditya. After him his brother Siladitya-II (662-684 AD) ascended to the throne. His son was the Paramabhattâraka, Mahârâjâdhirâja, and Paramêshvara, the glorious Shîlâdityadêva (III) or Siladitya-III, Who assumed an imperial title and conquered Gurjars of Rajasthan and Malwa. His successors were Shîlâdityadêva-IV, Shîlâdityadêva -V and Shîlâdityadêva-VI, Dhrubhata, Shîlâdityadêva (VII). Shîlâdityadêva (VII) who ruled till 766-767 AD was probably the last ruler in the maitrika’s line. After that the town of Vallbhai was sacked by Arabians and ruling family (The Maitrikas) came to an end.
Map 3.1 Map shows the Kingdom of Ballabhi along with Harsha of thaneshwar and Other Gurjar Kingdoms.
3. 5 The rise and growth of the feudatories of Maitrikas
Pratihars (1st Branch, Ruled Nandol, 650 to 815 AD),
Chaulukyas
Chawras and
Rashtrakutas
The rise of these feudatories was a serious menace to Vallabhi and was partially the cause for its end.
Although Dadda (Ruler of Nandol) was a friend and relative of Maitrikas but Dadda-III who for unknown reasons became hostile to them and wrestled broach from Maitrikas.
3.6 After the fall of Vallabhi, Southern ‘Gurjardesa’ was ruled by various dynasties, at the same time.
Chaulukyas
Chavdas - Vadhvan, Saurastra, Kutch
Parmars near Malva
Other dynasties
Saindhvas
Jethvas
Sama
Chahman
Rastrakutas
While the northern portion (Today’s Rajasthan) was being ruled by
Ø Pratihars of Jodhpur (2nd Branch, Ruled Mandor 550-731 AD)
Ø Guhils of Mewar (Offshoots of Maitrika) (After 569 AD)
Ø Mauryas of Hadoti (eastern Mevar and parts), Origin of Hada Chauhans
Ø Chapas or Chapotkats or Chawdas of Bhinmal (Yasodharman’s succesors)
Ø Chahman’s of Sambhar or Shakambhari (Ruled Ajmer)
Ø Parmars
3.7 Chaulukyas
The Chaulukyas were dominant power in the Deccan during 6th to 8th century AD. And again during 10th century AD, they regained their power and ruled till 12 century. The Chaulukyas who ruled from Badami were the Western Chaulukyas. The one who ruled from Kalyani are referred as Later Western Chaulukyas and the Chaulukyas of Vengi are known to the historians as the Eastern Chaulukyas. The legendary history of the Chaulukyas makes their origin very controversial. But the use of the word GurjarNath and Gurjeshwar by later chaulukya rulers made it very much clear that they were Gurjars by origin. Earlier they were feudatories to Maitrik Gurjars but later claimed independence.
Map 3.3 Map shows the Chaulukya’s Kingdom
Map 3.4 Another map showing Chaulukyas at their peak
Pulakesin-I
With the modest beginning under Jayasimha and his son Ranaraga, Chaulukyas ruled from about 535 to 566 AD. But the real dynasty is known to be founded by the Maharaja Pulakesin-I. Pulakesi-I took up many titles such as Satyasraya and was a scholar too. Though not any conquests are credited to him, he is stated to have ruled from Badami, the present day Bijapur.
Kritivirman - I
Pulakesin - I was succeeded by his son Kritivirman - I. He constructed several temples and buildings in the town of Vatapi. The political influence of Chaulukyas spread over a wider region embracing southern part of Maharastra, Mysore and Tamilnadu. He defeated the rulers of Vanga, Anga, Kalinga, Vattura, Magadha ....... He is also stated to have broken up the confederacy of Kadambas.
Mangalesa
Mangalesa, the brother of Kritivirman-I ascended the throne in 598 AD. The Kalachuris were conquered by Mangalesa and the whole of central and northern maratha country was brought into the territory. The eventual civil was between Mangalesa and his nephew Pulakesi-II cost Mangalesa his own life.
Pulakesi-II
Pulakesi ascended the throne in 610 AD and ruled till 642 AD. The reign was not a bed of roses for him, various parts of Chaulukyas assumed independence. The internal rebellion and the frequent invasion by Appayika and Govinda were eventually subdued. He made Gangas of south Mysore to submit, Mauryas of Konkan were defeated too. These conquests brought him into contact with Harsha and in 637 AD Harsha was defeated when Harsha had invaded Kathiawad. He defeated Pallava king Mahendra Varman -I, and crossed the Cauvery river and made friends with the Cholas, Keralas and Pandyas. Because Pallavas were not totally crushed, they took revenge and attacked Pulakesi-II. Pulakesi-II appears to have been killed in the battle, and the Chaulukya empire began to decline.
Vikramaditya - I
After the death of Pulakesi-II, Badami and some of the southern districts remained in the hand of Pallavas. Though Chaulukyas throne remained vacant from 642 AD - 655 AD, Vikramaditya-I managed to ascend the throne in 655 AD. He recovered Badami and brought the whole kingdom under his control.
Vinayaditya
The next successor Vinayaditya ruled from 681 to 696 AD and carried on campaigns against Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas, Aluvas. By defeating the Lord of the entire Uttarapatha, he acquired the banner Palidhvaja. His immediate successor Vijayaditya ruled for nearly fourty years (696 AD - 733 AD). His reign was stated to have been peaceful throughout.
Vikramaditya - II
Vikaramaditya-II was a son of Vijayaditya. He ruled from 734 AD - 745 AD. He defeated the Pallava king thus putting off the continuing hostilities. With this conquest, he took possession of musical instruments, banner, elephants, rubies which belonged to the Pallavas. He destroyed the power of the Chola, Kerala, Pandya.
Kritivarman - II
The son of Vikramaditya-II, Kritivarman - II succeeded to reign for the next eleven years. He was the last and glorious ruler of Chaulukyas. For the next fifty years, the Chaulukya power was totally eclipsed by the Rashtrakutas. Dantidurga defeated Kritivarman-II to gain the control of Chaulukyas once for all. The subsequent attempt by Kritivarman-II to regain the control was futile. The Rashtrakutas remained the supreme power for the next two centuries until the same was destroyed by the later Western Chaulukyas of Kalyani.
3.8 Reign of the Mighty Harshavardhana
The rule of Harshavardhana from (606-647AD) being the only consolidated rule after the Guptas is described in details through various sources.
The predecessors of Harshavardhana were from Thaneshwar. Harshavardhana was the younger son of Prabhakara Vardhana, Raja of Thaneshwar. Prabhakaravardhana died in 605 AD. Prabhakaravardhana's daughter Rajyasri was married to the king Maukhari King Grahavarman. Sasanka the king of Gauda, with the help of the king of Malwa defeated and killed Grahavarman of Kannauj and imprisoned Rajyasri. Rajyavardhan who then ruled Kannauj advanced against Sasanka to avenge his sister’s fate. But he was killed by Sasanka. Thus the throne of Kannauj became vacant and Harshavardhana had to ascend the throne. Harshavardhana pursued a policy of conquest to consolidate his authority over North India. Punjab, Kannauj, parts of Bihar and Bengal formed a part of his kingdom as a result of his conquests. By 612 Harshavardhana consolidated his kingdom in northern India. The problems caused by the small independent kingdoms who were engaged in conflicts among themselves was overcome after the subjection of these petty states extending from the east to west. In 620AD Harshavardhana invaded the Chaulukya kingdom in the Deccan which was then ruled by Pulakesin II. But the Chaulukya resistance proved tough for Harshavardhana and he was defeated. Thus his kingdom in the south was upto the limit of the Narmada. His alliance with king Bhaskaravarman the ruler of Kamrupa (Assam) also proves advantageous in establishing a strong rule.
Map 3.4 Map shows the Kingdom of Harshavardhana
Harshavardhana died in about 647 AD. After his death there was disorder in Northern India. During the period from the death of Harshavardhana to the conquest of the Muslims Indian history circles around numerous kingdoms in the north and south. The territories of Harsha was parceled among various rulers.
Narasinghavarman, the Pallava King of Kanchi, became the sovereign power in the peninsula. King Bhaskravarman of Assam annexed the territories formerly under Harshavardhana
3.5 Map shows the distribution of states among various Gurjar Kingdoms in 700 AD
3.9 Invasion of the Arabs
The first incursion, by the new Muslim successor states of the Persian Empire, took place around 664 AD during the Umayyad Caliphate, led by Mohalib towards Multan in Southern Punjab, in modern day Pakistan. Mohalib expeditions were not aimed at conquest, though they penetrated as far as the capital of the Maili and returned with wealth and prisoners of war.
The second attempt was made by Mohammed Bin Kasim, who, after the conquest of Sind (712 A.D.) swept over the whole of Rajasthan, Gujarat and advanced as far as Ujjain. The Gurjar kingdom of Jodhpur was overrun but Nagbhata of Ujjain hurled back the invaders in collaboration with Pratihar ruler of Jodhpur, Gurjar Ruler Jayabhatta-4 and Avanijanashraya Pulakeshi (the Chaulukya ruler of Lata).
Nagbhatta took the title of Gurjeshwara in 732 AD. This shows that Pratihars were the successor of Maitrikas. his victory of Nagbhata over the Arabs not only enabled him to dethrone Jodhpur as the supreme power, but laid the foundation of a new power named Gurjara - Pratiharas, who became the masters of Kanauj by about 815 A.D. The Pratiharas reached the Zenith of their power during 815 A.D. to 940 A.D. and were called "Gurjareshvaras" and "Raghukulbhu-Chakravarti"(Descendents of Lord Rama)
