2. Gurjars till 5th century

2. Gurjars till 5th century

2.1 Kushans and Nagars

In 1st century AD they had established two reigns of two dynasties which were those of Nagars and Kushan. One ruled Patna, which included Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Central India. This was ruled by Nagar Dynasty of Gurjars. The King was Maharaja Subhau Nagar.

Their second kingdom was that of Peshawar which spread up to the river Yamuna and Afghanistan. This kingdom was ruled by the dynasty of Kushan Gurjars (One of the five Yu-chee tribes) whose king was emperor Kanishka. One of the edicts revealed that Kushans had named the territory of Sutlej as Gujarat. During the reign of king Kanishka and Subhao Nagar, the Aryavarta was at its peak of glory. These kingdoms had spread their trade up to Europe.

2.2 Yuhezhi or yuchi

Yuezhi, In Chinese the name translates literally as 'Moon Clan.' According to ‘Zhang Guang-da’ the name Yuezhi is a transliteration of their own name for themselves, the Visha (the tribes), being called the Vijaya in Tibetan meaning ‘Victory’ in Sanskrit or Hindi. Chinese sources describe the Guishuang i.e. the "Kushans", as one of the five tribes of the Yuezhi i.e. Gurjars. The other four tribes are known in Chinese history as Xiūmì, Shuangmi, Xidana, and Dūmì.

In fact Yu-chee was the Chinese corrupted form of the word Gurjar. Applying the Chinese language phonetic rules the word Gurjar becomes “G-yuchee” or simply yuchee. The Chinese scholar Heun-xang, who cam to India in around 600 AD, also called them as k-yuchee-lo (Gurjara). He added “lo” in the end to highlight the a (Gurjar”a”) which was the sanskrtitinised version of Gurjar.

Yuhezhi was made of five main tribes. Similarly almost every Gurjar know this very fact that gurjars were originally divided in five main subclans and their confederation was known as Chechi (another name derived from their Chinese name. These days we have a large chechi clan of Gurjar comprising of more than 10 laks people spread all over north India.. These tribes were Kasana (Guiishang), Gorsi (derived after the word Ghodswar or Cavalier Ghoda or Horse), khatana (got their name from Khotan), Nagdi (named after the famous place in Rajasthan Nagarah) and Bargat. All other Gurjar clans originated from these five main tribes. The controversial province of Russia, Chechenya, was also named after “Chechi”. The Capital name is Grozny, prounounced as Gurzni by Chechens. We still find many Chechens using the surnames like “Kasanav, Chichi, Bagrate, Basayev.

 It is a well known truth in the area of Mathura (the place where Sri Krisna was born and ruled) that the famous lover of Sri Krisna named “Radha” was from Chechi gotra of Gurjars. Today also we find many songs about her addressing her as a Gujariya (fem. of Gurjar). She was from a nearby village named Barsana which is a gurjar village so she was also called “Barsane ki Gujariya. We also find the temples of her friend Sakhi Gujari Lalita Devi in another nearby village names Uncha-gaon. In short This place is thickly populated with Gurjars.

 The consort of Lord Brahma “Gayatri Devi” (Goddess of knowledge and writer of all the Vedas) was from the same chechi tribe. Bramha married Gayatri Devi at pushkar which is the only pilgrim of Gurjars and it is also said that a Gurjar must go to pushkar once in his lifetime. It is a common belief that the Gurjar caste would gain liberation after death only if their ashes were scattered on Pushkar lake

2.3 Kushans or Guishuang

The reign of Gurjar emperor Kanishka spread up to Central Asia as a result of which the Gurjars could be seen dwelling in Afghanistan, Russia and Iran even these days. It is believed that the emperor Kanishka had established his capital somewhere in Kashmir. It would be wrong to say that the present territorial boundaries of Kashmir are correct rather it was far wide spread than what it is today. The brave kings of those bygone days had subdued the countries like Kabul and Kandhar.

2.4 Some Famous Kushan Kings:

Vima Kadbhises name corrupted (45-78 AD) Actual Name was Bheem Kaalvijaya

Kanishka (103-127 AD)

Huveshka (127-155 AD)

Vasudeva (180-226 AD)

Kanishka-3 (255-275)

The Most Famous of these rulers was Emperor Kanishka, who ruled between 103 and 130 A.D. He was suffocated to death by his Brahmin Priests due to his devotion to Buddhism.

Note: There has always been confusion among Historians regarding the reign of Kanishka Ruled.

2.5 Feudatory Rulers during the Rule of Kushans

All contemporary rulers (Except Satvahanas) were either feudatories or blood related to Kushans

• Arjunaynas (A sect of Malawas)

• Bhattis (Yadav rulers of Sialkoat, later became Gurjars and then Rajputs)

• Gakkhar (Sassanians or Persians)

• Janjuas (A warrior Jat tribe) (might be related to Juan-Juans aka ‘Rourans’)

• Kambojas (were a part of Yuhechi confederation)

• Kidaras or Kidarites or Chionites (Later known as Red Huns then Hepthalites or White Huns)

• Ksudrakas

• Lahingas

• Licchavis (Kushan origin) ruled Nepal after 185 AD

• Malavas (were always in conflict with Sakas and Uttamabhadras)

• Nagaras or Nangri (Gurjar Rulers of Mathura, Blood related to Kushans)

• Tusharas ( or Tukharas, Most probably were a sect of Kambojas)

• Uttamabhadras

• Western kshatrapas (Sakas)

• Yaudheya or Johiyas (Gurjar rulers of western Punjab, A sect of Malwas)

Map 2.1 Map above shows the stretch of Kushan Kingdom during 1st century

Map 2.2 Kushan empire in 3rd century under Vasudeva

Picture 2.1 Ancient sketch of Kanishka

Picture 2.2 Kushan Cavalry Archer, Gurjars were always famous for there cavalry.

Picture 2.3 Kushans’ coin

2.5 Decline of Kushans

The Great Kushan Empire started declining after the death of Vasudeva in 226 AD. Though, the last king Kipunada, “Name Corrupted” (350-375 AD) ruled up to 375 AD.

Many Factors were responsible for their fall

Ø The Feudatories claimed independence

Ø Continuous fights with Xionites or Red Huns.

Ø Rise of Gupta Dynasty in 320 AD

Ø Conflicts with Indo-Sassanians.

Sassaninan king Shapur II fought and made a treaty with the Kushanas in 350 AD, but he was defeated by them twice in 367-368 AD. But the Kidarites claimed independence after that and captured Afghanistan and nearby area. The Yudheyas, bhattis and Nagars were also in continuous internal conflicts. Finally, in 375 AD, The Kushan Empire collapsed and retired.

2.6 New settlements of Kushans

Some of them moved to Himalayas: This branch of Kushans kept ruling a large part of Himachala. They were the forefathers of the forthcoming Naga Dynasty.

A branch of these Kushans went to Afghanistan and Persia: These Kushans were found ruling Persia in 4thand 5th centuries. They ruled as KushanShahs, The Famous Shahi dynasty which ruled Sindh till early 8th century was a descendant of these kushanshahs. They were also knows as Kidarites or Red Huns (Though they were not Huns).

While some of them went downwards: and finally settled in Gujarat and southern Rajasthan and occupied the territories of Western Kshatrapas (Sakas). They started ruling Southern Rajasthan and Gujarat as several petty clans. These clans were namely Chapotkats, Nagars, Yudheyas, Awanas etc. Perhaps Gurjars ruled as feudatories to Guptas till 455 AD. The Gupta Empire collapsed due to the Hun attack under Tourman in 467 AD. These Gurjar Clans also fought against the Huns.

2.7 The final settlement in Gujarat & Rajasthan

The numerous Saka populations were residing at Gujarat and southern Rajasthan under Kshatrapas since 35 AD. The Kshatrapas collapsed in 405 AD After that this remaining Saka population was assimilated into Gurjars by the newly formed Gurjar groups (later Kushans).

2.8 The Great Sakas (Kshatrapas)

Kshatrapas (Hindi KshetraPal) is a Persian word which means “Defender of a province” or Feudatory Governor. They were originally feudatories under Kushans. Kushans were somehow related to these Saka tribes. Sakas claimed independence around 195 AD. They were very famous for their architecture and coinage. Though they were in continuous conflicts with Satvahanas, they finally managed to finish the Satvahanas dynasty by 236 AD.

Map 2.2 This map shows the stretch or Kshatrapas at their peak.

Kshatrapas were uprooted by Gupta Ruler Chandragupta-2 in 405 AD, who shifted the Gupta Capital to Ujjain from Patliputra. Chandragupta-2 attacked his own masters under the influence of Brahmins, who later erased these great Sakas from history as "insignificant king", "malechhas", "shudra", "not generous to Brahmins” and “Degraded Kshatriyas”.

Note: The name of the very first king of this Saka dynasty was Aabhirka, The nomadic origin also implies that they might be related to Abhirs (Ahirs or Yadavas).

2. 9 Gupta Rulers

Srigupta I (270-290 AD) who was perhaps a petty ruler of Magadha (modern Bihar) established Gupta dynasty with Patliputra or Patna as its capital. He and his son Ghatotkacha (290-305 AD) have left very little evidences of their rule and did not issue any coins of their own (although there have been reports of coins of Shrigupta which need more thorough studies). Ghatotkacha was succeeded by his son Chandragupta I (305-325 AD) who strengthened his kingdom by matrimonial alliance with the powerful family of Lichchavis (related to Kushans) who were rulers of Mithila. His marriage to Lichchhavi princess Kumaradevi, brought an enormous power, resources and prestige. He took advantage of the situation and occupied whole of fertile Gangetic valley. Chandragupta I eventually assumed the title of Maharajadhiraja (emperor) in formal coronation, thereby establishing the Gupta Dynasty and Gupta Era. Their rule lasted up to 6th century.

Map 2.3 Map shows the sway of Guptas under Chandragupta-2 (Early 5th century)

2. 10 Guptas’ Origin

Though their origin or varna is not certain, they were, most probabaly, Aabhirs or Ahirs or Yadavas by origin. Shri Gupta rose to power suddenly after the fall of Satvahanas (236 AD). This shows that they were installed to the throne of Patna by Kshaptrapas.

The word Gupta is derived from “Goptri" meaning "military governor" as in the inscription of Skandagupta, It was not a surname or clan name but a title. It clearly shows that after defeating the Satvahanas, Guptas were placed as Feudatories by Sakas (Kshatrapas). The most common gold coins of the Guptas appear to be the direct descendants of the gold coins of the Sakas. The standing pose of the Gupta kings at the altar is almost identical to that of the Kshatrapa kings, as is their dress - long coats and trousers (uchkin, salwar/kameez).

2.11 End of Gupta Rule

Chndragupta-2 was the most promiment name among all Gupta rulers he displaced the Sakas or Kshatrapas and took the title of “Vikramaditya” in around 405 AD.

SkandaGupta Repelled the first Hun attack under Chu-Han in 454-455 AD. The Guptas were vanished by Second Hun attack under Tourman Akhsunwar in 467 AD.

2.12 Later Guptas of Magadha