Refer to http://allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=15826 for my original article
Formation of Gurjar Kingdoms in India
(100 AD-750 AD)
1. Gurjars of Ancient India
1.1 According to oldest available records, Sri Krishna ruled a kingdom named Gurjara Kingdom. These Gurjaras had to fight under the flag of Kauravas, during Mahabharata, to follow the command of their master Sri Krishna.
Map 1.1 Shows the location of various kingdoms under Ancient Bharata. (See Gurjars near Present day Rajasthan)
1.2 Sri Krishna with some of the Kshatriyas who survived the Mahabharta war abandoned Mathura and went towards the west to Dwarika. The ancient Kshatriya clans thronged around Lord Krishna who united them into one class and named it as "Gurjar" (including old Gurjar warriors of his own army) and their Government came to be known as "Gurjartar" the first capital of which was established at Dwarka in around 1420 BC.
Sri Krishna ruled until his death in 1388 BC
So it is very much clear here that the word Gurjar was not only used for a caste at that time. It was used for a sect of bravest of Kshatriyas under Shri Krishna.
1.3 Gurjar is a pure Sanskrit word which means “One, who vanish the enemy”
Gur=Enemy
Jar=Vanishing
Pandit Vasudeva Prasad, a famous Sanskrit Pandit of Banaras, has proved through ancient Sanskrit literature that the word "Gurjar" OR "Gurjara" used to be spoken after the names of antique Kshatriyas. Another Sanskrit scholar Radhakant, is of the opinion that the word 'Gurjar' was for Kshatriyas. Scientific evidence also has proved that Gurjars belong to Aryans.
Though we find Gurjaras in the times of Great Asoka
Map 1.2 Gurjars in Ashoka's Era
2. Gurjars in first 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 Jamuna and Afghanistan. This kingdom was ruled by the dynasty of Kushan Gurjars whose king was emperor Kanishka. One of the edicts revealed that Kushans had named the territory of Sutlej as Gujrat. 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 Kushan kings
Chinese sources describe the Guishuang (Ch: 貴霜), i.e. the "Kushans", as one of the five tribes of the Yuezhi i.e. Gurjars. They were called foreigners but it was proooved later that they were indian natives who were earlier residing in tibbet or laddakh region.
The Gurjar reign of 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.
2.3 Some Famous Kushan Kings:
Bhima Kadphises name corrupted (45-78 AD)
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, whoruled between 103 and 130 A.D. He was suffocated to death by Brahmin Priests due to his devotion to Buddhism.
Note: Earlier there was confusion among Historians that Kanishka Ruled in 78-111 AD.
All contemporary rulers (Except Satvahanas) were either feudatories or blood related to Kushans
2.4 Feudatory Rulers of different places during the Rule of Kushans
Awans (Gurjar rulers of Awanti later known as Malva)
Arjunanyas
Bhattis (Yadav rulers of Sialkoat, later became Gurjar and then Rajput)
Gakkhar (Sassanids)
Kambojas
Kidaras
Lahings
Licchavis (Kushan origin) from 185 AD
Malavas
Nagarahs (Gurjars)
Western kshatrapas (Saka Tribes)
Yudheya or Johiyas (Gurjars)
Map 2.1 Map above shows the stretch of Kushan Kingdom during 1st century
Picture 2.1 ancient sketch of Kanishka
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 Red Huns.
Ø Rise of Gupta Dynasty in 320 AD
Ø Conflicts with Indo-Sassanians.
Ø Continuous conflicts with Satvahanas. (Sacked by Sakas in 236 AD)
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 Kushans 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 sind till early 8th century were also one of these Kushan or kushanshah Rulers. 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 Rajsthan and occupied the territories of Western Kshatrapas (Sakas). They started ruling Southern Rajasthan and Gujarat under several branches as petty rulers. These branches 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, wholater erased these great Sakas from history as "insignificant king", "mlechhas", "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 or 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). Which 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 huna attack under Chu-Han in 454-455 AD. The Guptas were vanished by Second Huna attack under Tourman Akhsunwar in 467 AD. The lastGupta ruler BudhaGupta kept ruling till the end of 6th cenuryas feudatories.
3. Gurjars in & after 5th Century
3.1 Chap Dynasty of Malva
One of the greatest Indian Kings “The Mighty Yashodharman Vikramaditya” was a Gurjar Ruler of Malva or Ujjain. His capital was at Mandsaur.
He was from the Chap clan of Gurjars. 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 thepillar 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 Huns under MihirGul, who fled to Kashmir and began his rule there (where he died in 542 AD). In this decisive fight all the Huna chiefs were slaughtered and the army left was assimilated into Gurjars.
It erased the Huna rule permanently from the Indian scenario.
Note: The Hun King Tourman (father of MihirGul) was defeated and perhaps killed by Bhanugupta of the Gupta Dynasty in 510 AD.
3.2 About 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 theywere called and considered Huns by mistake. Their culture and physical descriptions was totally 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 Kok-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 never discussed after 6th CE. Today also we find many people in Kshatriya tribes with Hun Surname. But for the ease of topic, I will call them Huns only, in this article.
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 10 years. In 465 AD fresh Hun armies attacked Guptas under Tour-han or Tourman-1. This time the Guptas were totally vanished by Hunas and many flourishing cities under Gupta territories were completely demolished. They killed innocent people for just fun. The Gurjars kept fighting under Yasodharman. 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 until 567 AD. Nothing much is known about them after that.
Map 3.2 Map shows Empire of Huns in India
Famous Hun Rulers in India
Tourman Akhsunvar (420 - 470)
Tourman (496 - 502)
Mihirakula (502 - 530)
Un-identified between 530 - 567
3.3 Maitrik dynasty of VallabhiPura
It 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,
Bhattarak was the army chieftain of Yashodharman. This Maitrik dynasty was the branch of Kushans only. Maitrikas made their capital at Vallabhi or VallabhiPura.
Bhattaraka was succeeded by his son Dharapatta, both of them called themselves, Senapatis. Next Maitrik ruler namely Guhasena ruled till 524 AD.
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 northerner part (later 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,
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 son Dharasena-III who annexed Gujarat to his territory. A successor of hasty temper, Dhruvasena-II, the younger brother of Dharasena-III ruled till 641 AD. Second somnath temple was built by next ruler Dharasena-IV in 649 AD.
There was a lot of trouble after the death of Dharasena-IV, but was only restored during the next ruler Siladitya-II. The successor of Siladitya-II was Siladitya-III.
Siladitya III (662-84AD) assumed an imperial title and conquered Gurjars of Rajsthan and Malwa.
His successors were Siladitya-IV, Siladitya-V and Siladitya-VI. It was during the reign of Siladitya-VI (766-767 AD) when the Ruling family of Vallabhi came to an end.
Siladitya-VI died and the city was burnt to ashes during the Arabian attack on Vallabhi (766 AD).
Map 3.1 Map shows the Gurjar Kingdom of Vallabhi alongwith Harsha of thaneshwar, gurjars of rajasthan and chalukyas
3. 4 The rise and growth of the feudatories of Maitrikas
Pratihars (1st Branch, Ruled Nandol, 650 to 815 AD),
Chalukyas
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.
3.5 After the fall of Vallabhi, Southern ‘Gurjardesa’ was ruled by various dynasties, at the same time.
Chalukyas
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
3.5.1 Chalukyas
The Chalukyas 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 Chalukyas who ruled from Badami were the Western Chalukyas. The one who ruled from Kalyani are referred as Later Western Chalukyas and the Chalukyas of Vengi are known to the historians as the Eastern Chalukyas. The legendary history of the Chalukyas makes their origin very controversial. But the use of the word GurjarNath and Gurjeshwar by later chalukya 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 Chalukya’s Kingdom
Map 3.4 Another map showing Chalukyas at their peak
Pulakesin-I
With the modest beginning under Jayasimha and his son Ranaraga, Chalukyas 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 Chalukyas 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 Chalukyas 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 Chalukya 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 Chalukyas 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 Chalukyas. For the next fifty years, the Chalukya power was totally eclipsed by the Rashtrakutas. Dantidurga defeated Kritivarman-II to gain the control of Chalukyas 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 Chalukyas of Kalyani.
3.6 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 Chalukya kingdom in the Deccan which was then ruled by Pulakesin II. But the Chalukya 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
3.7 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 Chalukya 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)
To be Conitnued...
|
