The Guhilas of Medapata, also known as the Guhilas of Mewar, were an Indian Rajput dyansty who ruled the Medapata (Mewar) region in present-day Rajasthan, between 8th and 10th centuries. Their capitals included Nagahrada (Nagda) and Aghata (Ahar). For this reason, they are also known as the Nagda-Ahar branch of the Guhilas.
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Origin
The history of the Guhilas has been obscured by bardic legends. The 977 CE Atpur inscription of Shaktikumara lists 20 Guhila kings in an unbroken line of succession, starting with Guhadatta and ending with Shaktikumara. According to several inscriptions and literary sources, Guhadatta migrated to present-day Rajasthan from Anandpur (present-day Vadnagar in Gujarat).
The Atpur inscription does not mention Bappa Rawal, whom the bardic legends and other post-13th century records name as the dynasty's founder. Historians identify Bappa Rawal with either Kalabhoja or Khummana mentioned in the Atpur inscription. R. C. Majumdar theorizes that he achieved a highly significant military success, because of which he gained reputation as the founder of the dynasty. The 1460 CE Kumbhalgarh inscription identifies Bappa Rawal as Shiladitya, and mentions Guhadatta as his son. This appears to be erroneous.
According to 1274 CE Chittor inscription and 1285 CE Achaleshwar (Abu) inscription of Vedasharma, Bappa Rawal "changed his priestly splendour for regal lustre". Based on this, scholars such as D. R. Bhandarkar theorized that the Guhilas were originally Brahmins. G. H. Ojha, however, believed that the statement in Vedasharma's inscription is a misinterpretation of the earlier Atpur inscription. The Atpur inscription describes Guhadatta as a "Mahideva", which can be translated as either "king" or "Brahmin".
The 1274 CE Chittor inscription compares the Guhila ruler Bharttripatta with Rama, describing both of them as "Brahma-Kshatras". Based on the identification of Rama with Parashurama, scholars such as D. C. Sircar theorized that the progenitor of the dynasty had a Brahmin parent and a Kshatriya parent. However, R. V. Somani dismisses this theory, arguing that Rama here refers to Ramachandra, from whose solar dynasty the later Guhilas claimed descent.
The later bardic chronicles mention a fabricated geneaology, claiming that Guhaditya was a son of Shiladitya, the Maitraka ruler of Vallabhi. This claim is not supported by historical evidence.
History
R. C. Majumdar places Guhadatta in 5th century CE, assuming a 20-year reign for each generation. R. V Somani places him somewhere before the first quarter of the 6th century.
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. Bhoja was succeeded by Mahendra and Nagaditya. The bardic legends state that Nagaditya was killed in a battle with the Bhils.
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 have identified him as Harshavardhana or the Maitraka king Shiladitya.
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.
Mahendra was succeeded by Kalabhoja, who has been identified as Bappa Rawal by several historians including G. H. Ojha.
The Guhilas originally acknowledged the suzerainty of the Gurjara-Pratiharas. In 10th century, Bhartripatta became an independent ruler, and assumed the title Maharajadhiraja (as per 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. Towards the end of the 10th century, the Paramara king Munja attacked Aghata and defeated the Guhilas.
Genealogy
Different sources offer different lists of the Guhila kings. The early kings of the dynasty, according to various inscriptions, were:
According to the Kumbhalgarh inscription, Shaktikumara's successors were:
According to the Kumbhalgarh inscription, Ratnasimha cowardly fled from the battlefield (presumably when Alauddin Khilji besieged Chittor in 1303 CE). Maharana Lakhamasi (or Lashamasi) then defended the fort and the family's honour after Ratnasimha's flight. The inscription itself was issued during the reign of the Sisodia ruler Kumbhakarna.