Bappa Rawal
| Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar I (734–1303) | |
| Bappa Rawal | (734–753) |
| Khumar II | (812-836) |
| Bhratrbha | |
| Singh | |
| Allat | |
| Narvahana | |
| Shalivahana | |
| Shaktikumar | |
| Suchivarma | |
| Narvarma | |
| Kirtivarma | |
| Vairat | |
| Vairi Singh | |
| Vijay Singh | |
| Ari Singh | |
| Chaur Singh | |
| Vikram Singh | |
| Kshem Singh | |
| Samant Singh | |
| Kumar Singh | |
| Mathan Singh | |
| Padam Singh | |
| Jait Singh | |
| Tej Singh | |
| Samar Singh | |
| Rawal Ratan Singh | (1302-1303) |
| Succeeded by ? | (?) |
Bappa Rawal was a semi-legendary ruler of the Mewar region in Rajasthan, India. The bardic chronicles describe him as a member of the Guhila (Gahlot) clan of Rajputs, and some of these describe as the founder of his dynasty. Several historians have identified him with Kalabhoja, a ruler of the Mewar branch of the Guhilas.
Identification
Bappa Rawal has not been mentioned in the 977 CE Atpur inscription and the 1083 CE Kadmal inscription, both of which record a detailed genealogy of the Guhila dynasty of Mewar. However, he does find a mention in the 959 CE Unawas inscription and the 971 CE Ekling inscription.[1] Some scholars such as C. V. Vaidya, D. R. Bhandarkar, G. H. Ojha, and Kaviraj Shyamaldas believe that "Bappa Rawal" is not a proper noun. Rawal is a royal title, and Bappa means "father".[2]
According to the Atpur and Kadmal inscriptions, the Mewar Guhila ruler Mahendra was succeeded by Kalabhoja. Several historians, such as G. H. Ojha, have identified Bappa Rawal as Kalabhoja. This identification is based on the fact that the 977 CE Atpur inscription mentions Khumana as a son of Kalabhoja, and the 1404 CE Uparaganva (Dungarpur) inscription of Maharawal Pata names Khumana as the son of Bappa Rawal. R. V. Somani endorses this identification, but cautions that the evidence is not conclusive: Bappa Rawal may have been a different ruler who belonged to another branch of the Guhilas.[3]
The 1460 CE Kumbhalgarh inscription suggests that Bappa Rawal was another name for the Mewar Guhila king Shiladitya, the great-grandfather of Kalabhoja. Based on this Dasharatha Sharma and D. C. Sircar have identified Bappa Rawal with Shiladitya.[1] However, R. V. Somani notes that this inscription contains several errors, including naming Bappa Rawal as the father of Guhadatta (who was the founder of the dynasty according to other inscriptions).[4]
Some other historians, such as D. R. Bhandarkar, identified Bappa Rawal with Kalabhoja's son Khumana, based on the calculation of average reign of the Guhila rulers.[1]
Period
The exact period of Bappa Rawal is not certain. According to the Ekling Purana, a text composed during the reign of Raimal (1473-1509 CE), Bappa Rawal abdicated the throne in 753 CE. D. R. Bhandarkar and G. H. Ojha believed this to be an authentic date.[5]
Legends
Early life
According to the bardic chronicles, all the male members of Bappa's family, including his father, were killed in a battle with the Bhils of Idar. He remained in disguise, accompanied by his two loyal Bhil attendants. He was brought up by a Brahmin lady of Nagda, who employed him as a caretaker of cows. One day, he met the sage Haritrashi, by whose grace he gained back the control of his father's kingdom.[2]
Military achievements
According to some legends, Bappa Rawal captured Chitrakuta (Chittor) either from the mlechchhas or the Moris.[6] Some historians doubt the historicity of this legend, arguing that the Guhilas did not control Chittor before the reign of Kalabhoja's descendant Allata.[7]
Bappa Rawal is believed to have repulsed the Arab attacks in north-western India. Scholars such as R. C. Majumdar and R. V. Somani theorize that the Arabs defeated the former rulers of Chittor, and Bappa Rawal gained control of Chittor after repulsing the Arab attacks. According to Majumdar, the Moris (Mauryas) were ruling at Chittor when the Arabs (mlechchhas) invaded north-western India around 725 CE.[6] The Arabs defeated the Moris, and in turn, were defeated by a confederacy that included Bappa Rawal. R. V. Somani theorized that he was a part of the anti-Arab confederacy formed by the Pratihara ruler Nagabhata I.[8] Majumdar believes that his heroics against the Arabs raised Bappa Rawal's status to such an extent that he came to be regarded as the founder of the dynasty.[6]
Somani also speculates that Bappa Rawal might have fought on the Pratihara side in their defence against the Rashtrakuta invasions.[8]
References
- 1 2 3 Somani 1976, p. 42.
- 1 2 Somani 1976, p. 41.
- ↑ Somani 1976, p. 40-42.
- ↑ Somani 1976, p. 39.
- ↑ Somani 1976, p. 43.
- 1 2 3 Majumdar 1977, p. 298-299.
- ↑ Somani 1976, p. 44.
- 1 2 Somani 1976, p. 45.
Bibliography
- Somani, Ram Vallabh (1976). History of Mewar, from Earliest Times to 1751 A.D. Mateshwari. OCLC 2929852.
- Majumdar, R. C. (1977). Ancient India. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9788120804364.