Early Rulers of Mewar and their Fights with the Arabs
By M. L. Mathur
Summary
The article "Early Rulers of Mewar and their Fights with the Arabs" examines the origins and early history of Mewar’s Guhilot dynasty. Combining bardic chronicles with inscriptions such as the Samoli stone (646 CE) and the Kundesvara inscription (661 CE), it traces the genealogy from the founder Guhil through Sila and Aparajita, highlighting their consolidation of the kingdom and patronage of temples and guilds. The author emphasises that contemporary records are scarce, but epigraphic evidence shows that Sila and Aparajita ruled prosperous, stable domains. A key discussion concerns the legendary Bappa Rawal: by comparing bardic traditions with the Aitpur and Kumbhalgarh inscriptions, the author identifies him with Kalbhoja, a powerful archer and builder of the Ekalinga temple who likely captured Chitor from the Mori Rajputs. The article situates the Guhilots among contemporary dynasties, noting interactions with Cahamana prince Durlabha and Gurjara‑Pratihara ruler Nagabhata, and explains that Chinese traveller Hiuen‑tsang did not mention the kingdom because he did not visit the hilly region. It concludes by acknowledging gaps in knowledge about Mewar’s rulers between 753 CE and 1000 CE and promises continuation of the narrative in subsequent instalments.
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Conclusion
The author uses epigraphic evidence and critical analysis of traditions to reconstruct the early Guhilot lineage. He argues that Kalbhoja/Bappa Rawal was a historical ruler who fortified Mewar and captured Chitor, and that Sila and Aparajita presided over a prosperous kingdom. Despite the lack of continuous records, the article shows that Mewar had developed a stable state before Arab incursions, setting the stage for further discussion of its later history.