The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c11.39.4

v1.c11.39.4

It is recorded in this inscription that Pulakeśin defeated a *Tājika* (Arab) army which had afflicted the kingdoms of Sindhu, Cutch, Saurāṣṭra, Cāvoṭaka, Maurya, and Gurjara, and had apparently advanced on Navasāri, where this prince was ruling at this time.³ The route of advance of this Arab invasion was through the Baroda Gap, which easily communicates with Sind, through the low-lying plain near the Runn of Cutch.⁴ Another such raid appears to be noticed in the Gwalior inscription of the Gurjara-Pratīhāra king Bhoja I, which tells us that Nāgabhaṭa, the founder of the family, who probably ruled in Avanti in about *c.* 725 A.D., defeated the army of a powerful *Mleccha* ruler which had apparently invaded his dominions.¹ According to al-Bīrūnī and a number of Jain writers the famous capital city and port of Valabhī was destroyed as a result of a series of Arab raids.² Balādhurī mentions the temporary occupation of Sindān (in Cutch) by the Arabs from Sind.³ But the success of the Arabs appears to have been very limited.