The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c32.s5.60

v2.c32.s5.60

Before concluding the account of the Cāhamānas of this branch, I would briefly refer to the prince called by Minhāj, 'Chāhar-i-Ajār'² who ruled contemporaneously with Nāṣir ud-Dīn Maḥmūd, the Sulṭān of Delhi (A. D. 1246-66). Minhāj describes him as 'the greatest of all the Rāes' in the tract of country known as, 'Gwāliyūr, Chandīrī, Nurwur and Mālwah.' He had 'about 500 horsemen well trained to arms, and 200,000 footmen.' The Hindu prince, we are told, was defeated, 'and the fortress which had been constructed by him, among defiles and passes was taken and plundered.' This happened in A. H. 649 (A. D. 1251). Firishta names the newly built fort 'Nurwar.'³ This prince has been identified by Cunningham⁴ with Cāhaḍa Deva of Narwar, for whom as well as for his son Asaladeva, we have inscriptions in the fort of Narwar. The coins of Cāhaḍadeva, discovered by Cunningham, range from V. S. 1294 (?) to 1311 (*c.* 1237-54 A. D.). The coins of his son Asaladeva range from V. S. 1311 to 1336 (*c.* 1254-79 A. D.). The Kuharas *Satī* pillar-inscription of his time is dated in V. S. 1327 (A. D. 1270). The names of two successors of Asaladeva, his son Gopāla and his grandson Gaṇapati, are known from the Narwar inscription of the last prince, dated in V. S. 1355 (A. D. 1298). Cunningham guessed that Gaṇapati's principality must have been annexed to the Muslim empire during the vigorous reign of 'Alā ud-Dīn (*c.* A. D. 1296-1316). The family name of Cāhaḍa and his descendants was unknown to Cunningham. It seems now to be revealed by the fortunate discovery of the fragmentary *Rataul grant of Mahākumāra Cāhaḍadeva*,⁵ found by diggers at the village of Rataul, Tahsil Baghpat, District Meerut. The preserved portion of the genealogy mentions the Cāhamāna Arṇorāja and Pṛthvīrāja. The last verse preserved begins with ‘*Pṛthvīrājasya.*’ As the name of *Mahākumāra Cāhaḍadeva* is engraved on the top of the plate, he was apparently the donor of the grant, and may possibly have been a descendant of Pṛthvīrāja III. In the annals of Tod, one Cāhaḍadeva is given as the brother of Pṛthvīrāja.¹ At present it would perhaps be idle to try to guess the exact relationship, but it seems possible that the Cāhaḍadeva of the grant and that of the coins and inscriptions of Narwar are identical, and were probably connected by blood with the Cāhamānas of Sākambharī. Sahni has pointed out the resemblance of the coins of Cāhaḍadeva and the Cāhamānas.² I am unable to say what connection, if any, Cāhaḍadeva had with the Ranthambhor line.