The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c34.10.2

v2.c34.10.2

The Chatsu inscription of the Guhila Bālāditya (about the 10th century) describes his ancestor Bhartṛpaṭṭa as being, like Rāma (Paraśu-Rāma), endowed with both priestly and martial qualities (*brahma kṣatrānvita*).² In the Mt. Abu inscription of Samarasiṁha dated in V. S. 1342, Bappa or Bappaka, the founder of the Guhila-vaṁśa, is said to have 'obtained regal splendour (*kṣātram mahaḥ*) in the guise of an anklet after he had bestowed on the sage priestly splendour (*brāhmaṇya*) under the guise of his devotion.' In the *Rasika-priyā*, a commentary on Jayadeva's *Gīta-govinda* by Rāṇā Kumbhakarṇa, Bappa is referred to as *dvija-puṅgava* and as belonging to the *Vaijavāpa gotra*.³ A verse cited by the Brāhmans of Mewar, in giving the description of the Rāṇās' family, says that the '*gotra* is Vaijavāpa, the *pravaras* are three and the Veda is Yajus.'⁴ The *Gotra-pravara-nibandha-kadamba*⁵ gives Vajavāpi as the name of a *pravara*, and Ātreya, Gāviṣṭhira and Paurvātitha as names of three *gotrarṣis*. Hence it may be concluded with reasonable certainty that the ancestors of the 'Guhila-putras' of Mewar were originally Brāhmans of Ānandapura in Gujarat.