The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c34.2

v2.c34.2

The rise and early history of the Guhila-putras,¹ are shrouded in mystery, and still remains a subject of great controversy. According to the bardic tradition, the Guhila-putras belong to the Solar line,² and are direct descendants of Rāma³ through Sumitra, Kanakasena and Śīlāditya (the last of the Valabhī princes of Gujarat). The story runs that after the fall of Valabhī in 524 A.D., Puṣpavatī, the daughter of the Paramāra prince of Candrāvatī and queen of Śīlādity , who had escaped the tragic fate of her husband, was delivered of a son in a cave (*guhā*). The child grew up in charge of Kamalāvatī, the married daughter of a Brāhman of Birnagar. When the child grew up, he came to be known as Guhila (cave-born), and was elected king by the Bhils of Idar.⁴ The Bhils however in time grew tired of foreign rule, and rising in rebellion killed the 8th prince of his line, Nāgāditya. His son Bappa was at that time an infant, only three years of age. The descendants of Kamalāvatī, who had become the hereditary priests of Guhila's successors, again came to the rescue of the family. Under their protection Bappa was removed to the hilly region known as Nagindra¹ (mod. Nagda, near Udaipur). While tending cows in this retreat he found favour with a sage named Hārita, a devotee of the god Ekaliṅga (Śiva). Hārita accepted the boy as his disciple and through his favour Bappa obtained invulnerability and other supernatural gifts. When Hārita went to heaven, Bappa entered the service of his uncle, the Mori (Maurya)² prince of Chitor. After successfully repulsing a 'barbarian' expedition from 'Gajni,' he dethroned the Mori king and seized the crown. Thus was laid the foundation of the Guhila dynasty in Mewar.³