The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c34.44

v2.c34.44

On this view, the first seven Guhila-putras, from Guhadatta (Guhila) to Mahendra II (*c.* 550-720 A.D.), either were subordinate princes of the Mauryas, or otherwise held a very unimportant position. It may be that, as tradition says, the first eight of them held a principality somewhere in the upper Sabarmati valley, portions of which are now included in the State of Idar and S. W. Mewar. The principality appears to have been founded by the Brāhman Guhadatta (Guhila), who migrated from Ānandapura. Inasmuch as in ancient days there was no bar to intermarriage between the Brāhmans and the Kṣatriyas, Guhadatta may possibly have claimed some relationship with the Valabhīs of Gujarat. As I have already remarked, instances are not wanting in India where Brāhmans have founded dynasties. When the 7th prince Mahendra, who is wrongly mentioned as the 8th and named Nāgāditya in tradition, was killed by a rising of the Bhils or non-Aryan inhabitants of the State, his son Kālabhoja escaped and subsequently became the chief disciple of Hāritarāśi, the powerful Śaiva priest of the shrine of Ekaliṅga at Nāgahrada.² After Hāritarāśi's death he succeeded his spiritual guide as the head of the Śaiva temple. When the Arabs invaded the Maurya kingdom sometime before 739 A. D., they seem to have threatened the shrine of Ekaliṅga at Nāgahrada, following their usual practice. Like the monks of mediaeval Europe Kālabhoja-Bappa could probably wield a sword with as much dexterity as a sacrificial ladle. The destruction of the Maurya State gave him the opportunity to found a dynasty of his own.