Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v1.c17.s5.t2.165

v1.c17.s5.t2.165

Bāla.—All the genealogists, ancient and modern, insert the Bala tribe amongst the Rajkulas. The birad, or ‘ blessing,’ of the bard is *Tatta Multan ka rao*,⁵ indicative of their original abodes on the Indus. They lay claim, however, to descent from the Suryavansi, and maintain that their great ancestor, Bala or Bapa, was the offspring of Lava, the eldest son of Rama; that their first settlement in Saurashtra was at the ancient Dhank, in more remote periods called Mungi Paithan; and that, in conquering the country adjacent, they termed it Balakshetra (their capital Valabhipura), and assumed the title of Balarae. Here they claim identity with the Guhilot race of Mewar : nor is it impossible that they may be a branch of this family, which long held power in Saurashtra.¹ Before the Guhilots adopted the worship of Mahadeo, which period is indicated in their annals, the chief object of their adoration was the sun, giving them that Scythic resemblance to which the Balas have every appearance of claim [113].