Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India c13.9

c13.9

It will be seen that, according to Cunningham, the ancient name of Rājaputānā was Gujar or Gurjara (Gūrjara) and not Harez as stated by Paruck. It is a matter of satisfaction that the suggestion of the great Indologist, made on insufficient data as early as 1871 A.D., has later been proved definitely by unquestionable epigraphic evidence. The editor of the Calcutta edition of Cunningham’s work, consulted by Paruck, remarks, “The inscriptions of the 9th century also applied the name Gurjara rāṣṭra to the country north of Ajmer and the Sambhar Lake.¹ Its capital Pi-lo-mo-lo is modern Bhinmāl, 25° N. and 76° 16' E., a town in the Jaswantpur District of Jodhpur.² Bhinmāl or Bhillamāla, the plateau of the Bhils, was the capital of the Gurjara-Pratīhāras who transferred their headquarters to Kanauj.” The statement, although it confuses the Gurjara-Pratīhāra empire with the Gurjara country and is not strictly accurate, is sufficient to disprove Paruck’s contention.