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MAY, 1924)
AN UNKNOWN BATTLE BETWEEN GUJARAT AND MEWAR
101
We know that the throne of Gujarat was occupied by Kumarapala from S. 1199 to 1230 (A.D. 1143 to 1174); by his nephew Ajaipala from S. 1230 to 1233 (A.D. 1174 to 1177); by Múlraja II (Balamûlarâja), son of Ajaipâla from S. 1233 to 1235 (A.D. 1177 to 1179); and by Bhimadeva II (Bhõlábhima), the younger brother of Mälarája II, from S. 1235 to 1298 (A.D. 1179 to 1242). All these four rulers were, therefore, contemporaries of Samanta. simha of Mewar. Of these, Kumarapala was the most powerful, and as he was a staunch supporter of Jainism, many learned writers of the age wrote an account of his reign. Therein we find various interesting facts relating to his enterprises and achievements, but in none of them do we find any account of this battle. The other rulers were Ajaipala, Malraja II, and Bhimadeva II, of whom the last two, being of tender age at the time of accession, and there being no authentic historical evilence of the fact, cannot be supposed to have fought the battle. Hence the likelihood is that the battle was fought with Ajaipala of Gujarat, the successor of Kumarapala.
To corroborate this view, we may refer to a passage in the writing of the same Gurjara. purðhita Someśvara. He mentions in bis Surathotsava Kavya while giving an account of his ancestors, mentioning therein various services offered by them to their spiritual clients, the Kings of Gujarat, that his predecessor Kumara, having propitiated Kagukesvara Shiva (Ardhanarisvara), healed the torturing pains of wounds received by king Ajaipala of Gujarat in a battle. It will, therefore, be safe to say that the battle was fought between Samanta. simha of Mewar and Ajaipala of Gujarat.
It is not known, however, why and when this battle was fought. But it seems prob. able that after the death of the powerful king Kumarapala, Samantasimha seized the oppor. tunity to regain possession, from the hands of an incapable successor of Kumarapala, of the fort of Chitor, which belonged to his (Samantasimha's) ancestors and which had long been in foreign possession.
As to the date of the battle, nothing can be said with preoision : but there can be no doubt that the battle was fought sometime during the short reign of Ajaipala, between Samvat 1230 and 1233 (A.D. 1174 to 1177).
The result of the battle has special importance, as it gave rise to the foundation of the Dungarpur State in Rajputana. Samantasimha's power declined after this battle, and, taking advantage of his weakness, Kirtipala (Kitâ) the Chauhan king of Jalaur and third
son of Alhaņadeva of Nadal (in Jodhpur State), attacked Mewar and took it from Sâman. 'tasimha. Samantasimha was thus compelled to leave Chitor and to flee to the other territory called Bagar (Dungarpur State), where he made Baroda his capital; and there he and his descendants settled permanently. Thus he became the founder of the Dungarpur State. Then his younger brother, Kuinârasimba, opened negotiations with the king of Gujarat, and with his assistance turned Kitû ont of Mewâr and took possession of his ances. tral dominion, of which he subsequently became the ruler.8 After that, the Guhil branch
& Supplementary Notes to Tod's Rajasthan, by R. B, Pt. Gourishankar H. Ojha, pp. 434-436. ' यः शौचर्सबमपटुः कटुकेश्वरायमाराध्य भूधरसुतापटितावहम् ।
af arrafa T a mu 91 T 1--Surathotsava, XV, 32. 8 Harare wra: II Y6 II
भाताकुमारसिंहोऽभूस्वराज्यपाहिण परं tafor e agerat oyu: 1 99011-Kumbhalgarh Inscription (unpublished): स्वीकृतमापाटपुरं गुर्जरनृपति प्रसाय।
get a fronteret II 348!1-Ibid.
