The early history of the Chudasama dynasty in Saurashtra (now part of Gujarat, India) is largely lost. Bardic legends vary significantly in names, sequence, and numbers, rendering them unreliable as historical sources. Mandalika Kavya, a Sanskrit poem by Gangadhara, provides some information on the dynasty, though it holds limited historical accuracy. Certain inscriptions from the period offer early genealogical details, but these also vary in their order of succession. Historians like Ranchhodji Diwan, A. K. Forbes, James Burgess[1], and Gaurishankar Oza have attempted to determine a more consistent genealogy and chronology. Based on dates from inscriptions linked to Chudasama kings and other literary sources, the genealogy and chronology of the dynasty's later period are now relatively established. It is known that they ruled approximately from Vikram Samvat (VS) 900 to VS 1527, or around 875 CE to 1472 CE.[2] [3] [4]
There is no inscription available from the period before the reign of King Mandalika I. However, it is clear that the Chudasama dynasty had established its rule in the Saurashtra region before the Chaulukya king Mularaja came to power in Anahilavada, as literary sources mention battles between Chudasama and Chaulukya kings, including Mularaja and Jayasimha Siddharaja. The Dhandusar inscription (VS 1445) identifies the dynasty’s founder as Chudachandra (also known as Chuda of the Samma).
A Vanthali inscription records a King Mandalika, whose kingdom was seized by Jagatsimha, a feudatory of the Chaulukya king Viradhavala. This King Mandalika must be a different ruler than the Mandalika mentioned in later genealogies. Since Viradhavala is known to have lived around VS 1288, this event is likely dated accordingly. The Vanthali inscription itself dates to VS 1346, indicating that Jagatsimha’s family likely retained control until then. Later, a Chudasama king named Mandalika apparently regained Vanthali as Chaulukya rule weakened, marking a new starting point for the dynasty’s later genealogy in subsequent inscriptions.
The Chudasama dynasty continued to rule until VS 1527 (1472 CE), when they were defeated by the Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Begada. Since inscriptions describe the Chudasama resistance against the Gujarat Sultans, it can be concluded that they were the most powerful dynasty in the Saurashtra region during that period.[3] [5]
| Ruler | Relationship | Reign (CE) | Accession Year (Samvat) | Ra Khengar Mahal/ Neminath Temple inscription on Mount Girnar[6] | Hani Vav Dhandhusar inscription[7] | Mahaprabhu Bethak near Revatikund, Girnar inscription[8] | Uparkot Junagadh[9] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandalika I | son of Yashodhavala | 1294–1306 | 1350 | Mandalika | Mandalika | |||
| Navaghana | son of Mandalika I | 1306–1308 | 1362 | Navaghana | ||||
| Mahipala I | son of Mandalika I | 1308–1331 | 1364 | Mahipaladeva | Mahipala | |||
| Khengara | son of Mahipala I | 1331–1351 | 1387 | Shangara (Khangara) | Khengara | Khengara | ||
| Jayasimha I | son of Khangara | 1351–1378 | 1407 | Jayasimhadeva | Jayasimha | Jayasimha | ||
| Mahipala II | son of Jayasimha I | 1378–1384 | 1435 | |||||
| Mokalasimha/Muktasimha | son of Jayasimha I | 1384–1396 | 1440 | Mokalasimha | Mokalasimha | Muktasimha | ||
| Mandalika II | son of Mokalasimha | 1396–1400 | 1452 | Mandalika | ||||
| Meliga | son of Mokalasimha | 1400–1416 | 1456 | Melangadeva | Meliga | Maligadeva | ||
| Jayasimha II | son of Meliga | 1416–1430 | 1472 | Jayasimha | ||||
| Mahipala III | son of Meliga | 1430–1451 | 1486 | Mahipaladeva | Mahipala | |||
| Mandalika III | son of Mahipala III | 1451–1472 | 1507 | Mandalika | Mandalika |
Ranchhodji Amarji, the Diwan (or prime minister) of Junagadh State, wrote Tarikh-i-Sorath in Persian in 1825. In this work, Ranchhodji documented that the Chudasama dynasty belonged to the Chandravanshi lineage, claiming they were descendants of Shri Sadashiv and originally hailed from Sindh. He noted that there was a tradition of rulers with recurring names, including nine rulers named Navghan, ten named Jakhra, and eleven named Alansingh, among others, who held power in succession.
He provided the following chronology of Chudasama rulers in Tarikh-i-Sorath:
| Accession date (Samvat) | Date (CE) | Ruler | Relation | Reign | Notable events | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | Rao Dayat | — | — | Married the daughter of Siddha Rao (possibly Jayasimha Siddharaja) of Gujarat. | |
| 874 | 817 | Navghan | Son of Dayat | Saved by Devait of Alidhar (Gir Somnath District) from Siddha Rao as a child; later regained Junagadh and conquered Sindh. | ||
| 916 | 859 | Khengar | Son of Navghan | 36 years | Attacked Patan; slain by Siddha Rao. Story of Ranik Devi, who ended her life in VS 952 (895 CE). | |
| 952 | — | Mularaja | Son of Khengar | 35 years and 6 months | — | |
| 987 | — | Jakhra | Son of Mularaja | 21 years | — | |
| 1009 | — | Ganraj | Son of Jakhra | 38 years and 4 months | — | |
| 1047 | — | Mandalika | Son of Ganraj | 48 years and 2 months | Allied with Bhimadeva against Mahmud of Ghazni, who attacked Somnath temple. | |
| 1095 | — | Hamira Deva | Son of Mandalika | 13 years and some days | — | |
| 1108 | — | Vijayapala | Son of Hamira Deva | 54 years and 6 months | — | |
| 1162 | — | Navaghana | Son of Vijayapala | 2 years | — | |
| 1184 | — | Mandalika | Son of Navghana | 11 years | — | |
| 1195 | — | Alansingh | Son of Mandalika | 14 years | — | |
| 1209 | — | Dhanesh | Son of Alansingh | 5 years (some records state 9 years) | — | |
| 1214 | — | Navghan | Son of Navghan | 9 years | — | |
| 1224 | 1167 | Khengar | — | 46 years | — | |
| 1270 | — | Mandalika | Son of Khengar | 22 years, 3 months, 22 days (some records state 32 years) | — | |
| 1302 | — | Mahipala | Son of Mandalika | 34 years, 5 months, 3 days | Some records state 34 years. | |
| 12 Magshar 1336 | 1279 | Khengar | Son of Mahipala | 54 years and 13 days | Conquered Diu and 17 other islands; repaired Somnath temple; took refuge on Mount Girnar after Junagadh was taken by Sams Khan under Tughluq orders. | |
| 1390 | — | Jayasingh | Son of Khengar | 11 years, 8 months, 11 days | — | |
| 6 Bhadarva 1402 | — | Mugatsingh (or Mokalsingh) | Son of Jayasingh | 14 years, 13 days | — | |
| 4 Ashvad 1412 | — | Madhupat | Son of Mugatsingh | 5 years, 1 month, 6 days | — | |
| 10 Kartika Sud 1421 | — | Mandalika | Son of Madhupat | 17 years, 6 months, 3 days | — | |
| 1439 | — | Malek | Brother of Mandalika (son of a slave-girl) | 11 years, 11 months, 24 days | — | |
| 1468 | — | Jayasingh | Son of Malek | 18 years, 3 months, 14 days | Captured Zanzira (?) | |
| 1486 | — | Khengar | Son of Jayasingh | 22 years | Ahmad Shah of Gujarat attacked Junagadh; Khengar and his diwan Hira Singh took refuge in Uparkot in 1470 (?) where Khengar died. | |
| 1489 | — | Mandalika | — | — | Kiwamu-al-Mlik, Amir of Sultan Mahmud, attacked Junagadh in VS 1520 and captured Mandalika in 1527 (1470 CE). Mandalika embraced Islam and died in Ahmedabad, where he is buried in Manek Chowk. His son was later restored as Jagirdar with the title of Raizada. |
Following the defeat by Mahmud Begada, Mandalika’s descendants were granted the jagir of Junagadh as Jagirdars. However, real power was exercised by the Thanadar, appointed by the rulers in Ahmedabad and later by provincial governors.
| Accession date (Samvat) | Date (CE) | Ruler as Jagirdar | Relation | Reign | Thanadar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1529/1528 | — | Bhupat Singh | — | 31 years | Tatar Khan, son of Zafar Khan | |
| 1560 | — | Khengar | Son of Bhupat Singh | 22 years | Malik Ayaz and Tatar Khan Ghori | |
| 1581 | — | Navghan | Son of Khengar | 28 years, 11 months, 20 days | Sayyid Kasam and Mujahid Khan Belim | |
| 1608 | — | Shri Singh | Son of Navghan | 34 years, 1 month, 10 days | Khan Azam Kokaltash became Subahdar of Ahmedabad, replacing Khan Khanan, and conquered Junagadh in 1633. | |
| 1642 | — | Khengar | Son of Shri Singh | 22 years | Under Mahmud Shah and Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, Junagadh was granted as a jagir to their amirs, with Tatar Khan serving as Thanadar for 13 years. |
James Burgess translated the Târikh-i-Soraṭh into English under the title Târikh-i-Soraṭh: A History of the Provinces of Soraṭh and Hâlâr in Kâthiâwâd, based on Gujarati translations of Persian manuscripts. The translation, edited by James W. Watson, was published in 1882. Burgess consulted several manuscripts and referenced an inscription from the Vastupal Jain Temple on Mount Girnar to verify the chronology provided by Ranchhodji Amarji. He initially published these findings in his Report on the Antiquities of Kathiawad and Kachh and included editor notes in the translation. Burgess also incorporated information from other sources and made conjectural corrections to dates, marking uncertain dates with "(?)" when converting to CE format.[10] [1]
In the Târikh-i-Soraṭh, Ranchhodji lists the reigns of the first four kings, starting with Navaghana I, extending over 151 years, followed by a 22-year gap between Navaghana II and his successor Mandalika I. Burgess added Khengar II (c. 1107 CE) to the chronology, who was omitted by Ranchhodji. Additionally, Burgess noted that Ranchhodji excluded Navghana (c. 1235) after Mandalika, whom he assigned a reign of 22 years and 3.75 months, beginning in VS 1270, with Mahipala’s reign beginning in VS 1302. This adjustment left a 10-year gap, which may coincide with the reign of Navaghana IV. Ranchhodji’s genealogy includes Mugatsingh’s successors in the order of Madhupat (VS 1416-1421), Mandalika (VS 1421-1439), and Malek (VS 1439-1450), possibly derived from the Revatikunda inscription, which lists: Mandalika III, his son Mahipala, his son Khangara IV, his son Jayasimha, and his son Mugatsimha, with sons Mandalika and Melak. Burgess retained the dates VS 1421 and 1439 but suggested modifications to VS 1428 and 1433.[10] [1]
Burgess observed that some copies list VS 874 for Navghan’s accession, allowing him a 42-year reign. He criticized James Tod for counting Chudachandra as the fortieth prince before his time and as the eighth before Jam Unad, who Tod placed in VS 1110, speculating Chudachandra’s reign around VS 960.[1]
The rulers are listed with Samvat (VS) dates, probable CE dates, and notes on their reigns and relations:
| Samvat | Probable date CE | Ruler | Relation | Reign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | 904? | Ra Dyas (Dyachh) | Third descent from Ra Gariyo/Graharipu, grandson of Ra Chandrachud, founder of the Chudasama dynasty | Defeated and killed by Patan king VS 874 (917 CE). Some sources list VS 874 as Navghan's accession date with a 42-year reign. | |
| 894 | 937? | Navaghana (Naughan) | Son of Ra Dyas | Invaded Sindh and defeated Hamir of the Soomra dynasty in VS 890. | |
| 916 | 959? | Khangar | Son of Navaghana | Killed at Bagasara by the Anhilvada Raja, possibly Mularaja, who ruled from 942 to 996 CE. | |
| 952 | 968? | Mularaja | Son of Khangara | Possibly from Anhilvada. | |
| 1009 | 992? | Navaghana II | Son of Mularaja | Ruled for 38 (18?) years. | |
| 1078 | 1021? | Mandalika | Son of Navaghana | Joined Bhima I of Gujarat in pursuit of Mahmud of Ghazni (VS 1080, AH 414). | |
| 1095 | 1038 | Hamir Deva | Son of Mandalika | 13 years. | |
| 1108 | 1051 | Vijaypala | Son of Hamiradeva | - | |
| 1162 | 1085? | Navaghana III | - | Subdued the Raja of Umeta. | |
| - | 1107? | Khengar II | - | Slain by Jayasimha Siddharaja of Anhilvada Patan. | |
| 1184 | 1127 | Mandalika II | - | 11 years. | |
| 1195 | 1138 | Alansimha | - | 14 years. | |
| 1209 | 1152 | Ganesha (Dhanesha) | - | 5 years. | |
| 1214 | 1157 | Navaghana IV | - | 9 years. | |
| 1224 | 1167 | Khangara III | - | 46 years. | |
| 1270 | 1213 | Mandalika III | Son of Khangara III | 22 years, mentioned in Girnar inscription. | |
| - | 1235? | Navaghana V | - | Omissions of Navghana after Mandalika led to conjectural 10-year reign around Navaghana IV's period. | |
| 1302 | 1245 | Mahipaladeva (Ra Kavat) | - | 34 years, built a temple at Somnath Patan. | |
| 1336 | 1279 | Khangara IV | Son of Mahipaladeva | Repaired Somnath temple, conquered Div, Shams Khan captured Junagadh. | |
| 1390 | 1333 | Jayasimhadeva | Son of Khangara IV | 11.75 years, subdued 84 petty chiefs. | |
| 1402 | 1345 | Mugatsimha (Mokalsimha) | Son of Jayasimha | 14 years. | |
| 1416 | 1359 | Melak Deva | Son of Mugatsimha | Provided protection to Jhala Krishnaji from Yavana. | |
| 1421 | 1371 | Mahipaladeva II (Madhupat) | - | Married Kunta, daughter of Arjuna. | |
| 1439 | 1376 | Mandalika IV | Son of Mahipaladeva | Defeated Sangana of Okha. | |
| 1450 | 1393 | Jayasimhadeva II | - | Possibly Rai of Jerend, defeated by Muzaffar Shah I in 1411. | |
| 1469 | 1412 | Khangara V | - | Engaged in war with Ahmad Shah. | |
| 1489 | 1432 | Mandalika V | - | Restored Uparkot (VS 1507), subdued by Mahmud Begada in 1469-70 CE. |
After the dynasty was subjugated by the kings of Ahmedabad, it continued as tributary Jagirdars for another century, with the following succession:
| AccessionCE | Jagirdar | Relation | Reign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1472 | Bhupat | Cousin of Mandalika V | 32 years. | |
| 1503 | Khangara VI | Son of Bhupat | 22 years. | |
| 1524 | Navghana VI | Son of Khangara | 25 years. | |
| 1551 | Shrisimha | - | 35 years, during Akbar’s conquest of Gujarat. | |
| 1585 | Khangara VII | - | Ruled until about 1609. |
Some versions of the Târikh-i-Soraṭh list additional names without dates.
James W. Watson, in Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Kathiawar Volume VIII (1884), provided a chronology of the Chudasama kings. The early kings' chronology was based on bardic legends, while the later chronology was derived from inscriptions.[11]
In 1916, Harold Wilberforce-Bell published The History of Kathiawad from the Earliest Times.[12] He expanded on Watson's chronology, confirming that the kings starting with Mandalik I were correctly positioned in the chronology, though the dates of accession varied from later chronologies. He presented the following chronology:
| Ruler | Accession Start CE | Accession End CE | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chudachandra | 875 | 907 | Founder of the dynasty | |
| Mularaja | 907 | 915 | ||
| Vishwavarah | 915 | 940 | ||
| Graharipu | 940 | 982 | Uparkot fort rebuilt; battle with Chaulukya Mularaja | |
| Kavat | 982 | 1003 | Uga Wala tale | |
| Dyas | 1003 | 1010 | Battle with Chaulukya Dularaj (Durlabhraja?) | |
| Chaulukya Viceroy | 1010 | 1020 | ||
| Navghan | 1020 | 1044 | Regained from Chaulukya with help from Ahirs; expedition to Sindh; sack of Somnath in 1026 by Mahmud of Ghazni | |
| Khengar I | 1044 | 1067 | 23 years | |
| Navghan II | 1067 | 1098 | 21 years; defeated by Siddharaj | |
| Khengar II | 1098 | 1125 | Youngest of four sons of Navghan II; defeated chief of Umeta; broke gate of Analihavad Patan; Siddharaj attacked in return; tale of Ranik Devi | |
| Navghan III | 1125 | 1140 | Navghan III regained throne, expelling the Chaulukya viceroy | |
| Kavat II | 1140 | 1152 | 12 years | |
| Jayasimha/Graharipu II | 1152 | 1180 | ||
| Raisimha | 1180 | 1184 | ||
| Mahipal II/Gajraj | 1184 | 1201 | ||
| Jayamal | 1201 | 1230 | ||
| Mahipal III | 1230 | 1253 | Battles with Kathis | |
| Khengar III | 1253 | 1260 | Subdued Kathis | |
| Mandalik I | 1260 | 1306 | Alaf Khan raided Saurashtra; lost Vanthali to Rathod chief | |
| Navghan IV | 1306 | 1308 | ||
| Mahipal IV | 1308 | 1325 | 17 years | |
| Khengar IV | 1325 | 1351 | Restored Somnath and expelled the Delhi Sultanate-appointed governor | |
| Jayasimha II | 1351 | 1369 | 18 years | |
| Mahipal V | 1369 | 1373 | Recovered Vanthali in 1370 | |
| Muktasimha | 1373 | 1397 | Tughluq order to move capital to Vanthali | |
| Mandalika II | 1397 | 1400 | 3 years | |
| Malek | 1400 | 1415 | Brother of Mandalika II; conflict with Ahmad Shah I of Gujarat | |
| Jyasimha III | 1415 | 1440 | 25 years | |
| Mahipal IV | 1440 | 1451 | ||
| Mandalik III | 1451 | 1470 | Defeated by Mehmud Begada in 1470 and told to embrace Islam; his descendants restored as Jagirdar |