The Sun Temple of Modhera was built in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of

Solanki dynasty and dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God of Hinduism.

Gujarat gets its name from "Gujjar Rashtra" or Gujjaratta, the land of
the Gujjars. It is situated on the western coast of India. They were a
migrant tribe who came to India in the wake of the invading Huns in the
5th century. The history of Gujarat dates back to 2000 BC. Settlement of
Indus valley, which is known as Harappan Civilization is in Gujarat. Some of
the coastal Cities, mainly Bharuch, served as ports and trading centers in
the Maurya, Gupta, Pratiharas etc but it was under the regime of
Chalukyas (Solanki) Gujarat witnesses progress and prosperity. In the 6th
century Gupta Empire failed and Gujarat flourished as an independent
Hindu Kingdom. After this glorious respite, Gujarat faced troubled times
under the Muslims, Marathas and the British rules.

History of Gujarat:
The early history of Gujarat is mainly related to Chandragupta Maurya who
conquered a number of earlier States of Gujarat. Pushyamitra was a
governor (322 BC to 294 BC) of Saurashtra appointed by Mauryan regime.
He ruled Giringer or Junagadh and built a dam on the Sudarshan Lake.

Emperor Ashoka asked Governor Tusherpha to take out the canals from
the lake where an earlier Mauryan Governor had built a dam; as well he
ordered the carving of his famous edicts on the rock at Junagarh.

Mauryan power declined and Saurashtra came under the sway of Samprati
Mauryas of Ujjain, a Greek incursion came into Gujarat led by Demetrius.

Saka rulers played prominent part in Gujarat history for nearly 400 years
from the start of the first century. Weather beaten rock at Junagadh gives
a glimpse of the Ruler Rudradaman I (100 AD) of the Saka satraps known
as Western Satraps, or Kshatraps. Mahakshatrap Rudradaman I founded
the Kardamaka dynasty which ruled from Anupa on the banks of the
Narmada up to Aparanta region which bordered Punjab.

Gupta dynasty was replaced for Kshatrapa dynasty with the conquest of
Gujarat by Chandragupta Vikramaditya. His successor Skandagupta has left
an inscription (450 AD) on a rock at Junagadh which gives details of the
repairs of the embankment, damaged by floods, of Sudarshan lake by his
Governor. Anarta and Saurashtra regions were both part of the Gupta
empire.

Gupta Empire started to decline during the middle of the 5th century AD.
Senapati Bhatarka, the Maitrak general of the Guptas, took advantage of
the situation and in 470 AD and he set up what came to be known as the
Maitrak kingdom.

Bhatarka shifted his capital from Giringer to Valabhipur, near Bhavnagar,
on Saurashtra's east coast. They became powerful in Gujarat as well as
Malwa. Maitrakas set up a university which came to be known far and
wide for its scholastic pursuits and was compared with the famous
Nalanda University.

map of Maitraka dynasty

Maitraka Dynasty (c. 475 to 767)
The Maitraka dynasty ruled Gujarat in
western India from the c. 475 to 767.
The Maitraka Dynasty descended from a
Gupta general. Senapati (general)
Bhatarka, was a military governor of
Saurashtra peninsula under Gupta
Empire, who had established himself as
the independent ruler of Gujarat
approximately in the last quarter of 5th
century. He was the founder of Maitraka Dynasty who ruled Gujarat in
Western India.

The Maitrakas ruled from their capital at Vallabhi. They came under the
rule of Harsha in the mid-seventh century, but retained local autonomy,
and regained their independence after Harsha's death.

There is evidence that the Maitraka rulers had switched to Saivism, but
when Chinese traveller Hieun-Tsang visited Vallabhi during second quarter
of 7th century, he found its ruler to be a Buddhist follower. When I-Tsing,
another Chinese traveller, visited Vallabhi in the last quarter of 7th
century, he found Vallabhi as a great center of learning including
Buddhism.

Maitraka Kings:
Bhatarka (c. 475- ?)
Bhatarka, was a military governor of Saurashtra peninsula under Gupta
Empire, who had established himself as the independent ruler of Gujarat.
He was the founder of Maitraka Dynasty. He used the title of Senapati
(general).

Dharasena I
Dharsena I also used the title of Senapati (general).

Dronasimha (c. 500-c. 525)
He declared himself as the Maharaja.

Dhruvasena I (c. 525-c. 545)

Dharapatta (c. 545-c. 556)

Guhasena (c. 556-c. 570)
King Guhasena stopped using the term Paramabhattaraka Padanudhyata
along his name like his predecessors, which denotes the cessation of
displaying of the nominal allegiance to the Gupta overlords.

Dharasena II (c. 570-c. 606)
Guhasena was succeeded by his son Dharasena II, who used the title of
Mahadhiraja.

Siladitya I (c. 606-c. 616)
Siladitya I was the son of Dharsena II, Dharmaditya was described by Hiuen
Tsang as a "monarch of great administrative ability and of rare kindness
and compassion".

Kharagraha I (c. 616-c. 623)
Siladitya I was succeeded by his younger brother Kharagraha I. Virdi
copperplate grant (616 CE) of Kharagraha I proves that his territories
included Ujjain.

Dharasena III (c. 623-c. 640)
During the reign of the next ruler, his son Dharasena III north Gujarat was
included in this kingdom.

Dhruvasena II (c. 640-c. 644)
Dharasena II was succeeded by another son of Kharagraha I, Dhruvasena II,
Baladitya.

Dharasena IV (c. 644-c. 651)
Dharasena IV assumed the imperial titles of Paramabhattaraka
Mahrajadhiraja Parameshvara Chakravartin. Sanskrit poet Bhatti was his
court poet.

Dhruvasena III (c. 651-c. 656)

Kharagraha II (c. 656-c. 662)

Siladitya II (c. 662- ?)
Siladitya III
Siladitya III was known as a powerful ruler of this dynasty.

Siladitya IV

Siladitya V
During the reign of Siladitya V, Arabs probably invaded this kingdom.

Siladitya VI

Siladitya VII (c. 766-c. 767)
Siladitya VII was the last known ruler of this dynasty.

The Sakas, Pahlavas and Kambojas had occupied south-west India
including Sindhu, Saurashtra/Gujarat as a consequence of second century
BCE tribal movement from Central Asia. This is attested from several
ancient sources including the Puranas and other Sanskrit literature.

Solanki Dynasty (c. 960 to 1243):
The Solanki (from Chalukya, an ancient Indian dynasty) are a Hindu Rajput
clan who ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th and
13th centuries. Solanki was the descent from 6th Centuary Badami
Chalukya (During 543-566). It was established at Vatapi now it is called as
Badami, Bagalkot District in North Karnataka of Karnataka. The Solanki are
a branch of the Chalukya dynasty of whose oldest known area of residence
was in present-day Karnataka. The Solanki clan-name is found within the
Rajput community of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
In Gujarat, Anhilwara (modern Siddhpur Patan) served as their capital.
Gujarat was a major center of Indian Ocean trade, and Anhilwara was one
of the largest cities in India. The Solankis were patrons of the great seaside
temple of Shiva at Somnath Patan in Kathiawar; Bhima Dev helped rebuild
the temple after it was sacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026. His son,
Karandev, conquered the Bhil king Ashapall or Ashaval, and after his
victory established a city named Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati
River, at the site of modern Ahmedabad.

Solanki rulers of Gujarat:
Mulraj I (942-996)
Mulraj overthrew Samantsinh Chavda in 942 and form Solanki dynasty.
Mulraj moved southward from gurjaratra region and took over Anhilvad
pattan from Chavda rulers in 942. He defeated Abhir king Grahripu of
Saurashtra and Laxraj (Lakha Fulani) of Kutchh. He snatched Lat for some
period from Barapp in one war. Shakambhari king Vigrahraj Chauhan
defeated Mulraj. He got defeat from Malav King Munj Parmar (Vakpati II).
After death of Munj in 995, Mulraj adorned self as Param bhattarak
maharajadhiraj parmeshawara and the title of Gurjaresh (King of
Gurjardesh).

He invited many learned Brahmins and other castes to settle in Saraswat
mandal. He constructed several temples and initiated construction of
Rudra mahalaya (Siddhpur).
He died in 996. At the time of his death, his kingdom included saraswat
and satyapur mandals, kutchh and some territories of Saurashtra. . His
reign marked the start of a period during which Gujarati culture flowered
as manifested in art, architecture, language and script. It is described as
the golden period of Gujarat's chequered history. His son Chamund started
taking responsibility during his ruling (977).

Chamundaraj (996-1009)
Chamundaraj succeeded by king Mulraj. He could not extend his kingdom
territory further. He tried to be independent from Malav king Sindhuraj
(successor of Munj) but could not succeed. In the later years of his life, he
lost his character (womanizer). His sister Chachinidevi dethroned him and
gave it to his son Vallabhraj in 1009. Chamund ended his life by immersing
in narmada river near Shuklatirth.

Vallabharaj (1009 for six months)
Vallabhraj attacked King Sindhuraj's territory as soon as he became king.
He died due to small pox in the war only.

Durlabhraj (1009-1022)
Durlabhraj (brother of Vallabhraj) could not extend father's kingdom
much. He married the sister of Chauhan Baliraj's son Mahendra of Naddul.
He was of good character. He invited Jain saints in his kingdom and
continued as Samant of Malav king Bhoj. After his death, his nephew
Bhimdev (son of Nagraj) became king in 1022.

Bhimdev I (1021-1063)
Bhimdev I was son of Durlabhraj's brother Nagraj. Bhimdev was a mandlik
of Malav king Bhoj. Bhimdev added Saurashtra, Kutchh, Abu and some
parts of Khetak mandal and Mahimandals with his kingdom. Bhimdev
became independent from Bhoj on his death in 1054. Bhimdev had a son
named Karndev from Udaymati (a pricess of Saurastra Narvahan Khengar)
and sons named Xemraj and Mulraj from Bauladevi (also called
Chauladevi). Mulraj died in very early age. Bhimdev died in 1064. Karndev
(Bhimdev's son by Udaymati) came on the throne after Bhimdev's death.

Karndev I (1064-1094)
Karndev came on the throne after Bhimdev's death. He is described as a
very handsome king. As soon as he came to the throne, he made
friendship with King Someshwar of Kalyani. Up to 1075, he added entire
Lat in his kingdom. His territories were touching Konkan in south and
Naddul in north. He married to Karnataka's king Tribhuvanmalla's friend
Jaykeshi's daughter Mayanalladevi(Minaldevi). Jaykeshi was Konkan's
suba. Karn had built many temples, lakes and cities like Karnavati.
Shakambhari's king Dushshal chauhan defeated and killed Karn in a war.
Malavking Laxmdev and Naddul king Joggal helped in defeating Karndev.
Patan's condition was worse in the last days of Karandev. His son Jaysinh
became Karandev's successor for the throne.

Siddhraj Jaysinh I (1094-1143)
Siddhraj Jaysinh was also known as Siddhraj Solanki who was considered
as the most prominent Solanki king. His mother Minaldevi , Maha Mantri
Santu and Munjal Mehta initially played a great part to deter the internal
revolt and in establishing his rule and stability to Patan in Gujarat. Jaysinh
came on throne in 1096. So the years between his father's death and his
actual takeover might have been guarded by his mother and his mantris.
Apart from Saurashtra and Kachchh, Siddhraj Jaysinh had also conquered
the Malwa defeating king Yashovarma. He adorned the title of Barbarak
Jishnu and also Siddhraj after controlling Bhil king Barbarak. He became
Chakravarti after acquiring total control of the region under old Gurjar
Chakravarti kings. He renovated and widened the lake constructed by
Durlabhraj and named it as Sahastraling Lake. He constructed two lakes in
the memory of his mother. He also renovated Rudramahal. During his
kingdom Patan flourished in education, religion and commerce. He gave
shelter to many scholars of different religion and castes. Other notable
figures of his time included his, Prime Minister Munjal Mehta, Kak and
leading Courtier Udayan Mehta. Siddhraj Jaysinh died in 1143. The throne
remained without King for 18 days. Thereafter Kumarpal was suddenly
declared King of Patan.

Kumarpal (1143-1174)
Siddhraj Jaysinh did not have any son. His daughter's son Someshwar was
brought up by him in Patan. But many Mantris like Dadak, Madhav, Sajjan
and Udayan were of the opinion that decedent of Mulraj and Bhimdev
should be made King of Patan. Siddhraj Jaysinh hated this proposal.
Kumarpal was the probable candidate being decedent of Bhimdev by his
second wife Bauladevi. Hence Kumarpal was under direct wrath of
Siddhraj. Kumarpal had to flee and hide from Siddhraj for 30 years to save
his life. There were many internal fights for Patan's throne. After Siddhraj
Jaysinh's death, Kumarpal was ultimately given throne of Patan in 1144.
Kumarpal had to face much resistance. He along with his able mantries
took harsh steps to subside the resistance. Many mantries opposing him
were given death sentence. Kumarpal adopted Jain religion in 1160 along
with Shiv religion. He became vegetarian and stopped animal slaughter. He
built 1440 Jain Vihars. He renovated Somnath temple. In his old age he
reduced interest in administration and left it to his faithful samants and
mantries. Again internal conflicts for throne have surfaced. One of the
group wanted Kumarpal's nephew Ajaypal ( Mahipal's son) as a king.
Ajaypal came on throne after a revolt in 1173. Kumarpal died in early 1174
due to poison given to him.

Ajavapal (c.1173-c.1176)
Kumarpal's nephew Ajaypal (1173-1176) ( Mahipal's son) came on throne
after a revolt in 1173. He was very shrewd and merciless. He got rid off all
people connected to Kumarpal. During his period Patan's kingdom
remained from Gwaliar to Narmada River. He discouraged Jain saints and
leaders. A pratihar named Vayjaldev injured Ajaypal with a dragger.
Ajaypal died in 1176 due to this injury suffering a lot. His child son Mulraj
was given Patan's throne on his death.

Mulraj II (c.1176-c.1178)
Mulraj (1176-1178) was on the throne for two years. His mother Naikdevi
along with child Mulraj pushed back Islamic army of Shahbuddin Ghori
near Gadrar ghat war. Mulraj died in 1178. His brother Bhimdev II came on
throne after him.

Bhimdev II (c.1178-1241)
India was passing through a great turmoil when Bhimdev came to throne.
Gahadwal of Kanoj, Chandelas of Jejabhukti, Yadavs of Devgiri and
Kalyani's Chalukyas were Bhimdev's (Patan's) stern enemies. He adorned
himself as Abhinav Siddharaj. Malav king Subhat varma invaded Gujarat
in 1209. Bhimdev fled to either Saurashtra or Kutchh. Between 1209 and
1226, a brave Chalukya named Jaisinh/ Jayansinh took over the kingdom of
Gujarat (Patan), probably to save Patan in absence of Bhimdev. In 1226,
Bhimdev again came on the throne of Patan. Mantri Vastupal , Maha
mandleshwar Lavanprasad and his son Virdhaval played an important role
in bringing Bhimdev to throne. They virtually ruled Patan even though
Bhimdev was a king. In the old age of Bhimdev, Virdhaval's son Visaldev
and Vastupal's brother Tejpal took the charge to rule Patan. Bhimdev died
in 1241. His son, Tribhuvan pal, was made king after him.

Jaysinh II (c. 1223)
He was the co-ruler of Bhimdev II

Tribuvanpal (1241-1244)
Tribhuvan pal, son of Bhimdev II was a king for namesake. In fact, Visaldev
and Tejpal ruled Patan. During this period, Tejpal persuaded ambitious
Visaldev from dethroning Tribhuvan pal and continue ruling in his name.
Tribhuvan pal died in 1244. Visaldev took over the throne as a king. Thus
the Solanki dynesty came to an end. Visaldev being a decedent from
Arnoraj Vaghela's son Lavanprasad, Vaghela dynesty ruled Patan there
after.

Vaghelas
The Vaghelas were an Indian dynasty of Gujarat. The Vaghelas were based
in the town of Dholka, and were feudatories of the Solanki dynasty, who
ruled Gujarat from the 10th to the 13th centuries. The Solanki went into
decline in the thirteenth century, and by 1243 the Vaghelas were firmly in
control of Gujarat. They restored stability to Gujarat for the latter half of
the 13th century, and the Vaghela kings and officials were dedicated
patrons of the arts and temple-building.

List of Vaghela kings
Virdhaval (Visala) (c. 1243 - c. 1262)
Virdhaval was the first Vaghela king, and two of his Jain minister brothers,
Vastupal and Tejpal, built the exquisite Dilwara Temples on Mount Abu in
Rajasthan, and temples at the Girnar and Shetrunjay hills.

Arjuna (Vishaldev) (c. 1262 - c. 1275)
Virdhavals successor Vishaldev built temples at Dabhoi and founded
Vishalnagar.

Sarangadev (c. 1275 - c. 1297)

Karandev (II) (c. 1297-1304)
Karandev was the last Vaghela king, who died in the 1304 conquest of
Gujarat by Ala-ud-din Khilji, Sultan of Delhi.

Vaghela is a Kshatriya name. It is one of the four varnas (Social Orders) in
Hinduism. It constitutes the military and noble order of the traditional
Vedic-Hindu social system as outlined by the Vedas and the Laws of Manu.
Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira all belonged to
this social order.

Initially in ancient Vedic society, this positions was achieved on the merits
of a person's aptitude (guna), conduct (karma), and nature (swabhava).
Over the years it became hereditary

http://historyofindia-madhunimkar.blogspot.in/2009/09/history-of-
gujarat.html
The history of Gujarat, began with settlements of the Indus Valley
Civilisation that have been found in the region. With the discovery of large
Harappan site of Dholavira in Kutchh District, the history of Gujarat dates
back to 5000 BC. Lothal (early Harappan town dating back to 3000 BC) has
been established as the oldest known port of the world. Gujarat's coastal
cities, chiefly Bharuch, served as ports and trading centers in the Nanda,
Maurya, Satavahana and Gupta empires as well as Western Kshatrapas
period. After the fall of the Gupta empire in the 6th century, Gujarat
flourished as an independent Hindu/Buddhist states. The Maitraka
dynasty, descended from a Gupta general, ruled from the 6th to the 8th
centuries from their capital at Vallabhi, although they were ruled briefly by
Harsha during the 7th century. The Arab rulers of Sindh sacked Vallabhi in
770, bringing the Maitraka dynasty to an end. The Gurjara-Pratihara
Empire ruled Gujarat after from the 8th to 10th centuries. As well as, for
some periods the region came under the control of Rashtrakuta Empire
and Pala Empire. In 775 the first Parsi (Zoroastrian) refugees arrived in
Gujarat from Iran.
[1]

During the 10th century, the native Solanki dynasty came to power. Under
the Solanki dynasty, Gujarat reached to its greatest extent. The Solankis
are believed to be descended from the ancient Chalukya dynasty.
[2]
The
Solanki Dynasty ruled Gujarat until the 13th century.
From 1297 to 1300, Allauddin Khilji, Sultan of Delhi, destroyed Anhilwara
and incorporated Gujarat into the Delhi Sultanate. After Timur's sacking of
Delhi at the end of the 14th century weakened the Sultanate, Gujarat's
Rajput Muslim governor Zafar Khan Muzaffar asserted his independence,
and his son, Sultan Ahmed Shah (ruled 1411 to 1442), restructured
Ahmedabad as the capital. Cambay eclipsed Bharuch as Gujarat's most
important trade port. The Sultanate of Gujarat remained independent
until 1576, when the Mughal emperor Akbar the Great conquered it and
annexed it to the Mughal Empire. The port of Surat become the prominent
and main port of India during Mughal rule. Gujarat remained a province of
the Mughal empire until the Marathas occupied eastern and central
Gujarat in the 18th century; Western Gujarat (Kathiawar and Kutch) were
divided among numerous local rulers.
Later in 18th century, Gujarat came under control of the Maratha Empire
who dominated the politics of India. Pilaji Gaekwad, first ruler of Gaekwad
dynasty, established the control over Baroda and much of Gujarat. After
the Battle of Panipat in 1761, all Maratha generals established themselves
as an autonomous government while keeping the nominal authority of the
Peshwas of Pune and the Chhatrapati in Satara. The British East India
Company wrested control of much of Gujarat from the Marathas during
the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Many local rulers, notably the Maratha
Gaekwads of Baroda (Vadodara), made a separate peace with the British
and acknowledged British sovereignty in return for retaining local self-rule.
Gujarat was placed under the political authority of the Bombay Presidency,
with the exception of Baroda state, which had a direct relationship with
the Governor-General of India. From 1818 to 1947, most of present-day
Gujarat, including Kathiawar, Kutch, and northern and eastern Gujarat
were divided into hundreds of princely states, but several districts in
central and southern Gujarat, namely Ahmedabad, Broach (Bharuch), Kaira
(Kheda), Panchmahal, and Surat, were ruled directly by British officials.
Mohandas Gandhi, considered India's "father of the nation", was a
Gujarati who led the Indian Independence Movement against the British
colonial rule.
[3]
Gujarat was formed by splitting Bombay state in 1960 on
linguistic lines. From 1960 to 1995, Indian National Congress retained
power in Gujarat legislative assembly while other political parties ruled for
incomplete terms in 1970s and 1990. Bharatiya Janata Party has been in
the power from 1998 to present times.
Ancient Period


The Junagadh rock contains inscriptions by
Ashoka (fourteen of the Edicts of Ashoka),
Rudradaman I and Skandagupta.
The early history of Gujarat is full of imperial
grandeur of Chandragupta Maurya who conquered a number of earlier
states of Gujarat. Pushyagupta, a Vaishya, was appointed Governor of
Saurashtra by the Mauryan regime. He ruled (322 BC to 294 BC) Giringer
(present Junagadh) and built a dam on the Sudarshan lake. Emperor
Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, not only ordered
engraving of his famous edicts on the rock at Junagadh, but asked his
Governor Tusherpha to take out canals from the lake where an earlier
Mauryan Governor had built a dam. Between the decline of the Mauryan
power and Saurashtra coming under the sway of Samprati Mauryas of
Ujjain, there was a Greek incursion into Gujarat led by Demetrius.
For nearly 300 years from the start of the 1st century AD, Saka rulers
played prominent part in Gujarat's history. Weather beaten rock at
Junagadh gives a glimpse of the Ruler Rudradaman I (100 AD) of the Saka
satraps known as Western Satraps, or Kshatraps. Mahakshatrap
Rudradaman I founded the Kardamaka dynasty which ruled from Anupa on
the banks of the Narmada up to Aparanta region which bordered Punjab.
In Gujarat several battles were fought between the south Indian
Satavahana dynasty and the Western Satraps. The greatest ruler of the
Satavahana Dynasty was Gautamiputra Satakarni who defeated the
Western Satraps and conquered some parts of Gujarat in the 2nd century
CE
[4]

The Kshatrapa dynasty was replaced by the Gupta reign with the conquest
of Gujarat by Chandragupta Vikramaditya. Vikramaditya's successor
Skandagupta has left an inscription (450 AD) on a rock at Junagadh which
gives details of the repairs of the embankment, damaged by floods, of
Sudarshan lake by his Governor. Anarta and Saurashtra regions were both
part of the Gupta empire. Towards the middle of the 5th century the
Gupta empire started to decline. Senapati Bhatarka, the Maitraka general
of the Guptas, took advantage of the situation and in 470 AD he set up
what came to be known as the Maitraka state. He shifted his capital from
Giringer to Valabhipur, near Bhavnagar, on Saurashtra's east coast.
Maitrakas of Vallabhi became very powerful and their rule prevailed over
large parts of Gujarat and even over adjoining Malwa. Maitrakas set up a
university which came to be known far and wide for its scholastic pursuits
and was compared with the famous Nalanda university. It was during the
rule of Dhruvasena Maitrak that Chinese philosopher-traveler Xuanzang
visited in 640 AD.
In the early 8th century some parts of Gujarat was ruled by the south
Indian Chalukya dynasty. In the early 8th century the Arabs of the
Umayyad Caliphate established an Empire which stretched from Spain in
the west to Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east. The Arab rulers tried to
expand their Empire in the 8th century and invaded Gujarat but the Arab
invaders were defeated by the south Indian general Pulakesi who was sent
by the south Indian Emperor Vikramaditya II of the Chalukya Dynasty.
After this victory the Arab invaders were driven out of Gujarat. Pulakesi
received the title Avanijanashraya (refuge of the people of the earth) by
Vikramaditya II for the protection of Gujarat. In the late 8th century the
Kannauj Triangle period started. The 3 major Indian Dynasties the
northwest Indian Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty, the south Indian Rashtrakuta
Dynasty and the east Indian Pala Empire dominated India from the 8th to
10th century. During this period the northern part of Gujarat was ruled by
the north Indian Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty and the southern part of
Gujarat was ruled by the south Indian Rashtrakuta Dynasty.
[5]

Ahir Clans[]
Ahir Paratharia
The Ahir Paratharia community is believed to have derived its name from
the Parathar region, their original homeland. According to their traditions,
they migrated from Mathura along with Lord Krishna to the Parathar
region of Saurashtra. The Paratharia then migrated to Kutch about four to
five hundred years ago. They are now distributed in eighty-four villages in
Kutch District, out of which thirty-four are in Bhuj Taluka, twenty-four in
Anjar Taluka and twelve villages in Nakhtrana Taluka. A few are also found
in Saurashtra. The Paratharia are a Gujarati speaking community.The
Paratharia community consist of a number of clans, the main ones being
the Baththa, Gegal, Dheela, Dangar, Changha, Varjun, Matha and Chod.
Each of the clans are of equal status and intermarry. Like neighbouring
Hindu communities, the community practice clan exogamy. The Paratharia
are a community of small and medium sized farmers. Milk selling is an
important subsidiary of the community. A small number are now petty
businessmen.
Ahir Sorathia
The Sorathia are a sub-group of the Ahir caste found in the state of Gujarat
in India. The community is believed to have derived its name from the
Sorath region, their original homeland. According to their traditions, they
migrated from Mathura along with Lord Krishna.
Some Sorathia claim to be Rajput, while others claim descent from the
Soomra Dynasty. The community left Junagadh to escape prosecution at
the hands of the Nawabs and settled in Kutch District. They are now found
mainly in the Anjar and Bhuj talukas of Kutch District. The Sorathia speak
Kutchi.The Sorathia community consist of eight clans, the main ones being
the Baldania, Hadia, Chotara, Gudasarania, Vaghamashi and Malsatar.
Each of the clans are of equal status and intermarry.
Ahir Pancholi
The Pancholi are a sub-division of the Ahir caste found in the state of
Gujarat in India.
The community is believed to have derived its name from the Panchal
region in Saurashtra, their original homeland. According to their traditions,
they migrated from Mathura along with Lord Krishna to the Parathar
region of Saurashtra. They are distributed over eighteen villages in the
Saurashtra region. The community are found mainly in Junagadh, Amreli
and Bhavnagar Districts The Pancholi community consist of forty four
clans, the main ones being the Kalsaria,kuvad, Kataria, Gujjar,vaghamashi,
Dhola, Vania,kachhad,Jhalandra, Nakoom,Hadia and Baldania. Each of the
clans are of equal status and intermarry. Like neighbouring Hindu
communities,
Aahir Machhoya
The Maschoiya are a sub-group of the Ahir caste found in the state of
Gujarat in India. The Maschoiya are a community of Ahirs who are said to
have settled along the banks of the Machhu-katia river, and the word
Maschoiya literally means those from Macchu-katia. According to the
traditions of the Maschoiya were originally Soomra Rajputs, and an
ancestor left Sindh for Saurashtra, where he married an Ahir girl. His
descendents thus became Ahirs.
The Maschoiya Ahir are found mainly in Rajkot District, with a few also
found in Junagadh District. They are a Gujarati speaking community. The
Maschoiya are divided into a number clans, all of which are of equal
status. The main ones being the Gogla,Dangar,chavda, kuvadiya, sonara,
chhaiya, boricha, balasara, bakutra, makvana, dav, lavadiya, metra,
humbal, khungla, Birda, Meta, Herrla, Kelodia, Kangadh, Khokatara,
Shiayar, Unlike other Ahir communities in Gujarat, the Maschoiya practice
consanguineous marriage.
Gurjar Clans
The Solanki clan
[6]
ruled Gujarat from c. 960 to 1243. Gujarat was a major
center of Indian Ocean trade, and their capital at Anhilwara (Patan) was
one of the largest cities in India, with population estimated at 100,000 in
the year 1000. In 1026, the famous Somnath temple in Gujarat was
destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni. After 1243, the Solkanis lost control of
Gujarat to their feudatories, of whom the Vaghela chiefs of Dholka came
to dominate Gujarat. In 1292 the Vaghelas became tributaries of the
Yadava dynasty of Devagiri in the Deccan.
Dadda, the founder of Gurjara Pratihara dynasty, established the Gurjar
rule at Nandipur (Nandol). Dadda III wrested Broach from the Maitraks
whose citadel had started shaking. In fact, there were three powerful
dynasties which were ruling different parts of Gujarat: the Gurjars had
their sway over the north, the Chalukyas ruled the south and the Maitraks
were saddled in Saurashtra. The vacuum created by the fall of the
Maitraka dynasty was filled up by the Gurjara Pratiharas from the north
and Rashtrakutas from the south.
As vassals of the Valabhis, Gurjar Chapa or Chavdas
[7][8]
held their sway
over parts of north Gujarat. They assumed independent control after the
fall of Valabhi.Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent of the eight Chavada
kings, founded a new capital at ASnhilpur Patan. he reconquered his
father's lost territories and founded the Chapa (Gurjara) Dynasty which
lasted a shade under a century.
Patel, the last Chavada ruler, did not have an issue and he adopted Mulraj
who overthrew him in 942 AD and set up what came to be known as the
Solanki dynasty. Ambitious as he was, he started expanding his frontiers
and established his complete and total hold over Saurashtra and Kachchh
by defeating Grahripu of Junagadh (Saurashtra) and Lakho Fulani of
Kachchh. Mulraj Solanki's reign marked the start of the most glorious
period in the history of Gujarat during which Gujarati culture flowered as
manifested in art, architecture, language and script. It is described as the
golden period in Gujarat chequered history. Mulraj himself adopted the
title of Gurjaresh (King of Gurjardesh) an aristocratic title. The
territoporieds under the sway of the Solanki dynasty same to be known by
different variations of the word Gurjar like Gurjardesh, Gurjararastra,
Gurjaratta and finally Gujarat.
Two names brightly stand out in the Solanki dynasty. The first is that of
Sidhraj Jayasinh who ruled for 47 years from 1094 A.D. and the second
prominent Solanki king Kumarpala's reign lasted for 31 years from 1143 to
1174 AD. Both the Kings Sidhraj Jayasinh and Kumarpal had a very learned
prominent Jain sage HemChandracharya as their Guide and Guru who
greatly guided and influenced their policies that made them immortal in
the history of Gujarat. Hemchandracharya was such a learned and
visionary person that he is famous in the history as 'Kalikal Sarvagya' ( One
who knows every thing in modern Times). Apart from Saurashtra and
Kachchh, Sidhraj Jaysinh also conquered Malwa. One of the favourite
legends with the Gujarat bards is woven around the siege of Junagadh by
Sidhraj Jaysinh. The fort was ultimately captured by him along with
Ranakdevi, the Queen of the ruler Rakhengar. However, in the true
tradition of the Kshatriyas, Ranakdevi preferred to become a 'sati' rather
than marry Sidharaj Jaysinh. Sidharaj was persuaded to allow Ranakdevi to
commit 'Sati' by burning herself on a pyre at Wadhavan. A temple was
built on the hallowed place where she became 'Sati'. The temple still
stands in Wadhavan, Saurashtra, as a mute testimony to the woman who
preferred death to marriage with the person who had humbled her
husband. The temple is called Ranakdevi's
temple.


Modhera Sun Temple built by Bhimdev I.
The guardian family deity of the Solanki's was Somnath at Prabhas.
Ironically, it was during the Solanki's rule that the scared shrine was sacked
by Mahmud Ghazni who defiled and despoiled the fabulously rich shrine
and put 50,000 Hindus to sword. The temple was destroyed with its Linga
during the regime of Bhimdev I. Bhimdev's successor Karandev defeated a
Bhil chieftain and founded Karnavati. Karandev married Minaldevi by
whom he begot Sidhraj who ushered in Gujarat's golden period. Sidhraj's
successor Kumarpala encouraged Jainism. Bal Mulraj successfully repelled
the incursions of Mahmud of Ghor who had the ambition of repeating the
act performed by Mahmud Ghazni.
After the fall of Solanki rule, Vaghelas who were in the service of the
Solanki's established a rather short-lived (76 years) but powerful dynasty.
The two rulers of this dynasty, Virdhaval and Vishaldev, were responsible
for consolidating the stabilizing the prosperity of Gujarat after the fall of
the Solankis. While Vishaldev built the famous temples of Dabhoi and
founded Vishalnagar, the credit for building magnificent temples at Abu,
Girnar and Shetrunjay goes to two distinguished Dewans (chief ministers) -
Vastupal and Tejpal - of Virdhaval. After the sack of the Somnath by
Mahmud Ghazni, Kinlock Forbes, a British historian, had this to say
"Mahmood of Ghuznee had hardly accomplished his disastrous homeward
retreat, leaving behind him Unhilwara despoiled and Somnath a heap of
ruins, when the sound of the hammer and the chisel was heard upon
Arasoor and Aboo, and the stately fanes began to arise at Koobharea and
Delwara, in which an elaboration almost incredible and a finish worthy of
the hand of a Cellini, seemed to express the founder's steadfast refusal to
believe in mlechh invaders, or iconoclastic destroyers, as other than the
horrid phantom of a disturbing dream."
Karandev of the Vaghela dynasty was the last Hindu ruler of Gujarat. He
was defeated and overthrown by the superior forces of Allauddin Khilji
from Delhi in 1297. With his defeat Gujarat not only became part of the
Muslim empire but the Gurjar Rajput hold over Gujarat lost for ever.
Medieval Period[]


Flight of Sultan Bahadur during Humayun's
campaign in Gujarat, 1535. Folio from an
Akbarnama (History of Akbar), c. 1590. Los
Angeles County Museum of Art, M.78.9.6.
Before they finally entrenched themselves in
1298, the Muslims had only an occasional
contact with this part of India. This was either
as sea-farers or traders. They were allowed to
establish two small settlements in Cambay
(current Khambhat) and Broach (current Bharuch). Abdulla, a missionary
from Egypt, who came during Sidhraj Jaysinh's regime and was allowed to
preach, is credited with the formation of the Bohra community among the
Muslims. However, after the defeat of Karandev Vaghela at the hands of
Allauddin Khilji, Muslim rule continued for nearly 400 years either under
Delhi's viceroyalty or under Muslim Sultanates till the Mughal viceroy,
Monimnkhan was defeated by the Marathas who captured Ahmedabad in
1758.
Zafar Shah, a viceroy of Delhi for Gujarat, was responsible for starting the
Sultanate of Gujarat. He fully exploited then prevailing conditions in Delhi
to his advantage. He shook off his loyalty to the emperor, declared
independence and became the first Sultan. He assumed the title of
Muzaffar Shah. His successor Ahmed Shah founded a new city, following a
dream, on the banks of the River Sabarmati and named it Ahmedabad
after his own name. Since then, this new city became the capital of
successive regimes in Gujarat until the state of Gujarat was formed in 1960
and the capital was moved to new city of Gandhinagar later. Ahmedabad
grew into a flourishing city and became next only to Delhi in importance.
Mahmud Shah succeeded Ahmed Shah, Mahmud became a powerful ruler
and was successful in over powering and subduing most of the Rajput
chieftains. As a conqueror Mahmud was ruthless, as an administrator
efficient and as a builder a great one. Apart from subduing the Rajput
chieftains, Mahmud also tried to remove the Portuguese menace with the
help of a naval fleet raised by his slave named Malik Ayyaz. But he was
unsuccessful and they set up a powerful naval base at Diu off the
Sautrashtra coast.
Under Mahmud Shah, Gujarat once again became prosperous and there
was a great deal of progress and state-building activity. Patan, the ancient
seat of Hindu learning, once again became a seat of learning in Islamic
disciplines. The available infrastructure at Patan was exploited by Mahmud
Shah. The decline of the Sultanate started with the assassination of
Sikandar Shah. Because of this decline, Gujarat became an easy prey to the
great Mughal Emperor Akbar's armies. Bahadur Shah, the last Sultan, was
defeated which marked the beginning of the Mughal rule which lasted
almost 200 years.
Notwithstanding the fact that Gujarat became a part of the Mughal Empire
its importance did not diminish as is apparent from the selection of the
ablest princes as Gujarat's viceroys. Murad Baksh, Shah Jahan, Dara
Shikoh, Aurangzeb, Muhammad Azam Shah among others, were all made
the Viceroys of this West coast region. The formal Muslim rule in Gujarat
ended in 1758 when Momin Khan surrendered to the Marathas, however
the Islamic influence remained.
Early Modern Period[]
Maratha Empire & British[]
When the cracks had started to develop in the edifice of the Mughal
empire in the mid-17th century, the Marathas were consolidating their
power in the west, Chatrapati Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler, attacked
Surat twice first in 1664 and again in 1672. These attacks marked the entry
of the Marathas into Gujarat. However, before the Maratha inroads into
Gujarat, the Europeans had made their presence felt, with the Portuguese
leading them, followed by the Dutch and the English.
The Peshwas had established their sovereignty over Gujarat including
Saurashtra, and collected taxes and tributes through their representatives.
Damaji Gaekwad and Kadam Bande divided the Peshwa's territory
between them, with Damaji establishing the sway of Gaekwad over
Gujarat and made Baroda (present day Vadodara) his capital. The ensuing
internecine war among the Marathas were fully exploited by the British,
who interfered in the affairs of both Gaekwads and the Peshwas.
The British also embarked upon their policy of Subsidiary Alliance. With
this policy they established their paramountcy over one princely state
after another. Anandrao Gaekwad joined the Alliance in 1802 and
surrendered Surat and adjoining territories to the English. In the garb of
helping the Marathas, the British helped themselves, and gradually the
Marathas' power came to an end, in 1819 in Gujarat. Gaekwad and other
big and small rulers accepted the British Paramountcy.
Colonial[]


Major General Wellesley (mounted)
commanding his troops at the Battle of Assaye
Portugal was the first European power to arrive
in Gujarat, acquiring several enclaves along the
Gujarati coast, including Daman and Diu and
Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The British East India
Company established a factory in Surat in 1614,
which formed their first base in India, but it was eclipsed by Bombay (now
Mumbai) after the English acquired it from Portugal in 1668. The Company
wrested control of much of Gujarat from the Marathas during the Second
Anglo-Maratha War. Many local rulers, notably the Maratha Gaekwads of
Baroda (Vadodara), made a separate peace with the British, and
acknowledged British sovereignty in return for retaining local self-rule.
Gujarat was placed under the political authority of Bombay Presidency,
with the exception of Baroda state, which had a direct relationship with
the Governor-General of India. From 1818 to 1947, most of present-day
Gujarat, including Kathiawar, Kutch, and northern and eastern Gujarat
were divided into dozens of princely states, but several districts in central
and southern Gujarat, namely Ahmedabad, Broach (Bharuch), Kaira, Panch
Mahals, and Surat, were ruled directly by British officials. 1819 Rann of
Kutch earthquake was felt across India.
Indian Independence Movement[]


Gandhi at a public rally during the Salt
Satyagraha.
The people of Gujarat were the most
enthusiastic participants in India's struggle for freedom. Leaders like
Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Morarji Desai, K.M. Munshi,
Narhari Parikh, Mahadev Desai, Mohanlal Pandya and Ravi Shankar Vyas
all hailed from Gujarat. It was also the site of the most popular revolts,
including the Satyagrahas in Kheda, Bardoli, Borsad and the Salt
Satyagraha.
See Also: Freedom fighters from Gujarat There
is a community of Muslim Gujaratis in
neighbouring Pakistan, mainly settled in Sindh
for generations. A sizable number migrated
after the Partition of India and subsequent
creation of independent Pakistan in 1947.
These Pakistani Gujaratis belong mainly to the
Khoja, Dawoodi Bohra, Chundrigar, Charotar
Sunni Vohra, Muslim Ghanchi and Memon
groups; however, many Gujaratis are also a part
of Pakistan's small but vibrant Hindu
community. Many Gujaratis in Pakistan retain ties to their relatives in
Muslim communities living in Gujarat, and maintain Gujarati as their native
language. However, a growing number are adopting Urdu as their native
tongue. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan whose
mother tongue was also Gujarati and were Gujarati Hindus before, is one
of the most notable people of Gujarati Muslim ancestry who ethnically
belonged to the province of Gujarat, but was however born in Karachi.[2]
Gujarati Muslims constitute the majority in Saddar Town and form the
backbone of the Pakistani economy. The Khatik are found mainly in Eder,
Himmatnagar, Khedbrahma, Vijayagar and Bhiloda. They are divided into
the Hindu and Muslim sub-groups. The Hindu Khateek do not slaughter
animals, which is done by Muslim Khateek, but they simply sell the meat.
There are further territorial divisions, the Jaipuria and Bagard Khateek. The
community is also split into a number of gotras, the main ones being the
Bagod, Demaria, Dindmania, Chauhan, Chaula, Khoiwad, Khinchi, Lindiwal,
Chandal, Bagma and Daima. The community is mostly butchers, but a good
many of them have now taken up petty trade.
[9]

1947 - 1960[]
See also: Saurashtra State, Kutch State, Bombay state, and Mahagujarat
Movement


Bombay Presidency in 1909, northern portion


Bombay Presidency in 1909, southern portion
After Indian independence and the Partition of
India in 1947, the new Indian government
grouped the former princely states of Gujarat into three larger units;
Saurashtra, which included the former princely states on the Kathiawar
peninsula, Kutch, and Bombay state, which included the former British
districts of Bombay Presidency together with most of Baroda state and the
other former princely states of eastern Gujarat. In 1956, Bombay state was
enlarged to include Kutch, Saurashtra, and parts of Hyderabad state and
Madhya Pradesh in central India. The new state had a mostly Gujarati-
speaking north and a Marathi-speaking south. Mahagujarat Movement led
by Indulal Yagnik demanded splitting of Bombay state on linguistic lines.
On 1 May 1960, Bombay state bifurcated into Gujarat and Maharashtra.
The capital of Gujarat was Ahmedabad.
Kutch was hit by the earthquake in 1956 which destroyed major parts of
Anjar town. Gandhidham, Sardarnagar and Kubernagar were refugee
settlements established for the resettlement of Sindhi Hindu refugees
arriving from Pakistan after partition.
1960 - 1973[]
See also: Gujarat Beechcraft incident and 1969 Gujarat riots
Members of legislative assembly were elected from 132 constituencies of
newly formed Gujarat state. Indian National Congress (INC) won the
majority and Jivraj Narayan Mehta became the first chief minister of
Gujarat. He served until 1963. Balwantrai Mehta succeed him. During
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Mehta flew on aircraft to inspect Kutch border
between India and Pakistan. The aircraft was shot down by Pakistan Air
Force. Mehta was killed in the crash.
[10][11]
Hitendra Kanaiyalal Desai
succeeded him and won assembly elections. In 1969, Indian National
Congress split into Congress (O) headed by Morarji Desai and Congress (I)
headed by Indira Gandhi.
[12]
At the same time, the Hindu nationalist
organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had established itself
deeply in Gujarat around this period. The riots broke out across Gujarat in
September to October 1969, resulting in large number of casualties and
damage to properties. Desai resigned in 1971 due to split of INC and
President's rule was imposed in Gujarat. Later Ghanshyam Oza became
chief minister when Indira Gandhi led Congress (I) won majority in
parliament after 1971 Indo-Pakistani war. Chimanbhai Patel opposed Oza
and became chief minister in 1972. The capital of Gujarat moved from
Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar in 1971 but legislative assembly building was
completed in 1982.
[13]

1974 - 1980[]
See also: Nav Nirman and 1979 Machchhu dam failure
Navnirman movement started in December 1973 due to price rise and
corruption in public life. People demanded resignation of Patel.
[14][15][16][17]

Due to pressure of protests, Indira Gandhi asked Patel to step down. He
resigned on February 9, 1974 and President's rule imposed.
[14][16]
The
governor suspended the state assembly and Presidents rule was imposed.
Opposition parties led stepped in with demand for dissolution of state
assembly.
[15]
Congress had 140 out of 167 MLAs in state assembly. 15
Congress (O) and three Jan Sangh MLAs also resigned. By March,
protesters had got 95 of 167 to resign. Morarji Desai, leader of Congress
(O), went on an indefinite fast in March and the assembly was dissolved
bringing end to agitation.
[14][15][16]
No fresh election held until Morarji Desai
went on indefinite hunger strike in April 1975.
[15]
The fresh elections were
held in June 1975. Chimanbhai Patel formed new party named Kisan
Mazdoor Lok Paksh and contested on his own. Congress lost elections
which won only 75 seats. Coalition of Congress (O), Jan Sangh, PSP and Lok
Dal known as Janata Morcha won 88 seats and Babubhai J. Patel became
Chief Minister. Indira Gandhi imposed the emergency in 1975.
[15]
Janata
Morcha government lasted nine months and president's rule imposed in
March, 1976 following failure of passage of budget in assembly to
opposition of coalition partners.
[16]
Later Congress won elections in
December 1976 and Madhav Singh Solanki became Chief Minister.
[15][16]
A
year later Solanki resigned and again Babubhai Patel led Janata Party
formed the government. He shifted his cabinet to Morbi for six months
during 1979 Machchhu dam failure disaster which resulted in large
casualties.
[18]

1980 - 1995[]
Janata Morcha government was dismissed and president's rule was
imposed in 1980 even though it had majority. Later Madhavsinh Solanki
led INC won the election in 1980 and formed the government which
completed five years in office. Amarsinh Chaudhary succeeded him in 1985
and headed government till 1989. Solanki again became chief minister
until INC lost in 1990 election following Mandal commission protests.
Chimanbhai Patel came back to power in March 1990 as the head of a
Janata Dal -Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government. Coalition broke
just few months after in October 1990 but Chimanbhai Patel managed to
retain majority with support of 34 INC legislatures. Later Patel joined the
INC and continued till his death in February 1994. Chhabildas Mehta
succeeded him and continued till March 1995. In 1994 plague endemic
broke out in Surat resulting in 52 deaths.
[19]

1995 - 2000[]
Following the rise of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at centre, Keshubhai
Patel led BJP won in 1995 assembly election. Keshubhai Patel became the
chief minister of Gujarat in March but resigned eight months later as his
colleague Shankersinh Vaghela revolted against him. BJP was split as
Rashtriya Janata Party was formed by Vaghela who became the Chief
Minister by support of INC. Assembly was dissolved in 1998 as INC
withdrew its support. BJP returned to power led by Patel in 1998 assembly
elections and he became the chief minister again.
[20]
In 1998, a severe
tropical cyclone hit Kandla port and Saurashtra and Kutch regions.
[21]

2000 - 2002[]
See also: 2001 Gujarat Earthquake, 2002 Gujarat violence, and
Akshardham Temple attack


Aftershocks, 2001 Gujarat earthquake - yellow
star marks epicentre
Gujarat was hit with a devastating earthquake
on 26 January 2001 which claimed a staggering
20,000 lives, injured another 200,000 people and severely affected the
lives of 40 million of the population. Patel resigned as chief minister in
October 2001 due to his failing health. Allegations of abuse of power,
corruption and poor administration; as well as a loss of BJP seats in by-
elections and mismanagement of relief woks during 2001 Bhuj Earthquake
aftermath; prompted the BJP's national leadership to seek a new
candidate for the office of chief minister. He was replaced by Narendra
Modi.
[22][23][24]
In February 2002, Godhra train burning triggered statewide
riots which resulted in large number of casualties and economic loss.
[25]
In
September 2002, there was a terrorist attack on Akshardham temple
complex at Gandhinagar.
[26]
Modi led BJP won December 2002 election
with majority.
2003 - present[]
In 2005 and 2006, Gujarat was affected by floods. In July 2008, a series of
21 bomb blasts hit Ahmedabad, within a span of 70 minutes. 56 people
were killed and over 200 people were injured in the attack.
[27][28][29]
2009
Gujarat hepatitis outbreak resulted in 49 deaths. In July 2009, more than
130 people died in hooch tragedy.
[30]

Narendra Modi led BJP retained power in 2007 and 2012 assembly
elections.