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 IDharsena 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 IIISiladitya 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.

VaghelasThe 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)Virdhaval’s 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 President’s 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.