Hello AP Bhaisaab,
The topic which you have started has been the core of my research on Gurjars since last 14 years. Duttabhatta was an army commander of the Aulikaras (the second branch which ruled in Malwa and Yasodharman belonged to its third branch). These Aulikars were ally to the Later Guptas of I have covered this topic in detail with references at the following thread:
www.worldhistoria.com/origin-of-gurjarpratihars-of-india-6th11th-ce_topic128102.html Quote ashokharsana Quote Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Origin of Gurjar-Pratihars of India (6th-11th CE)
Posted: 15 Jan 2013 at 08:33
Hello All,
Gurjar Pratihars were a celebrated clan of Gurjars who ruled a large part of India during 6th to 12th Century AD. They were contemporary to the mighty Harshavardhana of Kannauj.
After Harsha, his capital became the symbol of strongest kingdom and almost every ruler of Indian subcontinent attempted to take over Kannauj until Gurjar-Pratihars captured it in 8th Wcentury and retained it until their fall in 11th century. Their kingdom was said to be larger than that of Harshavardhana (claimed by famous traveler Al-Beruni in his book Al-Beruni's India) and was compared to that of Kushans (another Gurjar Clan, which ruled a large part of South Asia during 1st to 4th Century AD).
The origin of Gurjar-Pratihars has been uncertain until now. But during my research on the Gurjar-Pratihars, I almost found their certain origin ("almost" as the evidences are not enough to prove it).
Part-1
To ascertain the origin of Gurjar-Pratihars, we have to go backwards and look into the period of 5th century, where we can ascertain the origin of other Gurjar clans such as Chauhan, Parmar and Chalukya.
In 5th century AD Gupta's were ruling over a large part of India. The story starts when Hpthalites or White Huns invaded Indian subcontinent.
1. White Hunas
Our earliest information about the Ephthalites comes from the Chinese chronicles, in which it is stated that they were originally a tribe of the great Yue-Chi, living to the north of the Great Wall, and in subjection to the Jwen-Jwen, as were also the Turks at one time. Their original name was Hoa or Hoa-tun; subsequently they styled themselves Ye-tha-i-li-to after the name of their royal family, or more briefly Ye-tha.
The first attack under Chu-Han* in 455 AD was repelled back by SkandaGupta and India was saved from Huns for a short period of 12 years.
* The army men of Chu-han (or Chu-man) were merged into the Indian Army and were termed as Chauhane or Chumane, who remained the feudatories to Gurjar Kings and later rose to power (during 11th and 12th centuries). This clan was called Gurjar Chauhans. (Their origin being the same as other Gurjars i.e. Yuezhis)
In 467 AD fresh Hun armies attacked Guptas under Tomar-han or Tomaran-1**. This time the Guptas were totally vanished by Hunas and many flourishing cities under Gupta territories were completely demolished.
** Another Gurjar clan which formed of Epthalite-Gurjars was named after their leader Tomaran and were called Tomars or Tuars. Tomaran assumed the title of Kushan Kings (which again proves that he belonged to the Yuezhis or Gurjars) in Eran and Kura inscriptions. The similarity is also found as all the Gurjars were son worshipers and so were the Epthalites.
The ruling seat of Epthalites was Sakala (modern Sialkot in paksitan). Tourman-2 was killed by Gupta ruler Bhanugupta in 510 AD. An inscription found at Mandsor records some construction and donation by one DUTTABHATTA***, son of Vayuraksh*ta (Served long as the Commander-in-Chief or SENAPATI**** of Gupta Rulers) was the commander-in-chief of Prabhakarvardhana (contemporary Gupta Ruler) in this campaign where many other Indian Princes (Gurjar Jayabhatta-4 and chalukya ruler Pulkeshin) made a joint attack over the Epthalites. In this decisive fight all the ‘White Huna’ chiefs were slaughtered and the army left was assimilated into Gurjars.
*** DuttaBhatta who served in the army of Prabhakkar Vardhana (The last known Gupta ruler of the Gupta Royal House and ancestor of Harshavardhana of Kannauj), was also called Datta or Dadda-1, who is known to have been the first of Gurjar-Pratihars at Bhinmal.
**** Senapati was the title of all Maitrika Rulers of Vallabhi (475-767 AD). The First Maitrika Ruler was known to be Bhattaraka. Seeing the similar period he may be the brother or son of Duttabhatta. He assumed the title of Senapati (his father's title) and founded the Matrikas Dynasty by establishing them at Vallabhi. The Rulers of Vallabhi and Rulers of Bhinmal continued to be allies until Dadda-3, due to some reason, wrestled baroch from Vallabhi kingdom in 7th century AD.
Thanks and Regards
