History of Gujarat from Vedic age to Gupta Period
A BRIEF PROFILE
Gujarat, on the western coast of India, has experienced the advent of a man and is fortunate in having a rich heritage of historical records among the states of Indian Subcontinent. The history of Gujarat is very ancient and dates back to pre-historic age. It is difficult to reflect the complete historical records of thousands of years on few pages. Hence, we are summarizing the same into three periods i.e. Ancient, Medieval and Modern periods. The first period will reflect pre and proto history of Gujarat and contribution of Mauryas, Indo-Greeks, Kahatrapas, Guptas, Maitrakas and Chalukyas dynasty upto 1297 AD. The second period deals with Sultans of Delhi (1297-1307 A.D). Sultans of Gujarat (1307-1572 A.D) and Mughal period (1572-1758 AD) as also the Marathas period from 1758 to 1818 A.D. The modern period which begins from 1818 A.D is sub divided into different sections such as Gujarat prior to 1857, contribution of Gujarat in 1857, pro-Gandhi and Gujarat (18581915), Gandhi period (1915-48) and the post independence period.
ANCIENT PERIOD
The name Gujarat is derived from ‘Gujaratta’ or ‘Gujartra’ that is the land protected by or ruled by Gujars. The word ‘Gujarat’ gained currency during Chalukya period (942 – 1299 A.D). Before this period parts of Gujarat were known as Anarta, Lata and Surastra.
PRE-HISTORY PERIOD
The period before the advent of writing is called prehistory to differentiate it from authentic documented history. The pre-history of Gujarat begins with the first appearance of the early man on banks of Sabarmati, Mahi, Orsang, Narmada, Bhadar, Vadi, Thebi, etc. during the Pleistocene age, which is also called Old Stone Age. The above mentioned rivers have preserved for us in their deposits, the relics of the man who lived on their banks, making his tools from pebbles collected from the beds of the rivers and maintaining himself by hunting animals and collecting roots and fruits.
PROTO-HISTORIC PERIOD
The period which bridges the gulf between pre-history and history is proto-history. The proto history period of Gujarat covers the period between 2500 BC to 500 B.C. During this period it was Harrappan culture and Yadavs rule which has dominated the historical account. The Harrappan first seems to have come as traders by sea in third millennium B.C. and settled in Lothal in 2450 B.C and later at Prabhas. Excavation at various places of Gujarat proves that Harrappan culture was one of the most civilized, developed cultures of its item. As per references of Vedic, Purana, Buddha and Jain literature, lord Krishna had established dynastic rule of Yadavs at Dawarka around 1000 B.C. And this Yadav rule was instrumental in spreading the Aryan culture in Gujarat.
MAURYA, INDO- GREEKS, KAHATRAPAS, GUPTA, MAITRAK & CHALKUYA PERIOD UPTO 29 A.D
Darkness descended on the history with the end of a saga named Lord Krishna. Hardly any authentic information is available about the events that took place then during vast passage of almost 3000 years. The real political history of Gujarat begins with the establishment of Mauryan rule in Gujarat. Chandra Gupta Maurya flew the flag of his sovereignty from Pataliputra of Magadh in 319 B.C. Saurashtra and Gujarat were also part of his kingdom. The autonomous reign under Bindussar and Asoka remained a part of sovereign state of Maurya rule. Emperor Asoka was himself taken to several stone inscriptions depicting events, sermons and religious dictums for the good of the people. One of them is at the foot of Girnar.
Between the decline of Mauryan power and Saurashtra coming under the, sway of Samprati Mauryas of Ujjain, there was Greek incursion into Gujarat led by Demetrious.
For nearly 400 years from the start of the first century, Saka rulers played a prominent part in Gujarat’s history weather beaten rock at Junagadh gives a glimpse of the ruler Rudradaman (100 A.D) of Saks Straps known as Kashatraps.
The Kashatraps dynasty was replaced by Gupta reign with the conquest of Gujarat by Chandragupta Vikramaditya. Anarta and Saurastra regions were both part of the Gupta empire. Vikramaditiya’s successor Skandargupta has left an inscription (4500 AD) on rock at Junagadh.
Towards middle of the 5th century A.D the Gupta Empire started to decline. Senapathi Bhatarka, the Maitrek General of the Guptas took advantage of situation and in 470 A.D he set up what came to be as the Maitrak Kingdom. Maitrakas ‘of Vallabhi become very powerful and their writ prevailed over large parts of Gujarat and it was during the rule of Dhruvsena Maitrak that Chinese philosopher traveller Huien Tsang visited Vallabhi in 640 A.D. In fact during his period, there were three powerful dynastic which were ruling different parts of Gujarat, the Gujars had their sway over the north, the Chalukyas ruled the south and the Maitraks were saddled in Saurashtra. The vaccum created by the fall of the Maitrak dynasty. Was filled by Prathihars from north. Prathihars dynasty had established Gujar rule at Mandol and wrested Broach from Maitraks.
As vassals of the Valabhis, Chavadas held their sway over parts of Gujarat, they assumed independent control after the fall of Vallabhi and founded the Chavada dynasty, which lasted a shade under a century.
Mulraj, who was the adopted son of last Chavda ruler Samant Singh overthrew him in 942 A.D and set up what came to be known as the Solanki Dynasty, He started expanding his frontiers and established his complete and total hold over Saurashtra and Kutch. Mulraj Solanki reign marked the start of the most glorious period in 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’s chequered ‘history. From his dynasty rule the name Gujarat finally came into being.
Ironically, it was during the Solanki’s rule that the sacred shrine of Somnath was sacked by Mahmud Ghazni who defied and despoiled the fabulously rich shrine and put 50,000 Hindus to sword.
After the fall of Solanki rule, Vaghelas, who were in service of the Solankis, established a short but powerful dynasty. Karandev of the Vaghela dynasty was the last Hindu ruler of Gujarat. He was defeated and overthrown by the ‘superior forces of Allaudin Khiliji in 1297. With his defeat, Gujarat not only became part of the Muslim empire but Rajput hold over Gujarat was lost forever.
MEDIAEVAL PERIOD
SULTANS OF DELHI & GUJARAT AND MULSIM’PERIOD UPTO 1758 A.D
Before, Muslims finally entrenched themselves into Gujarat in 1298 A.D, the Muslims had only an occasional contact with this part of India. However after the defeat of Karandev Vaghela at the hands of Allaudin Khiliji, Muslim rule. Continued for nearly 400 years either under Delhi’s viceroyalty or under Muslim Sultanates.
Zaffar Shah, a viceroy of Delhi for Gujarat was responsible for starting the Sultanate in Gujarat. He fully exploited the then prevailing conditions in Delhi to his advantage and declared himself independent and became the first Sultan. His successor Ahmed Shah founded a new city ‘Ahmedabad’ on his name. Since then Ahmedabad became capital of successive regime. It grew into a flourishing city. Mahmud Shah succeeded Ahmed Shah and during his period Gujarat once again became prosperous. Patan, the ancient seat of Hindu learning, once again became a seat of learning of Islamic discipline.
The decline of the Sultanate started with the assassination of Skinder Shah. The defeat of Bahadur. Shah, the last Sultan under the hands of the great Mughal emperor Akbar is marked the beginning of the Mughal rule which lasted for some 185 years. The former Muslim rule in Gujarat ended in 1758 when Momin Khan surrendered to the Marathas.
MODERN PERIOD
THE MARATHAS AND THE BRITISH RULE UPTO 1947 A.D
When the cracks had started developing in the edifice of the Mughal empire in the mid 17th century, the’, Marathas were consolidating their power in the west. Ch hatrapati Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler, attacked Surat twice, first in 1664 and again in 1672. These attacks marked the entry of the Marathas in Gujarat. However, before Maratha inroads into Gujarat, the Europeans had made their presence felt here with Portuguese leading them followed by the Dutch and English.
The Peshawas had established their sovereignty over Gujarat including Saurashtra and administered the same through their representatives. Damaji Gaekward and Kadam Bande divided the Peshwa’s territory between them. Damaji established the sway of Geakwad over Gujarat and made Baroda his capital. The ensuing internecine was among Marathas were fully exploited by Britishers who, known for their policy of divide and rule, started interfering with the affairs of both the Gaekwads and the Peshwas. The Britishers also embarked upon their policy of Subsidiary Alliance. With this policy, they established their paramountacy over one princely state after another. Madhavrao Gaekwad joined alliance with the British in 1802 and gradually it resulted in the end of Maratha rule over Gujarat and paramountcy of British rule in 1819.
PRE-INDEPENDENCE
Gujarat has played a key role in the freedom struggle especially after Mahatma Gandhi’s taking, over of the leadership of the freedom movement. Besides, Mahatma Gandhi, Gujarat has been a home of such stalwarts like Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozshah Mehta, Badraddin Tayabji, Vithalbhai Patel, Sardar Vallabhai Patel who took leading part in India’s struggle for freedom. It was Sardar Vallabhai Patel who was responsible for persuading the princely states to merge with the Indian Union when Britishers left India after dividing the country into India and Pakisthan.
