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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Short description|Founder and Rawal of Mewar from 728-763}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox royalty
{{Infobox royalty
| image        =  
| name        = Bappa Rawal
| birth_name  =
| image        = Bappa_Rawal.jpg
| alt          =  
| alt          =  
| caption      =  
| caption      = Statue of Bappa Rawal at [[Mewar]]
| title        = [[Rawal]] of [[Mewar]]
| title        = {{noitalic|{{ubl|[[Rawal (title)|Rawal]] of [[Mewar]]|Purana Purusha<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianculture.gov.in/history-mewar-earliest-times-1751-ad|author=Ram Vallabh Somani|title = History of Mewar: From earliest times to 1751 A.D.|publisher=C. L. Ranka |location=Jaipur|page=40}}</ref>}}}}
| succession  = King of [[Mewar]]
| succession  = Ruler of [[Mewar]]
| reign        = 728 CE - 753 CE
| reign        = 728 CE–764 CE<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Tod |first1=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9BBTEAAAQBAJ&q=bappa+ |title=Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (3 Vols): Or the Central and Western Rajput State of India |last2=Crooke |first2=William |date=2010-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0380-0 |page=281 |language=en}}"Bappa on the throne of Chitor S. 784 ( A.D. 728 ) , we will proceed to glean from the annals , from the period of his departure for Iran , S. 820 ( A.D. 764 )"</ref>
| dynasty      = [[Guhila dynasty]]
| dynasty      = [[Guhila dynasty]]
| predecessor  =  
| predecessor  = [[Chitrangada Mori]]
| successor    =  
| successor    = Khumana I
| father      =  
| father      =  
| religion       = [[Hinduism]]
| religion     = [[Shaivism|Shaivite Hinduism]]
}}
}}
'''Bappa Rawal''', also spelled as "Bappa Raval", (c. 8th century) was a ruler of the [[Mewar]] (Medapata) region in [[Rajasthan]], India. The bardic chronicles describe him as a member of the [[Guhila]] (Gahlot) Rajput Clan, and some of these consider him as the founder of the [[Guhila dynasty]]. Different historians have identified him with various rulers of the Guhila dynasty, including Kalabhoja, Shiladitya, and Khumana.
'''Bappa Rawal,''' also known as '''Kālabhoja''', was the ruler of the [[Guhila dynasty|Guhila Rajput dynasty]] in the [[Kingdom of Mewar]]. While the early Guhila chiefs are mentioned in inscriptions, Bappa Rawal is identified as the first major ruler of [[Mewar]] region in the later chronicles and bardic traditions. He is credited in the chronicles with repelling [[Umayyad campaigns in India|Arab invasion]] in north-western India.


According to legends, he captured the Chitrakuta ([[Chittor Fort|Chittor]]) fort, from the [[mlechchhas]] (identified by modern historians with the [[Muslims]]).
== Literary accounts ==
 
== Legendary accounts ==


According to the 15th century text ''Ekalinga Mahatmya'' (also called ''Ekalinga Purana''), Bappa was the ninth descendant of the Guhila dynasty's founder Guhadatta. The text credits him with establishing the [[Mewar Kingdom]] in 728 CE, and with building the [[Eklingji]] temple.{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|p=120}}
According to the 15th century text ''Ekalinga Mahatmya'' (also called ''Ekalinga Purana''), Bappa was the ninth descendant of the Guhila dynasty's founder Guhadatta. The text credits him with establishing the [[Mewar Kingdom]] in 728 CE, and with building the [[Eklingji]] temple.{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|p=120}}
[[File:Bappa Rawal stands before Harit Rishi, detail of a genealogical scroll of the rulers of Mewar, Udaipur, ca.1730–40 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Bappa Rawal stands before Harit Rishi, detail of a genealogical scroll of the rulers of Mewar, Udaipur, ca.1730–40<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bose |first=Melia Belli |title=Royal Umbrellas of Stone: Memory, Politics, and Public Identity in Rajput Funerary Art |date=Aug 25, 2015 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=9789004300569 |pages=254}}</ref>]]
The ''Ekalinga Mahatmya'' and other bardic chronicles state that Bappa's father Nagaditya and all other male members of his family were killed in a battle with the [[Bhil people|Bhils]] of [[Idar, Gujarat|Idar]].{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|p=120}}{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=41}} He remained in disguise, accompanied by his two loyal Bhil attendants. He was brought up by a [[Brahmin]] lady of [[Nagda]], who employed him as a caretaker of cows. One day, he met the sage Harit Rashi.{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=41}} The sage agreed to initiate him into a [[Shaivite]] order, it is also said that Kaalbhoj went into extraordinary spirituality. After completing his [[Tapasya]], as directed by Harit Rashi, he defeated his father's killers, and established the [[Mewar]] Kingdom.{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|p=120}}


The ''Ekalinga Mahatmya'' and other bardic chronicles state that Bappa's father Nagaditya and all other male members of his family were killed in a battle with the [[Bhil people|Bhils]] of [[Idar]].{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|p=120}}{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=41}} He remained in disguise, accompanied by his two loyal Bhil attendants. He was brought up by a [[Brahmin]] lady of [[Nagda]], who employed him as a caretaker of cows. One day, he met the sage Harit Rashi.{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=41}} The sage agreed to initiate him into a [[Shaivite]] order, and to grant him immortality and supernatural powers. When Bappa reached the initiation site, he saw the sage ascending to the sky. The sage spit at him, and asked Bappa to receive the spit in his mouth in order to become immortal. Bappa hesitated in disgust, because of which the sage's spit fell on his foot. Therefore, he could only obtain immunity from weapons instead of immortality. With this power, he defeated his father's killers, and established the Mewar Kingdom.{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|p=120}}
According to legends the rishi also encouraged Bappa to build renowned [[Eklingji|Eklingji Temple]] at Nagda, which has been family deity of rulers of Mewar ever since.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hooja|first=Rima|title=A History of Rajasthan|publisher=Rupa Publication|year=2006|isbn=81-291-0890-9|location=New Delhi|page=158}}</ref>
 
According to legends the rishi also encouraged Bappa to build renowned [[Eklingji|Eklingji Temple]] at Nagda, which has been family deity of rulers of Mewar ever since.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hooja|first=Rima|title=A History of Rajasthan|publisher=Rupa Publication|year=2006|isbn=81-291-0890-9|location=New Delhi|pages=158}}</ref>


Indologist [[David Gordon White]] notes that there is a similar legend involving the sage [[Gorakhnath]] and the [[Gorkha Kingdom|Gorkha]] king [[Prithvi Narayan Shah]]. The 11th century writer [[Al-Biruni]] has also recorded a similar legend involving the alchemist Vyadi and the king [[Vikramaditya]].{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|p=311}}
Indologist [[David Gordon White]] notes that there is a similar legend involving the sage [[Gorakhnath]] and the [[Gorkha Kingdom|Gorkha]] king [[Prithvi Narayan Shah]]. The 11th century writer [[Al-Biruni]] has also recorded a similar legend involving the alchemist Vyadi and the king [[Vikramaditya]].{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|p=311}}
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=== Period ===
=== Period ===


The exact period of Bappa Rawal is not certain. According to the ''Ekalinga Mahatmya'', Bappa Rawal established the Mewar Kingdom in 728 CE,{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|p=120}} and abdicated the throne in 753 CE. [[D. R. Bhandarkar]] and [[G. H. Ojha]] believed this to be an authentic date.{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=43}}
The exact period of Bappa Rawal is not certain. According to the ''Ekalinga Mahatmya'', Bappa Rawal established the Mewar Kingdom in 728 CE,{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|p=120}} and abdicated the throne in 753 CE/764 CE.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Tod |first1=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9BBTEAAAQBAJ&q=bappa+ |title=Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (3 Vols): Or the Central and Western Rajput State of India |last2=Crooke |first2=William |date=2010-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0380-0 |page=281 |language=en}}"Bappa on the throne of Chitor S. 784 ( A.D. 728 ) , we will proceed to glean from the annals , from the period of his departure for Iran , S. 820 ( A.D. 764 )"</ref> [[D. R. Bhandarkar]] and [[G. H. Ojha]] believed this to be an authentic date.{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=43}}


=== Identification ===
=== Identification ===
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Some other historians, such as [[D. R. Bhandarkar]], identified Bappa Rawal with Kalabhoja's son Khumana, based on the calculation of average reign of the Guhila rulers.{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=42}}
Some other historians, such as [[D. R. Bhandarkar]], identified Bappa Rawal with Kalabhoja's son Khumana, based on the calculation of average reign of the Guhila rulers.{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=42}}


=== Conquest of Chittor ===
== Military career ==
 
=== Siege of Chittor ===
According to some legends, Bappa Rawal captured Chitrakuta ([[Chittor Fort]]) from the [[mlechchhas]].{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|1977|p=298-299}}
According to some ancient records, Bappa Rawal captured famous Chitrakuta ([[Chittor Fort]]) from the [[mlechchhas]].{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|1977|p=298-299}} Scholars such as [[R. C. Majumdar]] and R. V. Somani write on the basis of available records that the [[Caliphate campaigns in India|Arab invaders]] defeated the former rulers of Chittor, and Bappa Rawal gained control of Chittor after repulsing the Arab invaders. According to Majumdar, the Moris (Mauryas) were ruling at Chittor when the Arabs (mlechchhas) invaded north-western India around 725 CE.{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|1977|p=298-299}} The Arabs defeated the Moris, and in turn, were defeated by a confederacy that included Bappa Rawal.{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=45}}{{sfn|Khalid Yahya Blankinship|1994|p=188}} Majumdar believes that his heroics against the Arabs raised Bappa Rawal's status to such an extent that he wrongly came to be regarded as the founder of the dynasty.{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|1977|p=298-299}} R. V. Somani writes in his book that Bappa was a part of the anti-Arab confederacy formed by the [[Gurjara-Pratihara]] ruler [[Nagabhata I]].{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=45}}
 
Scholars such as [[R. C. Majumdar]] and R. V. Somani theorize that the [[Caliphate campaigns in India|Arab invaders]] defeated the former rulers of Chittor, and Bappa Rawal gained control of Chittor after repulsing the Arab invaders. According to Majumdar, the Moris (Mauryas) were ruling at Chittor when the Arabs (mlechchhas) invaded north-western India around 725 CE.{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|1977|p=298-299}} The Arabs defeated the Moris, and in turn, were defeated by a confederacy that included Bappa Rawal.{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=45}}{{sfn|Khalid Yahya Blankinship|1994|p=188}} Majumdar believes that his heroics against the Arabs raised Bappa Rawal's status to such an extent that he wrongly came to be regarded as the founder of the dynasty.{{sfn|R. C. Majumdar|1977|p=298-299}} R. V. Somani theorized that Bappa was a part of the anti-Arab confederacy formed by the [[Gurjara-Pratihara|Pratihara]] ruler [[Nagabhata I]].{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=45}} Somani also speculates that Bappa Rawal might have fought on the Pratihara side in their defence against the [[Rashtrakuta]] invasions.{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=45}}
 
Shyam Manohar Mishra of [[Lucknow University]] theorized that Bappa Rawal was originally a vassal of the Mori ruler Manuraja. He probably led the Mori campaign against the Arabs, which made him more famous than his overlord. Later, he either deposed Manuraja, or became the king after Manuraja died childless.{{sfn|Shyam Manohar Mishra|1977|p=48}}


Some other historians doubt the historicity of Bappa's conquest of Chittor, arguing that the Guhilas did not control Chittor before the reign of Kalabhoja's descendant Allata.{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=44}}
Shyam Manohar Mishra of [[Lucknow University]] theorized that Bappa Rawal was originally a vassal of the Mori ruler Manuraja (Maan Maurya). He probably led the Mori campaign against the Arabs, which made him more famous than his overlord. Later, he either deposed Manuraja (Maan Maurya), or became the king after Manuraja died childless.{{sfn|Shyam Manohar Mishra|1977|p=48}}


Art historian [[Hermann Goetz (art historian)|Hermann Goetz]] speculated that Bappa Rawal served the Kashmiri king [[Lalitaditya]] as a vassal, and died fighting in the latter's Central Asian campaigns.{{sfn|Hermann Goetz|1969|p=20}}
After successful campaigns against Arabs, several conflicts occur in India most famously between [[Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty| Pratiharas]] and [[Rashtrakuta dynasty|Rashtrakutas]], Rashtrakuta king [[Dantidurga]] occupied Ujjain and performed Hiranyagarbha ceremony there, however in short time, Rashtrakutas left and Nagabhata regained his power. Historian R.V. Somani theorizes that in these conflicts, Bappa Rawal also faced [[Dantidurga]]'s armies by helping Pratiharas in their struggle, and thus succeeded in capturing the eastern parts of Mewar region; he also contested with Karanatakas and the [[Chola dynasty|Cholas]] as described in the inscription of Chittor.{{sfn|Ram Vallabh Somani|1976|p=45}}


== Gold coins ==
== Gold coins ==
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Multiple gold coins, bearing the [[Nāgarī script|Nagari]] legend "Shri Voppa" or "Shri Vopparaja" have been attributed to Bappa Rawal. However, the identification of Voppa or Vopparaja with Bappa Rawal is disputed. These coins have been alternatively attributed to the king Vappuka of Surasena dynasty, who is mentioned in a 955 CE (1012 VS) inscription from [[Bayana]].<ref>{{cite book |publisher=Numismatic Society of India |title=The Journal of the Numismatic Society of India |volume=22-23 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i0NmAAAAMAAJ |year=1960 |page=279 |quote=But this attribution presents some difficulties because Mewar, in those days, had altogether a different currency and the Guhila rulers of Mewar never adopted the device of cow suckling a calf on the reverse of their coins. Still more, they never issued gold coins because Mewar was not a very big empire during that period. Therefore, it is not plausible to identify Voppa or Vopparaja of these gold coins with Bappa Rawal of Mewar or any other ruler of the neighbouring region. }}</ref>
Multiple gold coins, bearing the [[Nāgarī script|Nagari]] legend "Shri Voppa" or "Shri Vopparaja" have been attributed to Bappa Rawal. However, the identification of Voppa or Vopparaja with Bappa Rawal is disputed. These coins have been alternatively attributed to the king Vappuka of Surasena dynasty, who is mentioned in a 955 CE (1012 VS) inscription from [[Bayana]].<ref>{{cite book |publisher=Numismatic Society of India |title=The Journal of the Numismatic Society of India |volume=22-23 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i0NmAAAAMAAJ |year=1960 |page=279 |quote=But this attribution presents some difficulties because Mewar, in those days, had altogether a different currency and the Guhila rulers of Mewar never adopted the device of cow suckling a calf on the reverse of their coins. Still more, they never issued gold coins because Mewar was not a very big empire during that period. Therefore, it is not plausible to identify Voppa or Vopparaja of these gold coins with Bappa Rawal of Mewar or any other ruler of the neighbouring region. }}</ref>


One gold coin bears the legend "Shri Voppa", and features Shavite icons: a [[trishula]] (trident), a [[linga]], and a [[Nandi (bull)|bull]]. Below these is the image of a man in prostrate position. The man has features with large [[ear piercing|pierced ears]], and the holes are exaggerated. According to Indoligst [[David Gordon White]], this may be a representation of Bappa's initiation into a Shaivite sect, as ear piercing has been associated with the [[Nath|Nath Siddhas]] (a Shaivite sect), who were custodians of the Eklingji shrine before the 16th century.{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|pp=120-121}} White, however, believes that Bappa is more likely to have been initiated into the [[Pashupata Shaivism|Pashupata]] sect. Pashupata names commonly ended in Rashi ([[IAST]]: Rāśi), and thus, Harit Rashi was likely a Pashupata sage. Moreover, "Rawal" (from [[Sanskrit]] ''rāja-kula'', "royal lineage") was the name of a clan among the Pashupatas in the 8th century: in the 13th century, this clan was absorbed into the Nath sect.{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|p=121}}
One gold coin bears the legend "Shri Voppa", and features Shavite icons: a [[trishula]] (trident), a [[linga]], and a [[Nandi (bull)|bull]]. Below these is the image of a man in prostrate position. The man has features with large [[ear piercing|pierced ears]], and the holes are exaggerated. According to Indoligst [[David Gordon White]], this may be a representation of Bappa's initiation into a Shaivite sect, as ear piercing has been associated with the [[Nath|Nath Siddhas]] (a Shaivite sect), who were custodians of the Eklingji shrine before the 16th century.{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|pp=120-121}} White, however, believes that Bappa is more likely to have been initiated into the [[Pashupata Shaivism|Pashupata]] sect. Pashupata names commonly ended in Rashi ([[IAST]]: Rāśi), and thus, Harit Rishi was likely a Pashupata sage. Moreover, "Rawal" (from [[Sanskrit]] ''rāja-kula'', "royal lineage") was the name of a clan among the Pashupatas in the 8th century: in the 13th century, this clan was absorbed into the Nath sect.{{sfn|David Gordon White|2012|p=121}}


One gold coin features a [[halo (religious iconography)|haloed]] [[Rama]] holding [[bow and arrow]], with by a bull to his left, and an elephant to his right. The other side of the coin features an enthroned ruler with attendants on his sides, with the legend "Shri Voppa" below.{{sfn|Arthur L. Friedberg|Ira S. Friedberg|2017|p=481}}
One gold coin features a [[halo (religious iconography)|haloed]] [[Rama]] holding [[bow and arrow]], with a bull to his left, and an elephant to his right. The other side of the coin features an enthroned ruler with attendants on his sides, with the legend "Shri Voppa" below.{{sfn|Arthur L. Friedberg|Ira S. Friedberg|2017|p=481}}


Another gold coin features the legend "Shri Vopparaja", with the images of a bull, a trident, a linga, and an attendant. The other side features a cow with a suckling calf.{{sfn|Arthur L. Friedberg|Ira S. Friedberg|2017|p=481}}
Another gold coin features the legend "Shri Vopparaja", with the images of a bull, a trident, a linga, and an attendant. The other side features a cow with a suckling calf.{{sfn|Arthur L. Friedberg|Ira S. Friedberg|2017|p=481}}


== Monuments ==
== Monuments ==
* Shri Bappa Rawal Temple is dedicated to Bappa Rawal is in Mathatha, Rajasthan located close to the [[Eklingji]] temple, 24 kilometres north of [[Udaipur]].{{cn|date=January 2020}}
 
* Shri Bappa Rawal Temple is dedicated to Bappa Rawal is in Mathatha, Rajasthan located close to the [[Eklingji]] temple, 24 kilometres north of [[Udaipur]].{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}


== In popular culture ==
== In popular culture ==
The 1925 Indian silent ''Mewadpati Bappa Rawal'' portrayed Rawal's life on screen.<ref name="Mittal1975">{{cite book|author=Mahendra Mittal|title=Bhāratīya Calacitra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4P8vAAAAMAAJ|year=1975|publisher=Alankar Prakashan|page=208}}</ref>
The 1925 Indian silent ''Mewadpati Bappa Rawal'' portrayed Rawal's life on screen.<ref name="Mittal1975">{{cite book|author=Mahendra Mittal|title=Bhāratīya Calacitra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4P8vAAAAMAAJ|year=1975|publisher=Alankar Prakashan|page=208}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


=== Bibliography ===
=== Bibliography ===
 
{{refbegin}}
{{ref begin}}
* {{cite book |author1=Arthur L. Friedberg |author2=Ira S. Friedberg |title=Gold Coins of the World |edition=9th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VHZEDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA481 |year=2017 |publisher=Coin & Currency Institute |isbn=978-0-87184-009-7 }}
* {{cite book |author1=Arthur L. Friedberg |author2=Ira S. Friedberg |title=Gold Coins of the World |edition=9th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VHZEDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA481 |year=2017 |publisher=Coin & Currency Institute |isbn=978-0-87184-009-7 }}
* {{cite book |author=David Gordon White |author-link=David Gordon White |title=The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pQuqAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA119 |year=2012 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-14934-9 |page=119}}
* {{cite book |author=David Gordon White |author-link=David Gordon White |title=The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pQuqAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA119 |year=2012 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-14934-9 |page=119}}
* {{cite book |author=Khalid Yahya Blankinship |title=The End of the Jihad State: The Reign of Hisham Ibn 'Abd al-Malik and the Collapse of the Umayyads |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jz0Yy053WS4C&pg=PA188 |year=1994 |publisher=SUNY Press |isbn=978-0-7914-1827-7 |pages=188 }}
* {{cite book |author=Khalid Yahya Blankinship |title=The End of the Jihad State: The Reign of Hisham Ibn 'Abd al-Malik and the Collapse of the Umayyads |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jz0Yy053WS4C&pg=PA188 |year=1994 |publisher=SUNY Press |isbn=978-0-7914-1827-7 |page=188 }}
* {{cite book |author=N. P. Chakravarti |author-link=N. P. Chakravarti |chapter=Appendix: Rajaprasasti Inscription of Udaipur (Continued from Vol. XXIX, Part V) |editor1=N. Lakshminarayan Rao |editor2=D. C. Sircar |title=Epigraphia Indica |volume=XXX |year=1987 |orig-year=1958 |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3XBDAAAAYAAJ }}
* {{cite book |author=N. P. Chakravarti |author-link=N. P. Chakravarti |chapter=Appendix: Rajaprasasti Inscription of Udaipur (Continued from Vol. XXIX, Part V) |editor1=N. Lakshminarayan Rao |editor2=D. C. Sircar |title=Epigraphia Indica |volume=XXX |year=1987 |orig-date=1958 |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3XBDAAAAYAAJ }}
* {{cite book |author=Ram Vallabh Somani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NcIBAAAAMAAJ |title=History of Mewar, from Earliest Times to 1751 A.D. |publisher=Mateshwari |year=1976 |oclc=2929852 }}
* {{cite book |author=Ram Vallabh Somani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NcIBAAAAMAAJ |title=History of Mewar, from Earliest Times to 1751 A.D. |publisher=Mateshwari |year=1976 |oclc=2929852 }}
* {{cite book |author=R. C. Majumdar |title=Ancient India |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1977 |isbn=9788120804364 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNxiN5tzKOgC&pg=PA327 }}
* {{cite book |author=R. C. Majumdar |title=Ancient India |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1977 |isbn=978-81-208-0436-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNxiN5tzKOgC&pg=PA327 }}
* {{cite book |author=Shyam Manohar Mishra |title=Yaśovarman of Kanauj |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kZWgj-YMdVEC&pg=PA48 |year=1977 |publisher=Abhinav |oclc=557679616 }}
* {{cite book |author=Shyam Manohar Mishra |title=Yaśovarman of Kanauj |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kZWgj-YMdVEC&pg=PA48 |year=1977 |publisher=Abhinav |oclc=557679616 }}
* {{cite book |author=Hermann Goetz |author-link=Hermann Goetz (art historian) |title=Studies in the History and Art of Kashmir and the Indian Himalaya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rvULAAAAIAAJ |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz |location=Wiesbaden |year=1969 |oclc=586049160 }}
* {{cite book |author=S.B. Bhattacherje | title=Encyclopaedia of Indian events and dates |year=1922 |location=New Delhi |publisher=Sterling Publishers}}
{{ref end}}
 
==Further reading==
* {{cite book |first1=Omendra |last1=Ratnu |isbn= 9789355211644 |title=Maharanas: A Thousand Year War for Dharma}}
 
{{refend}}


{{Udaipur}}
{{Udaipur}}


[[Category:Mewar dynasty]]
[[Category:Monarchs of Mewar]]
[[Category:Guhila dynasty]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]
[[Category:Year of death uncertain]]
[[Category:Year of death uncertain]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]

Latest revision as of 00:42, 22 December 2025


Bappa Rawal
Statue of Bappa Rawal at Mewar
Ruler of Mewar
Reign728 CE–764 CE[2]
PredecessorChitrangada Mori
SuccessorKhumana I
DynastyGuhila dynasty
ReligionShaivite Hinduism

Bappa Rawal, also known as Kālabhoja, was the ruler of the Guhila Rajput dynasty in the Kingdom of Mewar. While the early Guhila chiefs are mentioned in inscriptions, Bappa Rawal is identified as the first major ruler of Mewar region in the later chronicles and bardic traditions. He is credited in the chronicles with repelling Arab invasion in north-western India.

Literary accounts[edit | edit source]

According to the 15th century text Ekalinga Mahatmya (also called Ekalinga Purana), Bappa was the ninth descendant of the Guhila dynasty's founder Guhadatta. The text credits him with establishing the Mewar Kingdom in 728 CE, and with building the Eklingji temple.[3]

Bappa Rawal stands before Harit Rishi, detail of a genealogical scroll of the rulers of Mewar, Udaipur, ca.1730–40[4]

The Ekalinga Mahatmya and other bardic chronicles state that Bappa's father Nagaditya and all other male members of his family were killed in a battle with the Bhils of Idar.[3][5] He remained in disguise, accompanied by his two loyal Bhil attendants. He was brought up by a Brahmin lady of Nagda, who employed him as a caretaker of cows. One day, he met the sage Harit Rashi.[5] The sage agreed to initiate him into a Shaivite order, it is also said that Kaalbhoj went into extraordinary spirituality. After completing his Tapasya, as directed by Harit Rashi, he defeated his father's killers, and established the Mewar Kingdom.[3]

According to legends the rishi also encouraged Bappa to build renowned Eklingji Temple at Nagda, which has been family deity of rulers of Mewar ever since.[6]

Indologist David Gordon White notes that there is a similar legend involving the sage Gorakhnath and the Gorkha king Prithvi Narayan Shah. The 11th century writer Al-Biruni has also recorded a similar legend involving the alchemist Vyadi and the king Vikramaditya.[7]

Historicity[edit | edit source]

Period[edit | edit source]

The exact period of Bappa Rawal is not certain. According to the Ekalinga Mahatmya, Bappa Rawal established the Mewar Kingdom in 728 CE,[3] and abdicated the throne in 753 CE/764 CE.[8] D. R. Bhandarkar and G. H. Ojha believed this to be an authentic date.[9]

Identification[edit | edit source]

The word "Bappa" means "father", and Rawal is a royal title. Therefore, scholars such as C. V. Vaidya, D. R. Bhandarkar, G. H. Ojha, and Kaviraj Shyamaldas believe that "Bappa Rawal" is not a proper noun.[5]

Bappa Rawal is mentioned in some inscriptions that provide genealogical lists of the Guhila dynasty, but other inscriptions containing such lists do not mention him. For example, he is mentioned in the 959 CE Unawas inscription and the 971 CE Ekling inscription. However, the 977 CE Atpur inscription and the 1083 CE Kadmal inscription do not mention him. Therefore, the historians have assumed that "Bappa Rawal" is an epithet for one of the Guhila rulers, and different scholars have tried to identify him with different Guhila kings.[10]

According to the Atpur and Kadmal inscriptions, the Guhila ruler Mahendra was succeeded by Kalabhoja. Several historians, such as G. H. Ojha, have identified Bappa Rawal as Kalabhoja, because the 977 CE Atpur inscription mentions Khumana as a son of Kalabhoja, and the 1404 CE Uparaganva (Dungarpur) inscription of Maharawal Pata names Khumana as the son of Bappa Rawal. R. V. Somani endorses this identification, but cautions that the evidence is not conclusive: Bappa Rawal may have been a different ruler who belonged to another branch of the Guhilas.[11]

The Atpur inscription names Śila as the successor of Nāga, and predecessor of Aparājita. The 1460 CE Kumbhalgarh inscription names Bappa as the successor of Nāga, and predecessor of Aparājita.[12] This suggests that Bappa Rawal was another name for Shiladitya (Śila), the great-grandfather of Kalabhoja. Based on this evidence, Dasharatha Sharma and D. C. Sircar have identified Bappa Rawal with Shiladitya.[10] However, R. V. Somani disputes this identification, arguing that this inscription contains several errors, including naming Bappa Rawal as the father of Guhadatta (who was the dynasty's founder according to some other inscriptions).[13]

Some other historians, such as D. R. Bhandarkar, identified Bappa Rawal with Kalabhoja's son Khumana, based on the calculation of average reign of the Guhila rulers.[10]

Military career[edit | edit source]

Siege of Chittor[edit | edit source]

According to some ancient records, Bappa Rawal captured famous Chitrakuta (Chittor Fort) from the mlechchhas.[14] Scholars such as R. C. Majumdar and R. V. Somani write on the basis of available records that the Arab invaders defeated the former rulers of Chittor, and Bappa Rawal gained control of Chittor after repulsing the Arab invaders. According to Majumdar, the Moris (Mauryas) were ruling at Chittor when the Arabs (mlechchhas) invaded north-western India around 725 CE.[14] The Arabs defeated the Moris, and in turn, were defeated by a confederacy that included Bappa Rawal.[15][16] Majumdar believes that his heroics against the Arabs raised Bappa Rawal's status to such an extent that he wrongly came to be regarded as the founder of the dynasty.[14] R. V. Somani writes in his book that Bappa was a part of the anti-Arab confederacy formed by the Gurjara-Pratihara ruler Nagabhata I.[15]

Shyam Manohar Mishra of Lucknow University theorized that Bappa Rawal was originally a vassal of the Mori ruler Manuraja (Maan Maurya). He probably led the Mori campaign against the Arabs, which made him more famous than his overlord. Later, he either deposed Manuraja (Maan Maurya), or became the king after Manuraja died childless.[17]

After successful campaigns against Arabs, several conflicts occur in India most famously between Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas, Rashtrakuta king Dantidurga occupied Ujjain and performed Hiranyagarbha ceremony there, however in short time, Rashtrakutas left and Nagabhata regained his power. Historian R.V. Somani theorizes that in these conflicts, Bappa Rawal also faced Dantidurga's armies by helping Pratiharas in their struggle, and thus succeeded in capturing the eastern parts of Mewar region; he also contested with Karanatakas and the Cholas as described in the inscription of Chittor.[15]

Gold coins[edit | edit source]

Multiple gold coins, bearing the Nagari legend "Shri Voppa" or "Shri Vopparaja" have been attributed to Bappa Rawal. However, the identification of Voppa or Vopparaja with Bappa Rawal is disputed. These coins have been alternatively attributed to the king Vappuka of Surasena dynasty, who is mentioned in a 955 CE (1012 VS) inscription from Bayana.[18]

One gold coin bears the legend "Shri Voppa", and features Shavite icons: a trishula (trident), a linga, and a bull. Below these is the image of a man in prostrate position. The man has features with large pierced ears, and the holes are exaggerated. According to Indoligst David Gordon White, this may be a representation of Bappa's initiation into a Shaivite sect, as ear piercing has been associated with the Nath Siddhas (a Shaivite sect), who were custodians of the Eklingji shrine before the 16th century.[19] White, however, believes that Bappa is more likely to have been initiated into the Pashupata sect. Pashupata names commonly ended in Rashi (IAST: Rāśi), and thus, Harit Rishi was likely a Pashupata sage. Moreover, "Rawal" (from Sanskrit rāja-kula, "royal lineage") was the name of a clan among the Pashupatas in the 8th century: in the 13th century, this clan was absorbed into the Nath sect.[20]

One gold coin features a haloed Rama holding bow and arrow, with a bull to his left, and an elephant to his right. The other side of the coin features an enthroned ruler with attendants on his sides, with the legend "Shri Voppa" below.[21]

Another gold coin features the legend "Shri Vopparaja", with the images of a bull, a trident, a linga, and an attendant. The other side features a cow with a suckling calf.[21]

Monuments[edit | edit source]

  • Shri Bappa Rawal Temple is dedicated to Bappa Rawal is in Mathatha, Rajasthan located close to the Eklingji temple, 24 kilometres north of Udaipur.[citation needed]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

The 1925 Indian silent Mewadpati Bappa Rawal portrayed Rawal's life on screen.[22]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani. "History of Mewar: From earliest times to 1751 A.D." Jaipur: C. L. Ranka. p. 40.
  2. ↑ Tod, James; Crooke, William (1 January 2010). Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (3 Vols): Or the Central and Western Rajput State of India. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 281. ISBN 978-81-208-0380-0."Bappa on the throne of Chitor S. 784 ( A.D. 728 ) , we will proceed to glean from the annals , from the period of his departure for Iran , S. 820 ( A.D. 764 )"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 David Gordon White 2012, p. 120.
  4. ↑ Bose, Melia Belli (25 August 2015). Royal Umbrellas of Stone: Memory, Politics, and Public Identity in Rajput Funerary Art. BRILL. p. 254. ISBN 9789004300569.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 41.
  6. ↑ Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. New Delhi: Rupa Publication. p. 158. ISBN 81-291-0890-9.
  7. ↑ David Gordon White 2012, p. 311.
  8. ↑ Tod, James; Crooke, William (1 January 2010). Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (3 Vols): Or the Central and Western Rajput State of India. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 281. ISBN 978-81-208-0380-0."Bappa on the throne of Chitor S. 784 ( A.D. 728 ) , we will proceed to glean from the annals , from the period of his departure for Iran , S. 820 ( A.D. 764 )"
  9. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 43.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 42.
  11. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 40-42.
  12. ↑ N. P. Chakravarti 1987, p. 119.
  13. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 39.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 R. C. Majumdar 1977, p. 298-299.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Ram Vallabh Somani 1976, p. 45.
  16. ↑ Khalid Yahya Blankinship 1994, p. 188.
  17. ↑ Shyam Manohar Mishra 1977, p. 48.
  18. ↑ The Journal of the Numismatic Society of India. Vol. 22–23. Numismatic Society of India. 1960. p. 279. But this attribution presents some difficulties because Mewar, in those days, had altogether a different currency and the Guhila rulers of Mewar never adopted the device of cow suckling a calf on the reverse of their coins. Still more, they never issued gold coins because Mewar was not a very big empire during that period. Therefore, it is not plausible to identify Voppa or Vopparaja of these gold coins with Bappa Rawal of Mewar or any other ruler of the neighbouring region.
  19. ↑ David Gordon White 2012, pp. 120-121.
  20. ↑ David Gordon White 2012, p. 121.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Arthur L. Friedberg & Ira S. Friedberg 2017, p. 481.
  22. ↑ Mahendra Mittal (1975). Bhāratīya Calacitra. Alankar Prakashan. p. 208.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

Further reading[edit | edit source]

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