Source: – @Vyasonmukh / Twitter.
Just finished reading a Historical Novel.
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 3, 2019
• Language – Gujarati
• Name – पराधीन गुजरात
• Author – धूमकेतु
• Topic – Establishment of चावडा (चापोत्कट) dynasty in North Gujarat
• Period – Around 750 CE
Will try to cover interesting points in this thread.
(1/n) pic.twitter.com/Ra1zPHskAC
2/n
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 3, 2019
धूमकेतु is a famous name in Gujarati literature and especially in historical novels.
This novel is a part of a series called चौलुक्य ग्रंथावली in which धूमकेतु has written 16 books. This novel is 1st among them in chronological order.
Image below covers his short intro. pic.twitter.com/S59A5Qcm39
3/n
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 3, 2019
Main source material of this novel is historical accounts of मेरुतुंग (13th c. CE) – प्रबंधचिंतामणि and विचारश्रेणी.
It is to be noted that the author धूमकेतु himself was also a researcher and an avid follower of Indology. It is evident from his writing too. pic.twitter.com/HZRMG5XvNn
4/n
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 4, 2019
First understand Gujarat of 750 CE.
Gujarat was divided among 3 zones
1) West – सुराष्ट्र, कच्छ
2) North – आनर्त
3) Middle to South – लाट
These 3 zones were not under a single ruler at a time. So, collision among them was evident.
5/n
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 4, 2019
Waning Maitrakas were still in charge of West while that of लाट was under राष्ट्रकूट of मान्यखेट (Deccan).
प्रतिहार under नागभट, along with बाप्पा रावल of मेवाड were busy defeating Arabs on Gujarat border. They had few hold on Northern part of Gujarat.
6/n
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 4, 2019
In this scenario, the center point of this novel, चावडा rulers r ruling from पंचासर, a small place in North Gujarat under king जयशेखर.
राष्ट्रकूट defeats and kills him. Chavda queen takes shelter in forest.
With this background, story of this novel starts.
7/n
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 4, 2019
Before we begin, significance of title पराधीन गुजरात (Dependent/Occupied Gujarat) –
1) Powerful local मैत्रक dynasty on verge of end
2) Major portion of Gujarat was under foreign control (राष्ट्रकूट & अरब)
3) चावडा was a dynasty who re-established local rule in Gujarat.
8/n
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 4, 2019
Coming to d main plot of this novel
Plot in brief –
वनराज (Son of king जयशिखर), with help from locals and few brave royals, applies कूटनीति and defeats राष्ट्रकूट army. He also establishes a new capital पाटण
पाटण then remains a royal seat for Gujarat emperors till 1411 CE
9/n
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 4, 2019
वनराज gets raised in the forest by Chavda queen under surveillance of other royal supporters so named वनराज (King of forest).
Due to his affinity to forest of Northern Gujarat, he gets support of भील warriors in re-establishing Chavda rule.
10/n
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 4, 2019
In his battle, he gets support from all classes of people.
As a part of कूटनीति, he becomes an officer in the राष्ट्रकूट army whose main work is – Collection of money and high quality horses.
Gradually he gains confidence of राष्ट्रकूट and becomes powerful.
11/n
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 4, 2019
Meanwhile, other royal supporters of वनराज builds a sizable army with the help of supporting merchants and kshatriyas.
He also gets support of Brahmanas and Purohitas in many ways.
12/n
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 4, 2019
Finally, on a right moment, as per the plan, वनराज attacks on राष्ट्रकूट army and defeats them.
In this battle, he let the राष्ट्रकूट queen run off the battlefield and shows his स्त्रीदाक्षिण्य by not killing her.
13/n
— हिरेन कौटिल्य (@Vyasonmukh) November 4, 2019
During this entire episode, one person stands out in eyes of वनराज by his immense Kshatriya qualities. He is अणहिल.
So, new capital city of Chavda dynasty, at bank of Saraswati river, gets its name अणहिलपाटक (Modern पाटण).
Location of पाटण is given in map below. pic.twitter.com/UGEqFDlCd9
