Gujarat and Rajasthan Kingdoms of Medieval India

After the disintegration of Delhi sultanate, number of regional kingdoms emerged in western India. The Gujarat, Malwa and Mewar were the prominent kingdoms emerged. Gujarat was famous for its excellent handicrafts and its flourishing sea ports. Malwa and Rajasthan were transit centres linking Ganga valley to sea ports of Gujarat. During the 15^th century AD, Malwa and Gujarat balanced each other.

Also Read : Eastern Indian Kingdoms of Medieval India – Assam and Odisha

Climax of Vijayanagara Empire and Regional Kingdom of Bengal

Bahmani Kingdom – Its Growth and Age of Mahmud Gawan

Kingdom of Gujarat

Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq appointed Sadharan as the governor of Gujarat, later he was succeeded by Zafar Khan. After the invasion of Timur, both Malwa and Gujarat became independent. It was Ahmad Shah (c. 1411 – c. 1442), who founded the independent kingdom of Gujarat in real sense. He brought nobility under control, settled administration and expanded and consolidated the kingdom.

He also shifted capital to Ahmedabad from Patan in c. 1413 AD. He was a great builder, built bazars, mosques, madrasas and palaces. He also built Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad and Tin Darwaza. He captured Girnar and also imposed Jizyah on Hindus. He was a great enemy of infields and that’s why often called bigot. Manik Chand and Moti Chand were his important nobles but he also ordered to destroy Hindu temples.

Gujarat and Malwa were bitter rivals. Muzaffar Shah had defeated and imprisoned Hushang Shah who succeeded Dilawar Khan as the ruler of Malwa.

Mahmud Begarha

The successors of Ahmad Shah continued the policy of expansion and consolidation of Ahmad Shah. Mahmud Begarha was the most famous ruler of Gujarat, ruled over 50 years (c. 1459 – c. 1511 AD). He captured two powerful forts (Garhs) of Girnar and Champaner in south Gujarat, that’s why he came to known as Begarha. He sacked the port city Dwarka largely because it harbored pirates.

He also had to deal with Portuguese. During his reign many important developments happened like trade and commerce prospered. He constructed number of caravans and sarais and inns for travelers. Many literary works were translated from Arabic into Persian. Udayaraja, composer of Sanskrit was the court poet of Begarha. He adopted the policy of matrimonial alliance.

Gujarat was remained a powerful, well-administered and prospered state but it was the ruling time of Bahadur Shah that led to clash with Mughals and it was proved its undoing.

Malwa and Mewar

Malwa was situated in the high plateau between River Narmada and Tapti and commanded the trunk route between Rajasthan and North India. During the 15th century, kingdom remained at height of its power and the capital was shifted from Dhar to Mandu where large building constructed. For example, Jama Masjid, Hindola Mahal, Jahaz Mahal. One of the early rulers of Malwa, Hushang Shah adopted the broad policy of religious tolerance.

Rajputs were encouraged to settled in Malwa. He also patronized Jaina. Mahmud Khalji (c. 1436 – c. 1469) was considered as most pewful ruler of Malwa. He destroyed number of temples during the struggle with Kumbha of Mewar. He fought almost all of its neighbours.

Rao Chunda of Marwar occupied Sambhar, Nagaur and Ajmer and made Marwar the most powerful state of Rajasthan, however, it received setback when power gained by Mewar. Rana Kumbha (c. 1433-68 AD), was the ruler who raised the prestige of Mewar by annexing the Sambhar, Nagaur, Ajmer, Ranthambore, Bundi, Kota etc. He patronized number of learned peoples and was himself a learned man. He built Chittor Tower (victory tower).

He dugged several lakes and reservoirs for the irrigation purposes. Rana Uda killed him to succeeded the throne but ousted by grandson of Rana Kumbha, Rana Sanga. He captured eastern Malwa and came in conflict with Ibrahim Lodhi.

Thus, the regional kingdoms of Gujarat and Rajasthan were powerful kingdoms and played significant role on the politics of Mughals as well.