Vaghela

The Vaghelas were an Indian dynasty of Gujarat. The Vaghelas were based in the town of Dholka, and were feudatories of the Solanki dynasty, who ruled Gujarat from the 10th to the 13th centuries. The Solanki went into decline in the thirteenth century, and by 1243 the Vaghelas were firmly in control of Gujarat. They restored stability to Gujarat for the latter half of the 13th century, and the Vaghela kings and officials were dedicated patrons of the arts and temple-building.

Virdhaval was the first Vaghela king, and two of his Jain minister brothers, Vastupal and Tejpal, built the exquisite Dilwara Temples on Mount Abu in Rajasthan, and temples at the Girnar and Shetrunjay hills. His successor Vishaldev built temples at Dabhoi and founded Vishalnagar. Karandev was the last Vaghela king, who died in the 1304 conquest of Gujarat by Ala-ud-din Khilji, Sultan of Delhi.

List of Vaghela kings

* Virdhaval (Visala) (c. 1243 - c. 1262)
* Arjuna (Vishaldev) (c. 1262 - c. 1275)
* Sarangadev (c. 1275 - c. 1297)
* Karandev (II) (c. 1297-1304)

Vaghela is a Kshatriya name. (Hindi: क्षत्रिय, kṣatriya from Sanskrit: क्षत्र, kṣatra) It is one of the four varnas (Social Orders) in Hinduism. It constitutes the military and noble order of the traditional Vedic-Hindu social system as outlined by the Vedas and the Laws of Manu. Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira all belonged to this social order.

Initially in ancient Vedic society, this positions was achieved on the merits of a person's aptitude (guna), conduct (karma), and nature (swabhava). Over the years it became hereditary.

External links

* [http://www.hostkingdom.net/india.html#Gujarat List of rulers of Gujarat]