Evidence of Gurjar Pratihar dynasty’s rule found in north Gujarat

Speaking to Newsline,Y S Rawat,the director of the state Archaeology department,said,“Earlier,there was a reference about the rule of Gurjar Pratihar in some scriptures. However,this could not be proved. The recently found seal has a Nandi bull and the writing in Brahmi script reading ‘Sri Naag Bhatt Putra’.”

Rawat said this proved that while Maitraks are believed to have ruled over north Gujarat,there was also a Gurjar Pratihar who came from Bhinmaal,Rajasthan. Vadnagar lies almost in the areas bordering Rajasthan and the seal proves that Gurjar Pratihar had its own domains in a few areas of northern Gujarat where they had put seals and coins in circulation,he said.

During the early medieval period — from seventh to ninth centuries — the area of western India now known as Rajasthan was transformed from a politically and artistically minor region to one of relative importance. Rajasthan

was homeland of Gurjar Pratihars,one of the most powerful dynasties in northern India. Many important temples were built during their brief tenure there,said Rawat.

During the excavations in Vadnagar,the department has also found a torpedo jar of Mesopotamia. Rawat said,“The presence of torpedo jar made of terracotta and copper plates show the trade links were developed during fifth to eighth century… However,this is not for the first time that we have excavated torpedo jar and copper plates. We have also found them in the coastal areas during our excavations.”

He said some Roman Catholic coins were also excavated from Vadnagar.