Ra Graharipu

Graharipu (also known as Grahasipu or Grahario I) was a 10th-century ruler of the Chudasama dynasty who ruled parts of the Saurashtra region of present-day Gujarat, India, from his capital at Vamanasthali (modern Vanthali). He was a contemporary of Mularaja, the first Chaulukya ruler of Anahilapataka (modern Patan). Graharipu is also associated with the construction or restoration of Durgapalli (modern Uparkot) at Junagadh.

The Chudasama began to rule in southern and western Saurashtra from the second half of the 10th century A.D. Their capital was Vamanshtali (modern Vanthali), nine miles west of Junagadh. They became very powerful during the reign of Graharipu, defeating the Saindhavas and the Chaulukyas.

The growing power of the Chudasama dynasty and the acts of harassing the pilgrims of Somnath Temple resulted in Graharipu's conflict with Mularaja. After a major and decisive battle, Mularaja is said to have defeated Graharipu. The ruler from Kutch, Laksha, had fought alongside Graharipu in the battle and was killed. After this battle, the domain was repeatedly attacked by subsequent Chaulukya rulers.

Battle with Mularaja According to Hemachandra, who was patronized by the Chaulukyas, the Chaulukya king Mularaja defeated Graharipu. No other Chaulukya-era accounts mention this victory. Jehula portrayed Graharipu as a tyrant who tortured pilgrims and indulged in vices such as eating flesh, drinking wine, and hunting deer in sacred places. Jambaka described Graharipu as a very strong king and declared that only Mularaja was capable of defeating him. Both the ministers urged Mularaja to attack Graharipu.

Mularaja launched a campaign against Graharipu on the day of Vijayadashami. Graharipu attempted a peaceful resolution through a messenger, assuring Mularaja that he bore no enmity towards him. However, Mularaja turned the messenger away and continued his march. Graharipu then began preparations for war. His allies included Medas, Laksha, and a king named Sindhuraja. After the war began, he was joined by a mleccha chief, whom Hemachandra's commentator Abhayatilaka Gani identified as a Turushka.

Mularaja was supported by the Gangamaha of Gangadvara, his younger brother Mahirata, Revatimitra, and Shailaprastha. The Paramara king of Abu and Srimala also joined him. His allies included the Bhillas and the Kauravas. After the battle began, additional supporters, including the king of Saptakashi and a number of Gujarati soldiers, joined him.

The battle took place on the river Jambumali, identified as the Bhogavo River in Saurashtra. The fighting continued inconclusively for two days. On the third day, Mularaja entered the battlefield on an elephant, and Graharipu mounted his own elephant in anger. Mularaja overpowered Graharipu in single combat, threw him down from his elephant, and had him bound with ropes.