Guhilas of Medapata

The Guhilas of Medapata, also known as the Guhilas of Mewar, were an Indian Rajput dyansty who ruled the Medapata (Mewar) region in present-day Rajasthan. The early kings of the dynasty ruled as Gurjara-Pratihara vassals between 8th and 10th centuries. Their capitals included Nagahrada (Nagda) and Aghata (Ahar). For this reason, they are also known as the Nagda-Ahar branch of the Guhilas.

After the decline of the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Guhilas ruled as sovereigns. In the 13th century, the dynasty divided into two branches: one branch ruled from Chitrakuta (modern Chittorgarh) with the title Rawal, while another branch ruled from Sesoda with the title Rana.

The history of the Guhilas has been obscured by bardic legends. The 977 CE Atpur inscription of Shaktikumara lists 20 Guhila kings in an unbroken line of succession, starting with Guhadatta and ending with Shaktikumara. According to several inscriptions and literary sources, Guhadatta migrated to present-day Rajasthan from Anandpur (present-day Vadnagar in Gujarat).

The Atpur inscription does not mention Bappa Rawal, whom the bardic legends and other post-13th century records name as the dynasty's founder. Historians identify Bappa Rawal with either Kalabhoja or Khummana mentioned in the Atpur inscription. R. C. Majumdar theorizes that he achieved a highly significant military success, because of which he gained reputation as the founder of the dynasty. The 1460 CE Kumbhalgarh inscription identifies Bappa Rawal as Shiladitya, and mentions Guhadatta as his son. This appears to be erroneous.

According to 1274 CE Chittor inscription and 1285 CE Achaleshwar (Abu) inscription of Vedasharma, Bappa Rawal "changed his priestly splendour for regal lustre". Based on this, scholars such as D. R. Bhandarkar theorized that the Guhilas were originally Brahmins. G. H. Ojha, however, believed that the statement in Vedasharma's inscription is a misinterpretation of the earlier Atpur inscription. The Atpur inscription describes Guhadatta as a "Mahideva", which can be translated as either "king" or "Brahmin".

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