Origin of the Pratihara Dynasty

Summary

This short note responds to criticisms of an earlier article on the origin of the Pratihara dynasty. The earlier paper argued that the expression Gurjaresvara (lord of the Gurjaras) in the early Pratihara inscriptions referred not to the dynasty itself but to their overlord. Some critics, notably in the Indian Antiquary, asserted that the term meant the Pratihara king Vatsaraja. In reply, the author points out that the Baroda copper-plate grant of Mihira Bhoja contains verses in which the Pratihara prince Nagabhata is described as a servant (sevaka) of the lord of the Gurjarasfile:///home/oai/share/Origin_of_the_Pratihara_Dynasty.pdf. This clearly distinguishes the Pratihara ruler from the Gurjara overlord. The grant states that the Gurjaras’ lord protected Nagabhata like a father, implying a hierarchical relationship. The author argues that if Gurjaresvara meant Vatsaraja or any Pratihara king, the description would be redundant. Furthermore, the note cites other records where the Gurjaras are mentioned separately from the Pratiharas, supporting the view that Gurjara referred to a distinct people or region. The author also addresses the suggestion that Gurjaresvara might denote a deity, explaining that in the context of the verse it clearly refers to a human ruler. The note concludes that the critics have misunderstood the epigraphic evidence and that the earlier conclusion remains valid.