Chudasamaચુડાસમા

The account

The Chudasamas are descendants of the Samma-Yadavas of Nagar-Samai in Sindh. They came over probably in the ninth century and acquired the principality of Vanthali from Valaram Chavada; one branch of the Samma Rajputs of Sindh went to Vamansthali about the end of the ninth century, and the Chudasama rulers of Junagadh belonged to that line.

The sovereignty of Sorath remained with the descendants of the Chudasama dynasty for twenty generations — from about the middle of the eighth century to 1472 — their seat beneath the sacred Girnar at Junagadh, with its Uparkot citadel.

After two incursions on Junagadh by Muhammad Tughluk in the middle of the fourteenth century came the expedition of Mohmed Begda, Sultan of Gujarat, who captured Junagadh in 1473, forced the Chudasama ruler to embrace Islam, and settled the conquered territory of Sorath.

Bhupatsinh, the prince of Ra’ Mandlik, was given the jagir of Sil and Bagsara Chovisi and entrusted with collecting the revenue of Sorath. His descendants are known as the Raijadas, as distinct from the other Chudasama Rajputs; their nominal rule lasted till about 1609, and they long enjoyed extensive jagirs in Chorwad and Keshod.