Personal Profile
Bappa Rawal, popularly known as Kalbhoj, was one of the most powerful and famous ruler of Mewar. It is said that he was the 80th in descent from Lord Rama.
His Childhood
At the age of three, Bappa Rawal’s father Rawal Mahendra II was killed. The ruler of Nagda tried to kill the young successor “Bappa Rawal” for the Guhilot throne but two of his close Bhil friends saved him and for his security he was transferred to wild and precipitous countryside around Nagda. When Bappa came of age, his mother offered her young son into the affectionate care of a kul Purohitan, the wife of a local Brahmin priest and committed herself sati.
In childhood he became the pupil of Harit Rashi who bestowed him with special blessing and taught him his royal ancestry
Bappa’s Journey for Mewar Kingdom
Bappa Rawal decided to claim the entire Mewar Kingdom, including Guhilog ancestors annexed by Paramaras. When he was of 18 years old, he performed a fight that awed Maan More and Paramara nobles. The Paramara king appointed Bappa Rawal as the commander-in-chief in his army where he defeated Arabs and drove them out of country.
During this journey he was entitled with Raj Guru, Hindua Suraj and Chakravarti.
His Wars against Muslims
Bappa Rawal fought a series of wars against Arabs and Muslims. In 39th century when Muslims started attacking India, he united the smaller states of Ajmer and Jaisalmer to face off Muslim invasions across the western and northern borders of Rajputana. He defeated Bin Qasim through Saurashtra when Qasim attacked Chittor.
His Achievements
Bappa Rawal proved himself as a supporter of India’s culture. His name Bappa meaning father and Rawal being the traditional Rajput title for a king brought him more close to his subjects. He won the loyalty of Paramara nobles and gained their support. He built a temple where he first met his guru, Harit Rashi.
A town was also developed under Bappa Rawal called Eklingji (later renamed Kailashpuri). After having ruled his kingdom for a long time, later he abdicated the throne in favor of his son and he turned into Shiva upasaka and became a Yati.
