Graharipu

Graharipu
Param Shaiva / Girnaradhipati
Reignc.941 – c.996 CE
PredecessorVishvāvaraha (Chudasama dynasty)
SuccessorKavat (Chudasama dynasty)
DynastyChudasama

Graharipu was a 10th-century Chudasama ruler of the Saurashtra region of western India, with its capital located at Vamanasthali (now Vanthali). He was a contemporary of Mularaja, the first Chaulukya ruler of Anahilapataka (now Patan). Graharipu built or repaired Durgapalli, the ancient fort in Junagadh identified as Uparkot.

Hemachandra in the Dvyashraya-Kavya, describes Prince Graharipu as ruling at Vanthali near Junagadh. in his capital

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 who defeated 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 defeated Graharipu. The ruler from Kutch, Laksha had fought alongside Graharipu in the battle and was killed. After this battle, the Chudasama domain was repeatedly attacked by subsequent Chaulukya rulers.