There is a obscure kingdom on the extreme end of Saurashtra by name Saindhavas about him almost nothing is known. Why do they matter? They crushed the Arab Navy, not once, but twice - a defeat that devastating that the Caliph, ordered no more naval raids of India.
Nothing is known about them except two or three stray references and six copper plate grants found in 1936, noted for their excellent poetry(a sample with their fish insignia). They ruled for some 200 years and disappeared into history. 
The collapse of Maitrakas led to the rise of many kingdoms – Saindhavas being one of them. They claimed descent from Jayadratha of Mahabharata and ruled from Bhutambilika, current Ghumli near Porbandar inside a gorge in Barda Hills. Due to this, they are conjectured to be one of
the many groups which retreated after Sindh fell to Arab Caliphate. Inferring from the plates, Altekar(first one) and Harilal Mankad gave different dynastic successions, though Mankand's list is more plausible - Altekar conjectures three parallel lines ruling from the same city.
The earliest named person in the dynasty was Maharaja Ahivarman and his son Maharaja-Mahasenadhipati Pushyena, sometimes identified with Pushyadeva, the first historically known Saindhava ruler. All the rulers held the title Mahasamanta, indicating their origins as vassals.
They called themselves Apara-Saurashtra-Mandala-Mandana and Jayadratha-Vamsa-Shekhara. It is possible Jethva Rajputs descended through them – from the word Jayadratha – the primary representatives of the Jethva Rajput line, Porbandar actually had Bhutambilika as old capital.
While some consider the coexistence of the Hanuman banner of Jethvas and fish of Saindhavas as a slow transition, the truth may be much simpler - ejected out of Morvi 150 years after Saindhavas, the Jethvas found a crumbling but famous city and made it their capital city.
Avanijanasraya Pulakesi's 739 inscription(issued after Navasiri defeat of Junaid) mentions that Saindhavas were among those defeated in the Arab campaign. Next mention is in Bhoja’s Gwalior Prasasti which states Nagabhatta defeated the Saindhavas.
None of the Saindhava grants mention Pratiharas as their suzerain unlike other Pratihara vassals in the area hinting they were defeated but not subjugated. As like everyone else in the area, they used the Gadhaiya paisa, a coin based on the Hunnic imitation of Sassanian coins.
Pushyadeva(728-748)
Krishnaraja I(748-768)
Saindhavas faced their first Arab invasion (from Sindh) in his reign, somewhere before 739. Rashtrakuta Dantidurga either defeated Pushyadeva or his successor Krishnaraja.
Krishnaraja I(748-768)
Saindhavas faced their first Arab invasion (from Sindh) in his reign, somewhere before 739. Rashtrakuta Dantidurga either defeated Pushyadeva or his successor Krishnaraja.
Agguka I(768-788)
He is the only one of note in the dynasty. When Hisham became the Governor of Sindh, he sent Amru bin Jamal with a fleet of barks against the coast of Barada. He was defeated. Twenty years later, Arabs sent another expedition.
He is the only one of note in the dynasty. When Hisham became the Governor of Sindh, he sent Amru bin Jamal with a fleet of barks against the coast of Barada. He was defeated. Twenty years later, Arabs sent another expedition.
Muslim sources claim Arabs captured a town but had to withdraw due to an epidemic, while a Saindhava inscription claimed that Agguka “showed the greatness of Varaha when he easily rescued his country which was being drowned in an ocean of naval force sent by powerful enemies”.
Clearly, epidemic is not the only cause. This debacle means Caliph Mahdi forbade Muslims from attacking India. Agguka assumed the title Apara-Samudradhipati. It is disconcerting to note, the destruction of Arab fleets is shown not as an achievement, but as a passing reference.
In fact, Muhammad bin Qasim is said to have made peace with “seafarers and pirates(Meds), with whom men of Basra were then at war”, clearly establishing the maritime tradition of Saurashtra and a trouble for the Arab navy from the start of Islamic Era.
Ranaka I(788-808)
Possibly, he is the Saindhava who was defeated by Pratihara Nagabhatta. He had two sons by two wives – Krishnaraja and Jaika.
Krishnaraja II(808-831)
From the time of Krishnaraja, Saindhavas were involved in a long drawn struggle with Chapas of Vardhamana.
Possibly, he is the Saindhava who was defeated by Pratihara Nagabhatta. He had two sons by two wives – Krishnaraja and Jaika.
Krishnaraja II(808-831)
From the time of Krishnaraja, Saindhavas were involved in a long drawn struggle with Chapas of Vardhamana.
Agguka II(831-831)
Jaika I(831-848)
Krishnaraja was succeeded by his infant son Agguka and Jaika acted as regent. During regency, Jaika assumed royal titles. Going by the fact that his later inscriptions don’t mention Krishnaraja or Agguka, it is possible he dethroned his nephew.
Jaika I(831-848)
Krishnaraja was succeeded by his infant son Agguka and Jaika acted as regent. During regency, Jaika assumed royal titles. Going by the fact that his later inscriptions don’t mention Krishnaraja or Agguka, it is possible he dethroned his nephew.
Chamundaraja(848-858)
Agguka III(858-878)
Ranaka II(878-883)
Agguka IV(883-898)
Jaika II(898-918)
He was succeeded by his son Chamundaraja, who, most probably was dethroned by his brother Agguka. Both Jaika I and Agguka III claimed victory over the Chapas. Agguka abdicated in
Agguka III(858-878)
Ranaka II(878-883)
Agguka IV(883-898)
Jaika II(898-918)
He was succeeded by his son Chamundaraja, who, most probably was dethroned by his brother Agguka. Both Jaika I and Agguka III claimed victory over the Chapas. Agguka abdicated in
favour of his son Ranaka. Ranaka was succeeded not by his son Jaika but by Chamundaraja’s son Agguka sometime before 886 who was succeded by his son Jaika. Nothing is known of the dynasty after that. It is assumed that the kingdom was conquered by Abhira Graharipu.
So, we have here, a just another kingdom, or not a just another kingdom hidden in history if not for the chance find of those copper plates, which broke the back of Arab adventures in Gujarat along with Pratihara Nagabhatta and
Avanijanasraya Pulakesi(though in unrelated campaigns), an achievement worth etching in the annals of global history and about which we know nothing whatsoever. Wonder how many such exist and what can be done to dig them out.
Thanks @bhimpandav. There is actually some reference to Sindh. Mujmatul Tawarikh mentions that Meds and Jats occupied the banks of Indus in Sindh. Fed up with the frequent fights, they went to Duryodhana and asked him to give them a ruler. He sent his sister Dasal(Dussala).
@bhimpandav Dasal and her husband Jayadratha made Askaland(Uchh?) their capital. By the time of Qasim, we see that Meds are in Saurashtra and are strong enough to challenge the Arabs even in Basra.
@bhimpandav This can either mean Saindhavas were a part of the exodus of Meds and Jats from Sind or were already settled there. The specific reference to Jayadratha as their ancestor can only mean their link to Sind.
@bhimpandav @threadreaderapp unroll
