Timeline

Gujarat is a western Indian state and Champaner-Pavagadh is situated at about 50 kilometers north-east from my home city Baroda (Vadodara) in Gujarat.

This magnificent archeological site with its fantastic cultural landscape is believed to have layers lost in the hilly areas - frozen in time - but still many grand structures within the ruins exhibit the splendor of historic cities that existed there. The site actually reminds us of other medieval Indian cities like Hampi, Fatehpur Sikri, Orchha & Mandu.

Bird's eye view of Champaner

From a viewer’s point of view, the entire site can be divided into three areas, the base, where Champaner city spreads, the Mauliya plateau or the top of holy Pavagadh hill and the Machi plateau or the area connecting base with the top. I found a map of the entire site, etched on a marble placard fixed near one of the mosques. It gives a rough idea of the site and location of some of the monuments in their present status.

Map of Champaner-Pavagadh

I am not a historian but learning about our glorious past is great experience. Add to this a bit of adventurous exploration and the learning becomes fun. However, please correct me & oblige if you find any facts misplaced or misprinted.

Stone age man is believed to have lived at this site during pre-historic times. Early human settlements were recorded during 6^th century AD and Maitrak dynasty is believed to have ruled the area during 7^th century AD. Champa or Champaraj, a contemporary of king Vanraj Chavda of Anhilwada, was founder of Champakdurga during 8^th century AD. Parmara kings are believed to have ruled the region during 9^th century AD and by 11^th century AD the region was ruled by Bhimadeva who was later defeated by Muslim rulers. It was during the 13^th century AD the Khichi Chauhans, descendants of Prithviraj Chauhan, took over and ruled the region till about end of 14^th century AD.

Champaner city was built by Mehmud Begda (1458 – 1511 AD) to conquer the Rajput fort on the hills which the Sultan tried for two years, 1482-84 AD. Champaner city began as a siege camp at the foothills of Pavagadh since direct assault on Jai Singh, son of Patai Raval, to conquer the fort may not have resulted into any success. Islamic influences were thus evident in the region in 15^th century AD as Mehmud Begda moved his capital from Ahmedabad to Champaner and changed its name to Muhammadabad.