This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2011)

Solanki Empire सोलंकी Solanki Samrajya
← CE 942–CE 1244 →
Capital	Patan
Language(s)	Rajasthani, Hindi, Gujarati
Religion	Hinduism
Government	Monarchy
King
- 942/960-995/997	Mulraj I
- 1143–1173	Kumarpal
- 1242–1244	Tribuvanpal
Historical era	Classical India
- Established	CE 942
- Disestablished	CE 1244

The Solanki (Devanagari: सोलंकी) was a royal Hindu Indian dynasty that ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th and 13th centuries.

History[link]

The Solanki and the Chalukas of the later period are the same lineage. The original word may be Sulik, which was derived similarly to Chulik, meaning a palm^{[clarification needed]}, by the Brahman Priest at the Mount Abu fire sacrifice. Therefore, it was pronounced that the Chalukyas were born from the Palm (Chuluk) of Brahma. A grant^{[clarification needed]} of one Dharasen II of Vallabhi, mentions the Saulkikas, along with Pratisarakas, and Churoddharanikas. The last two words may be the antecedents of Pratihara and Chaudhari (two titles) respectively.

A number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign them Gurjar origin.^[1][2]

The name Solanki derives from Chalukya the ancient Indian dynasty. The founder of the Solanki Rajput gotra is said to have born out of the Agnikund. During 543–566, Pulakesi I, established the kingdom at Vatapi (present-day Badami, Bagalkot District in North Karnataka).^[3] The Solanki clan-name is found within the Jat, Rajput and Gurjar^[4] communities of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

In Gujarat, Anhilwara (modern Siddhpur Patan) served as their capital. Gujarat was a major center of Indian Ocean trade, and Anhilwara was one of the largest cities in India, with population estimated at 100,000 in the year 1000. The Solankis were patrons of the great seaside temple of Shiva at Somnath Patan in Kathiawar. Bhima Dev helped rebuild the temple after it was sacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026. His son, Karandev, conquered the Bhil king Ashapall or Ashaval, and after his victory established a city named Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati River, at the site of modern Ahmedabad.

See also[link]

Notes[link]