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Maharana Kumbha

Maharana Kumbha (1433 – 1468) and his Political Achievements
 

Maharana Kumbha's Wars and Conquests
The contemporary inscription, like Ranakpur, Chittor, Kumbhalgarh and literary works, like the Eklingji throw a lot of light on his exploits and wares through which he subdued his neighbors and reduced his enemies to submission. When his power at home was established, he turned his attention to conquests. He distinguished himself as a conqueror by extending his territory as far as Hadoti, Amer and Giripur (Vagad). He claimed to have pushed the limit of his kingdom as far as Sarangpur. He first conquered these regions, reduced them to subjection and then kept them within the sphere of his political influence. He annexed Sapadalaksha (Sambhar), Abu, Mandalgarh, Ajaymeru (Ajmer) and Toda.

Maharana Kumbha

The rulers who had shown their inclination of being independent were brought directly under his authority after continued fighting. These places were Yagnapur (Jahazpur), Yoginipur (Jawar), Vardhvan (Badnor) and Hamirpur (Hamrigarh). These expedition resulted in the acquisition of immense wealth. The small kingdom of Mewar thereby was raised to the position of the premier kingdom of Rajasthan. These victories provided natural frontiers to the state, adequately garrisoned and defended.

Kumbha’s Relations with Malwa
When Kumbha ascended the throne, Malwa had attained considerable power under Mahmud Khalji I- Malwa was now in a position to offer shelter to those who has some grievance or other against the state. Thus Mahapa Panwar and Ekka were received with open arms by the Government of Malwa. Similarly Rawat Chunda, the elder brother of Maharana Mokal, had also repaired to the court of Mandu where the Sultan hnoured him by giving the district of Halla as jagir for his maintenance. The rising power of Malwa naturally did not look favourably towards the Rana’s assertion of suzerainty over Haroti, Mandasor, Gargon and other Rajput principalities of the border, which had once acknowledged the authority of Malwa. Moreover, Kumbha’s act of garrisoning of his frontier outposts was viewed with suspicion. Further, a promise by the to help Umar Khan against Mahamud Khalji was taken as an indication of hostile intentions of the Rana towards the Sultan. The rulers of both kingdoms made no secret of their ambitions and were in search of some pretext for open hostility. The opportunity came when the Rana made a demand for the person of Mahapa Panwar, one of the assassin of Mokal, who had sought shelter with the Sultan Mahmud. Thinking that Mewar was in a state of turmoil, the Sultan declined to surrender the refugee, and this refusal was taken as a signal for war. Immediately both armies moved forward and met in 1437 near Sarangpur, and a severe engagement ended in the utter rout of the Sultan’s forces. According to Rajasthani bardic tradition, which find confirmation in Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh inscriptions, the Rana burnt down Sarangpur, captured countless captives, laid siege to Mandu and carried Mahmud as prisoner of war to Chitor. In commemoration of this victory he is said to have erected the triumphal pillar Jai Stambha in the fort of Chittor.

Mahmud Khalji was kept a prisoner for a period of six months, after which on account of the Rana’s generosity, he was sent back to his kingdom. Regarding this victory and generosity, Col. Tod says, “Abul Fazi relates this victory and dilates of Kumbha’s greatness of soul in setting his enemy at liberty, not only without ransom but with gift. Such is the character of Hindu, a mixture of arrogance, political blindness, pride and generosity. To spare a prostrate foe is the creed of the Hindu cavalier and he carries all such maxims to excess.”

Shri Sarda also comments on this victory as, “Political blindness and misplaced generosity on the part of Hindus, often illustrated in the history of India, has been the cause of their political downfall. The Rajput ideal of life was ‘how to die nobly’ rather than how to achieve success in life. They preferred fame to success, and cared lees for victory and more for praise of their personal valour. The repeated attempts made by Sultan Mahmud Khalji of Malwa by invading Mewar to obtain a victory over Maharana Kumbha, shows that Kumbha’s release of Mahmudji Khalji was a piece of political folly, almost a crime.” But, in fact, the Rana acted wisely as it was not possible for him to keep control over Malwa for a longer time- the resources of Mewar too did not favour the occupation of the region which was so far off from Chittor. The release of the Sultan at least provided a breathing gap to the Rana who very usefully employed the time in erecting several forts and generally strengthening the defense of his country, facing the border of Malwa and Gujarat These forts successfully defended Mewar against subsequent attacks made by the Sultans of Malwa and Gujarat. When Mewar was facing some internal disorder due to the murder of Ranmal and faction fights of Khem Karan, the brother of the Rana, the Sultan Mahmud marched against Mewar in 1442. He led his first attack on the fort of Kumbhalgarh, which was repulsed by a stubborn resistance of the Rajputs. He them directed his assault on the temple of Banmata, which was situated at the foot of the hill. This temple was the first defense line under the leadership of Dip Singh. After seven days the leader and his followers fell and the temple was razed to the ground. With an orthodox fury the idol was burnt to ashes – from here the Sultan moved to Chitor; but he could not capture the fort ad soon had to return to his capital after sustaining heavy losses. To avenge the losses incurred during the courses of the expeditions, the Sultan adopted a plan of attacking border areas first and then attempting the occupation of the areas which were under the Rana’s political influence. He forced the Khichis of Garaun, to surrender the fort. Two years later, the fort of Ranthambhor was also occupied. His attack of 1455 resulted in the crushing defeat of Gajadhar, governor of Ajmer. Saif Khan was posted there as Governor on behalf of Malwa. In 1457 the Sultan attacked Mandalgarh and succeeded in capturing the fortress. As was the practice with the inarching army of the Muslims, temples were broken and mosques ministration of the conquered part in the hands of his own men and returned.

Relation of Kumbha with Gujarat

The confusion created by the offensive wars of Mahmud encouraged Sultan Qutbuddin of Gujarat to attack the kingdom of Mewar. The appeal of Shams Khan of Nagaur and Devra chief of Sirohi for help in recovering their lost lands was taken immediate pretext by the Sultan. Malik Shaban was deputed to lay siege to Abu and forces were sent to recover Nagaur for Shams Khan. But the Rana’s garrison drove back the enemies with heavy losses. Ultimately the Sultan returned to his capital after inflicting damages to the Rana’s territory. On returning to his capital, Qutbuddin received a proposal from Mahmud Khalji for joint action against the Rana. As planned, the armies from Gujarat directed military operations against Kumbhalgarh and those from Malwa against Mandalgarh in 1447. but these expeditions resulted in untold hardships and exhaustion; both the parties had no other alternative but to retreat. From the account of Frishta and the Kumbhalgarh inscription it appears that there arose some difference between the two invading parties abut the occupation of Rana’s territory, adjoining their respective territories. This situation forced the invaders to return to the capitals. Of course, Mewar had also to suffer great losses in men and money.

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

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