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The period of Delhi Sultanate may partly be
described as a period of Rajput principalities who had not so
far submitted to the Muslims or who had thrown off the yoke of
allegiance at the earliest opportunity. A study of the
important Rajput ruling houses viz-a-viz, the Sultans of Delhi
will make the picture clear. At the time of the Turkish
invasion, many of well known “Rajput” clans of the later times
had come to be recognized as belonging to the Kshatriya caste.
It is equally interesting to note that some of the clans had
begun to connect themselves with the Sun Moon, Fire, and Sea
etc., in a bid to prove their high martial status. In 1193
A.D., the Muslims captured Delhi, resulting in the defeat and
death of Prithviraja Chauhan and Jayachandra Gahadvala in the
battle of Tarain and Chandwar respectively. Now started a
period of conquest on the part of the Muslim Sultans who, with
in a short span of a few years, were able to capture the
greater part off northern India – The Rajput rulers on the
other hand, partly due to their internal rivalries and partly
due to their sub-divisions, considerably weakened their
strength and the three contemporaries of Muhammad of Ghor
viz., Prithviraja III, Mularaja II and Bhima II, and the
Paramaras Devapala and Dharavarsha (of Malwa and Abu
respectively) individually turned out to be too weak to
withstand the Ghorian attacks. The fall of the Gurjara –
Prathihara empire had brought many other dynasties to the
fore-front, who carved out their own independent or
semi-independent principalities in Rajasthan and elsewhere.
The Chauhans, one of the most prominent clans, established
themselves in the region around Sakambhari (modern Sambhar).
The dynasty later extended its area upto Jangaladesha (present
Bikaner and northern Marwar). The early epigraphs of the
dynasty show the Chauhan rulers to have acknowledged the
Pratihara over lordship.
The Chauhans of Ranthambore and Delhi Sultans
After the subjugation of Chauhan kingdom of Ajmer and Delhi by
Shihabuddin and his lieutenant Qutbuddin Aibak, Prithviraja
Chauhan’s son and successor, Govindaraja was appointed Muslim
nominee on the ancestral throne. Govindaraja’s rule over Ajmer
was not favoured by Hariraka, probably due to his acting as a
Muslim vassal and as a result, repeated attempts were made by
Prithviraja’s brother Hariraja to dislodge Govindaraja.
Hariraja was apparently dissatisfied with the Muslim rule and
of his nephew acting as their nominee he attacked Govindaraja
and succeeded in driving him away from Ajmer. However, due to
timely intervention of Qutbuddin, Hariraja was re-insalled on
the throne of Ajmer. Hariraja made another attempt by sending
Jatwan (Jaitra – perhapls his general) towards Delhi. The
second attempt too failed and after some resistance, Hariraja
was obliged to take shelter inside the fortress, which being
hard pressed by the Delhi forces, fell and consequently
Hariraja immolated himself. By the close of 12th century,
Govindaraja as a result of serious attacks by Hariraja,
vacated his ancestral place and established himself at
Ranthambhor. It is clear from all Muslims and Rajputs accounts
that Hariraja succeeded in depriving Govindaraja of the
territory of Ajmer whereupon the latter carved out an
independent kingdom. The final battle was fought near the foot
of Mt. Abu between Rai Vallahanadeva and Dharavarsha, the
Paramara feudatories of Bhima II of Gujarat. Qutbuddin’s
strategy and farsightedness won the day in battle and the
Rajputs forces were comlpletely routed. After the victoryAibak
marched unopposed to Narhwala, which too was completely
sacked. The repeated attempts on the part of the Chauhans
during the early years of establishment of Delhi Sultanate, to
regain their lost territories failed not only due to their
reliance on numerical strength of forces, rather than skill,
fighting strength and methods of warfare, but also because of
their energies being exhausted against the neighboring
kingdoms, notably, the Chaulukyas, Chandellas and Gahadvallas.
In a short span of about six years Aibak thus led successful
invasions into most of the Rajput territories. However, due to
his policy of non-annexation, authority over the conquered
Rajput states was a superficial one – His distant and nominal
control could hardly bring any significant change in the
Rajput ruling order and much went on as usual.
Iltutmish and his Successors
Ajmer and Nagaur was possibly the only two principal towns in
possession of Iltutmish at the beginning of his reign. An
inscription on the mosque known as Adhai – Din – ka Jhonpra at
Ajmer records its construction at the order of the Sultan.
Most of the Rajput territories occupied earlier had not only
asserted their independence but several Rajput chiefs even
carved out new principalities during the early years of
Iltutmish’s reign.
Jalore
The kingdom of Jalore was one of the important possessions of
the Chauhans. It appears that after the attack of Qutbuddin on
Nadol in 1197 A.D., the Chauhans under Kirtipala migrated
towards Jalore, where the latter succeeded in establishing a
new kingdom of Jalore. From its foundation by Kirtipala up to
its last ruler Kanhadadera, is appears predominantly in the
history of Rajasthan. Many of its princes had to contest with
the Sultans of Delhi in a bid to retain possession of this
small kingdom. Like the kingdom of Ranthambhor it saw its rise
and fall during the period of Delhi Sultanate. The kingdom
founded by Kirtipala was successfully retained by his
successors, Samar Simha Simla and Udaya Simha. The latter is
credited with having taken possession of several adjoining
territories (in possession of the Chaulukyas and the Paramaras).
The increasing power of the Jalore Chauhans, ultimately
brought Udaya Simha and Iltutmish face to face in the formers’
desert capital. According to Tajul Maasir, the contemporary
Persian account, Udaya Simha took shelter in the forests and
after being hard pressed sued for peace. The terms included
the offer of one hundred camels and 20 horses, for being
restored to his fortress. It may thus be safely assumed that
Jalore campaign did not yield the desired result, probably
because of its geographical position. Though rulers apparently
accepted the overlordship of the Sultan, the kingdom was never
brought under complete subjugation. Within five years, when
Iltutmish invaded the Guhilots of Mewar, Udaya Simla acted in
league with the Gujarat and Marwar princess and the Sultan had
to retreat without an encounter. The traditional as it was,
however, only under Sultan Alauddin that the fortress was
annexed to the Delhi Sultanate.
Ranthambore
The expansionist activities of the Ranthambore chief probably
compelled Sultan Iltutmish to lead an expedition against him
in 1226 A.D. According to Minhaj, the fort fell into the hands
of Sultan Iltutmish after the siege of a few months. The
fortress, was annexed & given to Delhi Sultanate and the death
of Sultan Iltutmish gave a fresh lease of independence to the
Chauhans. Under Vagbhatta, the Chauhans either freed
Ranthambore or pressed the Muslim Garrison too hard, thereby
compelling Sultan Raziah to dispatch her commander sometime
before 1238 A.D. to the rescue of the garrison.
Mandor
The political history of Mandor is not very clear. Some
records of the Chauhans of Nadol have been found at this
place. Earlier it appears to have been in possession of the
Pratiharas. One of the epigraphs refers to Lakshamana as the
founder of the Nadol line of Chauhans. Mandor thus served as
an important outpost of the Nadol Chauhans during the reign of
Vigrahapala, Asarjas, Sahajapala, Alhandeva, Kelhana and
Chamundaraya, after which it passed into the hands of the
Chauhans of Jalore. A year subsequent to the invasion of
Ranthambore, Sultan Iltutmish marched against the Mandor
fortress and captured it. However, it appears that it was not
annexed since it had to be reconquered by the later Sultans.
Mewar
The Guhilots had established themselves in Mewar as early as
the last quarter of the sixth century A.D. Chittor, the early
seat of Guhilas, held a strategic position. Since its
boundaries touched the Sultanate’s possession of Sapadalaksha,
Sultanas could hardly tolerate a powerful kingdom unmolested.
The contemporary of Sultan Iltutmish at the seat of Mewar was
Guhila Jaitya Simha. His dates range from 1213 to 1250, he is
reported to have fought both with Sultan Iltutmish and
Nasiruddin Mahmud. According to Sanskrit play
Hammira-mada-mardana, Mlechchha warriors on their way to
Gujarat (against King Viradhavala) entered Nagda and
devastated Mewar region. The Muslim writers are silent about
this campaign. It is possibly due to the failure of the
campaign and the defeat of the Sultan at the hands of a petty
chief as indicated in the epigraph. Chirwa and Mt Abu
inscriptions boastfully record the curbing of the pride of the
Turushkas. The uninterrupted hold pf Mewar under its chiefs
Jaitra Simha, Teja Simha and Samar Singh nullified an
unsuccessful attack on Chittor by Sultan Ghiasuddin Balban.
The Mt. Abu inscription of V.S. 1342 credits the last
mentioned Guhila Chief with a victory over the Turushkas. This
obviously refers to an armed expedition of the Muslims against
Gujarat in which Samar Singh Guhila probably helped the
Gujarat Chief Sarangadeva and saved the Gujarat territory from
a complete devastation. Although the Persian sources are
silent about the event, the testimony of the inscriptions
leave little doubt about the event, the testimony of the
inscriptions leave little doubt about a Guhila – Musi im
conflict or at least the claims of independence set forth by
the Guhila chiefs. The real threat to Mewar, however, came
during the Khalji period.
Marwar
The descendants of the Rashtrakuta house of Kannauj are said
to have established themselves around Pali (in Marwar) as a
result of the Muhammadan occupation of their ancestral kingdom
and many of them, including the founder of the line, Rao
Sihaji, died fighting with the Muslims. While these facts are
based on the tradition, subsequent relations between the
Rathors of Marwar and the contemporary Sultans of Delhi are
based on Persian and Rajasthani sources and are supported by
epigraphic evidence. Possibly some Rathore Chiefs settled in
Marwar region even before the traditional migration of Rao
Sihiji and his lieutenants. But most of the region at least up
to the first decade of the 13th century was in possession of
the Chauhans and the other Rajput tribes like Guhilas. From
one of the inscriptions it is evident that Rao Sihaji
succeeded in establishing his foot-hold around the region of
the Pali which he held till his death in V.S. 1273 i.e. 1215
A.D. By the close of 12th century Chauhana Kelhana and jayat
Simha etc., held the territories of Pali and Nadol, as
feudatories of the
Chaulukyas of Gujarat. It seems that Chauhans held Nadol at
least up to V.S. 1288 (1291 A.D). The Chauhan Chiefs Kelhana
and Kirtipala fought against the forces of Muhammad of Ghor,
along with their overlord Chaulukya Bhima II, near Kaydra
village in modern Sirohi. Similarly, Jayat Simha, son and
successor of Chauhana Kalhana, vacated his possessions of Pali
and Nadol and joined hands with Paramara Dhavarsha of Abu
against the invading Muslims forces under Qutbuddin Aibak, but
was defeated and probably slain in this battle. Again an
epigraph found at Manglana (Marwar) speaks of friendly
relations between Sultans Iltutmish and Allahandeval, son of
Govidaraja of the Ranthambhor Chauhan. To review briefly,
leaving aside Ajmer and Nagaur region in Rajasthan and the
region lying between Delhi and Ajmer , there is no direct
evidence of Sultanate’s hold on other Rajput principalities.
There were also some peaceful Muslims settlements in the
region during this period. The Muslims Sufis, particularly the
Chishti Silsilah had established in Ajmer during this period
and occupied the Marwar region also with its seat at Nagaur.
Khalji Occupation of the Rajput Principalities
The Khalji rule proved much stronger for the Rajput
principalities than the earlier Turkis Sultans. A new wave of
invasions and conquests began, which ended only when
practically the whole of India had been bought under the sway
of the Delhi kingdom. Sultan Jalaluddin, the first Khalji
ruler, soon after his accession, marched with a large force
towards Ranthambore. He made an unsuccessful attempt to
capture the fort in 1291 A.D. The fortress was then in the
possession of Rana Hammira. Although the Sultan was successful
in some initial conquest over Thain etc., but the tough
resistance offered by Hammira’s forces compelled the Sultan to
return without conquering the fortress.
Sultan Alauddin and Ranthambore
With the accession of Sultan Alauddin Khalji, the political
relations of Delhi Sulanate with Ranthambore entered a new
phase. The Sultan is reported to have decided to reduce the
adjoining Rajput territories at the advice of Qazi Alaul-Mulk.
However, it was the strategic importance of the fort, its
proximity to Delhi and the ambitions nature of the Sultan
which led to an early attack by Alauddin on the Ranthambore
fort. The immediate reason was of course, the shelter given to
the new Mussalmans under the leadership of Muhammad Shah by
Hammira. Sultan Alauddin Khalji dispatched Ulugh Khan towards
Ranthambhor with an army of 10,000, along with Nusrat khan to
assist him. Hammira, himslf being engaged in a Munivrata, sent
his general Bhim Singh and Dharam Singh to oppose the royal
forces. In their earlier encounters with the Muslim forces,
the Rajput generals attained some victories. However, in a
battle fought near “Himduat Pass”, the Rajput forces were
defeated and Bhima was killed. Sultan Alauddin, enraged at the
preliminary defeat of Ulugh Khan, sent letters to all the
adjoining territories for sending reinforcements and once
again the two brothers started for Ranthambore. The terms of
treaty like presenting of elephants, horses, and giving
Hammira’s daughter in marriage to Sultan, were refused.
Meanwhile, in of the engagements that ensued, Nusrat Khan lost
is life when a shot from Maghrabi was discharged from within
the fort wall. Many measures were adopted to reduce the fort
but of no avail. In the meantime, Alauddin is reported to have
won over Ratipala, Hammira’s well-known commander to his side.
The situation further deteriorated due to insufficient
quantity of grains in the fort. As a last resort, a funeral
pyre was lit for all the wives of Hammira to perish in it.
Hammira came out of the fort along with the remaining
followers. In a close fight, Hammira fell along with all his
followers including Muhammad Shah in V.S. 1357/1301 A.D. After
its fall, Ranthambhor was entrusted to Ulugh Khan and the
Sultan himself returned to Delhi. With this ended the
Ranthambhor line of the Chauhans, who had all along
successfully resisted incursions into their kingdom.
The Conquest of Chittor
About two years after the fall of Ranthambore the Sultan
decided to reduce Chittor which had gained prominence during
the course of the 13rd century. In 1299 A.D. a large Khalji
army had passed close to Mewar. Since its object was the
conquest of Gujarat, the Khalji commanders did not make any
serious attempt to subjugate Mewar, the Major onslaught,
however, came in 1303 A.D. in which the Sultan personally led
the expedition and pitched his camp outside the fortress. The
siege seems to have negotiated for peace, but the inmates
continued the struggle and finally Chittor fell on 25th
August, 1303. More than 30,000 Rajput soldiers were put to
sword. The place was renamed Khizrabad and handed over to
Prince Khizr Khan.
Padmini Affair
The story of Sultan Alauddin’s conquest of Chittor would be
incomplete without a reference to the queen Padmini, who is
associated with the events leading to the sack of Chittor.,
The traditional story finds mention in Padmawat of Malik
Muhammad Jaysi and is followed by many Muslim as well as
Rajput bardic chronicles. It may, however, be stated that it
was Sultan Alauddin’s lust for power, territorial subjugation,
rather than the beautiful Padmini, as the object behind the
Sultans’s invasion of Chittor. To a strong and cruel ruler
like Alauddin, who cherished desire for world conquest, the
independent existence of Chittor near his kingdom could hardly
be tolerated. A Persian inscription of 1310 A.D., From Chittor
suggests Khalji hold of the territory up to last the year of
the epigraphs. This may refute interesting but unhistorical
bardic account of Prince Khizr Khan’s recall from Chittor and
bestowal of his territories upon Sonigara Chauhans. The bardic
story forfeits any credence with the discovery of a Persian
inscription of Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tughluq’s period and another
inscription of 18th September 1325 A.D., from Chittor. Malik
Asududdin who is mentioned in the inscription was cousin of
Sultan Muhammad Tughluq and must have held Chittor up to at
least the accession of Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq.
Jaisalmer
The Bhati principality of Jaisalmer practically remained
independent of Muslim influence during the thirteenth century.
However, epigraphic evidence coupled with the bardic accounts,
suggests a Khaiji invasion of Jaisalmer sometime during the
first decade of the fourteenth century. Nainisi relates the
dispatch of Malik Kamaluddin Gurg and Kafur to reduce
Jaisalmer fort. A Sanskrit Prashasti from Jaisalmer mentions
the recapture of Jaisalmer fort from the Mlechchhas by Cheta
Simha. The mention of the names of Kamalduddin and Malik Kafur
in siege operations lends support to the underlying authority
of the bardic account of Khalji occupation of Jaisalmer.
Siwana
Apart from Chittor and Ranthambore forts, Alauddin also
reduced the region of Marwar containing two notable fortresses
of Jalore and Siwana held by Songara Chauhan, Kanhad Dev.
Sultan Alauddin sent Kamaluddin Gurg in 1308 to invade Siwana,
which was held by Satal Deva, a feudatoury of the Songara
Chauhan of Jalore. The siege lasted for quite a long period
before the garrison was reduced to submission. Satal Deva made
an unsuccessful attempt to flee towards Jalore but was
captured and put to death. Khusrau puts the date of this event
on 10th November, 1308 AD.
Bundi
The early history of the Hada Chauhans who established
themselves at Bundi during the period of Delhi Sultanate, is
closely associated with Chauhans of Sakambhari, Nadol and
Jalore, from whom they sprang during the middle of 14th
century. According to the traditional accounts, Rao Deva Singh
Hada, second in succession to Rao Hada, captured Bundi tract
(later known Hadoti) from the Minas sometime about V.S. 1398.
The kingdom either remained as an independent principality or
under the partial control of the Guhilot chiefs of Mewar.
Sultan Iltutmish is reported to have sent Malik Aitmur in 1227
–28 A.D. against the Hindus. A second expedition was led
during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud. Balban while at
his iqta of Nagaur in 1256, proceeded to invade the
territories of Ranthambhor, Bundi and Chittor. It is also
stated that Rao Deva Singh Hada attended the court of Sultan
Sikandar Lodi but the dates of the Hada chiefs suggest that he
must have been a contemporary of Sultan Muhammad Tughluq.
Marwar
Like Mewar, the Ranthore state of Marwar too became prominent
during this period. From its foundation by Rao Siha during the
last quarter of the thirteenth century to Rao Chunda, the
history of Marwar was a period of struggle for existence. Like
other Rajput states, the principality of Marwar took full
advantage of the weak Tughluq and the Saiyyid rulers. The
expansionist designs of Rao Chunda, engaged Zafar Khan of
Gujarat who besieged Mandor in 1396, which had been occupied
earlier by the Rathore Chief. The invasion of Timur gave a
further lease to the Rathore Chief, who now occupied several
Muslim stronghold like Nagaur, Khatu, Didwana, Sambhar, Ajmer
and Nadol. The principality of Nagaur, however, remained a
bone of contention between the Rathors and Muslims and the
subsequent events show that it frequently changed hand between
the two. The raids over the adjoining Muslims and Rajput
territories continued when Rana Kumbha and Ranamal Rathore
became rulers in their respective territories i.e. Mewar and
Marwar.
Kyam Khanis
Kyam khan Raso and Nainsi Khyat refer to the rise of the Kyam
Khani Chauhan over the region now called Shekhawati. Probably
the Chauhans of the region, which included modem districts of
Jhunjhunu and Churu, were converted to Islam during the period
of Sultan Feroz Tughluq. After tracing the geneology of the
early Chauhan rulers, the Raso refers to the rule of Tihunpala
and his son Mota Rai at Dadreva. It was Mota Rai’s son Karam
Chand who was converted to Islam by Sultan Feroz Tughluq and
renamed Qayam Khan or Kyam Khan. Mewar Many Rajput
principalities taking advantage of the weak successors of
Sultan Alauddin, asserted their independence and some of the
new dynasties also up during the same period. iMewar asserted
her independence during the same period and the foundation of
a second Guhila dynasty was laid by Hammira who drew out
Vanvira Sonigara from the fort of Chittor. Hammira is credited
with fighting successfully against the Muslim and raiding
distant principalities. The Mewar house emerged from her
isolation under able rulers like Lakha, Mokal and Kumbha, the
last of whom extended his territories by fighting against the
Rajputs and neighbouring Muslim principalities of Nagaur,
Malwa and Gujarat. His lifelong struggle and achievements
ranked him as one of the greatest rulers of medieval Mewar.
Mewar’s glorious period continued under Kumbha and his
successors till Rana Sangram Singh, popularly known as Rana
Sanga. Although Sanga inherited a big and stable kingdom yet
he kept himself engaged in wars with his neighbors and almost
succeeded in establishing his authority over practically the
major part of modern Rajasthan. The Lodi rulers, on the other
hand, were active in extending their hold over Malwa
dependencies. The capture of Chanderi and Marwar belonging to
Gwalior, gave them an advantageous position and a conflict
with Sisodia Rana, who was equally ambitious, was only a
matter of time. The decaying kingdom of Malwa during the
period under review, gave a favorable chance to Rana, who took
up the cause of medina Rai after defeating both the Sultans to
Delhi and Gujarat. Sanga’s a activities became a permanent
danger to the Lodi empire.
By the closing years of the Lodi rule, Rana’s ambitions had so
greatly grown that he sent an envoy to Babar in a bid to form
an alliance with him and synchronize his own attack on Agar
with that of Babar on Delhi. For Babar, it was favorable
opportunity and after capturing Lahore and Dipalpur (1524) he
finally succeeded in defeating and killing Ibrahim Lodi at the
battlefield of Panipat which put an end to the Sultanate rule
of India. The Babar – Rajput alliance, however, did not
materialize. Rana Sanga who was equally resourceful and war –
like chief could grow very dangerous. He was well known for
his claims of supremacy. Again Babar could master support of
the local afghan Chiefs by waging a war against the Rana and
giving it the color of a Jihad. The so-called alliance thus
failed as it was finally defeated, thus leaving the field open
to Babar.
Conclusion
A number of Rajput classes which emerged before the period of
the Sultans of Delhi, ended their political career even before
the Ghorian occupation of Delhi. Some of these were liquidated
by the strong Turkish and the Khalji Sultans. Some of them,
however, taking advantage of the political conditions of the
post- Timur period, re-asserted their independence and
continued to play an important role in the region for a
considerable period. Politically, the Ghorian invasion of
northern India resulted in a ‘feverish’ military activity
amongst the various clan chiefs. The Delhi sultans’ pressure
on the Rajputs chiefs continued in various degrees during the
period under review. A number of Delhi Sultans, Particularly
Qutbuddin Aibak, Iltutmish, Balban. Alauddin Khalji etc.,
succeeded in reducing several Rajput principalities such as
Ajmer, Ranthambhor, Chittor, Jalore, Jaisalmer and Bayana
etc., annexing the important ‘Rajput’ ruling houses like the
Chauhans, Guhilas, Bhatis, Rathors and Paramaras.
The period also witnessed the rise of a number of new ruling
houses, particularly in Rajasthan such as Bundi, Marwar,
Ranthambore, arid Bayana etc. In the last mentioned
principality, the Jadon Bhatis were replaced by the Auhadis
and the Khanzada chiefs, who continued to rule over the region
in semi – independent capacity till the end of the Delhi
Sultanate. Some other principalities such as Chittor, which
had earlier been annexed to the Sultanate, re – asserted
independence. The rulers of this house not only succeeded in
regaining their lost territories but also in extending their
territories at the cost of Sultans of Delhi or other local
chiefs. The Tughluq, Saiyyid and the Lodi Sultans failed to
curb their growing power. The Sisodia Rana Sanga succeeded in
consolidating his position further by forming a Rajput
confederacy on the one hand and the Rajput – Mughal alliance
on the other, in a bid to claim supremacy. His activities
reduced the Sultanate of Delhi drastically and left the field
open to Babar, who finally succeeded in defeating and killing
both the serious rivals and thus established his own empire.
The socio – political structure did not undergo a substantial
change during this period. Yet there are several instances
when the Sultan took the ‘Rajputs’ in confidence and left the
conquered territories like Ajmer and Ranthambore in their
possession and also appointed them to high posts. A large
number of Sanskrit inscriptions too took speak highly about
the Khilji and the Tughluq Sultans and appointments of the
Rajputs to the key posts such as wazir. Some conversion of the
important Rajput class such as the Bhatis, Kyam Khani Chauhans
and the Khanzada chiefs of Mewar, are also known during this
period on the basis of literary and epigraphic records.
Probably these ‘secular’ elements were the forerunners of the
ones that came into existence in the Mughal Empire. |
