करण वाषांण दुनीयांण धिन धिन कहै, धरम षत्रियांण भुज, अमर धारू। अटक सूं लियां हिंदवाण आयो उरड़, मुरड़ पतसाह वीकांण मारू।।
An outstanding ruler of Bikaner, Karan Singh. A contemporary of the last powerful Mughal, Aurangzeb, he was held in high esteem by the bigot-emperor despite the latter’s notorious dislike for warriors of other faiths. Like Raja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur and Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur in earlier years, this scion of the glorious line of Rao Bika was tolerated by the Mughal on account of his outstanding ability as a general. In his hearts of hearts, however, the bigot never wished him well.
Aurangzeb’s extensive empire covered present-day Afghanistan. This ill-developed area, the recruiting grounds of a substantial part of the imperial army, was ever a headache to distant Delhi. Frequently, expeditionary forces were sent to the Afghan territory to suppress the turbulent tribesmen, Realising the impolitic of entrusting this task to the Muslim battalions of the imperial army, the burden of keeping order among these tribes fell on the Rajputs.
Aurangzeb’s predecessors had implicit faith in their Rajput Rajas and the latter ably looked after the problem. Aurangzeb was different. He never wished well by the Rajputs, reciprocated their candid loyalty by studied indifference and suspicion, and being himself mean, never could believe that anyone could rise above his level.
So, when around 1705, an expedition was again fitted out against troublesome frontiersmen, departing from the time-tested practice, the emperor raised a force which was dominated by Muslim troops and generals. In the selection of generals’ bigotry again had an upper hand and the just feelings of the Rajputs were ignored. The Rajputs were sore on this account. Everything about this expedition, which it must be remembered formed an important part of a series of prejudicial acts calculated to weaken the Hindu faith, indicated the existence of a clever design, a deep conspiracy. It is not surprising, therefore, that the Rajputs got suspicious as soon as they received the first inkling of a reported plan of the bigot to take them beyond Attock and endanger the purity of their faith and religion. What first came as a whispered rumor was substantiated by no less an authority than a Muslim divine, Saiyad Jiwan Shah, who, impressed by the nonchalance of the unsuspecting Rajputs, their courage and sense of duty and their character and piety made Raja Karan Singh wise of the evil intentions of the intriguing monarch.
“Rajadhiraj, ” he said, “while you are enthusiastically proceeding to distant lands to further prove your loyalty to the throne of Akbar which you and your peers helped preserve for his descendants, the present incumbent and the direct beneficiary of your sacrifices, an arch intriguer masquerading as a true servant of Islam which he is not because he believes in foul play and deception, has evil designs against you and your compatriots’ So soon as you are across the Indus, in hostile territory, and cut off from your lands and friends, your few Rajput battalions under orders given by the bigot himself to the like-minded among the Muslim generals would be encircled for being disarmed.
Resorting unscrupulously to things like a threat, bride, and deceit, it is thereafter proposed to compel Rajputs to embrace Islam. ”
“Shaikh, ” the unperturbed Raja replied, “the Emperor knows enough about the Rajput’s regard for the religion of the Vedas, his valor and his unflinching willingness to make every sacrifice for his faith, to entertain the foolish idea that threats or bribe can make him forsake his beloved faith. ”
“Deception will be the chief instrument. The emperor is well aware of the general Hindu belief that caste is lost by proceeding beyond Attock. He has made a note of the difficult time Maharaj Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur, Governor designate of Kabul had only a decade or so ago, persuading his troops to cross the Indus and convincing them that caste is not thus lost. ”
“I remember the famous words of my uncle Jaswant Singhji, ” the Rathore king replied. They are immortalized in the couplet (In Real attributed to Mirza Raja Sawai Maan Singh Kachawah of Jaipur:
सबै भूमि गोपाल की, या में अटक कहा।
जाके मन में अटक है, सो ही अटक रहा।
It is all Lord Krishna’s (Gopal’s) land, where is the impediment. Only those who have mental reservations hesitate to cross Attock
Rajputs, thus challenged, followed him across the river. Our followers would, we are confident, do the same.”
“Undoubtedly and no one knows it better than Aurangzeb. However, he further knows that history is not without instances of conversion of Hindus who had unwillingly infringed caste rules falling easy prey to the machinations of proselytizers. ”
“A couple of bribed brahmans or even imposters would be all that is needed to convince the majority that they have lost caste. The history of conversion will be repeated. Momentum would be supplied by the murder of those who oppose it. The treacherous design has every chance of success. The conspiracy Rajadhiraj is deep. This mass conversion of the sword-arm of the Hindus would leave the rest of India at the mercy of the zealot, Aurangzeb. This ancient religion, as also all that it has cherished, its civilization and culture, things that appeal to men of all religions having reflective dispositions would be wiped off the pages of history and knowledge. Do not allow this devil to perpetrate this injustice on humanity. There is yet time. You are warned. ”
Raja Karan felt the matter was too serious to be dismissed any more, as a figment of the imagination. Sacred values upheld at great cost and sacrifice were all in danger. On patient considerations, he found all available clues leading to the same conclusion.
In this hour of danger to the Vedic faith the Raja, like his ancestors, sought guidance from Shri Karniji, the patron Goddess of his house. He was rewarded. His doubts vanished. Determination replaced it.
Accepting the very fact of this warning as an indication of Karniji’s blessing, the Prince called an immediate meeting of his brother princes in the expedition.
The Lord of Bikaner disclosed the brewing conspiracy to his colleagues. Knowing how vile Aurangzeb was, they needed little proof and were soon convinced. Karan said, “I have, dear friends, pondered over all aspects of the disclosure and believe that it is because of the protecting arm of Bhagwati Shri Karniji, ever available to the Rathores, that one in the confidence of the hostile camp, contrary to all expectations, ventured to take this risk in the cause of Hinduism. ”
The assembly of the chiefs of the 36 clans decided to avail themselves of the sense of rivalry between Hindu and Muslim troops to obtain time for further deliberating over the matter.
In wars against other Muslims, the Rajput contingents formed the vanguard of the Mughal Army, and they hoped to be at the forefront in the present campaign also as it had been launched by the Mughal against his co-religionists. In the formation order, the Rajputs would have crossed the Indus boat-bridge before the neo-Muslim, Pathan, and Turk troops in a routine manner without anyone even noticing it. But it was converted into a prestige point by the Rajputs claiming, as the battle vanguard, the right to first ford the river. Unaware of the design behind making an issue of routine movement order, the Muslim commanders opposed the move and claimed priority for themselves. The order of movement became a bone of contention and a prestige issue.
The matter went to the supreme commander because it threatened the very unity of the army. As the vehemence of the Rajput argument in support of their right to first cross the bridge and fight in the vanguard increased, the determination of their rivals to have the honor also increased. The commander thought he was acting clever when he canceled the Rajput right to lead in battle on condition that out of consideration for the Shahjadas, they (Rajputs) as loyal troops would not object to the troops directly under the Princes to first use the ferry. This suited the Rajput design because contingents directly under the Princes formed the bulk of the army and such units consisted exclusively of Muslim soldiers. The Rajputs agreed with proper reluctance. The commander thought he had once again succeeded in fooling the Rajputs by touching their vanity. For once, he was wrong.
The Muslim contingents were ferried across the Indus and the commandeered boats returned to the left bank to take the Rajputs. At this very juncture, sad tidings reached the Amber camp. One of the numerous wives of the former ruler of Amber chose this auspicious time to depart for her heavenly abode and the stepson, the ruler of Amber, on receipt of the sad news, ordered, in all solemnity, a proper period of bereavement for the peace of the departed soul. The other Hindu princes could not, because of social requirements, leave without paying condolence visits on the prescribed days. For once the rigidity of Hindu custom helped the Rajputs achieve their aim. The Mirza Raja, Prince of Amber, sought and obtained permission to return to his capital.
The Muslim contingents were a few days march from the opposite bank by the time the Rajputs were in a position to leave the bereaved kinsman of Amber without undue strain on social propriety. Considering it the opportune moment for carrying out the second part of the scheme, led by Karan, the Rajput heraldry made for the waiting boats as if to board them. Arriving at the destination on a signal from their leader, the prince of Bikaner on whom they spontaneously and in a rare moment of unanimity bestowed the title of Jangaldhar Badshah,
they began destroying, led by Karan himself the waiting transport. By executing the plan of damaging the boats the Rajputs not only destroyed all possibility of the timid, or the too loyal, going across the turbulent river but also eliminated the probability of the more numerous Muslim contingents being urgently ferried back across the Indus to attempt to persuade or compel the Rajputs to give up their plan.
This occasion is recorded in contemporary Rajasthani verse as follows-
करण पृथी इकराह, पतसाह आरंभ करे, कूच कर हले दर कूच काजा।
अटक असुरांण रा कटक सब ऊतरे, रहै तटवार हिंदवाण राजा।।१।।
वंस षटतीस मिल वात आ विचारी, जोर औरंग पड़े सोर जाडो।
सूर रो सूर केवाण भुज साहीयां, पाभ पड़ता हुवौं भूप आडो।।२।।
कुहाड़ा मार जिहाज बटका करे, धीर सारा धरे मेट घोषो।
करां षग तोल मुष बोल कहियो करन, जितैं उभो इतै नहीं जोषो।।३।।
करण वाषांण दुनीयांण धिन धिन कहै, धरम षत्रियांण भुज, अमर धारू।
अटक सूं लियां हिंदवाण आयो उरड़, मुरड़ पतसाह वीकांण मारू।।४।।
“Launched on a campaign of conquest the Mughal ferried the Muslim troops across the Indus At Attock while the Hindu kings awaited transport on the Indian side. “
“The thirty-six clans discussed the designs of Aurang and the inherent danger. The catastrophe was warded off by Sur Singh’s son volunteering to shield them. “
“When he destroyed the boats, and sword in hand announced that there is no danger while he lives, everyone felt reassured. “
“The world is all praise for Karan, the immortal upholder of kshatria dharma who upsetting the designs of the Mughal brought the levies back with their religion intact. “
*The 19th battalion of the rajput regiment, known as
19 rajput ( Sadul Light Infantry, bikaner) traces its origin to the state forces of bikaner and was raised on october 3, 1465 and had Battle of Khanwa among its battle honours.
The Axe in Sadul Light Infantry insignia represented in above episode of Attock, where Raja Karan Singh of Bikaner earned the name "Jai Jangal Dhar Badshah".
In february 1953, the unit became part of the rajput regiment and on january 26, 1954, it was re-designated as 19 rajput (bikaner). for the capture of single largest cache of arms and ammunition in a daring ambush on september 20, 1991 in the ongoing `operation rakshak', the battalion was awarded the unit citation by the chief of the army staff on august 15, 1992. the offices, jcos and ors of this unit have been honoured and awarded with 40 citations during pre-independence period. in post-independence era, 47 citations have been won for gallantry by the battalion including two mahavir chakras, the second highest gallantry award.*
Maharaja Karan Singh and others returned to their capitals. Fast couriers in the meanwhile carried despatches to the royal presence at Delhi. Aurang was furious. He ordered an immediate expedition against Bikaner, the newly accepted leader of the Rajputs. The Bikaner Vakil at the Mughal Court conveyed the dismal news, post-haste, to his master. Once again moment for trial had come. Meeting single-handed the wrath of the powerful Mughal was, for Bikaner, Karan thought, a well nigh hopeless task. He could not sacrifice his valiant Bikaneries just like that. Feeling the need for guidance, help, and solace, he repaired to Deshnok and prayed that this calamity may pass off. For three or four days he sat at the feet of the deity, himself composed a chirja, and recited it repeatedly for the fulfillment of his wishes.
Meanwhile, at the other end, something made the emperor revise his orders. The expedition was called of. It returned to Delhi. The emperor sent a farman by a special messenger directing Karan to report at the Court. Karan consulted his ministers. They smelt foul play at the emperor was not above laying a trap for unwary knights and assassinating or incarcerating them once they were within his reach and power.
“Aurangzeb”, they said, “is an evil genius. He can stoop down to anything. Breach of rules of chivalry is to him another name for diplomacy. There is a positive danger in complying with his behest. On the other hand, if our Master does not comply with the orders, there could be a risk of war. But it seems the Mughal is in no position to start one in the immediate future. Evidently, the reasons which compelled him to recall the expeditionary force must have at once been strong and lasting. The wisest course of action, therefore, is to bide time and ignore the summons. ”
“I have implicit faith in Karniji’s grace. I shall, I am confident, count on it to steer me, as in the past, through the Impending danger. With Her name as my armor, I shall boldly, as befit my House, face the situation and the Emperor. ”
Accompanied by his sons Kesari and Padam the Raja appeared before Aurangzeb. In the meanwhile, Banamalidas the bastard son of one of the former Bikaner rulers informed the emperor that Karan had turned back from Attock for fear of forcible conversion, and offered to embrace Islam as the price of the Bikaner throne, Aurangzeb who accepted Banmali’s offer planned to have Karan beheaded. Assassins detailed for this heinous act were stationed in the Darbar when the Raja flanked by his sons fearlessly walked into the Emperor’s presence. The Emperor gave the agreed signal but waited, and waited for quite some time, in vain for the assassins to execute their commission. Guessing that something was the matter, and apprehensive of the secret being divulged and his own life is endangered by the vicinity of the Rathore stalwarts, the tactful king changed his mind, recalled Karan’s services in the fratricidal wars between Aurang and Dara that preceded the vile rise of the monarch to Akbar’s throne, when Karan opposed his own cousin, Maharaj Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur for the sake of Aurangzeb.
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It would be unjustly charitable to suppose that the spontaneous decision of the monarch to abandon designs on the life of the unsuspecting Rajputs were dictated by any realization of the wickedness and patent injustice of that course of action. Knowing what Aurang was, it would perhaps be more logical to conclude that the recollection of Karan’s loyalty in the war, Where he was, as a matter of fact, arrayed against his own cousin must have given to the monarch the idea that the simple loyalty and the steadfast courage of a Rajput warrior like Karan were precisely what the empire needed for suppressing his enemies in the peninsula. Whatever be the reason, Aurang overlooked the serious affront and bestowed on Karan the Subedari of Aurangabad (Deccan). Jangaldhar Badshah, Karan, on his part attributed all this to the grace of Karniji and commemorated this by constructing a fine temple in Aurangabad, dedicated to Bhagwati Shri Karniji.
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