It was Rajputs alone who were fighting alone. When gunpowder were not on scene. When Gunpowder rose to prominence, Rajputs were on decline.
But that is where the beauty of kshatriya training comes in. . Even if they r declining, they are raging fires!!!! If they are ascendants, they are blazing sun.
It was Rajputs alone who were fighting alone. When gunpowder were not on scene. When Gunpowder rose to prominence, Rajputs were on decline.
Indian history embellishes itself with the certitude that the Rajputs and especially to the Rajputs of Mewar stood up against any and all foreign intruders, into the revered grounds of Hindustan.Many history seeker always wonder why Mewar is called so great, that its patrons, the Maharanas called themselves Hindupati, Chattis RajKul Rattan/Sringar (gem among 36 clans of Rajputs). Mewar is the place in whole of the Rajputana, where almost all of the Major Hindu Kings clans came over the centuries, becoming nobles here, making it much respected among all others Hindu King states. Whether it is Chauhan, Rathore, Solanki, Bhati, Dodiya, Jhala, Parmar, Tomar you will find majority names in history of Mewar. These clans came from different areas where they themselves were rulers, but with different reasons they came to settle in Mewar. They fought and made sacrifices in every single battle fought for Mewar. You name a battle and you'll find these people in it. Some even sacrificed their whole clan, with not even a single child living to carry on their names, like Ramshah Tomar of Gwalior. That makes it great, that makes Ejlingnath Deewan Mewar Maharana Chattis Kul Sringar.
And It is not like that only Hindu Kings came to settle in Mewar, even God themselves came to seek refuge here or choose mewar to serve them. As, no other Hindu state was able to give refuge to the God.
When priest asked Hindupati Maharana Raj Singh, that can he accept the idol of Lord Krishna? MahaRana replied, " Maharaj, i cannot guarantee that aurangzeb can't touch or destroy the idol, but i can guarantee that he will be able to do it after treading over the bodies of my one lakh Rajputs.". No wonder Maharanas were called Hindupati. Atleast Maharana Raj Singh truly deserved it.
It is not like that Aurangzeb didn't came to Mewar, he did, but every time he came, he was beaten, his army getting killed and looted, but that's a different story.
But the kind of trolling Hindupat MahaRana Raj Singh of Mewar inflicted on Aurangutan is simply exhilarating. Imagine the steel he was made of. A worthy desecendant of Bappa Rawal and Maharana.
Maharana Raj Singh and his nobles showed that whatever people think about Mewar is true in every respect and it is still great.
But how many of you know that Hindupat MahaRana Raj Singh of Mewar had captured Begum Udepuri, the queen of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb?
Alamgir had to beg for truce with the MahaRana to let Udepuri Begum return to Agra unmolested.
How Many of you know Hindupati MahaRana Raj Singh of Mewar defeated Aurangzeb , not once but thrice
Mughals even at their peak during Mughal emperor-Aurangzeb's rule failed to conquer north-west as Mughal Islàmic forces were constantly defeated twice by Hindu Rajput forces of Mewar MahaRana Raj Singh in war of Udaipur(1680) and war of aravlli hills(1680)
How many of you know Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj once taunted Aurangzeb to Ask Hindupat MahaRana Raj Singh of Mewar for Jazia if he had the guts :)
How many of you know Hindupat MahaRana Raj Singh built Asia second Largest sweet water lake, and "had the historical Sanskrit epic ‘Raj Prashasti’ carved on 27 black stones which are laid "
"out on the 9 ghats of the Raj Samand Lake. The history of Mewar is inscribed in 1017 stanzas in this epic"
"Its been acclaimed 1 of d longest etchings in India, ghats also carry carvings of sun,birds,chariots,gods"
How many of knew that Hindupat MahaRana Raj Singh is known for giving protection to the Gosain's with Shrinathji idol of Mathura, placed it in Nathdwara.
No other Hindu ruler was ready to take the Swaroop in his kingdom as it would mean to oppose the Mughal emperor Jihadi Aurangzeb, who was the most powerful man at that time.
How many of you knew that Hindupat MahaRana Raj Singh saved princess charumati of kishangarh from mugal clutches.
How many of us know that Hindupat MahaRana Raj Singh, who gave shelter to the infant son of Maharaja Jaswant Singh.
How many of you knew that Hindupat MahaRana Raj Singh assisted the rebellion of Durgadas Rathore against Mughals.
Such how many of you knew list is long So We guess they all know who was the most revered :-)
Then what is the reason that Hindupat MahaRana Raj Singh was undermined in the history of Mewar despite not just his struggle against Aurangzeb? But also Thrashing and humilation 3 times to Turk Lutera Aurangzeb?
Looks like Biased Distorians is now a days have yardstick for patriotism bcz of modern politics. 100-200 yrs ago, people knew who Hindupat MahaRana Raj Singh was, more so than........., he didnt need any praise from likes of ............ or anyone else for that matter.
Will share more about this Sidelined (or undermined bcoz of the legacy they born into where many greatest of legends are born in) legend, For whom upholding Rajput tradition was more important than the fear of possible retaliatory action.
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So that such creeps will get who has 1,00,000 heads to offer in the service of Lord Shrinathji
And For the treasury part rants, these tukde tukde gang will not be able to count the money in his entire lifetime that Rajputs have just donated, spent on construction of temples or lakes/dams.
The list is very long, but will just give example of one Rajput ruler. In 1675, Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar spent nearly Rupees 1.5 crore just on the construction of Rajsamand Lake. Yes, just on one lake. Rana Raj Singh, his queen with his son did Tula-daan of gold. Even the Rajpurohits and other Rajputs did tula-daan in Silver. Go ahead and count the weight of gold and silver and calculate the amount, if you can. Also, don't forget to count the amount he donated during his entire reign. Later he built temples for Shrinathji and Dwarakadhish. Know their worth?
Later he kicked arse of Mughals for over 1.5 years when they attacked Mewar.
Eklingamahatmya was composed by Kanh Vyasa during the reign of Maharana Kumbha, r. 1433 – 1468. This book described the early history of Mewar from Bappa Rawal, r. 734 – 753, onwards. In 1680 CE, Eklingamahatmya series illustration started under the commission inspired partly by the Maharana’s historical and genealogical interest. The illustration shows a speckled background with clothes, tree and foliage. In the painting one can see, the Abhishek of Shree Eklingnath ji through the milk of the revered cow, Kamdhenu. All other Gods and Godesses including Lord Brahma are praying to Shree Eklingnath ji, manifestation of Lord Shiva.
Entire worth of Such shabby loosers all ancestors won't be anywhere near the amount what Maharana Jai Singh later spent on construction of Jaisamand, forget about what he donated. So by not drifting it further as intention is not to humiliate any proud son of Akhand Maa Bharati as believed every proud son of this motherland did whatever they can..
Hindupat MahaRana Raj Singh was born on 24 september 1629. He was one of the strongest Maharana of mewar after Maharana Pratap who opposes similar oppressor like Mughal emperor Aurangzeb
After the demise of MahaRana Jagat Singh I, MahaRana Raj Singh ascended the throne of Mewar on 10th October 1652 CE. Raj Singh (the royal lion) mounted the throne in S. 1710 (A.D. 1654). Various causes over which he had no control combined, together with his personal character, to break the long repose his country had enjoyed. The emperor of the Moguls had reached extreme old age, and the ambition of his sons to usurp his authority involved every Rajput in support of their individual pretensions. The MahaRana inclined to Dara, the legitimate heir to the throne, as did nearly the whole Rajput race; but the battle of Fatehabad silenced every pretension, and gave the lead to Aurangzeb, which he maintained by the sacrifice of whatever opposed his ambition. His father, brothers, nay, his own offspring, were in turn victims to that thirst for power which eventually destroyed the monarchy of the Moguls.
The policy introduced by their founder, from which Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan had reaped so many benefits, was unwisely abandoned by the latter, who of all had the most powerful reasons for maintaining those ties which connected the Rajput princes with his house. Historians have neglected to notice the great moral strength derived from this unity of the indigenous races with their conquerors; for during no similar period was the empire so secure, nor the Hindu race so cherished, as during the reigns of Jahangir and Shah Jahan: the former born from a Rajput princess of Amber, and the latter from the house of Marwar. Aurangzeb’s unmixed Tatar blood brought no Rajput sympathies to his aid; on the contrary, every noble family shed their best blood in withstanding his accession, and in the defence of Shah Jahan’s rights, while there was a hope of success. The politic Aurangzeb was not blind to this defect, and he tried to remedy it in his successor; for both his declared heir, Shah Alam, and Azam, as well as his favourite grandson, were the offspring of Rajputnis; but, uninfluenced himself by such predilections, his bigotry outweighed his policy, and he visited the Rajputs with an unrelenting and unwise persecution.
We shall pass the twice-told tale of the struggle for power which ended in the destruction of the brothers, competitors with Aurangzeb: this belongs to general history, not to the annals of Mewar; and that history is in every hand, in which the magnanimity of Dara, the impetuosity of Murad, and the activity of Suja met the same tragical end.
Princes contemporary with Aurangzeb.—
It has seldom occurred that so many distinguished princes were contemporary as during the reign of Aurangzeb. Every Rajput principality had a head above mediocrity in conduct as in courage. Jai Singh of Amber, surnamed ‘the Mirza Raja’; Jaswant Singh of Marwar, with the Haras of Bundi and Kotah; the Rathores of Bikaner, and Bundelas of Orchha and Datia, were men whose prejudices, properly consulted, would have rendered the Mogul power indissoluble: but he had but one measure of contumely for all, which inspired Shivaji Raje with designs of freedom to Maharashtra, and withdrew every sentiment of support from the princes of Rajasthan. In subtlety and the most specious hypocrisy, in that concentration of resolve which confides its deep purpose to none, in every qualification of the warrior or scholar, Aurangzeb had no superior amongst the many distinguished of his race; but that sin by which ‘angels fell’ had steeped him in an ocean of guilt, and not only neutralized his natural capacities, but converted the means for unlimited power into an engine of self-destruction.
From "HISTORY OF INDIA" book by JOHN CLARK MARSHMAN, 1873.
“This hypocrisy,” says the eloquent Orme, “encreased with his power, and in order to palliate to his Mahomedan subjects the crimes by which he had become their sovereign, he determined to enforce the conversion of the Hindoos by the severest penalties, and even threatned the sword; as if the blood of his subjects were to wash away the stains, with which he was imbrued by the blood of his family.... Labour left the field and industry in the loom, until the decrease of the revenues drew representations from the governors of the provinces; which induced Aurungzeb to substitute a capitation tax as the ballance of the account between the two religions.” The same historian justly characterizes this enactment as one so contrary to all notions of sound policy, as well as of the feelings of humanity, that “reflection seeks the motive with amazement.” In this amazement we might remain, nor seek to develop the motive, did not the ample page of history in all nations disclose that in the name of religion more blood has been shed, and more atrocity committed, than by the united action of the whole catalogue of the passions. Muhammad’s creed was based on conversion, which, by whatever means effected, was a plenary atonement for every crime. In obedience thereto Aurangzeb acted; but though myriads of victims who clung to their faith were sacrificed by him at the fiat of this gladiatorial prophet, yet nor these, nor the scrupulous fulfilment of fanatic observances, could soothe at the dread hour the perturbations of the ‘still small voice’ which whispered the names of father, brother, son, bereft by him of life.
Eloquently does he portray these terrors in his letters to his grandson on his death-bed, wherein he says,
"Whichever way I look, I see only the divinity"
—and that an offended divinity.
...the ruler richly attired, his tunic held with a white sash and wearing a Katar, his palms held together"
"Portrait of Raj Singh I, Maharana of Mewar (r.1652-80), worshipping SuryaOpaque pigments heightened with gold on paper- Mewar, Rajasthan,c.1670"
Hindupat MahaRana Raj Singh defies Aurangzeb.— MahaRana Raj Singh had signalized his accession by the revival of the warlike Tika-daur, and plundered Malpura, which though on the Ajmer frontier, Shah Jahan, when advised to vengeance, replied
“it was only a folly of his nephew.”
An appeal to his gallantry made him throw down the gauntlet to Aurangzeb in the plenitude of his power, when the valour of the Sisodias again burst forth in all the splendour of the days of MahaRana Partap The Great, nor did the contest close till after a series of brilliant victories, and with the narrow escape from captivity of the Xerxes of Hindustan.
The Mogul demanded the hand of the princess of Rupnagar, a junior branch of the Marwar house, and sent with the demand (a compliance with which was contemplated as certain) a cortège of two thousand horse to escort the fair to court. But the haughty Rajputni, either indignant at such precipitation or charmed with the gallantry of the MahaRana, who had evinced his devotion to the fair by measuring his sword with the head of her house, rejected with disdain the proffered alliance, and, justified by brilliant precedents in the romantic history of her nation, she entrusted her cause to the arm of the chief of the Rajput race, offering herself as the reward of protection. The family priest (her preceptor) deemed his office honoured by being the messenger of her wishes, and the billet he conveyed is incorporated in the memorial of this reign.
“Is the swan to be the mate of the stork: a Rajputni, pure in blood, to be wife to the Goat-faced barbarian!”
Concluding with a threat of self-destruction if not saved from dishonour. This appeal, with other powerful motives, was seized on with avidity by the MahaRana as a pretext to throw away the scabbard, in order to illustrate the opening of a warfare, in which he determined to put all to the hazard in defence of his country and his faith. The issue was an omen of success to his warlike and superstitious vassalage. With a chosen band he rapidly passed the foot of the Aravalli and appeared before Rupnagar, cut up the imperial guards, and bore off the prize to his capital. The daring act was applauded by all who bore the name of Rajput, and his chiefs with joy gathered their retainers around the ‘red standard,’ to protect the queen so gallantly achieved.
"The ruler's palms held together and held above his head, flanked by whisk, fan and sword bearers, facing right and upwards worshipping the sun god Surya, depicted haloed, sitting in a cart drawn by a seven-headed horse and steered by Arun; the reverse with 3 lines of Devanagari"
The Imposition of the Jizya or Capitation Tax.—
The annalist of Rajputana is but an indifferent chronologist, and leaves us doubtful of the exact succession of events at this period. It was not, however, till the death of those two powerful princes, MahaRaja Jaswant Singh of Marwar and MahaRaja Jai Singh of Amber, both poisoned by command of the tyrant, the one at his distant government of Kabul, the other in the Deccan, that he deemed himself free to put forth the full extent of his long-concealed design, the imposition of the jizya or capitation tax on the whole Hindu race. But he miscalculated his measures, and the murder of these princes, far from advancing his aim, recoiled with vengeance on his head. Foiled in his plot to entrap the infant sons of the Rathor by the self-devotion of his vassals, the compound treachery evinced that their only hope lay in a deadly resistance. The mother of Ajit, the infant heir of Marwar, a woman of the most determined character, was a princess of Mewar, and she threw herself upon the MahaRana as the natural guardian of his rights, for sanctuary (saran) during the dangers of his minority. This was readily yielded, and Kelwa assigned as his residence, where under the immediate safeguard of the brave Durgadas Ajit resided, while she nursed the spirit of resistance at home. A union of interests was cemented between these the chief States of Rajputana, for which they never before had such motive, and but for repeated instances of an ill-judged humanity, the throne of the Moguls might have been completely overturned.
Letter of Remonstrance to Aurangzeb.—
On the promulgation of that barbarous edict, the jizya, the MahaRana remonstrated by letter, in the name of the nation of which he was the head, in a style of such uncompromising dignity, such lofty yet temperate resolve, so much of soul-stirring rebuke mingled with a boundless and tolerating benevolence, such elevated ideas of the Divinity with such pure philanthropy, that it may challenge competition with any epistolary production of any age, clime, or condition. In this are contained the true principles of Christianity, and to the illustrious Gentile, and such as acted as he did, was pointed that golden sentence of toleration,
"Those who have not the law, yet do by nature the things contained in the law, shall be a law unto themselves."
Aurangzeb attacks Mewār.—
This letter, the sanctuary afforded Ajit, and (what the historical parasite of the Mogul’s life dared not indite) the carrying off of his betrothed, made him pour out all the phials of his wrath against the devoted Mewar, and his preparations more resembled those for the conquest of a potent kingdom than the subjugation of a Rajput zamindar, a vassal of that colossal empire on whose surface his domain was but a speck. In the very magnitude of these, the Suzerain of Hindustan paid the highest tribute of praise to the tributary Rajput, for he denuded the very extremities of his empire to assemble a host which he deemed must prove irresistible. Akbar was recalled from his province, Bengal; Azam from the distant Kabul; and even Muazzam (the Mogul’s heir) from the war in the Deccan. With this formidable array the emperor entered Mewar, and soon reduced the low countries, which experience had taught them were indefensible, the inhabitants previously retiring with their effects to the hills. Chitor, Mandalgarh, Mandasor, Jiran, and many other strongholds were obtained after the usual form of opposition, and garrisoned by the Moguls. Meanwhile the MahaRana was animating the might of the Aravalli, where he meditated a resistance proportioned to the peril which threatened every cherished prejudice of his race: not the mere defence of dominion or dignity, but a struggle, pro aris et focis, around which rallied every Rajput with the most deadly determination. Even the primitive races of the western wilds, “the Palindas and Palipats (lord of the passes), with thousands of bows, and hearts devoted in the cause of Hindupat,” assembled round the red banner of Mewar. The MahaRana divided his forces into three bodies . His eldest son, Jai Singh, was posted on the crest of the Aravalli, ready to act on the invaders from either side of the mountains. Prince Bhim was to the west, to keep up the communications with the outlets to Gujarat; while the MahaRana, with the main body, took post in the Nai defile, unassailable by the enemy, and hanging on his left flank, ready to turn it, and cut off all retreat the moment the Imperialists entered the mountains. Aurangzeb advanced to Debari, but instead of entering the valley of which it was the gorge, he halted, and by the advice of Tahawwar Khan sent on Prince Akbar with fifty thousand men to the capital. This caution of the wily monarch saved him from the ably planned scheme of the Rajput prince, who evinced a thorough knowledge of the topography of this intricate and romantic portion of his domain. The Girwa, emphatically ‘the Circle,’ from which the valley of the capital is named, has this form to the eye when viewing it from thence as a centre. It is, however, an irregular ellipse of about fourteen miles in length from south to north, and about eleven in breadth from east to west, the capital being situated towards the extremity of the transverse axis, having only the lake Pichola between it and the base of the Aravalli. The mountains of this circular (girwa) valley, ranging from eight to twelve hundred feet in height, are of primitive formation, and raise raise their fantastic pinnacles in every diversity of shape over each other. To the westward the grand chain rises two thousand feet above the plains, and might be termed the chord, of which the Girwa is an irregular segment of a circle, less in height, and far less compound in character. Towards the plains east, it has three practicable passes; one, the more northern, by Delwara; the other (central), by Debari; a third, leading to the intricacies of Chappan, that of Nai. Of these three passes the emperor chose the most practicable, and encamped near the Udaisagar lake, on the left of its entrance.
The Advance of Prince Akbar.—
Prince Akbar advanced. “Not a soul interrupted his progress to the city. Palaces, gardens, lakes, and isles met his eye, but no living thing: all was silence.” Akbar encamped. Accustomed to this desertion from the desire of the people to avoid a licentious soldiery, and lulled into a hardy security, he was surprised by the heir of Mewar. Some were praying, some feasting, some at chess: “they came to steal and yet fell asleep,” says the annalist, and were dispersed with terrific and unrelenting slaughter. Cut off from the possibility of a junction with the emperor by a movement of a part of the MahaRana’s personal force, Akbar attempted a retreat to the plains of Marwar by the route of Gogunda. It was a choice of evils, and he took the worst. The allodial vassals of the mountains, with the Bhil auxiliaries, outstripped his retreat, and blocked up farther egress in one of those long-extended valleys termed Nal, closed by a natural rampart or Col, on which they formed abbatis of trees, and manning the crests on each side, hurled destruction on the foe; while the prince, in like manner, blocked up the entrance and barred retrogression. Death menaced them in every form. For several days they had only the prospect of surrender to save them from famine and a justly incensed foe, when an ill-judged humanity on the part of Jai Singh saved them from annihilation. He admitted overtures, confided in protestations to renounce the origin of the war, and gave them guides to conduct them by the defile of Bhilwara, nor did they halt till protected by the walls of Chitor.
Another body of the Imperialists, under the celebrated Dilir Khan, who entered by the Desuri Pass from Marwar (probably with a view of extricating Prince Akbar), were allowed to advance unopposed, and when in the long intricate gorge were assailed by Bikram Solanki and Gopinath Rathor (both nobles of Mewar), and after a desperate conflict entirely destroyed. On each occasion a vast booty fell into the hands of the Rajputs.
So ably concerted was this mountain warfare, that these defeats were the signal for a simultaneous attack by the MahaRana on Aurangzeb, who, with his son Azam, watched at Debari the result of the operations under Akbar and Dilir. The great home-clans had more than their wonted rivalry to sustain them, for the gallant Durgadas with the Rathor swords (talwār Rāthorān) whetted by an accumulation of wrongs, were to combat with them against their common oppressor; and nobly did they contest the palm of glory. The tyrant could not withstand them: his guns, though manned by Franks, could not protect him against the just cause and avenging steel of the Rajput, and he was beaten and compelled to disgraceful flight, with an immense loss in men and equipment. The MahaRana had to lament many brave leaders, home and auxiliary; and the imperial standard, elephants, and state equipage fell into his hands, the acquisition of Mohkam and the Saktawats. This glorious encounter occurred in the spring month of Phalgun, S. 1737, March A.D. 1681 [1680].
The discomfited forces formed a junction under the walls of Chitor, whence the emperor dictated the recall of his son, Prince Muazzam, from the Deccan, deeming it of greater moment to regain lost importance in the north than to prevent the independence of Sivaji. Meanwhile the activity of Sawaldas (descended from the illustrious Jaimall) cut off the communication between Chitor and Ajmer, and alarmed the tyrant for his personal safety. Leaving, therefore, this perilous warfare to his sons Azam and Akbar, with instructions how to act till reinforced,—foiled in his vengeance and personally disgraced, he abandoned Mewar, and at the head of his guards repaired to Ajmer. Thence he detached Khan Rohilla, with twelve thousand men, against Sawaldas, with supplies and equipments for his sons. The Rathor, joined by the troops of Marwar, gave him the meeting at Pur Mandal, and defeated the Imperialists with great loss, driving them back on Ajmer.
Diversion made by the Rājputs.—
While the MahaRana, his heir and auxiliaries, were thus triumphant in all their operations, Prince Bhim with the left division was not idle, but made a powerful diversion by the invasion of Gujarat, captured Idar, expelling Hasan and his garrison, and proceeding by Birnagar, suddenly appeared before Patan, the residence of the provincial satrap, which he plundered. Siddhpur, Modasa, and other towns shared the same fate; and he was in full march to Surat, when the benevolence of the MahaRana, touched at the woes of the fugitives, who came to demand his forbearance, caused him to recall Bhim in the midst of his career.
Contrary to the Rajput character, whose maxim is parcere subjectis, they were compelled by the utter faithlessness of Aurangzeb (chiefly vulnerable through his resources) to retaliate his excesses; and Dayal Sah, the civil minister, a man of high courage and activity, headed another flying force, which ravaged Malwa to the Nerbudda and Betwa. Sarangpur, Dewas, Sironj, Mandu, Ujjain, and Chanderi were plundered, and numerous garrisons put to the sword; and, to use the words of the Chronicle, “husbands abandoned their wives and children, and whatever could not be carried off was given to the flames.” For once they avenged themselves, in imitation of the tyrant, even on the religion of their enemies:
“the Kazis were bound and shaved, and the Korans thrown into wells.”
The minister was unrelenting and made Malwa a desert, and from the fruits of his incursions repaired the resources of his master. Flushed with success, he formed a junction with the heir of Mewar, and gave battle to Azam near Chitor. On this occasion the flower of Mewar, with the Rathor and Khichi auxiliaries, were engaged, and obtained a glorious victory, the Mogul prince being defeated and pursued with great slaughter to Ranthambhor, which he entered. This was a just revenge, for it was Azam who surprised Chitor the year preceding. In Mewar the contest terminated with the expulsion of the Imperialists from the country; when the MahaRana, in support of the rights of the minor prince of Marwar, united his arms to the forces of that state, and opened the campaign at Ghanerao, the chief town of Godwar. The heroic mother of the infant Rathor prince, a daughter of Mewar, had, since the death of her husband, well supported his rights, having resisted every aggression and regained many lost advantages over their antagonist. Prince Bhim commanded the Sesodias, who formed a junction with the Rathors, and gave battle to the royal forces led by Akbar and Tahawwar Khan, whom they entirely defeated. The victory is chiefly attributed to a stratagem of a Rajput chief, who, having carried off five hundred camels from the Imperialists, conceived the idea of fixing torches to them and letting them loose in the royal camp; and, in the confusion produced by the charge of such a body, the Rajputs assaulted them.
Plan to dethrone Aurangzeb.—
During mughal invasion of mewar, Akbar(aurangzeb's son) was posted in mewar the rajputs defeated him and plundered his camp. Akbar wrote a mercy petition to his father for his failure. But two days later rajputs again plundered his camp.
On their continued successes, the MahaRana and his allies meditated the project of dethroning the tyrant and setting up his son Akbar. The pernicious example of his father towards Shah Jahan was not lost upon Akbar, who favourably received the overture; but he wanted the circumspection which characterized Aurangzeb, whose penetration defeated the scheme when on the eve of execution. Already had the Rajput armies united with Akbar, and the astrologer had fixed the day which was to exalt him; but the revealer of secrets baffled his own prediction by disclosing it to the emperor. Aurangzeb, attended only by his guards at Ajmer, had recourse to the same artifice which raised him to empire, in order to ward off this danger. Akbar was but one day’s march distant; his elder sons, Muazzam and Azam, yet far off. Not a moment was to be lost: he penned a letter to his son, which by a spy was dropped in the tent of the Rajput leader Durgadas. In this he applauded a pretended scheme by which Akbar was to fall upon them when they engaged the emperor. The same scheme had saved Sher Shah in this country from Maldeo, and has more recently been put in practice, and with like success, in the war with Sivaji. It succeeded. The Rajputs detached themselves from the prince who had apparently betrayed them. Tahawwar Khan, in despair, lost his life in an attempt to assassinate the emperor, and before the artifice was discovered, the reinforcements under Muazzam and Azam arrived, and Aurangzeb was saved. The Rajputs still offered saran (refuge) to Akbar; but aware of his father’s vigour of character, he deemed himself unsafe in his vicinage, and accepted the escort of five hundred Rajputs led by Durgadas, who cut their way through every opposition by the defiles of Mewar and Dungarpur, and across the Nerbudda, to the Mahratta leader Sambhaji, at Palargarh, whence he was shortly after conveyed in an English ship to Persia.
Overtures for Peace.—
“The escape of Acbar”
(observes an historian, who appreciated the importance of the transactions of this period) “to Sambagee, oppressed Aurengzebe with as much anxiety, as formerly the phantom of his brother Sujah amongst the Pitans; and the consequence of their alliance became a nearer care than the continuance of the war against the Rajpoots, whose gallant activity prevented a speedy decision by the sword; but the dignity of the throne forbad any overtures of peace to a resistance which had attempted the deposal, if not the life, of the monarch. A Rajpoot officer, who had long served with distinction under Delire Khan, solved the difficulty: he quitted the army on the pretence of retiring to his own country and visited the Rana as from courtesy on his journey. The conversation turned on the war, which the Rajpoot perhaps really lamented, and he persuaded the MahaRana that although Aurengzebe would never condescend to make, he might accept overtures of peace: upon which he was empowered by the MahaRana to tender them.” The domestic annals confirm this account, and give the name of this mediator, Raja Shyam Singh of Bikaner; but the negotiation was infamously protracted to the rains, the period when operations necessarily cease, and by which time Aurangzeb had recruited his broken forces, and was again enabled to take the field; and it was concluded “without assertion or release of the capitation tax, but with the surrender of the districts taken from Chitor, and the State of Jodhpur was included in the treaty.” How correctly this elegant historian had obtained a knowledge of those events, a translation of the treaty evinces. But these occurrences belong to the succeeding reign, for the Rana died about this period, from wounds and vexation.
After the succession Maharana Raj Singh went to Shree Eklingnathji Temple and did 'Tula Dan' of precious gems and stones and Silver. During the accession crisis in the Mughal Empire, Maharana Raj Singh supported prince Aurangzeb and wisely kept on strengthening his own kingdom and reoccupied Mandalgarh, Dariba, Banera, Jahajpur, Sawer, Phulia, Kekadi etc.
When Aurangzeb became the emperor, his anti - Hindu policies grew so harsh. Maharana also continued to breech the treaty with Mughals by repairing the fort Chittorgarh like his father. However, Maharana kept his relations with the Mughals by sending gifts and his Princes to the Mughal court. But In 1660 CE, Kishangarh's princess Charumati sent marriage proposal to Maharana Raj Singh, as Aurangzeb wanted to marry her forcibly. He abducted her and married her, which outraged Aurangzeb. In 1669 CE, orthodox Aurangzeb gave the order to destroy Hindu temples and educational institutions and re imposed Jaziya, Maharana opposed it openly. Maharana gave refuge to Maharaja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur; Aurangzeb finally attacked Mewar in 1679 CE. The Maharana resisted the attack by using guerilla tactics.
Aurangzeb’s attack on Mewar - 1679 A.D.
Do you know, in 1670, barbarian Aurangzeb destroyed the great temple of Keshava Dev Rai, at the Krishna Janmabhumi in Mathura, where God Krishna was born and built Idhah mosque at its place? He had assumed it was improper for a Muslim even to look at temple.
Do you know Aurangzeb transported idols (Murti) of God Krishna of Keshava Dev Rai temple to Agra and buried them under the steps of Nawab Begum Sahib’s (Jahanara’s) mosque so that they could be trampled and humiliated under the feet of Muslims?
Do you know name of Mathura was changed to Islamabad?
Do you know it was Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar Kingdom, who recovered idol of Shri Nath Ji from Agra and installed them in 1672 at Aravali Hills on the banks of Banas River in Nathdwara in Rajasthan, because no other king dared to challenge the authority of Aurangzeb
Nathdwara, which means Gateway to Shri Nath Ji (God), is a famous pilgrimage place in Rajasthan, today Ask yourself one question: How can we glorify an uncouth, illiterate and blood thirsty invader? What kind of dead society are we?Do you know, in 1670, barbarian Aurangzeb destroyed the great temple of Keshava Dev Rai, at the Krishna Janmabhumi in Mathura, where God Krishna was born and built Idhah mosque at its place? He had assumed it was improper for a Muslim even to look at temple.
Do you know Aurangzeb transported idols (Murti) of God Krishna of Keshava Dev Rai temple to Agra and buried them under the steps of Nawab Begum Sahib’s (Jahanara’s) mosque so that they could be trampled and humiliated under the feet of Muslims?
Do you know name of Mathura was changed to Islamabad?
Do you know it was Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar Kingdom, who recovered idol of Shri Nath Ji from Agra and installed them in 1672 at Aravali Hills on the banks of Banas River in Nathdwara in Rajasthan, because no other king dared to challenge the authority of Aurangzeb
Nathdwara, which means Gateway to Shri Nath Ji (God), is a famous pilgrimage place in Rajasthan, today Ask yourself one question: How can we glorify an uncouth, illiterate and blood thirsty invader? What kind of dead society are we?
The conflict between Hindupat Maharana Raj Singh and Mughals was brewing for long, from ShahJahan to Aurangzeb. Maharana on many occasions had openly defied and attacked Mughals territory, had expedited repairs of fortifications in Chittorgarh fort,
his marriage at Kishangarh, challenged Aurangzeb’s order to collect Jaziya.
During his reign Shree Nathji was welcomed at village Sinhad, now Nathdwara. He had given safe refuge to murti of Dwarkadheesh from Gokul, the temple is now in Kankaroli in Rajsamand district.
Shrinathji’s murti from Mathura which was saved from destruction done Aurangzeb was finally taken to Mewar and Maharana promised that Aurangzeb can touch the murti only after this One Lakh Rajputs are dead.
Infant Ajit Singh of Jodhpur was successfully rescued by loyal Rathores after bloody battle in Delhi with Mughals, Maharana Raj Singh provided safety to Prince Ajit Singh and refused to give up Ajit Singh to Aurangzeb. Rathores joined forces with him, they were also attacking Mughal in Marwar. Rathore’s struggle and their sacrifices for Marwar was another parallel struggle which needs equally detailed description. In Sept, 1679 Aurangzeb started his march and reached Ajmer in October and marched towards Udaipur in December. He had called Akbar from Merta and Azam from Bengal to join him. Muazzam was asked to come towards Ujjain. As Niccolao Manuccie, the Italian writer and traveller in Aurangzeb’s rule wrote
"Aurangzeb had put in pledge the whole of his kingdom against Mewar and Maharana."
Mughals moved from Ajmer to Mandal and then to Rajsamand.
There, on the bank of Rajsamand lake, Mughal army saw a handful of men. They were Anand Singh Rathore of Banol and his men, who were waiting for the Mughals.
They were there because Maharana had called back all the men guarding Rajsamand lake dam, but forgot to write Anand Singh’s name in the letter. Others who were called back, had tried to persuade Anand Singh that his name must have been forgotten and that he should return to Maharana. But he refused. He and his few men stood between Udaipur and Mughals.
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| Rajasamand Ghat |
The fight ensued and Anand Singh and his men laid down their life on the banks of Rajsamand lake, after reducing some count of Mughal army. Maharana later built a cenotaph in memory of AnandSingh Rathore.
Thereafter, the temple in Rajnagar was attacked by Akbar and Tahavvur Khan. There Sabal Singh Purawat of Mangrop, Mokham Singh Shaktawat of Bhindar and many Chundawat Rajputs fought with Mughals, over 20 Rajputs and many Mughals killed in the battle. In Jan, 1680 Mughals reached Debari and attacked the Rajputs guarding the gate. Rathore GoraSingh, who was son of legendary Ballu Champawat of Marwar fell in the battle and ManSingh Sarangdevot was wounded.
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| Debari gate, cenotaph of GoraSingh and others are visible inside |
From Debari, HasanKuli Khan was sent to chase Maharana with 7000 soldiers and Akbar marched towards Eklingji with Tahavvur Khan.
But when they saw steep route of Chirwa Ghata, they decided to turn back. During night halt of Akbar, Jhala PratapSingh attacked them and captured 2 elephants. Akbar and Tahavvur Khan rushed back to join Aurangzeb.
Aurangzeb sent his scouts towards Udaipur. They scouts confirmed that city was deserted. Udaipur was vacated on Maharana’s order and everyone went to safe refuge in the hills of Bhomat. Aurangzeb sent EkkaTaz Khan and Ruhilla Khan to demolish temples in the city. While vacating the city, some people taunted Charan Naru Barhath, “Barhathji had took ‘Neg’ (presents) for so many times at the door of Maharana, why would he leave now?”
Naruji sent his family away and stayed back with 20 other MachaTod (माचा-तोड़) who wished to safeguard the temple. MachaTod were those would be waiting on their charpai (Macha in Mewar/Marwar), at the place with intention to safeguard it and die, if needed.
When EkkaTaz Khan, Ruhilla Khan with their army entered the city and moved towards Jagadish Temple, which was and still is most marvellous temples in the city, to destroy it, they found the gates are locked. As they came near, the small gate opened and only a single soldier stood in their way. He killed many mughals before he was killed but then another one had taken his place, blocking the narrow entrance. One after another, all the Machatod warriors blocked Mughal army's way and killed many mughals before they were cut down to pieces. Only after all the Machatod and Naruji Barhath were killed, the remaining Mughals could enter the temple but they still had fear of more such Machatod. Names of those 20 brave Machatod were lost in history, we only know of Naruji Barhath.
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| Naruji's memorial stone at north gate |
Mughals then damaged the Jagadish Temple.
Jagadish Temple was later repaired by Maharana SangramSingh-II.
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| Jagadish Temple |
In Feb, 1680 Aurangzeb came on banks of Udai Sagar and ordered to destroy 3 temples which were built during reign of Maharana Udai Singh, there were over 170 temples destroyed in and around Udaipur. While in Debari, Aurangzeb placed blockades across Mewar but Mughal garrison were constantly attacked and harassed by the Rajputs. Rajputs had replaced Mughal blockade by their own. Kothariya Kunwar Udaibhan and Amar Singh Chauhan attacked Mughals with just 25 horses and looted their provisions.
Meanwhile, IslamKhan Rumi was marching towards Desuri with his 12,000 force but Vikramaditya (Bika) Solanki of Desuri and Gopinath Mertiya of Ghanerao successfully repulsed him. Manuccie wrote
“Rana barred the roads in such a way that the Moguls, now surrounded by mountains, could find no exit, nor knew they where to pass.”
Aurangzeb was stuck in Debari for 21 days.
HasanKuli Khan who was sent after Maharana entered in the hills and reached Jhadol. Chauhan, Chundawats and Dodiya Rajputs attacked Mughals during the night. Dodiya Naval Singh, along with his sons Muhkam Singh and Krishna Singh died fighting in this battle.
A lot of Mughals were killed but HasanKuli Khan managed to run away with his life and complained to Aurangzeb that
“Hindus attack us in small groups at various places, they are in their backyard and we can’t even find a place to halt. We should move towards Chittorgarh.”
Mughals then moved towards Chittorgarh. Maharana then sent Gangadas Shaktawat, son of Bansi Rawat after the Mughals who were moving towards Chittor. He attacked Mughals and captured 18 elephants, many horses and camels.
Famous saying of that time
बीको सोलंकी गंगकुँवर उदैभाण चहुआण,
ए त्रंण न वेता राण रै तो धर जाती तुरकाण ।
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| Warrior memorial stones, some are of Solanki Rajputs who fell in battle against Aurangzeb’s army in 1680. |
On March 9, Aurangzeb reached Chittorgarh.
Once Aurangzeb reach Chittorgarh, 63 temples were destroyed on his orders. He deputed Akbar, HasanKuli Khan and Raziuddin Khan in Chittorgarh, Ruhilla Khan to control Badnore with 12,000 soldiers.
Aurangzeb left for Ajmer after spending 10-15 days in Chittorgarh. As soon as Aurangzeb left to Ajmer, Mertiya Sanwaldas was sent towards Badnore, who attacked Rohilla Khan with such intensity that Mughals ran away towards Ajmer without taking their belongings.
The army of 12,000 left by Aurangzeb in Chittorgarh was turning out to be insufficient, as Rajputs frequently attacked Mughals and caused heavy damages. HasanKuli Khan when sent again in hills, but he got lost for over 2 weeks and harassed by the Rajputs that when he returned, he started making excuses to avoid going out again. Akbar sent multiple letters to Aurangzeb which shows Mughals were not willing to fight. Meanwhile Rajputs kept harassing Mughals, looted provisions sent for Mughal army sent from Neemach and Mandsor, Kunwar BhimSingh destroyed many Mughal posts. Mughal forces started building walls around their camps to protect themselves from surprise attacks. Kunwar Jai Singh with many Rajputs was sent towards Chittorgarh. They decided to attack Mughals during night. It was pitch dark and raining when Rajputs attacked unsuspecting Mughals. When the slaughter began, Rajputs enjoyed every bit of it but for Mughals it was nightmare.
During the chaos, some fought and some ran away. Rajputs killed over 1000 Mughals, looted 18 elephants and camels, over 50 horses, Mughal flag. Before dawn Rajputs were back at their camp and Akbar fled to Ajmer with Tahavvur Khan, Aurangzeb had to send Azam to Chittorgarh. Kunwar Jai Singh continued to remain near Chittorgarh and kept harassing Mughal, blocked and looted the provisions coming from Malwa to Chittor but Azam didn’t attack or confront the Rajputs and remained holed up in the fort.
Kunwar Bhim Singh was sent towards Gujarat with 4000 soldiers, who attacked and looted Mughal territory and destroyed nearly 300 mosques, it was Mewar's revenge for Mughal destruction of temples in Udaipur and near by areas. Maharana’s minister Dayaldas was sent towards Malwa, who looted Mughals, installed checkposts and razed down many mosques. Mughals then hatched a new plan, Azam to come from Chittorgarh to Debari, Udaipur towards Bhomat, Muazzam to come from Rajsamand and Akbar to come from Desuri.
Akbar was supposed to attack Desuri with Tahavvur Khan, who was already frightened by fighting with Rajputs that he denied moving forward and stayed in Kharwa for nearly a month. When forced, he reached Nadol but still was not committed to fight with Rajputs.
Akbar reached Nadol towards end of Sept, 1680 and forced TahavvurKhan to attack Desuri. In Oct 1680, Tahavvur Khan moved towards Desuri. Kunwar BhimSingh along with Bika Solanki Desuri and Gopinath Mertiya Ghanerao came out of mountains and attacked Mughals, looted their camp.
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| Ghanerao entrance |
Defeated and dejected, Mughals lost the taste of fighting and started negotiations for peace treaty. But unfortunately, on 22 Oct, 1680 Maharana Raj Singh died in village Oda, near Kumbhalgarh. Mewar had lost one of its greatest King but its struggle with Mughals continued. At the time of Maharana Raj Singh’s death, Jai Singh was at Kuraj, on the banks of Banas River. After his coronation he found that are Mughals again advancing torwads Desuri. Kunwar Bhim Singh and Bika Solanki of Desuri blocked Tahavvur Khan for 8 days in the Desuri Naal in fierce battle. Tahavvur Khan had to return towards Marwar.
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| Desuri Fort |
Desuri pass and its defence by Solankis and Mertiyas proved to be impregnable, Mughal army lost 3 times in the same area against the same opponents.
Famous saying in that area
दिल्ली कहे देसूरी तू जीती मैं हारी,
कलमा औरंग शाह रि जीकि बीके उतारी ।
Diler Khan was sent towards Gogunda ki Naal. There, Diler Khan’s passage was blocked by Chundawat Rawat Ratan Singh. Diler Khan tried to return during night while being harassed by Ratan Singh, Diler Khan lost 400 men. After this, Rajputs managed to get Akbar rebel against his father. This created more problems for Aurangzeb and Mughal army left Mewar amid the confusion and reached Ajmer.
Now coming to who had Diarrhoea and dysentry, above is the screenshots describing the condition of your beloved and "all powerful emperor" Aurangzeb's army in Mewar.
And this was Aurangzeb's situation in Marwar. When Rajputs with timid prince Akbar marched on Aurangzeb himself at Ajmer. So called strongest mughal Aurangzeb had to shut himself in Ajmer fort, and his military camp was in terror as Mightiest Rajputs could reach Ajmer anyday.
Meanwhile in Deccan Marathas had started creating trouble for Mughals after Chhatrapati Shivaji Demise in 1680, Mughals hastily asked for peace treaty with Mewar, which was confirmed in July 1681, thereafter Aurangzeb moved towards south to deal with Chhatrapati Sambhaji. The entire military campaign of Aurangzeb on Mewar failed to achieve anything for Mughals, instead they lost thousands of men, lost many battles, harassed by Rajputs both in Mewar and Marwar. Only thing Aurangzeb could achieve was triggering disintegration of his empire.
MahaRana Raj Singh: Sword of Hindu
Bankim also cited the example of Rajput valor in his novel to inspire the Indian Freedom Movement and to inspire Indians During his time including Rajsingha(1882), Durgesnandini(Which is his first notable work).
Rajsingha(Novel written on the valor of Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar) the only work which Bankim acknowledged as a 'historical novel was written,to quote the author, 'to establish that the Hindus have bahubal (prowess).'
"Rajsingha" is a dynamic account of an individual's war with the Mughal ruler, and is significant for arousing feelings of nationalism and patriotism among the Indians under the British rule.
In him nationalism and Hinduism merged as one; and his creed was epitomized in the song "Bande Mataram"- from his novel Anandamaṭh which later became the mantra and slogan of hindu india in its struggle for independence.
His first notable Bengali work was the novel Durgesnandini, which features a Rajput hero and a Bengali heroine.
Rajsimha(last) -The protagonist is a Rajput chieftien and the main plot is about the armed conflict between Rajasimha and Aurangazeb.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj called him 'Head of Hindus', and he was rightly so.
Shivaji M wrote a letter to Aurangzeb in Protest of Jaziya, which shows the stature of Maharana:
"Before asking Jaziya 4m me, you ought first levy Jaziya from Rana Raj Singh who is head of the Hindus, if he pays, I will pay happily"
The letter of Shivaji Maharaj is another evidence that shows that Spirit of Mewar never died. And was constantly reenergized by Men of steel.
Also the respect Shivaji Maharaj had for MahaRana of Mewar. We wish this respect should have been there after Shivaji Maharaj too.
1669: Aurangzeb ordered the destruction of Shrinath ji Temple, Vrindavan.
Priests wanted to rescue the idol of Shrinath ji,but no Hindu came forward to protect it, fearing Aurangzeb.
No one wanted to face the wrath of Aurangzeb, then came MahaRana Raj Singh ji.
The priests requested Maharana Raj Singh for permission to settle in Mewar. The enthusiastic Maharana, scion of Ishwaku, offered to place 1 Lakh Rajputs at disposal of Gosains for protection of the deity. On that assurance, the Gosains set out for Udaipur, and reached the village of Sinhad, 40 km north of the city where the cart carrying the deity got stuck. That was interpreted as a sign that Shrinathji desired to stay there.
It was close to the Maharana's capital.
SHRĪ NATHJI, the form of Krishna worshipped at Nathdwara, Rajasthan.
The story of the migration of Shri Nathji, foremost icon of the Vallabha sampradaya, from Govardhan to Nathdwara after Aurangzeb's order of 1669, was narrated in the Shrinathji ki Prakatya Varta.
After leaving Govardhan, the deity travelled to Kishangarh, and then to Jodhpur. The priests requested Maharana Raj Singh for permission to settle in Mewar. The enthusiastic Maharana offered to place a hundred thousand Rajputs at disposal of Gosains for protection of the deity.
On that assurance, the Gosains set out for Udaipur, and reached the village of Sinhad (or Siarh), 40 km north of the city where the cart carrying the deity got stuck. That was interpreted as a sign that Shrinathji desired to stay there.
Security would have been the prime consideration in selecting that remote site, surrounded by hills and thick forests. It was close to the Maharana's capital. The deity was installed in a temple constructed there in 1672.
The deity was installed in a temple constructed there in 1672 and Mewar once again came to be known as abodes of Hindua Surya.
The last independent warrior of Mewar, Maharana Raj Singh, ruled the kingdom during the reign of Aurangzeb, the then Emperor of India.
Maharana Raj Singh openly defied Aurangzeb 3 times, Aurangzeb attacked Mewar 3 times with his 3 sons, but not once he could win over Gallant Hindupat Sisodia Rajputs.
Mesmerized by the beauty of princess Charumati, daughter of King Rupsingh of Kishangarh, Aurangzeb sent marriage proposal which her brother Mansingh had to accept helplessly. As princess never wanted to marry Mughal emperor, she wrote marriage proposal to Maharana Rajsingh knowing that Rajsingh was the only Mewar king who had courage to challenge Mughals. Princess Charumati then married to Maharana.
It says that the ruler of Mewar didn't talk to muslims as a personal rule. The ruler of Mewar in 1678 would be Maharana Raj Singh.
For a Rajput, the honor of his womenfolk was of prime importance and the events that follow this are an important and memorable part of history.
Cruel Treatment of Rāja of Golkonda.—
Once more we claim the reader’s admiration on behalf of another patriot prince of Mewar, and ask him to contrast the indigenous Rajput with the emperor of the Moguls; though to compare them would be manifestly unjust, since in every moral virtue they were antipodes to each other. Aurangzeb accumulated on his head more crimes than any prince who ever sat on an Asiatic throne. With all the disregard of life which marks his nation, he was never betrayed, even in the fever of success, into a single generous action; and, contrary to the prevailing principle of our nature, the moment of his foe’s submission was that chosen for the malignant completion of his revenge: witness his scourging the prostrate King of Golkonda. How opposite to the beneficence of the Rajput prince, who, when the most efficient means of self-defence lay in the destruction of the resources of his enemy, feeling for the miseries of the suffering population of his persecutor, recalled his son in the midst of victory! As a skilful general and gallant soldier, in the defence of his country, he is above all praise. As a chivalrous Rajput, his braving all consequences when called upon to save the honour of a noble female of his race, he is without parallel. As an accomplished prince and benevolent man, his dignified letter of remonstrance to Aurangzeb on the promulgation of the capitation edict, places him high in the scale of moral as well as intellectual excellence; and an additional evidence of both, and of his taste for the arts, is furnished by the formation of the inland lake, the Rajsamund, with a slight account of which, and the motives for its execution, we shall conclude the sketch of this glorious epoch in the annals of Mewar.
The Rājsamundra Lake.—
This great national work is twenty-five miles north of the capital, and is situated on the declivity of the plain about two miles from the base of the Aravalli. A small perennial stream, called the Gomati or ‘serpentine,’ flowing from these mountains, was arrested in its course, and confined by an immense embankment, made to form the lake called after himself, Rajsamund, or ‘royal sea.’ The band or dam forms an irregular segment of a circle, embracing an extent of nearly three miles, and encircling the waters on every side except the space between the north-west and north-east points. This barrier, which confines a sheet of water of great depth, and about twelve miles in circumference, is entirely of white marble, with a flight of steps of the same material, throughout this extent, from the summit to the water’s edge; the whole buttressed by an enormous rampart of earth, which, had the projector lived, would have been planted with trees to form a promenade. On the south side are the town and fortress built by the Rana, and bearing his name, Rajnagar; and upon the embankment stands the temple of Kankroli, the shrine of one of the seven forms (sarup) of Krishna. The whole is ornamented with sculpture of tolerable execution for the age; and a genealogical sketch of the founder’s family is inscribed in conspicuous characters. One million one hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling, contributed by the MahaRana, his chiefs and opulent subjects, was expended on this work, of which the material was from the adjacent quarries. But, magnificent, costly, and useful as it is, it derives its chief beauty from the benevolent motive to which it owes its birth: to alleviate the miseries of a starving population, and make their employment conducive to national benefit, during one of those awful visitations of providence, famine, and pestilence with which these states are sometimes afflicted.
Raj Samudra also is known as Lake
Rajsamand is an exquisite example of a water body. While still a bachelor, Maharana Raj Singhji, r. 1653 – 1680, went to Jaisalmer for his wedding and saw the possibility of a lake at this place. In 1661, he made a halt to worship Shri Roopnarayanji, when he conceptualized the idea of constructing a huge water reservoir near village Kankroli as a relief project for the common man. Its enormity can be imagined by the fact that it embraces the boarders of almost 12 villages in its circumference. In 1662 CE the excavation for the foundation of this enormous lake started simultaneously in square formation at different places. Various departments were appointed to monitor this mammoth task. On April 17, 1665, CE, Ranchod Rai son of the royal priest Garibdas laid its foundation stone along with five gems.
On June 30 1671 CE proved to be the year of drought. ‘Pakhals’ (leather water pouches) were used to collect water from various nearby places to fill the lake. Thereafter an auspicious time for boating was announced. By 1673 CE reasonably good rainfall was registered that managed to raise the water level of the lake to about 8 feet. Skilled artisans from Lahore, Gujrat and Surat prepared water boats that were cast in the lake on July 27, 1674 and the inaugural celebration of the lake commenced in 1675. The Maharana observed fast on ‘Ashtami’ (eighth day of the lunar calendar) and on ‘Navmi’ (ninth day of the lunar calendar) he reached the ‘mandap’ (covered structure with pillars temporarily erected to perform prayer ceremony) near the lake to worship Lord Varun (Rain God) along with his family, feudal lords, statesmen, other nobles and priests. 9 ‘kunds’ (a center place in the mandap where the fire is lit and oblations are made) were made in two separate mandaps and the ‘yagna’ (Vedic sacrifice or ritual worship) – ‘havan’ (sacred fire) were performed. The next day, the Maharana accompanied by his family set out bare feet to take ‘parikrama’ (ritual of moving clockwise around an object of devotion as an indication of reverence) of the lake; led by the royal priests and Brahmins chanting the Vedas. A distance of 14 kos, (equal to about 44.8 kms), was covered in 5 days that culminated on ‘Purnima’ (full moon day). The lake was formally inaugurated by offering ‘purnahuti’ (ceremony symbolizing of complete offering away of oneself). Thereafter, the Maharana performed gold ‘tula-daan’ (a ritual where a sacred donation is made by weighing it against the weight of the person performing it) in which he also weighed his grandson, Amar Singh with himself. A total of 12000 tolas (approximately12 kgs.) of gold was donated that day. As per Rajsamudra's inscription, ‘Saptsagar’ was also donated on the same day. Queens, accompanied by priests joined in to offer silver tula-daan. The Maharana then presented 12 villages to the royal priest Garibdas; to the other Brahmins he presented - villages, gold, silver etc. Priests Charan and Bhatt (bards) were given Elephants, Horses, clothes etc. This significant occasion was commemorated by the presence of kings and nobles of various states. Valuable gifts of Elephants, Horses, etc. were exchanged between them and the Maharana, as a mark of friendship. About 46000 Brahmins and locals were fed and clad that day.
The total expenditure was approximately Rs. 1,05,07,608. On the Nauchoki dam of this magnificent lake embankment, 25 artistically carved and engraved colossal rocks bear an inscription of 25 ‘sarg’ (cascade) of the great genre – ‘Rajprashasti, describing the glorious past of Mewar. These stone inscriptions are believed to be the longest engravings in the history of the country. This extraordinary masterpiece was created by Ranchod Bhatt, a Teleng by the cast from Kathodi lineage. Credit for getting it engraved on the rocks goes to Maharana Jai Singhji, r. 1680 – 1698.
The Famine of A.D. 1662.—
It was in S. 1717, only seven years after the accession of Raj Singh, that these combined evils reached Mewar, less subject to them, owing to its natural advantages, than any other State in India; and on Tuesday the 8th of Pus, Hasti Nakshatra (constellation of the elephant), as fixed by the astrologer, the first stone was laid. "The chief of Mewar, deeply meditating on this extreme distress, determined to raise a monument, by which the wretched might be supported and his own name perpetuated. This was seven years in constructing, and at its commencement and termination all the rites of sacrifice and oblation were observed.
"The MahaRana went to implore favour at the temple of the ‘four-armed’; for though Asarh was over, not a drop of rain fell from the heavens; and, in like manner, the months of Sawan and Bhadon passed away. For want of water the world was in despair, and people went mad with hunger. Things unknown as food were eaten. The husband abandoned the wife, the wife the husband—parents sold their children—time increased the evil; it spread far and wide: even the insects died: they had nothing to feed on. Thousands of all ages became victims to hunger. Those who procured food to-day, ate twice what nature required. The wind was from the west, a pestilential vapour. The constellations were always visible at night, nor was there a cloud in the sky by day, and thunder and lightning were unknown. Such portents filled mankind with dread. Rivers, lakes, and fountains were dried up. Men of wealth meted out the portions of food. The ministers of religion forgot their duties. There was no longer distinction of caste, and the Sudra and Brahman were undistinguishable. Strength, wisdom, caste, tribe, all were abandoned, and food alone was the object. The Charbaran threw away every symbol of separation; all was lost in hunger. Fruits, flowers, every vegetable thing, even trees were stripped of their bark, to appease the cravings of hunger: nay, man ate man! Cities were depopulated. The seed of families was lost, the fishes were extinct, and the hope of all extinguished."
456Such is the simple yet terrific record of this pestilence, from which Mewar was hardly freed, when Aurangzeb commenced the religious warfare narrated, with all its atrocities, still further to devastate this fair region. But a just retribution resulted from this disregard to the character and prejudices of the Rajputs, which visited the emperor with shame, and his successors with the overthrow of their power.
Lake Badi,
situated in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan, is an artificial fresh water lake. The lake was built in the village of Badi, about 12 km from the city of Udaipur, by Maharana Raj Singh I (1652-1680) to counteract the devastating effects of a famine.
Maharana Raj Singh built a Palace called Sarvaritu Vilas (Sarbat Vilas), Debari gate, largest lake Rajsamundra (1662-1676 CE), with Nau Chowki Pal, Shree Dwarakdheeshji temple at Rajnagar, Shree Amba Mata temple Udaipur, Lake Janasagar (Badi) and new bridge near Indrasar (Indrasarover) at Eklingji. He died on 22nd October 1680 CE. He was cremated in Oda village only, where now stands a cenotaph in his remembrance.
Sarvaritu Vilas (Sarbat Vilas)
श्री बड़ी सरबत बिलास रे दरीखाने
श्री महाराणा अमर सिंहजी फागा खेले है।
Raj Singh as prince, before he became the udaipur king in 1652, was the patron of the gardens of sarvaritu or sarbat vilas, which were built near rajsamand lake outside udaipur city and included tanks, fountains and pavillions.
In most secondary scholarship, these gardens are referred by the name "Sarvaritu Vilas" rather then "Sarbat vilas" which is likely the reason the painting's title includes the former, even though the inscriptions states the latter.
Shree Amba Mata temple Udaipur
Amba mata is a beloved and arguably the most popular deity of Mewar, her temple in Udaipur was commissioned by Rana Raj Singh ji. There's something about mediaeval temples which is so moving, you can really feel the presence of the deity there.
Maharana Raj Singh observing an elephant fight
Verso in Rajasthani in devanagari script:
(on right, in a smaller hand) Hathi Jhalera Su Ladavya, Kali Kanti Ro Jhalerav
Elephant fight and the one with the black band is Jhalerav (meaning of Jhalerav unknown)
(in a larger hand) Shri Maharaja Dheraj Maharanoji Shri Raj Singhni Bada Bhatiyani Chovte Hathi Ladavaya Jate Sama Maharaja Arsiji Betha Maharaja GajSigh Ji Betha Husuriya Che. Prohit Garibdas Betha Hathi Sadasamand Bhuri Kanti Ro Hathi Bhalerav Kali Kanti Ro
During Shri Maharajadhiraj Maharana ji Shri Raj Singh’s [big/elder?] elephant fight in a field. Sitting in front is Maharaja Arsiji and Maharaja Shri Gaj Singh ji in service. The priest Garibdas ji is also sitting. As always the elephant has a brown [chain/throat/ neck band?] and [Bhalerav?] elephant has a black [chain/throat/ neck band].
Depleting Treasury and population was the main reason,civilians started to migrate because of the long wars at the Homeland,in every war whether the Rajputs won it or lost, civilians lost big, even agriculture became difficult due to war so many rajputs end up in alliance, Mewar is a prominent example of this,when Mewar had depleted it's wealth and people then only Rana Amar Singh signed a truce which later was dismissed by Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar,that's why Mewar has a special place in rajputana,due to Mewar ,marwar also got strengthened.
महाराणा राज सिंह जी के शासन काल में राज्य की उन्नति और जनकल्याण में कई बड़े निर्माण कार्य हुए. महाराणा राज सिंह जी के समय के कार्य युवापीढ़ी के लिए प्रेरणा के स्रोत है. आप भी जानिए महाराणा राजसिंह के काल में क्या क्या काम हुए.
महाराणा राजसिंह कालीन निर्माण
महाराणा राजसिंह की राजनीति की बड़ी सफलता यह रही की निरंतर संघर्ष के बीच भी उन्होंने मेवाड़ के पुनर्निर्माण के लिये समय दिया. महाराणा ने अपने कंुवरपदे के समय 'सर्वऋतुविलास' (सरबत विलास) नामक महल और बावड़ी बनवायी. विक्रम संवत् 1716 में देबारी के घाटे का कोट और दरवाज़ा तैयार कराया. महाराणा ने अपने पिता के द्वारा निर्मित जगदीश मंदिर में, शिव, सूर्य, गणपति और शनि के छोटे मंदिरों का निर्माण कार्य पूर्ण करवाया जो अधूरा रह गया था. महाराणा राजसिंह ने राजसमुद्र तालाब ( विक्रम संवत् 1718-1732) के साथ ही नौ-चौकी के पास पहाड़ पर महल तथा कांकरोली के पासवाली पहाड़ी पर द्वाराकाधीश जी का मन्दिर बनवाया. इस तालाब के निकट अपने नाम से राजनगर नामक क़सबा बसाया.
विक्रम संवत् 1721 में उदयपुर (Udaipur) में अम्बा माता का मन्दिर बनवाया. महाराणा ने अपने शासनकाल में उदयपुर (Udaipur) से पश्चिम में बड़ी गाँव के पास अपनी माता जनादे के नाम से जनासागर तालाब, एकलिंगजी के पास वाले इन्द्रसर (इन्द्रसरोवर) के जीर्ण बाँध के स्थान पर नये बाँध का निर्माण करवाया. महाराणा की झाली महारानी ने एक मुखी बावड़ी, विक्रम संवत् 1732 में महारानी चारुमती ने राजनगर में एक बावड़ी, महारानी पंवार ने देबारी के पास 'जया' नाम की बावड़ी बनवाई, जिसको अब 'त्रिमुखी बावड़ी' कहते हैं. विक्रम संवत् 1725 कुँवर जयसिंह ने रंगसागर तालाब एवं महाराणा के मंत्री फतहचंद ने बेड़वास गाँव में बावड़ी का निर्माण करवाया.
महाराणा राज सिंह कालीन साहित्य एवं कला
महाराणा राजसिंह के कला एवं साहित्य के प्रति अनुराग के कारण ही उनका काल संघर्ष के समय में भी साहित्यिक विकास का समय था जहाँ एक ओर महाराणा मुगलों से संघर्षरत थे, वहीं दूसरी ओर स्वयं भी कविताएँ लिखते थे. उन्होंने अनेक संस्कृत के विद्वानों, कवियों, कलाविदों एवं वास्तुकारों को राज्याश्रय देकर कला एवं साहित्य को समृद्ध करने में अपना योगदान दिया. महाराणा राजसिंह के काल में रणछोड़ भट्ट कृत राजप्रशस्ति महाकाव्य, सदाशिव कृत राजरत्नाकर, मान कवि रचित राजविलास, किशोरदास रचित राजप्रकाश जैसे महत्वपूर्ण ग्रथों की रचना हुई तथा साथ ही ऐतिहासिक ग्रथों की पाण्डुलिपियाँ भी महाराणा के प्रश्रय में तैयार की गई. राजसमुद्र के प्रमुख सुत्रधार मुकुन्द, दलपति महासिंह, मोकमसिंह, व्याघ्र थे, जिन्होंने महाराणा राजसिंह की विशद् कल्पना को साकार किया था. उनके काल में एक मुखी, सुंदर एवं त्रिमुखी बावड़ी में निर्मित देव-प्रतिमाएँ विकसित स्थापत्य कला का परिचय कराती है. महाराणा प्रताप के काल में विकसित चावण्ड चित्रशैली का भी पर्याप्त विकास इस काल में देखने को मिलता है. नाथजी के मेवाड़ आगमन से एक नई चित्रशैली नाथद्वारा चित्रशैली का प्रादुर्भाव इस काल में मिलता है जिसे पिछवाई के नाम से भी जाना जाता है.
महाराणा राज सिंह ने पाण्डुलिपि चित्रकला का संरक्षण जारी रखते हुए रामायण शृंखला को पुरा किया गया. रामायण पाण्डुलिपि चित्रों का निर्माण सहाबुद्दीन, मनोहर एवं डक्कनी जैसे चित्रकारों ने पुरा किया था, जिसे उनके पिता महाराणा जगत सिंह जी ने शुरू करवाया था. इसी तरह पाण्डुलिपि चित्रकारी में सुर-सागर शृंखला (1655ई.स.), राग मालकौस रागमाला शृंखला (1660ई.स.), गीत गोविन्द शृंखला (1665ई.स.), भगवत् पुराण शृंखला (1665-1670ई.स.), गजेन्द्रमोक्ष शृंखला (1680ई.स.) और एकलिंगमहात्म्य् शृंखला (1680ई.स.) जैसी विश्वविख्यात शृंखलाओं का निर्माण महाराणा राजसिंह जी के शासनकाल में हुआ था.
महाराणा राजसिंह की दानशीलता
रणछोड़ भट्ट द्वारा रचित 'राजप्रशस्ति महाकाव्य' मुख्यतः महाराणा राजसिंह का जीवनवृत्त है, जिसमें महाराणा के जीवन चरित्र, प्रत्येक अभियान, दान-पुण्य, और घटनाक्रम का विस्तार से वर्णन किया गया है. महाराणा जयसिंह के काल में इसे राजसमुद्र स्थित नौ-चौकी पर 25 बड़ी शिलाओं पर खुदवाया गया, जो भारत का सबसे बड़ा शिलालेख है. राजप्रशस्ति के अनेक प्रसंगों एवं दान उद्धरणों से महाराणा के स्वभाव की उदारता और धार्मिकता का परिचय प्राप्त होता है, जिनमें रत्न तुलादान, स्वर्ण तुलादान, रजत तुलादान आदि प्रमुख हैं. महाराणा ने समय-समय पर अनेक धार्मिक आयोजन कर हाथी, घोड़े सहित अनेक भूमिदान किये साथ ही बड़ी संख्या में कन्याओं के विवाह भी कराये थे. महाराणा ने अपनी रानीयों और पुत्रों से भी अनेक अवसरों पर तरह-तरह के तुलादान करवायें. उन्होंने अनेक धार्मिक यात्राएँ की, जहाँ तीर्थ स्थलों में विपुल मात्रा में दान-दक्षिणाएँ दी. इन दान राशियों का उपयोग जन कल्याणकारी कार्यों जैसे अकाल के समय में भोजन उपलब्ध करवाने, जलाशयों के निर्माण के लिए किया गया.
महाराणा राजसिंह का स्वर्गारोहण
महाराणा राजसिंह की मृत्यु के विषय में ऐसी प्रसिद्धि है कि वह बड़े ही वीर स्वभाव के थे और अन्त तक औरंगजेब की सेना से लड़ाई करना चाहते थे, परन्तु कुम्भलगढ़ जाते हुए वे ओड़ा गाँव में ठहरे, जहाँ उनके भोजन मे विष मिला देने से विक्रम संवत् 1737 कार्तिक शुक्ल 10 को उनका निधन हो गया. ओडा गाँव में महाराणा का दाह संस्कार किया गया, वहाँ आज भी उनकी छत्री बनी हुई है.
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