Mewar–Malwa conflicts

Mewar–Malwa conflicts

Kingdom of Mewar and the Malwa and Gujarat Saltanates at their peak
Location
Rajasthan
Madhya Pradesh
Result Mewar victory
Territorial
changes		 Hadoti, Gagron Fort, Sarangpur, Raisen, Chanderi, Bhilsa, Kalpi, and Ranthambore captured by Mewar[1]
Belligerents
Kingdom of Mewar Malwa Sultanate
Commanders and leaders
Kshetra Singh
Rana Kumbha
Ranmal
Rana Raimal
Prithviraj Sisodia
Rana Sanga
Medini Rai
Silhadi
Ratan Singh
Chananji Khidiya
Ajja Jhala
Gajadhar Singh †		 Hoshang Shah
Mahmud Khalji
Ghiyas-ud-Din Shah
Zafar Khan
Nasir-ud-Din Shah
Muzaffar Shah II
Ashaf Khan
Shihab-ud-Din Mahmud Shah II

The Mewar–Malwa conflicts were a series of battles between the Kingdom of Mewar and the Sultanate of Malwa which erupted due to territorial expansion by both sides. The conflicts were fought in present-day Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The Rana branch of the Guhilas, after their recovery of the Rajput stronghold of Chittorgarh and the region of Mewar (with Rajputana) following the Battle of Singoli,[2] began an ambitious expansion at the cost of their neighbouring kingdoms. The Delhi Sultanate weakened with the invasion of Timur, and many of its provinces gained independence; this included Malwa, adjacent to Mewar.[3]

The conflict began during the reigns of Rana Kshetra and Dilawar Khan Ghori in Bakrole,[4] and was continued by Rana Kumbha and Sultan Mahmud Khalji in the Battle of Sarangpur, the siege of Gagron, and the Battle of Mandalgarh and Banas.[5] The next rulers of Mewar and Malwa, Rana Raimal and Ghiyas-ud-Din Shah, fought the Battle of Mandalgarh.[6] The last battles between the states were the Battle of Gagron and the Siege of Mandsaur, during the reign of Rana Sanga and Shihab-ud-Din Mahmud Shah II.[7]

Background

Mewar

The Kingdom of Mewar rose to prominence between the 14th and 16th centuries after the Battle of Singoli and took Mahmud (possibly Sultan Mohommad Bin Tuqlaq) prisoner, capturing Idar and claiming sovereignty of Badnore, Bakrole, Ajmer, Mandalgarh, Jahazpur, Hadoti, and Chappan. The kingdom hoped to expand its territory to neighbouring regions.[8][9]

Malwa

After the 1305 fall of the Parmara kingdom to the Delhi Sultanate, Malwa was annexed and controlled by Delhi until the invasion of the Mongol conqueror Timur. After Timur's invasion, Malwa governor Dilawar Khan declared Malwa independent of the Delhi Sultanate and established its capital at Dhar. Malwa remained independent until 1562, when it was conquered by the Mughal Empire.[3][10]

Conflict

The first battle between the Kingdom of Mewar and Malwa Sultanate was during the reign of Rana Kshetra, son and successor of Rana Hammir, who (after consolidating power in Mewar) began to take key points in eastern Rajasthan. He captured Ajmer, Jahazpur, and re-annexed Mandalgarh, Mandsaur, and Chappan.[8] At that time, Dilawar Khan Ghori (the first sultan of Malwa) attacked him at Bakrole. The battle ended with Dilawar's victory and the retreat of the Malwa army.[4] The conflict was continued by Rana Kumbha in 1437 at Sarangpur, where he defeated the Malwa army and took Sultan Mahmud Khalji prisoner for six months.[11][12] He also captured Sarangpur and other Malwa territories. Mahmud was later freed, since Kumbha was unwilling to antagonise neighbouring sultanates with the sultan's captivity.[13]

To avenge his defeat, Mahmud fought with Kumbha again at Mandalgarh and Banas between 1443 and 1446; both battles were indecisive.[14] The Kingdom of Mewar experienced setbacks as Sultan Mahmud Khilji raided as far inland as Ajmer and established his governor there; it also fought the sultans of Gujarat and Nagore and contended with the Rathors of Marwar. Rana Kumbha repulsed the setbacks, reconquered Ajmer, and held onto most of his conquests. Only the border area of Ranthambore, in the rugged region of Hadoti, eluded his grasp.[15] Rana Kumbha was assassinated by his oldest son, Uday Singh I, in 1468; this began a period of political instability in Mewar. Taking advantage of this vacuum, the next sultan of Malwa (Ghiyas-ud-Din Shah) captured Ajmer and Sheopur. He supported Surajmal (the son of Udai Singh I) as Rana of Mewar; Uday was struck by lightning and another son of Kumbha, Raimal, was crowned king. At this time, Malwa had the upper hand against Mewar.[16] The sultan's ambitions were thwarted when he experienced setbacks during the Battle of Mandalgarh in 1473, resulting in the loss of Sheopur [17] Ajmer was later conquered by Kunwar Prithviraja, a son of Raimal.[18]

The conflict entered its last phase when Rana Sanga ascended the throne of Mewar in 1508 and supported Medani Rai, a rebellious feudal lord who was serving the sultan of Malwa Shihab-ud-Din Mahmud Shah II. During his first invasion of Malwa, Sanga was driven out by the combined armies of Malwa and Gujarat. In an attempt to make Sanga pay for his previous invasion, the sultan of Malwa attacked Gagron. This led to the 1519 Battle of Gagron, which resulted in the sultan's capture and the near-total loss of his Malwa territory.[19][20]

Aftermath

After Rana Sanga's victory in the Battle of Gagraun, restoring Hindu rule in Malwa, Sanga ordered Medini Rai to remove the Jizya tax from the region's Hindus. Rai made Chanderi his capital, and became king of Malwa. Another Rajput chief, Silhaditya Tomar, established himself as master of the Raisen and Sarangpur regions. According to historian Satish Chandra, these events took place between 1518 and 1519.[21]

Battles

Battle (year) Maharana Sultan Result
Battle of Sarangpur (1437) Maharana Kumbha Mahmud Khalji Mewar victory; Sarangpur, Hadoti and Gagron captured, and Sultan Mahmud taken prisoner for six months[11]
Battle of Mandalgarh (1443) Maharana Kumbha Mahmud Khalji Mewar victory[14]
Siege of Gagron (1444) Palan Singh and Dahir Singh Mahmud Khalji Malwa victory; Gagron reaptured[14]
Battle of Banas (1446) Maharana Kumbha Mahmud Khalji Mewar victory; Khalji retreat[14]
Siege of Mandasaur (1447) Maharana Kumbha Mahmud Khalji Mewar victory; Mandasur defended[14]
Conquest of Ajmer Gajadhar Singh  † Mahmud Khalji Malwa victory
Conquest of Mandalgarh Uparamal  † Mahmud Khalji Malwa victory
Battle of Kumbhalgarh (1459) Maharana Kumbha Ghiyath Shah Mewar victory[22]
Siege of Chittor (1473) Maharana Raimal Mahmud Khalji Mewar victory[17]
Battle of Mandalgarh (1473) Maharana Raimal Mahmud Khalji Mewar victory; Kherabad captured[17]
Nasir-ud-Din invasion of Chittor Maharana Raimal Nasir-ud-Din Shah Malwa victory[23]
Battle of Gagron (1519) Maharana Sanga Shihab-ud-Din Mahmud Shah II Mewar victory; Raisen, Chanderi, Bhilsa, Kalpi and Ranthambore captured[24]
Siege of Mandsaur (1520) Maharana Sanga Shihab-ud-Din Mahmud Shah II Mewar victory[25]

References

  1. ^ Rima Hooja (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa and Company. pp. Page no- 340 and 450. ISBN 978-81-291-0890-6.
  2. ^ Majumdar, R.C (1960). A History and Culture of Indian People (2nd ed.). Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan. pp. Pg- 70 "The story of Hammira's success against the Muslims cannot, therefore, be regarded as altogether baseless. We may accept the conclusion of Ojha that not only Mewar but nearly the whole of Rajputana became practically independent of Delhi Sultanate, ".
  3. ^ a b Sarda, Har Bilas (1917). Maharana Kumbha: sovereign, soldier, scholar. University of California Libraries. Ajmer, Scottish Mission Industries co.
  4. ^ a b Mankekar, D. r (1976). Mewar Saga.
  5. ^ Sarda, Har Bilas (1917). Maharana Kumbha: sovereign, soldier, scholar. University of California Libraries. Ajmer, Scottish Mission Industries co.
  6. ^ Majumdar, R.C (1967). History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 06, The Delhi Sultanate. Public Resource. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
  7. ^ Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa & Company. pp. Page no 450. ISBN 978-81-291-0890-6.
  8. ^ a b Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa & Company. pp. Pg- 332 "Hammir's son and successor, Kheta, or Kshetra Singh (r. 1364-1382), successfully annexed areas like Ajmer and Jahazpur from Lilla Pathan, and added the whole of the Chappan plains territory to his patrimony. Kheta re-annexed Dusore and Mandalgarh, which had been occupied by the Hada Chauhans, and forced the subjugation of the Hada Chauhans". ISBN 978-81-291-0890-6.
  9. ^ Hooja, Rima (2006). A History Of Rajasthan. Rupa & Company. pp. Pg- 332 "Following Rana Kheta’s death in 1382, Lakha (r.1382-1421), the eldest of his seven legitimate sons succeeded to the throne of Mewar. Tod tells us that Lakha’s "first act was the entire subjugation of the mountainous region of Merwarra, and the destruction of its chief stronghold, Beratgurh, where he erected Badnore"". ISBN 978-81-291-0890-6.
  10. ^ Majumdar, R.C (1967). History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 06, The Delhi Sultanate. Public Resource. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
  11. ^ a b Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa & Company. pp. Pg-526-529"The Rana's promise of help to Umar Khan against Mahmud Khilji, the garrisoning of Mewars frontier outposts, and Kumbha's assertion of overlordship over Hadauti, Mandsaur, Gagron....The armies of Mewar and Malwa clashed at Sarangpur in 1437. The latter army was conclusively routed here... Furthermore, the Rana laid siege to Mandu, the capital of Malwa, and carried off its Sultan Mahmud Khilji...Mahmud was kept prisoner in Chittor for six months before being granted his freedom and an honourable return to his own kingdom. This act of generosity has been favourably commented upon by Abul Fazl.". ISBN 978-81-291-0890-6.
  12. ^ Mankrekar, DR. (1976). Mewar Saga. pp. Pg- 30 "When Sultan Mohmad of Malwa refused to surrender to him a fugitive, Mahipal Panwar, one of the assassins of Maharana Mokul, Kumbha marched on Mandu (1437). The Rana’s army met the sultan’s forces near Sarangpur, between Chittor and Mandsaur. The engagement that followed saw Mohmad Khilji routed and, according to the Kumbhalgarh Inscription, Kumbha “captured countless Muslim women and burnt down Sarangpur.” The sultan shut himself up in the fort of Mandu. The Rana stormed the fort and took Mohmad Khilji prisoner, while his army fled in all directions. The sultan was brought to Chittor as prisoner, ".
  13. ^ Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa and Co. pp. Page no- 340. ISBN 978-81-291-0890-6.
  14. ^ a b c d e Day, Upendra Nath (1978). Mewar Under Maharana Kumbha, 1433 A.D.-1468 A.D. Rajesh Publications.
  15. ^ Chandra, Satish (2004). Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals-Delhi Sultanat (1206-1526 ). Har-Anand Publications. pp. Pg-223 "The conflict with Gujarat and Malwa occupied Kumbha throughout his reign. During most of the time, the Rana also had to contend with the Rathors of Marwar. Although sorely pressed from all sides the Rana was largely able to maintain his position in Mewar. Kumbhalgarh was besieged a couple of times by Gujarat forces while Mahmud Khalji was able to raid as far inland as Ajmer and install his own governor there. The Rana was able to repulse these attacks and retain possession of most of his conquests with the exception of some of the outlying areas such as Ranthambore.". ISBN 978-81-241-1064-5.
  16. ^ Sarda, Har Bilas (1918). Maharana Sanga; the Hindupat, the last great leader of the Rajput race. University of California Libraries. Ajmer, Scottish Mission Industries.
  17. ^ a b c Sarda, Harbilas (1918). Maharana Sanga: The last great leader of the Rajput race. Scottish Mission Industries.
  18. ^ Sarda, Harbilas (1970). Maharana Sanga; the Hindupat, the last great leader of the Rajput race. Scottish Mission Industries. pp. Page no-28 "Nawab Malloo Khan, then holding Ajmer, determined to oppose the Sesodia prince in person, who, resolved upon being the assailant, advanced to Ajmer, encountered his foe in the camp at day-break, and after great slaughter entered Garh Beetli, the citadel, with the fugitives. 'By these acts/".
  19. ^ Sharma, Dasharatha (1970). Lectures on Rajput History and Culture. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. Page no- 27 "The early 16th century marks the rise of the patriotic one-eyed chief of Mewar named as Rana Sanga who defeats several of his neighbour kingdoms and establish Rajput hold on Malwa first time after falling of Parmara dynasty through series of victories over Malwa, Gujarat and Delhi Sultanate". ISBN 978-0-8426-0262-4.
  20. ^ Sharma, Gopi Nath (1954). Mewar & the Mughal Emperors (1526-1707 A.D.). S.L. Agarwala.
  21. ^ Chaurasia, Radhey Shyam. History of Medieval India: From 1000 A.D. to 1707 A.D. Atlantic Publishers and Dist. pp. 156, 155, 158–160.
  22. ^ Somani, Ram Vallabh (1976). History of Mewar: from earliest times to 1751 A.D. C.L. Ranka, Jaipur.
  23. ^ Somani, ram Vallabh (1976). History Of Mewar. p. 151.
  24. ^ Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa and Co. pp. Page no- 450.
  25. ^ Majumdar (1990), The History and Culture of the Indian People: the Delhi sultanate. vol. [6], Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mewar-Malwa_Conflict