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On hearing about Hemu's continuous victories and fall of large terrories like Agra and Delhi from Akbar's control,the Mughal army at [[Kalanaur]] lost heart and many commanders refused to fight [[Hemu]]. Most of the commanders advised [[Akbar]] and [[Bairam Khan]] to retreat to [[Kabul]] as [[Akbar]] as a young boy would be safer there.Akbar was an emperor for name only. Gulbadan (Rumer Godden) writes,"The thirteen year old boy, dressed in a dark robe and a tiara was crowned emperor on Feb. 14th,1556 in a garden in the Panjab but he did not hava a throne" page 112. J.M.Shelat writes,"Shah Abdulamali had contumaciously declind to obey the summons to the enthronrment ceremony at Kalanaur and Bairam to set an example took the risky step of putting him under arrest" <ref name=A>Akbar By J.M.Shelat,Bombay (1964)p.49 </ref>. Vincent A.Smith observes."The enthronement of Akbar recognised a claim to sovereignty. When he went through the ceremony at Kalanaur, he could not be said to possess any definite kingdom. The small army under the command of Bairam Khan merely had a precarious hold by force on certain districts of Panjab and that army itself was not to be trusted implicitely. Before Akbar could become Padshah in reality as well as in the name, he had to prove himself better than the rival claimants to the throne and atleast to win back his father's lost dominions" <ref name=AGM>Akbar the Great Mughal,By V.A.Smith,(Oxford),1926,page 31 </ref> However, Bairam Khan' the guardian of Akbar and chief strategist for army matters,insisted on taking Hemu in a war and make an effort to gain control of Delhi.Abul Fazl sums up the entire scene as "Disillusioned and confused, numerous high ranking officers of the Mughal army were found to be unwilling to fight HEMU <ref name=A>Akbarnama, VolII, p.47, </ref. Mughals were forced to fight and perhaps it was the only alternative for them.
On hearing about Hemu's continuous victories and fall of large terrories like Agra and Delhi from Akbar's control,the Mughal army at [[Kalanaur]] lost heart and many commanders refused to fight [[Hemu]]. Most of the commanders advised [[Akbar]] and [[Bairam Khan]] to retreat to [[Kabul]] as [[Akbar]] as a young boy would be safer there.Akbar was an emperor for name only. Gulbadan (Rumer Godden) writes,"The thirteen year old boy, dressed in a dark robe and a tiara was crowned emperor on Feb. 14th,1556 in a garden in the Panjab but he did not hava a throne" page 112. J.M.Shelat writes,"Shah Abdulamali had contumaciously declind to obey the summons to the enthronrment ceremony at Kalanaur and Bairam to set an example took the risky step of putting him under arrest" <ref name=A>Akbar By J.M.Shelat,Bombay (1964)p.49 </ref>. Vincent A.Smith observes."The enthronement of Akbar recognised a claim to sovereignty. When he went through the ceremony at Kalanaur, he could not be said to possess any definite kingdom. The small army under the command of Bairam Khan merely had a precarious hold by force on certain districts of Panjab and that army itself was not to be trusted implicitely. Before Akbar could become Padshah in reality as well as in the name, he had to prove himself better than the rival claimants to the throne and atleast to win back his father's lost dominions" <ref name=AGM>Akbar the Great Mughal,By V.A.Smith,(Oxford),1926,page 31 </ref> However, Bairam Khan' the guardian of Akbar and chief strategist for army matters,insisted on taking Hemu in a war and make an effort to gain control of Delhi.Abul Fazl sums up the entire scene as "Disillusioned and confused, numerous high ranking officers of the Mughal army were found to be unwilling to fight HEMU <ref name=A>Akbarnama, VolII, p.47, </ref>. Mughals were forced to fight and perhaps it was the only alternative for them.
On the other hand,the new Hindu king of North India at Delhi,HEMU had now become a Vikramaditya Samrat Hindu King, and bestowed as "Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya". Samrat is a Hindi word meaning a king who has never lost a war. HEMU till his accession to Delhi throne had won in all 22 battles,without losing any. This achievment entitled him to an honour of calling 'Samrat'. Out of these 22 battles, Akbar's forces were defeated twice in Agra and Delhi,and that was the reason of demoralisation of mughal forces.HEMU reorganised his army after victory over Delhi.More Hindus were recruited in the army.No Afghan was retrenched. HEMU succeeded in imparting efficiency to the administrative set-up.Due to his up to-date knowledge of trade and commerce, he injected fresh blood into the arteries of the mercantile system throughout the length and breadth of the country. He spared none indulging in black-marketing, hoarding, overcharging and less-weighing. <ref name=A>Akbarnama Vol II,By Abul Fazl, page 619 </ref>
On the other hand, the new Hindu king of North India at Delhi, HEMU had now become a Vikramaditya Samrat Hindu King, and bestowed as "Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya". Samrat is a Hindi word meaning a king who has never lost a war. HEMU till his accession to Delhi throne had won in all 22 battles,without losing any. This achievment entitled him to an honour of calling 'Samrat'. Out of these 22 battles, Akbar's forces were defeated twice in Agra and Delhi,and that was the reason of demoralisation of mughal forces.HEMU reorganised his army after victory over Delhi.More Hindus were recruited in the army.No Afghan was retrenched. HEMU succeeded in imparting efficiency to the administrative set-up.Due to his up to-date knowledge of trade and commerce, he injected fresh blood into the arteries of the mercantile system throughout the length and breadth of the country. He spared none indulging in black-marketing, hoarding, overcharging and less-weighing. <ref name=A>Akbarnama Vol II,By Abul Fazl, page 619 </ref>
A word about his hatred for corruption which was quite rampant in his days. He did not like corrupt men. We learn from contemporary accounts that after his victory over Agra and Delhi, he dismissed all the corrupt officers and replaced them by his own men.<ref name=TSA>Tarikh-i-Salatin-i-Afghana,page 62 </ref> Mushtaqi's reference to the destruction of Chaudhries and muqqadams in the countryside and appointmentment of Baqquals in their place by HEMU substantiates the view that he did not spare anyone bound to be corrupt and inefficient.
A word about his hatred for corruption which was quite rampant in his days. He did not like corrupt men. We learn from contemporary accounts that after his victory over Agra and Delhi, he dismissed all the corrupt officers and replaced them by his own men.<ref name=TSA>Tarikh-i-Salatin-i-Afghana,page 62 </ref> Mushtaqi's reference to the destruction of Chaudhries and muqqadams in the countryside and appointmentment of Baqquals in their place by HEMU substantiates the view that he did not spare anyone bound to be corrupt and inefficient.


Revision as of 14:01, 16 May 2008

Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya

Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya or Hemu (Hemachandra Bhargava) (1501-1556) was an Indian Hindu Emperor during the 1500s. He had won 22 battles [1] [2] [3] [4]against Afghan rebels [5] [6] spanning entire North India, from Punjab to Bengal [1] and Akbar's forces in Agra division and Delhi[7]. He was bestowed the title of Vikramaditya after acceding to the throne of Delhi [8] This was one of the crucial periods in Indian history, when the Mughals and Afghans were desperately vying for power. The son of a food seller, and himself a vendor of saltpetre at Rewari [9], he rose to become Chief of Army and Prime Minister [10] [11]under the command of Adil Shah Suri of the Suri Dynasty and won 22 battles spanning the entire North India from Punjab to Bengal. He was the only Hindu Warrior who could defeat the Mughal forces of Akbar/Humayun in Delhi and Agra and acceded to the throne of Delhi in the medieval period[4]. He had his Rajyabhishake or coronation on 7th October 1556 at Purana Quila in Delhi and was bestowed with the honour of Samrat[8]. He re-established the Hindu Kingdom and Vikramaditya Dynasty in North India after centuries of foreign rule with all authority and command [4].Hemu struck coins, bearing his title [12]

Early life

Hemu was born at Machheri village of Alwar District in Rajasthan in the year 1501 [13]. His father Rai Puran Das, a Brahmin, was engaged in 'Purohiti'[13]. the performing of Hindu religious ceremonies as a profession. Due to the Mughal Rule in India, and persecution of Hindu religious ceremonies by Mughals, 'Purohiti' could not earn much. Under these circumstances, Rai Puran Das decided to move, to Qutabpur now Hemu Nagar in Tehsil and District of Rewari in present day Haryana (then called Mewat). Hemu's father started trading in salt in Qutabpur, and Hemu had his education there.[14]

Apart from learning Sanskrit and Hindi, he was educated in Persian, Arabic and Arithmatic too [15]. During his childhood, he was fond of body-building, and Kushti (Wrestling) and while crushing salt in an Imam Dasta (an iron pot and hammer), he would monitor his muscle development [14]. He had training in horse-riding at his friend Sehdev's village. His friend Sehdev was a Rajput[14] and he participated in all the battles which Hemu fought,[14] except the Second Battle of Panipat. Hemu was brought up in religious and Sanskritik environment. His father, a devout Hindu was a member of Vallabh Sampradai of Vrindavan and visited various religious sites frequently [15] as far as Sind in Pakistan at present.

Rise to Generalship and earning title of Samrat (Emperor)

At a very young age Hemu started supplying food/cereals to Sher Shah Suri's army. Slowly he started other supplies like Saltpetre or Pottassium Nitrate (Gunpowder) to Sher Shah's army,[13] who had defeated Babur's son Humanyun in the year 1540 and had forced him to withdraw to Kabul.Sher Shah Suri was a progressive Afghan ruler and considered himself a native Indian.He is credited with constructing the present National Highway No. 1 in India,named after him as Sher Shah Suri Marg,which joined Peshawar with Calcutta in medieval period.He also considered Mughals as foreign invaders. Hemu also laid the foundation of brass cannons casting and manufacturing industry in Rewari, which still remains an important Brass/Copper manufacturing centre even at present times.

After Sher Shah Suri's death in the year 1548, his son Islam Shah became ruler of North India. He recognised the calibre, dynamism, administrative skills and sincerity of Hemu.King Islam Shah held HEMU in high esteem and therefore he made him as his personal adviser also [15] .He consulted Hemu not only in matters relating to trade and commerce, but also in matters pertaining to statesmanship, diplomacy and general politics.[16] He placed HEMU in important government positions including Shahang-i-Bazara Persian word meaning 'Bazar superintendent'. This was a very important post during the Afghan rule. It was the Shahang-i-Bazar who managed the mercantile system throughout the length and breadth of the country [17].This post gave him an opportunity to pay frequent visits to the king in order to apprise him of the trade and commercial situation of the Afghan Kingdom.[18] [19] Abul Fazal says that Islam Shah held HEMU in great esteem. In 1550, Hemu accompanied Islam Shah to the Punjab where he was deputed along with other high officers to receieve Mirza Kamran in the fort of Rohtas. He consulted Hemu on a variety of matters [18].After serving as Sahang-i-Bazar for some time Hemu was given another very important assignment by Islam Shah. He was made the Chief of Intelligence or Daroga-i-Chowki(Superintendent of Post)[20]. Hemu held this position till October 30,1553, when Islam Shah died.

Islam Shah was succeeded by his minor son Firoz Khan,12 years of age. Killing the Child king, Adil Shah Suri took command of most of North India. The new king Adil was indolent, pleasure-seeker,drunkard and debauch [6]. Adil Shah faced revolts all around [21], and he also took HEMU as his Chief Advisor and entrusted all his work to him [15]. Now Hemu became chief of army of Afghan Forces and prime minister [10] [11].After some time, Adil Shah became insane and HEMU became very powerful and began to rule like a king.[15] [10] [6] [3] [21] [22] [23]

Hemu went to various states in North India to crush rebellion.Ibrahim Khan,Sultan Muhhamad Khan, Taj Karrani,Rukh Khan Nurani and several other Afghan rebellian officers were killed one by one by Hemu [13] .Hemu fought, in all, twenty two battles from Punjab to Bengal, winning all of them. At the battle of Chhapparghatta in December 1555, Hemu routed Bengal forces under Muhammad Shah, who was killed in the battle. These continuous victories in entire North India, and victories over Akbar's strong holds like Agra and Delhi in Sept.- Oct. 1556 earned him the Hindu title of 'Samrat' and at his coronation at Delhi all his army commanders, Afghans as well as Rajputs bestowed him the title [['Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya']].Photograph of a painting above shows that at the time of coronation at Delhi,at Purana Quila on 7th October 1556,HEMU, as Samrat Hem Chander Vikramaditya, is flanked by his Afghan as well as Hindu Generals. Samrat is a Hindi word meaning unchallengeable warrior - one who has won all the battles fought. On the basis of being a Samrat, he re-established Hindu Kingdom and Vikramaditya Dynasty, in North India with all the authority and command [8].

Reason for Hemu's success was that, Hemu could muster the support of both Hindus and Afghans against the Mughal invaders. Akbar,writes Vincent A. Smith [23] , was a foreigner in India. He had not a drop of Indian blood in his veins. Hemu was thus a true nationalist and patriot who fought bravely for freedom of the country [1].Hemu was very popular among Hindus as well as Afghans. Afghans considered themselves to be native Indians, and Hemu also considered Afghans as Indians. Unity of Hindus and Afghans had created a formidable force to take on the Mughals, considered to be the foreign invaders. This shows that Nationalism and Secularism was the common cause for Afghans and Hindus.It also indicates that the Hindu-Raj which Hemu established was not against Muslims but only pro-india [24].


His Victories like Napoleon and fall of Akbar's Agra

After the victory of the Mughal ruler Humayun over Adil Shah's brother Sikander Sur, Mughal rule was re-established in Punjab, Delhi and Agra after a gap of 15 years on 23rd July 1555. Humayun's sudden death on January 26th,1556, however, gave Hemu an opportunity to claim power for himself. By then he had won several battles spanning the entire North India. He was in Bengal at that time where he had defeated and killed the rebel Bengal Ruler Muhmmad Shah. Hemu was determined to drive the Mughals out of India and restore the Hinduraj. He made known his decision to his Afgan and Hindu commanders that he would capture power for himself in Delhi. He started a winning march from Bengal through present day Bihar, Eastern UP and Madhya Pradesh. Brave Mughal Fauzdars evacuated their positions and fled in panic of the mighty HEMU. Hemu marched to Agra, an important Mughal stronghold. But the commander of Mughal forces, representative of Akbar, Iskander Khan Uzbeg ran away from Agra hearing about Hemu's invasion leaving Hemu winner without a fight. Itawa, Kalpi, Bayana all came under Hemu's rule. Hemu got an enormous treasure and equipment. In the words of K.K.Bhardwaj in HEMU-Napoleon of Medieval India, if Vincent A Smith describes Samudragupt as Indian Napolean [25] we can certainly call HEMU "the Napolean of Medieval India" as the victor of 22 battles before dying fighting as a valliant soldier at Panipat due to sheer bad luck. His triumphant march from Bihar to Dilli (Delhi) can be equated to the Italian campaign of Napolean "He came, he saw, he conquered" [26]. Like him, Hemu never saw the defeat in a battle and romped from victory to victory throughout his life. If Napoleon promised his soldiers a glorious future they fought bravely in his Italian campaign and instilled in them a new vigour and enthusiasm by an excellent address [27] leading to glorious victories, Hemu practiced [8] it by his lavish distribution of the spoils of war among his soldiers. After winning Agra, HEMU moved towards final assault on Delhi. This was Hemu's 22nd Battle.

Victory over Akbar's forces in Delhi

Tardi Beg Khan who was Governor of Delhi, representing Akbar, sent a despatch to Akbar and Bairam Khan that Hemu had captured Agra and was intending to attack the capital Delhi which could not be defended without adequate reinforcements [1]. Bairam Khan who visualised the gravity of the situation, sent his ablest lieutenant Pir Muhammad Sharwani with other brave commanders to Tardi Beg to hearten him advising to do his utmost for the time being. Tardi Beg Khan, at his own was not sitting idle.He summoned all the Mughal commanders of the neighbourhood to the rescue of Delhi and many reached soon.A war council was held.It was decided after an animated debate to give battle to HEMU and plans were made on how to do it best [1]. Sir Jadunath Sarkar writes in detail about the battle of Tughlaqabad as follows: "The Mughal army was thus drawn up. Abdullah Uzbeg commanded the Van,Haider Muhammad the right wing, Iskander Beg the left and Tardi Beg himself the centre. The choice Turki Cavalry in the Van and left wing attacked and drove back the enemy forces before them and followed far in persuit. In this assault the Victors captured 400 elephants and slew 3000 men of the Afghan army. Imagining victory already gained, many of Tardi Beg followers dispersed to plunder the enemy camp and he was left in the field thinly guarded. All this time Hemu had been holding 300 choice elephants and a force of select horsemen as a reserve in the centre. He promptly seized the opportunity and made a sudden charge upon Tardi Beg with this reserve" The result was the confusion and defeat for the Mughals. Providence helped Hemu by sending timely reinforcements from Alwar with a contingent commanded by Hazi Khan and desertions of various Mughal Commanders along with Pir Muhhammad Khan who fled away from the battle field to the utmost chargin and surprise of Tardi Beg. Completely confused and panic striken Tardi Beg followed suit and took to heels for safety of his precious life.It could thus be seen that the victory of Hemu at Tughlaqubad was a feat of strategy, the same with which Alexander had scored victory over Indians in the battle of Jhelum, and Muhammad og Ghur over Prithvi Raj in the second battle of Tarain.It avenged the defeat of Hindus by the Muslims in the second battle of Tarain in the same way the victory of Sher Shah over Humanyun at Kannauj had avenged the defeat of Afghans by the Mughals at the battle of Panipat in 1526 when Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi [4].

Hemu won Delhi after a day's battle on 6th October 1556. Some 3000 army men died in this battle.However,Mugal forces lead by Tardi Beg Khan vacated Delhi after a day's fight and Hemu entered Delhi under a royal canopy.


Starting of Hindu Vikramaditya Dynasty

Sir Wolsey Haig [12] writes, " HEMU was so elated by the capture of Delhi as to believe that he had already reached the goal of his ambition." He made no pretence of restoring his master but assumed the title of Raja Vikramaditya and is said to have stuck coins bearing his title.His Afghan officers were temporarily reconciled by a libral distribution of plunder to the ascendancy of an infidel.Vincent A. Smith who puts Hemu as the third claimant to the sovereignty of Hindustan, the other two being Sur Claimants, being Adili and Sikandar, in addition to Akbar, affirms that HEMU after his occupation [28] of Delhi came to the conclusion that he had better claim of the throne for himself rather than on behalf of Adili and ventured to assume the royal state under the style of Raja Vikramaditya or Vikramaditya, a title borne by several renowned Hindu Kings in ancient times.It is thus certain that HEMU assumed the royal robes and declared himself the Hindu Emperor of India under the glorious title of Vikramaditya.

HEMU had his formal 'Rajyabhishake' or 'coronation' following all Hindu religious ceremonies in Delhi and became the ruler under the title 'Raja Vikramaditya'. Hemu was crowned at Purana Qila, also known as Pandavs' Quila, on 7th October, 1556, where Humanyun breathed his last, in the presence of all Afghan Sardars and Hindu Senapatis (Military Commanders).Picture above shows the photograph of a painting of the occasion of Hemu's coronation, where he is flanked by his Afghan and Hindu Military commanders. K.K.Bhardwaj writes [1] ,thousands of guests would have been invited, along with various Rajput chiefs and Afghan governors along with various scholars and Pandits and the festivities continued for three or four days. It is certain that Hemu performed various Hindu rituals before he sat on the throne amdist chanting of Vedic mantras and sprinkling of sacred waters of Ganges and many other rivers and the ceremony might have cost crores of rupees to state treasury as Hemu was quite lavish in distributing favours and precious gifts to others. "Essential parts of a Hindu King's coronation are" writes, Sir Jadunath Sarkar, [29] "washing him (abbhishake) and holding the royal umbrella over his head (Chhatra-Dharam)" and Hemu must have followed these ancient traditions of Hindus, accompanied by costly gifts and robes to priests and Brahmans. Atleast,he made various [30] appointments at that occasion appointing his brother Jujharu Rai as governor of Ajmer and his nephew Rammayya as a great general in his army. He also appointed his various well-wishers as Chhaudhuris and Muqqudams who continued to maintain their position in the reign of Akbar. Thus Hemu re-established a Hindu kingdom and restarted Vikramaditya dynasty in North India, with all authority and command, after centuries of foreign rule and became Emperor of Hindustan.

Aftermath of Hindu Raj

On hearing about Hemu's continuous victories and fall of large terrories like Agra and Delhi from Akbar's control,the Mughal army at Kalanaur lost heart and many commanders refused to fight Hemu. Most of the commanders advised Akbar and Bairam Khan to retreat to Kabul as Akbar as a young boy would be safer there.Akbar was an emperor for name only. Gulbadan (Rumer Godden) writes,"The thirteen year old boy, dressed in a dark robe and a tiara was crowned emperor on Feb. 14th,1556 in a garden in the Panjab but he did not hava a throne" page 112. J.M.Shelat writes,"Shah Abdulamali had contumaciously declind to obey the summons to the enthronrment ceremony at Kalanaur and Bairam to set an example took the risky step of putting him under arrest" [21]. Vincent A.Smith observes."The enthronement of Akbar recognised a claim to sovereignty. When he went through the ceremony at Kalanaur, he could not be said to possess any definite kingdom. The small army under the command of Bairam Khan merely had a precarious hold by force on certain districts of Panjab and that army itself was not to be trusted implicitely. Before Akbar could become Padshah in reality as well as in the name, he had to prove himself better than the rival claimants to the throne and atleast to win back his father's lost dominions" [23] However, Bairam Khan' the guardian of Akbar and chief strategist for army matters,insisted on taking Hemu in a war and make an effort to gain control of Delhi.Abul Fazl sums up the entire scene as "Disillusioned and confused, numerous high ranking officers of the Mughal army were found to be unwilling to fight HEMU [21]. Mughals were forced to fight and perhaps it was the only alternative for them. On the other hand, the new Hindu king of North India at Delhi, HEMU had now become a Vikramaditya Samrat Hindu King, and bestowed as "Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya". Samrat is a Hindi word meaning a king who has never lost a war. HEMU till his accession to Delhi throne had won in all 22 battles,without losing any. This achievment entitled him to an honour of calling 'Samrat'. Out of these 22 battles, Akbar's forces were defeated twice in Agra and Delhi,and that was the reason of demoralisation of mughal forces.HEMU reorganised his army after victory over Delhi.More Hindus were recruited in the army.No Afghan was retrenched. HEMU succeeded in imparting efficiency to the administrative set-up.Due to his up to-date knowledge of trade and commerce, he injected fresh blood into the arteries of the mercantile system throughout the length and breadth of the country. He spared none indulging in black-marketing, hoarding, overcharging and less-weighing. [21] A word about his hatred for corruption which was quite rampant in his days. He did not like corrupt men. We learn from contemporary accounts that after his victory over Agra and Delhi, he dismissed all the corrupt officers and replaced them by his own men.[31] Mushtaqi's reference to the destruction of Chaudhries and muqqadams in the countryside and appointmentment of Baqquals in their place by HEMU substantiates the view that he did not spare anyone bound to be corrupt and inefficient.

Akbar and Bairam Khan were not present in the war at Panipat. They stayed back eight miles away from the war-zone. However' Bairam Khan incited his army by a religious speech and ordered them to move for battle. Hemu lead his Army himself. Hemu's larger army was poised to achieve victory, when Hemu was wounded in the eye by an arrow, and collapsed unconscious. Taking him to be dead, his troops started fleeing.

Unconscious, almost dead Hemu was captured by Shah Qulin Khan and carried to the camp of Akbar and Bairam Khan some 5 Kos away from battle field, and smotted first by Akbar to earn the title of 'Ghazi', then beheaded by Bairam Khan. His head was sent to Kabul,where it was hanged outside Delhi Darwaza, while his body was placed in a gibbet out side Purana Quila in Delhi.

After Hemu's death, a genocide was ordered by Bairam Khan of the community of Hemu and his main Afghan supporters. Thousands of persons were killed to create terror among Hindus and minarets were built of the skulls of the dead. Such minarets were still in existence about 60 years later as described by Petre Mundy, a British traveler who visited India during the time of Jahangir.

His Haveli in Qutabpur is planned to be converted in to a Museum by the owners of Haveli and 'Hemu Vikramaditya Foundation'.

Hemu v/s Jodha-Akbar

Indian Hindi film Jodha Akbar has shown the great Hindu king Hemu Vikramaditya shabbily.The movie depicts Akbar as 'Azeemo Shan Shehenshah' and uses the words Gaddar, a traitor for Hemu. While an Invader, Looter, Barbarian and murderer of thousands of innocents is glorified, ignoring the true history, the native great Hindu warrior and winner of 22 continuous battles is ridiculed and shown in low esteem. Hemu had defeated Akbar's forces in two states at Agra and Delhi during Sept.- Oct. 1556 before going to war at Panipat.How Akbar can be called an Emperor under these conditions? Akbar did not participate in the Panipat war himself and was 5 Kos away from battlefield. Director Ashutosh Gowarikar has misused the names from the history to gain commercially from the movie.

Perpetuating the Glory of Hem Chander Vikramaditya

Panipat was a witness to a gala function, on 6th April 2008, the new Sanwat Day of Hindus held to perpetuate the memory of Hem Chander Vikramaditya.Rashtriya Yodha Smarak Samiti (Natioanal Warriors Memorial Committee) dedicated the day to the memory of Hindu king as 'Samrat Hem Chander Vikramaditya Day'. Function was chaired by Harvard educated Dr. Subramaniam Swamy, former Union Cabinet Minister, Govt. of India, and Chief guest was Sardar Joginder Singh,IPS, former director of CBI,Govt. of India.To the packed crowds,visitors narrated many incidents of wrongly written Indian medieval history and stressed the need of taking steps to set it right. Shree Hari Bhau Vaze, a noted historian from Mumbai was the guest of honour

A memorial of 'Samrat Hem Chander Vikramaditya',winner of 22 continuous battles, 'Maharaja Prithvi Raj Chauhan', hero of Battles of Taraori and great Marahta warrior of 3rd battle of Panipat 'Chhatrapati Sada Shiv Rao Bhau' is proposed to be built at Panipat, by Rashtriya Yodha Smarak Samiti.

See also

List of Indian warriors Third Battle of Panipat

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Hemu-Napoleon of Medieval India By K.K.Bhardwaj,page 25, published by Mittal Publications, New Delhi Cite error: The named reference "HNMI" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ The History of India from the Earliest Period to the Present Time By John Clark Marshman, London (1873) page 50
  3. ^ a b akbar the Great By A.L.Srivastva Vol.I, page 24-26 Cite error: The named reference "AG" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c d Military History of India by J.N.Sarkar, page 67 Cite error: The named reference "MHI" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ Bhartiya Itihas By Dr. Ram Prasad Tripathi; Hindustani Book Depot,Lucknow page 325
  6. ^ a b c Akbar Nama By Sheikh Abul Fazal; translation by Dr. Mathura Lal Sharma; Kailash Pustak Sadan, page 155 Cite error: The named reference "AN" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ AKBAR: THE GREAT MOGUL By Vincent A. Smith: page 36-37, (Oxford, 1926)
  8. ^ a b c d THE MUGHAL EMPIRE: Appendix (By the Editor)- Himu - A forgotten Hindu Hero, page 100, Published by Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan Cite error: The named reference "TME" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  9. ^ Rise and Fall of Mughal Empire By R.P.Tripathi, Allahabad (1960), page 158
  10. ^ a b c The Empire of the great Mogul By De Laet,pp 140-41 Cite error: The named reference "TEM" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  11. ^ a b Tahaqat-i-Akbari By Nizamuddin Ahmed (tr. B.De), vol.II, page 114, Cite error: The named reference "TA" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b The Cambridge History of India, Volume IV,The Mughal Period, Delhi (1965), page 72 Cite error: The named reference "TCHI" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  13. ^ a b c d Samrat Hemchander Vikramaditya By Samrat Hemchander Vikramaditya Dhusar (Bhargava) Memorial Charitable Trust (Regd.),Rekmo Press, NewDelhi page 5 Cite error: The named reference "SHV" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  14. ^ a b c d Anokha Aarohi By Kranti Trivedi pages 1,3, published by Sulabh Prakashan,Lucknow Cite error: The named reference "AA" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  15. ^ a b c d e HEMU Life and Times of Hemchandra Vikramaditya By R.K.Bhardwaj,page 24, publishers Hope India Publications, Gurgaon Cite error: The named reference "HLTHV" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  16. ^ Tabaqat-I-Akbari written by Nizamuddin Ahmed(trans.B.De),Vol.II,p198
  17. ^ AKI Ahirwal Ka Itihas By Dr. K.C.Yadav pages 30
  18. ^ a b History of the Afghans in India, by Rahim, page 94 Cite error: The named reference "HAI" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  19. ^ Muntkhab-ul-Tawarikh,By Badauni, Vol.I page 384,
  20. ^ Sher Shah and his Times,By K.R.Quanungo,page 448
  21. ^ a b c d e Ahirwal By Dr.K.C.Yadav, page35 Cite error: The named reference "A" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  22. ^ Rise and fall of Mughal Empire, By Tripathi, page 158,
  23. ^ a b c Akbar the Great Mogul, By Vincent A. Smith, page 26 Cite error: The named reference "AGM" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  24. ^ sher Shah and His Times,By K.R.Qanungo, Orient (1965) p 449
  25. ^ The History and Culture of Indian People-The Classical Age Ref. Quoted by R.C.Mazumdar (Fourth Edition) Bombay (1988), p14
  26. ^ Modern Europe, By C.D.Hazen, (Reprint),Delhi(1956),p.156
  27. ^ World History, By Albert E. McKinley,& others, Reprint(1994),page 210
  28. ^ The Emperor Akbar (Vol.1),Patna (1973), page 72,
  29. ^ Shivaji and His Times, Calcutta (1929),page 216-17,
  30. ^ Hemu and His Times, M.L.Bhargava, NewDelhi,(1991),p.91,
  31. ^ Tarikh-i-Salatin-i-Afghana,page 62
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