Rana Sanga's invasion of Gujarat
| Rajputs recapture Gujrat | |||||||||
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| Part of Mewar-Gujarat wars | |||||||||
| File:Rana Sanga.jpg Rana Sanga Leader of the Rajput Confederation | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Rajput Confederates | Gujarat Sultanate | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Rana Sanga Rawal Udai Singh of Dungarpur Rao Ganga of Jodhpur Rao Viram deva of Merta[1] |
Muzaffar Shah II Nizam-ul-mulk (WIA) | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 57,000 men[2] | |||||||||
In 1520 A.D. Rana Sanga lead a coalition of Rajput armies to invade Gujarat. He successfully defeated the Muslim forces and plundered the wealth of the Gujarat Sultanate.
Background
It is said that one day (1520 A. D.) a Bhat (minstrel) extolled the bravery and generosity of Rana Sanga in open Durbar (hall or room in the palace) in Nizam -ul-mulk's presence on which Nizam-ul-mulk used disrespectful language towards the Maharana.[3]
When this incident came to the knowledge of the Maharana he decided to invade Gujarat and punish the impertinent governor of Idar. Sultan Muzaffar Shah of Gujarat on being apprised of the Maharanas invasion, sent reinforcements under Asad-ul-mulk, Ghazi Khan, Shuja-ul-mulk and Saif Khan, to Nizam-ul-mulk. He appointed Qiwam-ul mulk, governor of his capital Ahmad abad, to bear the brunt, and himself retired to Muhammadabad instead of advancing to meet the Maharana.
The Maharana started with 40,000 horse and infantry and soon arrived at Vagadh, where Rawal Udai Singh of Dungarpur joined him with his forces of 5,000 men. Rao Ganga of Jodhpur sent his sons with 7,000 men, and Rao Viram deva of Merta with 5,000 men, also joined the Maharana here.[4][5]
Siege of Ahmednagar
The Maharana came down swiftly upon Idar. Nizam -ul-mulk (now entitled Mubariz ul-mulk) was alarmed at the news of Sanga's advance towards Idar, and forgetting his vaunt, fled to the safe refuge of the fort of Ahmadnagar (present day Himatnagar) . The Maharana arrived at Idar the day following Mubariz-ul-mulk's flight. After reinstating Rai Mal on the throne of Idar, thus restoring his patrimony to him, the Maharana started in pursuit of Mubariz-ul-mulk and laid siege to Ahmadnagar. Dunger Singh Chauhan, a notable Rajput officer of the Maharana's army was seriously wounded in the assault.The Rajputs rushed into the fort, sword in hand, and slaughtered the garrison, but Mubariz-ul-mulk escaped. Mubariz-ul-mulk halted on the further bank of the river that flowed by the fort and drew up his troops, which had been reinforced by the army sent by the Sultan from Ahmedabad, to oppose the Maharana's advance.
As soon as the Maharana came to know of it, he fell upon this army and put it to flight. Mubariz ul-mulk fled towards Ahmadabad, but fearing pursuit, he left the direct road and took a circuitous route.
Alexander Kinloch Forbes' Rasmala says: "The array of Islam was broken by the fury of Rajputs, several officers of distinction were killed ; Mubariz-ul-mulk himself was severely wounded; his elephants were taken, and the whole force was driven in confusion towards Ahmadabad. Rana Sanga now plundered the surrounding country at his leisure: he spared the Brahmans of Wadnagar, but finding Visalnagar defended against him, he took it by assault, slaying the Muhammadan governor. Having thus revenged himself for the insult which had been offered to him, he returned, unopposed.[6][7]
Sacking of Gujarat
The Rajput army marched the next day to plunder Vadnagar. Arriving there, he found the town inhabited by Brahmins, who prayed for protection. Their prayers were granted and the town was left unmolested. The Maharana advanced to Visalnagar, killed the governor Hatim Khan in an action that followed, and plundered the town. After plundering Gujarat a little longer and finding that the Sultan dared not come to the protection of his subjects, and thinking that the braggart Nizam-ul-mulk (Mubariz-ul-mulk) had been sufficiently punished and taught a good lesson, and seeing that the Rao of Idar had been restored to his patrimony, the Maharana returned in triumph to Chittor.[8][9]
References
- ^ 8 Chaturkula Charitra, p. 25
- ^ 8 Chaturkula Charitra, p. 25
- ^ Bayley's Gujarat, p. 264.
- ^ 8 Chaturkula Charitra, p. 25
- ^ Sarda, Bilas. Maharana Sanga: The Hindupat, the Last Great Leader of the Rajput Race. 1918. Reprint. London: Forgotten Books, 2013. 78-9. Print.
- ^ Ohitor." " p. 295.
- ^ Sarda, Bilas. Maharana Sanga: The Hindupat, the Last Great Leader of the Rajput Race. 1918. Reprint. London: Forgotten Books, 2013. 80-1. Print.
- ^ Bayley's Gujarat, p. 269.
- ^ Sarda, Bilas. Maharana Sanga: The Hindupat, the Last Great Leader of the Rajput Race. 1918. Reprint. London: Forgotten Books, 2013. 82-3. Print.