Valour of the Rajputs

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Valour of the Rajputs

By Dr. Ganeshi Lal Verma

 

[Organiser has started a regular column from last week to bring out

inspiring tales from Indian history. We are a nation of great

conquerors, perseverant fighters, dignified in defeat, magnanimous in

victory and generous to our enemy. This is the story of our glorious

past, courageous resistance and standing up against odds in trying

times.—Ed.]

 

Nayachandra Suri, the famous Jain chronicler, flourished during the

14th century ad. The Jain acharya has written an historical account

in Sanskrit entitled Hammir Mahakavya. It was published in ad 1993 by

the Director of Rajasthan Prachya Vidya Pratisthan, Jodhpur. The work

describes in detail the history of the Chauhans of Ranthambore and

their epic fight against the Muslim rulers of Delhi.

 

Ranthambore was one of the best forts of Rajasthan, well protected by

jungles and hills and ably defended by the Chauhans. The Mohammedans

of Delhi eagerly sought control over the fort but could not fight the

might of Chauhans. Then a tragedy took place resulting in the death

of the ruling king Prahaladan. A child named Veer Narayan was placed

on the gaddi (throne) while the administration remained under the

care of Vagabhatta, the prime minister and brother of the late king

Prahaladan. The prince grew up into a brave but headstrong ruler.

 

Veer Narayan thought it better to cultivate friendly relations with

the Sultanate of Delhi. Especially when the Muslims rulers were

responding eagerly and sending envoys to felicitate young Chauhan on

various occasions. Shamsuddin Altmash, the Sultan of Delhi, invited

Veer Narayan to visit Delhi .

 

 

 

Prince Veer Narayan ignored his uncle's warning. The exasperated

uncle left the kingdom with a heavy heart for Malwa, warning the

nephew yet again: "If you wish to live and govern your kingdom, avoid

the Muslims particularly Jalaluddin (Shamsuddin Altamash)."

 

Vagabhatta, the uncle of Veer Narayan, opposed these overtures. He

said, no faith could be placed on the rulers of Delhi and an enemy

can never be a friend. Prince Veer Narayan ignored his uncle's

warning. The exasperated uncle left the kingdom with a heavy heart

for Malwa, warning the nephew yet again: "If you wish to live and

govern your kingdom, avoid Muslims particularly Jalaluddin (Shamsu-

ddin Altamash)."

 

Veer Narayan's murder in Delhi

Disregarding the advice of Vagabhatta, Veer Narayan went on a state

visit to Delhi. The Sultan of Delhi received him with the great

honour. After a few days of hospitality, Veer Narayan was poisoned

and he died as a result thereof. The Muslim ruling circle was highly

pleased at the success of the plot. Ranthambore was now without a

king and utterly defenceless and Vagabhatta had departed to Malwa.

This was the perfect occasion for the Mohammedans to occupy

Ranthambore. And thus they invaded the kingdom and conquered it.

These events took pace in ad 1226.

 

Vagabhatta's war of liberation

The news of the tragic death of Veer Narayan and the catastrophe that

followed unnevered, for the time being, even the sagacious

Vagabhatta. He however gathered around him the dauntless Chauhans,

the other Rajputs and the communities like Khokars and Kharparas

(Mongols). With this army he entered his paternal kingdom. Over the

years his strength grew as the people's response was overwhelming and

instant. By the year ad 1232 the Muslim army was reduced in strength

and had to capitulate after three months of rigorous siege. Muslim

chroniclers admit the loss of Ranthambore in ad 1236, during the

reign of Altamash's successor.

 

Epilogue

Thereafter Vagabhatta ruled the kingdom for twelve years. In ad 1244,

he was succeeded by Jaitra Singh, the father of future Hammir Dewa,

the hero of the Mahakavya. Hammir Deva became king in ad 1283. Hammir

Deva strongly believed in the traditional policy of the Chauhans and

was well prepared for a final combat with the Muslim rulers of Delhi.

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