When Aurangzeb pleaded for mercy

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When Aurangzeb pleaded for Mewar Rana's mercy

By Ganeshi Lal Verma

 

The Mughal-Rajput war was started after the death of Maharaja Jasvant

Singh on December 20, 1678 and it continued for nearly 30 years. The

Maharaja had died in Jamrud, Afghanistan, where he was posted by

Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor. On his death Aurangzeb expressed

happiness and said: "Pillar of infidelity has fallen." He took

advantage of the situation and tried to annex Marwar—the Maharaja`s

kingdom. Aurangzeb went to Ajmer to make proper arrangements and

overawe the Rajputs of Marwar.

 

Meanwhile, Maharaja's family reached Delhi in June 1679. Aurangzeb

ordered that the Maharaja's family along with infant Ajit Singh, the

late Maharaja's son, should be sent to the royal harem. The Mughal

Emperor said that Jodhpur gaddi (throne) could be given to Ajit Singh

on condition of his adopting Islam. This led to a fight between the

Mughal army and the Rathore warriors under the command of Durgadas.

The Rathore warriors easily defeated the Mughal forces. Ajit Singh

was safely taken to Marwar and proclaimed the Maharaja of Marwar.

Hearing about the defeat of Mughal forces, Aurangzeb himself took the

command of his army and invaded Marwar to suppress the revolt.

 

Aurangzeb suspected that Rana of Mewar was helping the Rajputs of

Jodhpur. So in retaliation Aurangzeb imposed jazia on Rana of Mewar.

Rana realised that Aurangzeb was bent on annihilating Rajput power.

Indeed the Mughals had invaded Mewar. Rana abandoned Udaipur,

surprised Mughal camp at Chittor and defeated the Mughals at Bednoor.

Aurangzeb now planned three-pronged attack from three different

directions. Still the Mughals could not make impressive advance

against the Maharana's defences.

 

During the campaign Aurangzeb himself was encircled in a precipice by

the Rajputs. The Rajput closed the back movement of the Mughal army

by felling the overhanging trees. Aurangzeb's favourite wife Udaipuri

Begum, who was also accompanying him in the war was also encircled in

another part of mountain. She however surrendered and was taken to

Rana, who treated her with utmost respect.

 

Meanwhile, Aurangzeb and his garrison was without food and water for

two days. The Emperor would have died of hunger if the siege had

continued. The Mughals however cried for Rana's clemency. A treaty

was signed between Rana and Aurangzeb. It was promised on Aurangzeb's

behalf that in future sacred animals would not be slaughtered. The

magnanimous Rana ordered his forces to withdraw from their stations

so that way could be cleared for Mughal army to withdraw along with

their emperor. The Begum, with her retinue was also sent to the

Emperor, who had withdrawn to Chittor.

 

Colonel Tod comments on the incident: "But for repeated instances of

ill-judged humanity, the throne of Mughals might have been completely

overturned". (Annals & Antiquities of Rajasthan, Vol. I p. 379).

Aurangzeb learnt nothing from the defeat. Once out of danger,

Aurangzeb forgot the promise of not slaughtering the cows and the

clemency of Rana. Aurangzeb continued the war claiming that Rana's

generosity was the result of fear of future vengeance by the Mughals.

 

Rana's magnanimity was misplaced. It was as great a blunder as the

ill-fated interview between Rana Pratap and Man Singh at Udai Sagar

Lake. Mughal empire could have been shattered long before than

Marathas did it, if the Rajputs had been more politically minded.