Maharaja Hemachandra Vikramaditya

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Hemu: The commoner Hindu emperor

By Dr Ganeshilal Verma

 

"October 7, 1556 was a red letter day for Hindus; for the alien rule

had ended and a powerful Hindu King, the winner of 21 crucial battles

was on the throne of Indraprastha. The standing insult of three

hundred fifty years, was avenged by a daring Hindu commoner."

 

With the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192 AD the Muslim power got

established in Delhi. During the early half of the 16th century

Mughals and Pathans were contesting for the lordship over Delhi.

Factionalism among Pathans especially during the reign of Adil Shah

(1553-57) had given a chance to the Mughals to regain the lost empire

of Hindusthan. Humayun invaded Punjab in February 1555. On June 22,

1555 Pathans were defeated at Sarhind and Mughals occupied Delhi

thereafter.

 

When these epoch-making events were happening, a commoner known as

Hemachandra from Rewari (Haryana) was diligently serving Adil Shah.

He was sent to crush Ibrahim (Adil Shah's brother-in-law), a rebel.

This commoner from Rewari defeated Ibrahim twice at Kalpi and Khanna.

Ibrahim fled to Bayana (Bulandshahar) where he was besieged by

commoner.

 

Adil Shah was attacked by Mohammed Shah of Bengal. The ruler of

Bengal had conquered up to Jaunpur; intending to occupy Kalpi in

order to proceed to Delhi, which was under the Mughals. Under such

circumstances, Adil Shah recalled Hemachandra. With Hemachandra

joining the battle, Mohammad Shah was soon defeated at Chhapparghatt,

20 miles from Kalpi. Adil Shah occupied Bengal; appointed Shahbag

Khan as governor. Adil Shah made Chunar his capital and the

responsibility of driving out the Mughals was left to Hemachandra.

 

 

In January 1556, Humayun died in Delhi. Getting the news of Humayun's

death Hemachandra decided to attack Agra. Hemachandra hastened from

Gwalior to Agra without losing any time. Seeing the strength of

Hemachandra's army Iskandar Khan Uzlzg, the Mughal Governor got

frightened and retreated to Delhi. Hemachandra occupied Agra; seizing

the treasury and equipments.

 

Hemachandra proceeded to Delhi and after defeating Mughal Governor

Tardybeg Khan occupied the city on October 7,1556.

 

The entire country from Gwalior upto Satluj river came under the

control of Hemachandra. Wisely he proclaimed Hindu supremacy by

crowning himself as Hindu Emperor-Maharaja Hemachandra Vikramaditya.

October 7, 1556 was a red letter day for Hindus; for the alien rule

had ended and a powerful Hindu King, the winner of 21 crucial battles

was on the throne of Indraprastha. The standing insult of three

hundred fifty years, was avenged by a daring Hindu commoner. His love

for Hindu swaraj and marshal skills are comparable with the qualities

of great heroes like Rana Pratap or Shivaji.

 

After coronation Hemachandra Vikramaditya consolidated his position:

raised an army of 30,000 Hindu soldiers. He also won the loyality of

Pathans by liberal treatment and distribution of cash awards which he

gave to them from time to time. Due to this a large part of their

artillery and nearly 500 elephants became part of his formidable

force. With this army he prepared himself to drive the Mughals out.

 

There was no fault, no blunder in planning and strategy; nor was

there any want of courage or bravery on the part of Hemachandra

Vikramaditya or his generals, but yet the Mughals got a chance. In

the battle of Panipat (November 5, 1556 AD) the Hindus were defeated

by Mughals. Hindus could not produce another Hemachandra Vikramaditya

for nearly two centuries. It was only in 1737 AD that Baji Rao

Peshwa's forces reached Turkman Gate in Delhi and Mohammad Shah was

forced to take shelter in Agra.