Rana Sanga's invasion of Gujarat
| Rajput invasion of Gujarat | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
|
Vassal states:
| Gujarat Sultanate | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Rana Sanga Rao Ganga Ajja Jhala Rawal Udai Singh of Vagad Rao Viram deo Rathore of Merta Rai Mal Rathore Haridas Kesaria |
Muzaffar Shah II Nizam Khan-ul-mulk (WIA) | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
|
Total: 53,000 cavalry[3]
| Unknown | ||||||||
In 1520 Rana Sanga, the Rana of Mewar, led Rajput armies of Kingdom of Mewar and its vassal states to invade the Gujarat Sultanate. He reinstated Raimal Rathore as the Rao of Idar and defeated the Gujarat forces under the command of Nizam Khan. Rana Sanga drove the army of Muzaffar II deep into Gujarat and chased them up to Ahmedabad.[4] The Sultan of Gujarat was forced to flee to Muhammadabad.[5][page needed][6] After a series of successful military campaigns Sanga successfully captured Northern Gujarat.[7][page needed]
Background
[edit]The growing power of Mewar was seen as a threat by the Sultan of Gujarat. They had previously had disputes due to the succession of the state of Idar. In 1519 the two claimants of Idar, Raimal and Bharmal both sought the support of Sanga and Muzaffar II, leading to the invasion of Idar by the Gujarat forces, who were supporting Bharmal.[4]
Battle
[edit]Upon knowing of the invasion, Rana Sanga immediately came to the support of Raimal Rathore and started with 40,000 cavalry from Chittorgarh. He first went towards Sirohi whose ruler payed necessary tribute to the Maharana. When Sultan of Gujarat came to know about the devlopments happened above. He tried to send reinforcements but he was stopped by his nobles who were anxious of Mubariz-ul-Mulk, then holding Idar for Gujarat Sultanate. Next, Maharana's army reached Dungarpur whose ruler also accompanied him. Mubariz-ul-Mulk wrote letter to Sultan asking for counter attack and also informing him about the present situation. However, nobles mis-interpreted the fact and stopped Sultan from taking necessary action. Then a battle was fought in Idar where the Sultans forces were defeated by the Maharana. Idar was captured and forces of Marwar and Vagad under their respective Kings Rao Ganga Rathore and Biramdeva Medatiya with 7000 and 6,000 cavalry each joined him.[8]Gujarat army were pushed back as far as Ahmedabad which was put to seige and looted. Mewari army plundered and captured Vadnagar and also attacked Visalnagar which also submitted to Maharana.[9][4]
Aftermath
[edit]Northern Gujarat was successfully absorbed into the Kingdom of Mewar after the invasion.[7][page needed] This defeat led to the alliance between the sultanates of Gujarat, Malwa and Delhi against Mewar. The two Sultans of Malwa and Gujarat led their forces to Mandsaur where they failed to take the fort and were forced to retreat. The sultan of Delhi tried to annex Ajmer but was defeated at Ranthambore by Sanga.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ R.C Majumdar (1960). The History and Culture of the Indian People: Volume 6. Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 344.
Mewar were considerably extended. On the north, they were pushed up as far as the Bayana River. In the east, Raisen, Sarangpur, Bhilsa, Kalpi and Chanderi, were included within her territories. In the south, Dungarpur and Banswara were held by a vassal, and her frontiers ran far into the heart of Malwa. To the south-west, Sirohi was ruled by the Rana's son-in-law. Even the chiefs of Marwar and Amber, according to Tod, acknowledged his allegiance
- ^ R.V Somani (1976). History of Mewar from Earliest time to 1751 A.D. Mateshwari Publications. pp. 39–40.
The Mewar army proceeded towards Sirohi and collected necessary tribute from its ruler. The Sultan of Gujrat, when heard the advancement of Maharana, was desitous of sending reinforcement* at Idar, But some of his Ministers being inimical to Mubarize ul-Mulk refrained the Sultan from sending his army. The Maharana then proceeded towards Dungarpur, the ruler of which place also accompanied him. Mubariz-ul-Mulk, wrote the account of these developments to the Sultan, But at this time also the Ministers misrepresented the facts and reinforcement could not be sent at Idar. The Maharana acting energetically came down swiftly upon dar with immense army consisting of more than 40,000 cavalry, By this time, Rao Ganga of Jodhpur and Biramdeva Medatiya also joined him with 7 and 6 thousand cavalry respectively
- ^ R.V Somani (1976). History of Mewar from Earliest time to 1751 A.D. Mateshwari Publications. pp. 39–40.
The Mewar army proceeded towards Sirohi and collected necessary tribute from its ruler. The Sultan of Gujrat, when heard the advancement of Maharana, was desitous of sending reinforcement* at Idar, But some of his Ministers being inimical to Mubarize ul-Mulk refrained the Sultan from sending his army. The Maharana then proceeded towards Dungarpur, the ruler of which place also accompanied him. Mubariz-ul-Mulk, wrote the account of these developments to the Sultan, But at this time also the Ministers misrepresented the facts and reinforcement could not be sent at Idar. The Maharana acting energetically came down swiftly upon dar with immense army consisting of more than 40,000 cavalry, By this time, Rao Ganga of Jodhpur and Biramdeva Medatiya also joined him with 7 and 6 thousand cavalry respectively
- ^ a b c d Hooja, Rima (2006). "The State of Mewar, AD 1500 - AD 1600". A History of Rajasthan. Rupa & Company. p. 451. ISBN 9788129108906. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ Maharana Sanga by Har Bilas Sarda
- ^ J. Chaube (1975). History of Gujarat Kingdom, 1458-1537. Munshiram Manoharlal. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-88386-573-6.
- ^ a b Majumdar, R. C., ed. (1967). History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 06, The Delhi Sultanate. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
- ^ R.V Somani (1976). History of Mewar from Earliest time to 1751 A.D. Mateshwari Publications. pp. 39–40.
The Mewar army proceeded towards Sirohi and collected necessary tribute from its ruler. The Sultan of Gujrat, when heard the advancement of Maharana, was desitous of sending reinforcement* at Idar, But some of his Ministers being inimical to Mubarize ul-Mulk refrained the Sultan from sending his army. The Maharana then proceeded towards Dungarpur, the ruler of which place also accompanied him. Mubariz-ul-Mulk, wrote the account of these developments to the Sultan, But at this time also the Ministers misrepresented the facts and reinforcement could not be sent at Idar. The Maharana acting energetically came down swiftly upon dar with immense army consisting of more than 40,000 cavalry, By this time, Rao Ganga of Jodhpur and Biramdeva Medatiya also joined him with 7 and 6 thousand cavalry respectively
- ^ R.V Somani (1976). History of Mewar from Earliest time to 1751 A.D. Mateshwari Publications. pp. 39–40.