Bhilai Institute of Technology, Durg

Autonomous Institute affiliated to CSVTU

INDIA & MEWAR

by

Param Kumar & Saket Sharma

 Introduction

India, the land of the brave, has always resisted foreign invasions, maintaining its dignity in fields like knowledge, science, and research. Despite
facing conflicts with foreign aggressors throughout history, India has never been subjugated by any other civilization or individual. However,
historical narratives sometimes portray India as if it succumbed to foreign dominance. More than 200 foreign invasions have been recorded in
India's history, yet none of them resulted in complete victory for the invaders.

Three elements determine the subjugation of any nation:

1. Surender of the national leader

2. Death of the national leader (by the enemy)
3. Retreat of the national leader

Until it is certain that any of the above conditions occurred, labeling any nation as enslaved is baseless rhetoric. A nation remains free as long as its
territories and states do not accept the dominance of an external power. In contemporary times, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to
some regions of Ukraine coming under permanent Russian control. However, it cannot be concluded that Ukraine is enslaved simply because it lost
the war. Similarly, India has never been enslaved. In the struggle for independence, many families, entrusted with the responsibility of saving the
nation, achieved martyrdom, leaving their descendants without a lineage.

Yet, one dynasty, the Mewar dynasty, stood for 1232 years, from 734 CE to 1947 CE, consistently defending the nation against Arab, Turk, Khilji,
Sayyad, Lodhi, Mughal, and British invasions. Even today, with pride and existence intact, the Mewar dynasty, descendants of Lord Shri Ram and
their ancestors, is the world's oldest dynasty that has never been under anyone's subjugation. However, history did not accord it the recognition it
deserved. This research paper aims to celebrate the glory of this dynasty and establish the fact that India has never been enslaved by any other
civilization. Though it is not possible to discuss all the valiant warriors in this dynasty, we attempt to present a comprehensive picture through a few
examples.
 1. Bappa Rawal
Bappa Rawal, one of the earliest emperors of the Mewar dynasty, played a significant role in defeating foreign invaders from the Umayyad dynasty that came from Arabia.
The battle is also known as the "Rajasthan War" due to its association with the region. Bappa Rawal not only defeated the foreign adversary but also pursued them into Iran,
securing victory over Iran as well. Along the way, he left a lasting impact on every country and region that came in contact with Mewar, contributing to its cultural and
theatrical essence.
Indian history narrates that after the death of Muhammad bin Qasim, the ruler of Afghanistan, Dahir, was killed, making Afghanistan a part of Iran. However, Arab
historians themselves write that after the death of Dahir, his relatives sought assistance from Bappa Rawal. Bappa Rawal not only went to Afghanistan but also eliminated
Salim, who was ruling Afghanistan. Moreover, he restored the sovereignty of Dahir's relatives over Afghanistan.
Arab historians record that Bappa Rawal conducted such a brutal massacre that there was no place left for them to hide their heads in shame.

2. Rawal Khuman
I apologize for any confusion, but the information you provided seems to be inaccurate or mixed up with historical events. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022,
there is no historical evidence or reliable source supporting the claim that a figure named "Khumaan" defeated Arab invaders Hashim and Alamamu (Mahmoud) between
820 CE and 860 CE, uniting 40 dynasties from Kashmir to Rameswaram.
It's essential to cross-verify historical information with reputable sources to ensure accuracy. If there have been new historical findings or developments after my last
update, I recommend checking the latest academic or historical publications for the most accurate information.

3 .Rawal jaitr Singh

An inscription was found at the Indian Archaeological Center in Chittorgarh, claiming the invincibility of the Delhi Sultanate. It mentions the continuous ten-year war
waged by Raval Jaitra Singh alongside the foreign ruler of Delhi, Iltutmish, from 1224 CE to 1234 CE. In the decisive battle of Tummal in 1234 CE, Iltutmish was defeated,
and Delhi was conquered, making it a part of Mewar.
 4. Rawal bhuwan singh.
"After the first Jauhar in Chittorgarh on August 26, 1303, Mewar came under the control of the Khilji dynasty. During this time, the capital of Mewar
shifted to Nagda, and Raval Bhuvan Singh, the grandson of Raval Ratan Singh, defeated Alauddin Khilji's son Khizr Khan, reclaiming Chittorgarh."

5. Mharana Hammir Singh

During his reign, Maharana Hammir Singh forcefully liberated Delhi from the Tughlaqs. He defeated the so-called ruler
of Delhi, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, in the Battle of Singholi in 1336 CE. After the victory, he imprisoned Muhammad bin
Tughlaq in the Chittorgarh fort for six months, confining him in a cage like a dog. In the end, when Muhammad bin
Tughlaq offered 30 lakh gold coins and the rule from Sindh to Malwa in exchange for his release and submission to
Delhi's authority, Maharana Hammir Singh, showing mercy, decided to set him free. At that time, all the states of India
bestowed upon him the title of Maharana.

6. Maharana Khet Singh

After Maharana Hammir Singh, his son Maharana Khet Singh ascended to the throne of Mewar. Between 1365 CE and
1385 CE, he fought three significant wars and ensured his victories by engaging in battles against foreign invaders.
Similar to his father, he defeated a malevolent character named Dilawar Khan from the Arab lands in the Battle of
Singholi. Subsequently, according to inscriptions in Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh, Maharana Khet Singh encountered a
foreign invader named Ami Shah from Gujarat and vanquished him in the Battle of Bakrol.

As per R.C. Majumdar, during Maharana Khet Singh's engagement in warfare, news reached him that Firoz Shah, the
son of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, had reclaimed Delhi. In response, Maharana Khet Singh, upon learning of this
development, defeated Firoz Shah in the Battle of Bakrol and took him as a captive.
 7. Maharana Lakha Singh
He primarily liberated Indian pilgrimage sites from foreign dominance, notably playing a significant role in the recovery
and restoration of Dwarka. During this period, driven by the desire for revenge against Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, Maharana
Lakh Singh was challenged to a battle in Badnor by Firuz Tughlaq. In this battle, Firuz Tughlaq suffered defeat, and
Delhi continued to remain an integral part of Mewar.

8. Maharana Kumbha
After Maharana Lakh Singh, Maharana Mokal became the ruler of Mewar. He engaged in battles against Firuz Shah
Tughlaq II to prevent invasions on Delhi, defeating him and rendering him impotent. However, due to certain reasons, he
passed away prematurely. Following his demise, his son Kumbhakaran, also known as Kumbha, ascended to the throne
of Mewar. In order to protect against foreign invasions in India, he pledged to eradicate the descendants of foreign
invaders who had settled in India and were oppressing the people. In a single battle, he vanquished the Khiljis of
Gujarat, the Tughlaqs of Delhi, and Shams of Nagaur, putting an end to their reign forever. He erected a victory pillar as
a symbol of triumph. Kumbha fought 56 battles in his lifetime and remained undefeated.

9. Maharana Sanga
He twice defeated the purported Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodhi, in the battles of Khatali and Bakrol in 1517 and 1518,
respectively, and kept Delhi under his control. Some people allege that he invited Babur to India to defeat Lodhi, but
why would someone who had already defeated Lodhi twice in battle call someone else for help? Additionally, there is a
legendary battle in Khanwa in 1527, often portrayed as a confrontation between Babur and Sangha. It is said that Babur
won the battle on March 18, 1527, but in reality, Babur did not arrive
on the second day of the battle, and instead, he attacked Chanderi. Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that Babur
won the Battle of Khanwa, why isn't it mentioned that Maharana Sangha had already defeated him in a previous
encounter?

10. Maharana Pratap

After the death of Maharana Sangha, Bahadur Shah, the king of Gujarat, invaded Chittorgarh in 1532 CE. In the battle
that ensued, Maharana Sangha's eldest son, Ratna Singh, achieved martyrdom. There is a legendary tale surrounding
this event, suggesting that Maharani Karnavati, the wife of Maharana Sangha, sent a rakhi to Babur's son Humayun
seeking help. However, historical inscriptions such as the Humayun Nama and the inscriptions in Delhi and Dwarka
deny that Maharani Karnavati ever sent such a letter to Humayun. Instead, prompted by Humayun's provocation,
Bahadur Shah attacked Chittorgarh.

Within a few years of these events, the nobles of Mewar made Chittorgarh their capital again, and Maharana Sangha's
younger son, Vikram Singh, was made the king of Mewar. However, Vikram Singh was betrayed and killed by his slave
son Banvir. Subsequently, Panna Dhyani, a woman named after a gemstone, sacrificed her son Uday Singh to save
him. In 1535 CE, Uday Singh, with the help of his nobles, reclaimed Chittorgarh, and in 1540 CE, Maharana Pratap was
born.

Maharana Pratap's main struggle was against the Mughal emperor Akbar. While modern history portrays him as
defeated by Akbar, the reality is that Maharana Pratap never lost to the Mughals. The battles of Haldighati and Dever
were significant conflicts between Mewar and the Mughals, in which Maharana Pratap personally fought and ensured
victory.

The Battle of Haldighati is substantiated by the evidence that Akbar's minister Al-Badayuni wrote in the Akbarnama.
After this battle, Mansingh, who was in command of the Mughal army, was demoted, and in Mewar, Maharana Pratap
 minted new coins. The Dever battle in 1582 saw 36,000 Mughal soldiers surrendering to Mewar, marking the largest
military surrender in the world until 1972 when East Pakistan surrendered to India.

Now, the question arises: If Maharana Pratap was winning, why was he wandering in the jungles? He took an oath
not to set foot in the palaces until he completely liberated Mewar from the Mughals. The Battle of Haldighati and
Dever proved that Maharana Pratap never submitted to the Mughals. While Akbar temporarily occupied some Mewar
territories, it can be compared to the Kargil conflict, where Pakistan temporarily gained control but later lost to India.
Similarly, Mewar and India were never fully under Mughal control. After the battles, Maharana Pratap returned to
Chittorgarh and lived a life of victory.

11. Maharana Amar Singh

On January 19, 1597, after the death of Maharana Pratap, his son Amar Singh ascended to the throne. There are
allegations against him that he submitted to Mughal authority, which is entirely false. Amar Singh fought against the
Mughals in 20 battles, achieving victory in all of them. Rahim Khan-e-Khana, the Mughal commander, himself wrote
about him, stating:

"Religion will endure, and this land will endure. Amar, you have the blessings of Lord Vishambhar Mahadev. Just as he consumed
poison, you have consumed the lives of Jahangir's army in battle. Now, think for yourself, why would a king, whose commander
speaks so valiantly about the enemy, need to submit to anyone's authority? The reality is that Jahangir had extended a hand of
friendship towards Amar Singh. The world knows that no king, more addicted
 to intoxication than Jahangir, ever existed. Thomas Roe, the British ambassador to the Mughal court, writes that despite
numerous efforts, when Jahangir couldn't defeat Maharana Amar Singh, he eventually made a compromise with Mewar."

12. Mharana RAJ SINGH

"Maharana Raj Singh's main struggle was against Aurangzeb. You can gauge their bravery from the fact that even Chhatrapati
Shivaji considered him as his ideal. When Aurangzeb was imposing heavy taxes forcefully, Shivaji, challenging Aurangzeb, wrote a
letter stating that if he had the courage, he should try facing Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar. Aurangzeb, having once faced defeat
in battle himself, knew about the valor against Mewar. Recognizing this, Shivaji, with a touch of sarcasm, wrote a letter to
Aurangzeb."

13.Mahrana Fateh Singh

"Where it is often glorified in history that entire India was enslaved by the British, people tend to forget to mention the pride of
Mewar. In 1903, when all the princely families of India came to Delhi to attend the coronation and salute to British King Edward,
Maharana of Mewar immediately declined to participate in the conference where the Governor General, Lord Curzon, was
present. He stated, 'The coronation you are inviting us to, of a king in India, is not our king yet. His authority is limited to some
states in India, not over the entire country.'"
पग-पग भ्रम्या पहाड़, धरा छोड़ राख्यो धरम,
महाराणा'र मेवाड़, हिरदै बसिया हिन्द रै।
घणा घालिया घमसांण, राण सदा रहिया निडर,
पेखंता फ़रमाण, हलचल किम फ़तमल हुवै !
गिरद गजां घमसांण, नहचै धर माई नहीं,
मावै किम महाराण, गज दोसे रा गिरद में !
ओरां ने आसाण, हाँका हरवळ हालणों,
किम हालै कु ल राण, हरवळ साहाँ हाँकिया !
नरियंद सह नज़रांण, झुक करसी सरसी जिको,
पसरैलों किम पाण, पाण छतां थारो फ़ता !
सिर झुकिया सहसांह, सींहासण जिण साम्हनै,
रळणो पंगत-राह, फ़ाबै किम तोने फ़ता !
सकल चढ़ावे सीस, दान धरम जिण रौ दियो,
सो खिताब बखशीश, लैवण किम ललचावसी !
देखेला हिंदवाण, निज सूरज दिश नेह सूं,
पण "तारा" परवाण, निरख निशाण न्हाकशी।
देखे अंजस दीह, मुळके लो मन ही मनां,
दम्भी गढ़ दल्लीह, शीश नमंता सीसवद।
Wandered among the hills giving up their lands, yet they upheld their dharma.
That is why Maharana and Mewar, remain in the heart of India.
Enduring insurmountable odds and fighting fierce battles, the Maharanas of Mewar were always
fearless.
But O Fateh Singh, what kind of stir in your mind was created by this small decree?
Went into battle with thousands of elephants and innumerable soldiers that the earth fell short for them.
How shall then Maharana fit into 200 yards of the Delhi Durbar?
Easy it is for other kings to be steered as they are herded into battle.
But how shall thou be steered, whose ancestors had herded and driven back the imperial armies?
While other kings will offer nazrana, bowing down and extending their palms;
but O Fateh Singh, how will you even raise your hand, who till today has not moved nor bowed down in front of anyone?
Heads of the Maharajas, Rao, Umrao, and Badshah bowed before the Sisodia throne.
But how would it suit you to join the ranks of kings bowing down today?
Those Maharanas whose donations and religious charities people accepted by touching their foreheads.
How did that Maharana allow in his mind the greed of accepting titles and awards?
The people of India will look at the Hindua Suraj (Maharana) with affection,
but finding the "star" (the title of Star of India) of the British government adorning your chest, their gaze will turn down with
shame.
It will see and celebrate, and smile deep down;
the conceitful fort of Delhi, when the Sisodia bows his head.

अंत बेर आखीह, पातळ जै लांबा पहल,
राणा सर राखी, जिणारी शाखी शिर जटा।
"कठिण जमानो" कौल, बाँधे नर हीमत बिना,
बीराँ हंदो बोल, पातल साँगे पेखियो।
अब लग सारां आस, राणा रीत कु ल राखसी,
रहो सहाय सुख-रास, एकलिंग प्रभु आप रै।
मान मोद सीसोद, राजनित बळ राखणो,
गवरमिंटरी गोद, फ़ळ मीठा दीठा फ़ता !
The injunctions Pratap gave in the end; never to bow, pay tax to the Delhi throne, or cutting
hair;
All the Maharanas followed this pledge, proof of which was the long hair on their heads.
Difficult times these are; none can keep his word without courage and a brave heart.
Pratap and Sanga were such braves who were tested.
And now all hope is upon you, Rana, that you will carry on the traditions (reet) of your lineage.
May Lord Ekling be with you and give you the strength to succeed.
Uphold your honour, O Sisodia, and keep with the political will and strength;
O Fateh Singh, were the fruits ever sweet gained by sitting in the lap of the government?

Assessment and reactions[edit]

This incident was widely published in newspapers with big headlines of Maharana withdrawing from the durbar. The incident
was seen as part of the nationalistic movements gaining momentum across India. [18] According to the poem, the visit would have
been a dishonor to the millions of Hindus in the nation who saw the Mewar King as a savior of the Hindu religion. This
ideological overtone was unique to Mewar. [19]

Evaluating the impact of Chetavani Ra Chungatya, the eminent historian Raghubir Singh Gehlot writes—

'…….. The British had their sights on Rajasthan. Kesari Singh's opposition to the colonial government finally boiled over.
Maharana Fateh Singh, following his predecessors, was reluctant to attend the Delhi Darbar, despite being invited. When he left
for Delhi, Kesari Singh then spoke out against the Maharana and the dormant pride was ignited. Even the chief among the
Rajput kings and the revered Hindu Suraj, the Maharana, was pinched (chungatya) that day by Kesari Singh, who with a
thundering roar, questioned that descendant of Pratap and Raj Singh. Fateh Singh never attended, and his empty chair
symbolically represented the defiance of the Rajput kings and their people. Lord Curzon did not challenge the Maharana. This
had a huge impact on Rajasthan and the people, inspiring a wave of courage and hope against the harsh rule of the British.[7]
Dr. Kanhaiyalal Rajpurohit writes—
While the Delhi Durbar was being held, the seat of the Maharana of Mewar was lying vacant.
Maharana's special train was moving towards Udaipur. This was a huge blow to the imperialist conceit
by the Indians. Kesari Singh's poignant deliverances had performed this miracle. The chetavani was
really the call of the soul of Rajasthan which was not possible to ignore. [7]
 Conclusion

By presenting the facts mentioned above, we have established the actual truth that India was never a slave to any civilization. The English also ruled over some parts of
India, but eventually, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel united India. This means that the English never truly ruled over the entirety of India.

Muhammad bin Qasim, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, the Gulam dynasty, Lodhi, Mughal, and English – the maps of the reigns of all these depict that their power extended
over various regions. However, those people who were losing to someone at different places, how could they become the masters of an entire subcontinent? Empires
like that of Shri Ram, Chandragupta, and Ashoka are where a single umbrella reigns. Therefore, based on our research, no foreign power ever had complete authority
over India at any time.