महाराणा कुम्भा (हरविलास सारदा - मेवाड़ साम्राज्य के अद्वितीय विजेता, निर्माता व विद्वान्)

Maharana Kumbha. of the unscrupulous people round the Queen- mother, Chonda asked his younger brother Rāghavadeva to watch over the young Maha- rana, and himself went away with his brother Ajja and others to Māndu, where the Sultan received him with open arms and granted him the district of Hallar as jagir.¹ After Chonda's departure, Ran Mal, the brother of Hansbai, became her chief adviser and the Rathods were given high offices and jagirs in Mewar. But events occurred in Mandor which sent Ran Mal back to Marwar. On the death of Rao Chonda of Mandor in 1410 A.D., his son Kānha had succeeded him, the eldest son Ran Mal having renounced his claim to the throne in favour of Kanha in deference to his father's wishes. Kānha after ruling Marwar for some years died without leaving a son. Kanha's eldest brother Ran Mal was in Chitor and Satta and Randhir, his other two elder brothers were in Mandor. Randhir, the youngest of the 3 brothers, asked Satta what would be given to Randhir if the latter put Satta on the throne ¹ Tod's Rajasthan, Vol. I, p. 278. 24

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Rao Ran Mal of Mandor.

Maharana Kumbha. instead of Ran Mal, the eldest of them all. Satta promised to give half the territory to Randhir. Randhir placed Satta on the throne himself getting half the estate. But he had not counted with Narbad, the warlike son of Satta, who did not like that half the income of Marwar should go to Randhir. Narbad determined to get rid of Randhir. Randhir's son Napa soon died of poison, and one Dayal having apprised Randhir of his impending doom, Randhir repaired to Chitor and insti- gated Ran Mal to claim his patrimony.¹ Both Satta and Ran Mal were maternal uncles of the Maharana Mokal, but as Ran Mal was the rightful successor of Kanha, the Maharana expoused his cause and furnished him with a large army, with which he invaded Mandor, defeated Satta and recovered his rightful inheritance. The Maharana called Satta and Narbad to Chitor and bestowed a jagir of a lakh of rupees with the town of Kāyalānā on Narbad and enrolled him among his vassals. Ran Mal thus began to reign in Mandor.² ¹ See Vir Vinod, p. 312. ² Mehta Nainsi in his Khyat (p. 25) says that after recovering Mandor with the help of Maharana Mokal's army, Ran Mal gave Mandor to his eldest son Jodha and himself took up residence at Nagor. 25

Maharana Kumbha. Mokal's short reign of about 13 years—he came to the throne about the year 1420 A.D. and was assassinated in 1433 A.D.—was full of great events. He maintained the traditions of the House by inflicting a defeat on Muhammad Tughlaq, the king of Delhi, in the field of Raipur. Maharana Mokal "overran Sapādalaksha (Ajmer) territory and took Sāmbhar from the Sultan of Delhi." The Kumbhalgarh Inscription of the time of Maha- rana Kumbha, dated Monday the 3rd of Novem- ber, 1460 A.D., says that "the ruler of Jalor (Jabalipur) trembled before him, and the King of Delhi became anxious about his territory." A principality subordinate to Gujrat had been established at Nagor about 1404 A.D. by Shams Khan, who was succeeded by his son Firoz Khan. The Samiddheshwar Maha- deva Temple Inscription of Magh Sud 3rd, S. 1485 (A.D. 1429) says that "Maharana Mokal invaded Nagor and defeated Sultan Firoz Khan. Firoz Khan's two sons, Modood and Masti and his numerous elephants were killed in the battle." ¹ The Khan of Nagor accepted ¹ Mehta Nainsi's Khyat, p. 26, foot note. 26

[Header] Maharana Kumbhá.

Maharana Mokal's suzerainty, and in acknowledg- ment of it used to send all colts born in Nagor to the Maharana's stables at Chitor. ¹ The Shringirishi Inscription of A.D. 1428 (V. S. 1485) says that Padshah Ahmad (of Gujrat) was defeated by Mokal and had to flee for his life, leaving his treasure behind. Also, Kumbhalgarh Inscription of 1460 A.D. says that both Firoz and Muhammad (Ahmad) were defeated and had to flee for their lives. The Eklingji Temple Inscription,² V. 44, of 1488 A.D., of the time of Maharana Raimal says that Maharana Mokal obtained a victory at Jahazpur over Firoz Khan. Mokal rebuilt the great temple of Samidd- heshwar Mahadeva³ near the "Tower of Victory" at Chitor and made a grant of Dhanpur for its upkeep; and gave the villages of Bándanwara (now in the Ajmer District) and Ramgaon (2 miles from Eklingji) for the upkeep of the Eklingji temple. He construc- ¹ Kaviraj Bankey Das' Miscellany of Historical Records : Record No. 943. ² Bhavanagar Inscriptions, p. 120. ³ This temple was originally built by Raja Bhoja, the famous Paramra King of Dhar, and was called Tribhuvan Narain Temple after Bhoja's surname, Tribhuvan Narain. 27

Maharana Kumbha. Mokal’s short reign of about 13 years—he came to the throne about the year 1420 A.D. and was assassinated in 1433 A.D.—was full of great events. He maintained the traditions of the House by inflicting a defeat on Muhammad Tughlaq, the king of Delhi, in the field of Raipur. Maharana Mokal “overran Sapādalaksha (Ajmer) territory and took Sāmbhar from the Sultan of Delhi.” The Kumbhalgarh Inscription of the time of Maha- rana Kumbha, dated Monday the 3rd of Novem- ber, 1460 A.D., says that “the ruler of Jalor (Jabalipur) trembled before him, and the King of Delhi became anxious about his territory.” A principality subordinate to Gujrat had been established at Nagor about 1404 A.D. by Shams Khan, who was succeeded by his son Firoz Khan. The Samiddheshwar Maha- deva Temple Inscription of Magh Sud 3rd, S. 1485 (A.D. 1429) says that “Maharana Mokal invaded Nagor and defeated Sultan Firoz Khan. Firoz Khan’s two sons, Modood and Masti and his numerous elephants were killed in the battle.” ¹ The Khan of Nagor accepted ¹ Mehta Naiusi’s Khyat, p. 26, foot note. 26

Maharana Kumbha. Maharana Mokal's suzereinty, and in acknowledg- ment of it used to send all colts born in Nagor to the Maharana's stables at Chitor. ¹ The Shringirishi Inscription of A.D. 1428 (V. S. 1485) says that Padshah Ahmad (of Gujrat) was defeated by Mokal and had to flee for his life, leaving his treasure behind. Also, Kumbhalgarh Inscription of 1460 A.D. says that both Firoz and Muhammad (Ahmad) were defeated and had to flee for their lives. The Eklingji Temple Inscription,² V. 44, of 1488 A.D., of the time of Maharana Raimal says that Maharana Mokal obtained a victory at Jahazpur over Firoz Khan. Mokal rebuilt the great temple of Samidd- heshwar Mahadeva³ near the "Tower of Victory" at Chitor and made a grant of Dhanpur for its upkeep; and gave the villages of Bándanwara (now in the Ajmer District) and Ramgaon (2 miles from Eklingji) for the upkeep of the Eklingji temple. He construc- ¹ Kaviraj Bankey Das' Miscellany of Historical Records : Record No. 943. ² Bhavanagar Inscriptions, p. 120. ³ This temple was originally built by Raja Bhoja, the famous Paramra King of Dhar, and was called Tribhuvan Narain Temple after Bhoja's surname, Tribhuvan Narain. 27

Maharana Kumdha. ted a beautiful tank at Pāpamochana Tīrtha.¹ He also built the Dwarkanath temple at Chitor with the tank attached to it. “He overcame the Nishadas (Bhils) and struck terror into the hearts of the Turushkas (Muslims).” An inscription in the temple of Mokalji at Chitor, v. 46, of S. 1485 (A.D. 1428) published in the Epigraphia Indica, Vol. II, p. 416, says: “He (Mokal) extirpatedthe Nishads and conquered the Turushkas (Mussalmans).” He went on pilgrimage to Dwarka and Sankhoddhāra.² Maharana Mokal built the high wall (Kot) round the Eklingji temple³ with its three gates. He constructed a tank in memory of his Bagheli queen Gaurambika⁴ at Shringirishi at Chitor, and the Baghela tank after the name of his brother Bagh Singh,⁵ who had died childless. Mokal gave 24 gold and silver tuladán, a gold tuladan being given in the Varāh Temple at Pushkar.⁶ He ¹ He presented a temple of Devi with an image of a lion made of Sarvadhat (all the metals) and a temple of Vishnu with a gold image of Garuda. Vide, Kumbhalgarh Inscription. ² Raja Prasasti, Canto IV. ³ and ⁴ Shringirishi Inscription, V. 16. ⁵ Kumbhalgarh Inscription of 1460 A.D. Also Raja Prasasti, Canto IV. ⁶ Kumbhalgarh Inscription of 1460 A.D. 28

Maharana Kumbha. established a seminary to teach the Vedas¹ to the Brahmins who had taken to agriculture. In A.D. 1433, the Maharana left Chitor to quell a revolt of the hill tribes in his dominions. While he was encamped at Madaria, a deputation came from the Chief of Gagroon requesting immediate help in fulfil- ment of a promise given by the Maharana at the marriage of his daughter. Besides seven sons, Mokal had a daughter named Lalbai,² who had been married to Achal Singh, the Kheechi Chief of Gagroon. Achal Singh had at the Hathleva demanded and received from the Maharana the pledge of succour on invasion of his territory. As Sultan Hoshang of Malwa, attacked Gagroon, Achal Singh sent his son Dhiraj Singh to the Maharana demand- ing fulfilment of his pledge. As the Maharana was preparing to go towards Gágroon, news arrived that Sultan Ahmad Shah of Gujrat had passed through Dungerpur and had begun to demolish temples in Jheelwara in Mewar. Mokal started to drive the Sultan out of ¹ Kumbhalgarh Inscription of A.D. 1460. ² Kaviraj Bankeydas in his Miscellany gives her name as Pushpawati. 29

Maharana Kumbha. Mewar. The Vir Vinod says that in 1432 A.D., Ahmad Shah, the King of Gujrat started with a large army on a conquering expedition, and passing through Jheelwara (part of Mewar) began to plunder the country and break temples, and that the Maharana hearing of this, started at once to attack Ahmad Shah. He was, however, pre- vented from going to Gagroon or driving out the Sultan by an incident which cost the Maharana his life, and which throws a lurid light on the character of the Rajputs. In the army of the Maharana there were two natural sons of Rana Khshetra Singh by a handsome girl named Karmān, daughter of Mednimal carpenter—a class well known for the physical beauty of their women. They were named Chacha and Maira, and had risen to be captains in the army of Maharana Mokal. Some of the chiefs of Mewar, jealous of their rise, wished to humiliate them and had recourse to a trick which resulted in the assassination of the Maharana. One day while the Maharana was encamp- ed at Madaria and was seated in a grove with 30

Maharana Kumbha. his chiefs around him, he enquired the name of a particular tree. Hārā Māldeva, feigning ignorance whispered to him to ask either of the brothers. Not perceiving the insinuation involved in the question, Mokal turned to the brothers and artlessly asked “Kakaji (uncle) what tree is this ? ” The question reminded them of their mother's origin and was taken to be an insult. They conspired to murder the Maharana, and won over Mahipal Panwar popularly called Mahpa and some other minor chiefs to their cause. They however, failed to gain over Malesi Dodiya,¹ brother of Shalji. News of the conspiracy reached Ran Mal and he warned the Maharana that an attempt on his life was imminent. Sanwaldas, the Raja of Idar, who had come with his army to aid the Maharana in his attack on the King of Gujrat came to know of the plot owing to his intimacy with Chacha and warned Mokal, but Mokal only laughed at the idea just as he had taken no heed of Ran Mal's warning. ¹ Dodiya is the head of the guard at the entrance of a palace. 31

Maharana Kumbha. An occasion soon presented itself to the traitors for carrying into execution their nefarious design. One night while the Maha- rana was encamped at Bāgor, the two traitors, collecting a small force, surprised the Maharana in his tents. The Maharana's attendants prepared to defend him. Nine men stood by the Maharana, five by his Queen Hadiji and five by Malesi Dodiya, the gatekeeper of the palace. The Maharana, Rani Hadiji and Malesi defended themselves bravely but were killed, not however, till they had slain 19 of the conspirators and wounded Chacha and Mahpa. Seventy of the Maharana's men, including Sanwaldas, were slain. The Maha- rana's eldest son Kumbha escaped with difficulty. Going to the house of a Patel who owned two of the fleetest horses in Mewar, he mounted one and killing the other at the suggestion of the Patel to baffle pursuit, escaped and reached Chitor. The traitors, who were looking out for Kumbha, were at the Patel's house soon after his departure, but seeing one steed lying dead and the other gone, they returned to their tents. The traitors thence went to Chitor 32

Maharana Kumbha. but finding the gates shut against them,¹ returned to Madaria and proclaimed Chacha as Maharana of Mewar, Mahpa becoming his Diwan. Finding however their position un- tenable, they fled to the hills of Pai Kotra with their families and throwing themselves into the stronghold of Rātākot, fortified it. Maharana Mokal left seven sons, Kumbha- karan, Khshemakaran, Shiva, Satta, Nath- singh, Viramdeva, and Rajdhar. Kumbha- karan or Kumbha the eldest of the seven sons succeeded Mokal. Only four stone inscriptions of Maharana Mokal's time have so far come to light. The first is engraved on the lintel of the Jain temple of Śantinatha at Jāwar and is dated the Pos Sud 6th, S. 1478 (A.D. 1421). It is published in Prachin Lekh Sangrah, Vol. I, p. 35, Inscription No. 118 (Bhavanagar). The second is in a tibari (veranda) in the Shringi- rishi 6 miles to the south east of the Eklingji Temple and is dated the Sravan Sud 5th, S. 1485 (1428 A.D.) A portion of it has ¹ The Vir Vinod says that the traitors went to Chitor, brought their families and sought shelter in the hills of Pai Kotra. 33

Maharana Kumbha. disappeared. It was composed by Kaviraj Vanikdas Yogeshwar. A summary of it is published in the Rajputana Museum Report for 1925 A.D. The third inscription which is dated the Magh Sud 3rd, S. 1485 (1429 A.D.) exists in the Samiddheshwar temple at Chitor. It was composed by Bhatta Vishnu's son Aiknath, a dashora brahmin. It is published in the Bhavanagar Inscriptions, p. 96. The fourth inscription, which has come to light only in March this year, is engraved on a stone which has recently been removed from the Hinglu Vāva (Hinglu stepped well) near the village of Amberi, 6 miles from Udaipur between that place and Eklingji. It is dated Thursday the Jeth Sud 5th, S. 1487,¹ corresponding with 16th May 1431 A.D. It records the construction of the Vāva (well) by a Brahmin in Maharana Mokal's reign.

¹ Indian Ephemeris by L.D.S. Pallai Vol. V. According to current Vikarma era, the year of the inscription must be S. 1487. 34

CHAPTER IV. Kumbha ascends the throne. Maharana Kumbha ascended the throne of Mewar at Chitor in 1433 A.D. His first care was to punish the traitors Chacha and Maira and their fellow conspirators. This involved military operations and a war with Mandu. When the news of the tragedy of Mokal’s death reached Rao Ran Mal, the brother of Mokal’s mother Hans Bai, this valiant Rathod king, remembering the debt of gratitude he owed to Mokal, with whose help he had recovered the throne of Marwar, threw off the turban he was wearing, put on a phenta (a piece of cloth generally worn when in mourning) and swore that he would put the turban on his head only when he had avenged Mokal by slaying his murderers. Leaving Mandor he came to Chitor, showed Nazar to the Maharana and with 500 horsemen started in pursuit of the traitors towards the Pái hills. 35

Maharana Kumbha. Arriving there, he made several attempts to reach the fortress, but so steep was the hill, and so rugged the path that led up to the fort that Ran Mal failed to achieve his object. During the reign of Mokal, Ran Mal had, while living at Chitor, killed a Bhil zamindar named Gameti of a village situated at the foot of the Pái hills. The sons of this zamindar with other Bhils, were now actively assisting Cháchá and Maira against Ran Mal. Finding that without the assistance of the Bhils he could not reach the fort, Ran Mal went unattended to the house of the Bhil he had murdered. His widow was at home and the sons had gone out. He addressed her as sister, greeted her, and sat down. The Bhil woman said : “Brother, you did us great wrong, but as you have come to our house, we cannot do anything to you now.” Hearing the approach of her sons, the Bhil lady asked Ran Mal to go inside the house, and had his horse tethered at the back of it. Her five sons now arrived and sat down 36

Maharana Kumbha. to dinner. She asked them what they would do to Ran Mal if he should come to their house. The young men exclaimed, “Do what! we will kill him.” The eldest, however, said “Mother, if he comes to our house, we will say nothing to him.” The lady praised her son’s noble sentiments and called to Ran Mal to come out. Ran Mal came out. The Bhils received him courteously and asked him why he had come there to be killed. He replied : “My dear nephews I have taken a vow not to eat bread till I have killed Cháchá and Maira ; but with you to assist them, I cannot get at them.” The Bhils¹ thus appealed to, promised to abstain from render- ing any further assistance to Cháchá and Mairá, and to assist Ran Mal in achieving his object. Ran Mal returned to his camp and started next day with 1,140 Guhilots and Rathods to take the fort. On arriving at the foot of the hill, the Bhils advised Ran Mal to wait a few days, as the bypath leading to the fort had been blocked by a lioness who ¹ For an account of the Bhils, see Gazetteer of Udaipur p. 227, by Major K. D. Erskine, 1908 A. D. 37

Maharana Kumbha. had lately given birth to a cub. Ran Mal said he did not mind that, and went on. Placing his men at suitable points he ascended the hill with 60 men. They commenced the ascent where the parapet was yet low. The path was steep and rugged ; and in the darkness of the night each grasped his neighbour's skirt for security. As the party reached a ledge of the rock, the glowing eye- balls of the lioness flashed upon them as she came roaring towards them. Ran Mal ordered his son, Aradakamal, to dispose of the beast. He advanced and buried his poniard in her breast.¹ This omen was superb. They soon reached the summit. Some had ascended the parapet, others were scrambling over when the minstrel slipping, fell, and his drum which was to have accompanied his voice in celebrat- ing the conquest, awoke, by its crash, the daughter of Cháchá. Her father quieted her fears by saying it was the thunder and rain of bhádon, and told her to fear God only and go to sleep, for their enemies were safe ¹ Another account says that Ran Mal's sword only wounded the lioness, whereupon Chandan Charan, who was with Ran Mal, killed her with a poniard. See footnote in Vir Vinod, p. 318. 38

Maharana Kumbha. at Kailwá. At this moment the avengers of Mokal rushed in. Ran Mal hurled his spear at the door, and people at once said it was Ran Mal's. Cháchá and Maira had no time to avoid their fate. Cháchá was cleft in two by Chauhán Sujá,¹ while the Rathod prince laid Maira at his feet. Ran Mal then went to the quarters occupied by Mahpa Panwár and called him to come out and meet his fate, for he had taken a vow not to attack any one who was in the company of women. At the very first call, Máhpá, unable to face his foe, put on female garments and thus disguised, left the house unmolested. In answer to the second call, a Dom woman shouted from inside that the Thákur had put on her clothes and left the house and that she was sitting naked inside. On this, Ran Mal returned and joined his companions. Though Cháchá and Maira met the fate they richly deserved, Cháchá's son, Ekká, escaped; and he and Máhpá made straight for the Court of Mandu, where they found shelter. Ran Mal took Cháchá's daughter to wife, making Cháchá's ¹ Tod says that Suja was a Chandana Rajput. 39