Battle of Sarangpur

Battle of Sarangpur
Part of Mewar–Malwa conflicts
Date 1437 Location Sarangpur and Mandu, Madhya Pradesh, India Result Rajput victory [1] Mahmud Khilji taken prisoner for six months and then released.
Belligerents
Kingdom of Mewar Vassal state: [2] Kingdom of Marwar	Malwa Sultanate
Commanders and leaders
Rana Kumbha Rao Ranmal Rathore	Sultan Mahmud Khilji  (POW)
Strength
Total: 101,400 [3] 100,000 cavalry 1,400 Elephants	Total: 200,000 170,000 cavalry 30,000 Infantry
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Sarangpur burnt down Several soldiers and Muslim women were enslaved [4]

The Battle of Sarangpur was fought between Rana Kumbha and Sultan Mahmud Khilji. ^[5] As the Sultan of Malwa Hosang Shah died his noble Mahmud Khali usurped the throne from his son Umar Khan who came to Mewar for help. The Rana prepared for hostilities and advanced to attack Mandu. The Sultan too advanced with a powerful army to meet Kumbha. Although, utterly defeated and captured. ^{[6] [7]}

Background

The reason for the hostilities was the internal turmoil that happened in Malwa Sultanate after the death of its Sultan Hosang Shah as there were two rival claimants to the throne. One was his son Umar Khan and another Mahmud Khalji a powerful noble of Hoshang's court. Kumbha taking of the internal turmoil in Malwa invaded the Sultanate on behalf of Prince Umar to reinstate him on the throne of Malwa along with the Sultan of Gujarat who marched from his domains. To pacify the alliance Kumbha was given the title of Hindu- Surtaan(Sultan of Hindus). ^[8]

Invasion Upon Malwa

Maharana Kumbha marched at the head of 100,000 cavalry and 1,400 elephants to invade the Sultanate of Malwa. He was also assisted by his vassal ally Rao Ranmal Rathore, the King of Marwar. ^[9] Kumbha first invaded Jaisingpura also called Janakpura in some texts. Meanwhile, the Sultan of Gujarat too despatched 5000 sawars to plunder Malwa. The condition of the Sultan of Malwa became worse. From there Kumbha reached Chanderi and captured it which was given to Umar Khan. It is difficult to assume from which route he invaded Malwa but it is generally believed that  Kumbha took the path of Ranthambore, Narwar, and Chanderi to reach Mandu. He then proceeded towards Bhilsa which was taken too along with Sihor. On the other side, the Sultan of Gujarat launched a full-scale invasion of Malwa and besieged Mandu but in vain. Afterwards, he invaded Ujjain. The Sultan of Malwa not losing hope planned to attack Sarangpur so that the armies of the Sultan of Gujarat and Kumbha could not meet. However, he was unaware that Gujarati forces had already withdrawn due to a plaque in their army. Umar Khan then attacked Sarangpur where both sides came face to face. Umar Khan was defeated by Sultan and was subsequently put to death. Meanwhile, Kumbha arrived at Sarangpur and in the ensuing battle that followed, the Sultan was defeated with great Slaughter and Sarangpur was burnt down. ^[8] The Sultan of Malwa, after the defeat, fled to his capital Mandu which was put under siege. After a fierce resistance from the defenders, the Sultan was finally captured. ^[1]

Aftermath

The Sultan of Malwa was taken to Chittorgarh, the capital of Mewar. To commemorate this great victory, Rana Kumbha built the great Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory) in the fortress of Chittor. However, before this tower could be completed, the Rana had to face and vanquish the combination of the two most powerful kingdoms in India at the time, those of Gujarat and Malwa, these glorious events are inscribed on the celebrated tower. Sultan Mahmud Khilji remained a prisoner in Chittor for six months, after which he was liberated without ransom by Rana Kumbha. ^{[6] [7] [1]}

References

1. Hooja, Rima (2006). A history of Rajasthan. Rupa and Company. pp. 526–529. ISBN   9788129115010. The Rana's promise of help to Umar Khan against Mahmud Khilji, the garrisoning of Mewars frontier outposts, and Kumbha's assertion of overlordship over Hadauti, Mandsaur, Gagron....The armies of Mewar and Malwa clashed at Sarangpur in 1437. The latter army was conclusively routed here.... Furthermore the Rana laid siege to Mandu, the capital of Malwa, and carried off its Sultan Mahmud Khilji...Mahmud was kept prisoner in Chittor for six months before being granted his freedom and an honourable return to his own kingdom. This act of generosity has been favourably commented upon by Abul Fazl.
2. U.N Day (1978). Mewar Under Maharana Kumbha, 1433 A.D.-1468 A.D. Rajesh Publications. p. 30. Kumbha has been deliberately assigned a young age to glorify Ranmal Rathor and to give him all the earlier achievement of Maharana Kumbha. In reality Ranmal served Maharana Kumbha as one his samants and during his tenure worked hard to augment his own position and power.
3. Har BilasSarda (1917). Maharana Kumbha: Sovereign, Soldier, Schola. Scottish Mission Industries. p. 27. The Maharana's army is said to have consisted of a hundred thousand horsemen and 1,400 elephants.
4. Mewar Saga. 1976. p. 30.
5. Mathur, Laxman Prasad (2004). War Strategy of Maharana Pratap: Its Evolution and Implementation. Publication Scheme. ISBN   978-81-8182-016-7.
6. Sarda, Har Bilas (1917). Maharana Kumbha: sovereign, soldier, scholar. University of California Libraries. Ajmer, Scottish Mission Industries co.
7. Dr Mankekar in Mewar SagaThe rana's army met the sultan's forces near Sarangpur, between Chittor and Mandsaur. The engagement that followed saw Mohmad Khilji routed and, according to the Kumbhalgarh Inscription, Kumbha “captured countless Muslim women and burnt down Sarangpur.” The sultan shut himself up in the fort of Mandu. The rana stormed the fort and took Mohmad Khilji prisoner, while his army fled in ail directions. The sultan was brought to Chittor as prisoner
8. Somani, R.V (1995). Maharana Kumbha and His Times: A Glorious Hindu King. Jaipur Publishing House. pp. 55–58.
9. Gupta, R.K (2008). Studies In Indian History Rajasthan Through: The Ages The Heritage Of Rajputs Volume 2. Sarup & Sons. pp. 157–158. ISBN   978-81-7625-841-8. The Rana met them on the plains of Malwa bordering on his own state, at the head of 100,000 horses and foot and 14,000 elephants. The wivaders were entirely defeated, and Mahmud, the Khilji sovereign of Malwa, was carried captive to Chittor. Abul Fazil, the famous chronicler,relates this victory, and dilates on Khumbho's greatness of soul in setting his enemy at liberty without ransom or gifts. The annals of Mewar, however, state that Mahmud was confined six months in Chittor; and, that the trophies of conquest were retained, we have evidence from Babur, who mentions recovering from the son of Rana Sanga the crown of the Malwa king.