Battle of Thanesar (1567)

Last updated
Battle of Thanesar
Basawan. Battle of rival ascetics. Akbarnama, ca. 1590, V&A Museum.jpg
Akbar viewing the Mughal Army killing Sannyasis, Akbarnama (1590–1596)
Date9 April 1567
Location
Thanesar, on the banks of the Holy Sarovar near Sarsawati Ghaggar River, the present-day state of Haryana.
Result Mughal victory
Expulsion of two rival groups of Sanyasis from the encampment of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. [1]
Belligerents
Mughal Empire Two rival groups of Sanyasis
Commanders and leaders
Akbar
Mehtar Khan
Ghazi Khan Badakshani
Strength
300 men
2 cannons
400 matchlocks
75 war elephants
7000-9000 Sanyasis

Battle of Thanesar (also known as the Battle of the Ascetics) [2] was fought on the eve of Solar eclipse holy bath fair on 9 April 1567, near Thanesar on the banks of the Saraswati Ghaggar River in the state of Haryana. While the Mughal Emperor Akbar was on his campaign to subdue the rebellious Rajputs of Mewar, he set up camp at a spring and established camp around that freshwater reservoir in order to properly manage his forces in the nearby regions. [3]

Contents

Occupation

After staying at a spring for weeks during the scorching summer heat, Akbar and the Mughal army encountered a very large group of Sanyasis, who gathered to take holy dip on the banks of the spring. The ascetics approached and entered the Muhugal Camp disregarding the rules of the Muhugal Encampment, which was built next to their holy river. Akbar was generally displeased at their arrival because he was gathering his armies, building morale, and preparing for his next campaign against Rana Udai Singh of Mewar. However, the main intention of the Sanyasi group was to drink and bathe in the spring, which they considered sacred. [4]

As the summer afternoon began to scorch another group of sanyasis arrived and they began to gather in their hundreds and thousands around the spring. Outraged by their presence and intrusion, a general advised Akbar to take action. The Mughals were waiting for an opportunity to drive the ascetics out of their encampment, but Akbar believed that they would leave by sunset.

Battle

Mughals slay the Sannyasis at Thanesar, Akbarnama Battle between Sannyasis at Thanesar, left side.jpg
Mughals slay the Sannyasis at Thanesar, Akbarnama

The Mughal Emperor Akbar, continued to concede the spring to the Sanyasis and carefully observed their actions. As the "first" large group of monks bathed and drank from the holy spring, a "second" group of monks also began to arrive in their hundreds. It was due to the arrival of the second group that tensions ignited among the two large groups, which eventually culminated in a brawl inside the spring and almost immediately the two rival groups of Sanyasis began to battle each other using katars. [5]

Concerned that the violence might spread into the Mughal encampment, the Mughal Emperor Akbar ordered almost 250 of his men to immediately retake the Sarovar from the schismatic monks. The Mughals armed with talwars , piked-shields, matchlocks, and composite bows and arrows, ferociously overwhelmed the ranks of monks ultimately driving them away from the spring according to their jurisdiction, which justified the usage of force. [6]

Aftermath

The Mughal Emperor Akbar continued to command his campaign from Thanesar, and within the coming months the Mughals organized the well-documented Siege of Chittorgarh against the forces of the Rana Udai Singh II at Chittor Fort.

Akbar had learned a valuable lesson from this event and passed a Firman banning any commoner from entering any Mughal encampments without a credible reason.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maharana Pratap</span> Rajput ruler of Mewar from 1572–1597

Pratap Singh I, popularly known as Maharana Pratap, was a king of Mewar, a region in north-western India in the present-day state of Rajasthan. He is notable for leading the Rajput resistance against the expansionist policy of the Mughal Emperor Akbar including the Battle of Haldighati and Battle of Dewair which have turned him into a folk hero.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sisodia dynasty</span> Royal Rajput dynasty of Rajasthan

The Sisodia is an Indian Rajput dynasty belonging to the clan that ruled over the Kingdom of Mewar, in the region of Mewar in Rajasthan. The name of the clan is also transliterated as Sesodia, Shishodia, Sishodia, Shishodya, Sisodya, Sisodiya, Sisodia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kumbhalgarh</span> Fort at Rajsamand District of Rajasthan

Kumbhalgarh, also known as the Great Wall of India, is a Mewar fortress on the westerly range of Aravalli Hills about 48 km from Rajsamand city in the Rajsamand district of the Rajasthan state in western India. It is located about 84 km from Udaipur. It was built during the 15th century by Rana Kumbha. The wall of Kumbhalgarh is the second longest continuous wall in the world, after the Great Wall of China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chittor Fort</span> Historic fort in Rajasthan, India

The Chittorgarh, also known as Chittod Fort, is one of the largest living forts in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort was the capital of Mewar and is located in the present-day city of Chittorgarh. It sprawls over a hill 180 m (590.6 ft) in height spread over an area of 280 ha above the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River. The fort covers 65 historic structures, which include four palaces, 19 large temples, 20 large water bodies, 4 memorials and a few victory towers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Haldighati</span> 1576 battle of the Mughal-Rajput Wars

The Battle of Haldighati was a battle fought on 18 June 1576 between the Mewar forces led by Maharana Pratap, and the Mughal forces led by Man Singh I of Amber. The Mughals carried the day after inflicting significant casualties on Mewar forces, although they failed to capture Pratap, who reluctantly retreated persuaded by his fellow commanders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Udai Singh II</span> Founder of Udaipur and Maharana of Mewar (1540-1572)

Udai Singh II was the Maharana of Mewar and the founder of the city of Udaipur in the present-day Rajasthan state of India. He was the 12th ruler of the Kingdom of Mewar. He was the fourth son of Rana Sanga and Rani Karnavati, a princess of Bundi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Mewar</span> Kingdom in India (550s–1949)

The Kingdom of Mewar, sometimes known as Udaipur State, was an independent kingdom in Rajputana region of India, ruled by the Sisodia dynasty. It was established around the 6th century by the minor rulers of the Nagada-Ahar region of Udaipur and later, in the 10th century, it transformed into an independent state under Rawal Bharttripatta II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Marwar</span> Kingdom in Rajasthan, India, 1243 to 1818

Kingdom of Marwar, also known as the Jodhpur State under the British, was a kingdom in the Marwar region from 1243 to 1818 and a princely state under British rule from 1818 to 1947. It was established in Pali by Rao Siha, possibly a migrant Gahadavala noble, in 1243. His successors continued to struggle against regional powers for domination and 9 out of 15 rulers till 1438 died in combat. In 1395, its capital was changed to Mandore by Rao Chunda of Mandore and to Jodhpur in 1459 by Rao Jodha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rani Karnavati</span> Regent of Bundi from 1527–1533

Rani Karnavati also known as Rani Karmavati, was a princess and temporary ruler from Bundi, India. She was married to Rana Sanga (c.1508-1528) of Mewar. She was the mother of the next two Ranas, Rana Vikramaditya and Rana Udai Singh, and grandmother of Maharana Pratap. She served as regent during the minority of her son, from 1527 until 1533. She was as fierce as her husband and defended Chittor with a small contingent of soldiers until it inevitably fell to the Gujarat army which was led by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. She refused to flee and performed Jauhar to protect her honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Chittorgarh (1567–1568)</span> Akbars conquest of Chittor (1567/1568)

The siege of Chittorgarh was the military expedition of the Mughal Empire under Akbar against the Mewar kingdom that commenced in 1567 during which the Mughals successfully captured the fort of Chittorgarh after a hard-pressed siege which lasted for several months.

The Mughal–Rajput Wars were a series of battles fought between the Rajput Confederacy and the Mughal Empire which started with the Timurid ruler Babur's invasion of northwestern India and the head of the Rajput confederacy Rana Sanga's resistance to it.

<i>Maharana Pratap: The First Freedom Fighter</i> 2012 Indian film

Maharana Pratap: The First Freedom Fighter is an Indian epic film based on Maharana Pratap of Mewar .The film is directed and produced by Dr. Pradeep Kumawat from Udaipur, Rajasthan. It is the first time that a film has been made on the history of Maharana Pratap. The film's sound track includes one of the last songs sung by Late Jagjit Singh.

Hindu Rajput kingdoms in the north-western Indian subcontinent resisted the Muslim invasions of India, beginning with the Umayyad campaigns from the Middle East and the Ghaznavid Turks from Central Asia. They continued resistance against subsequent Muslim empires, including the Arabs, Ghaznavids, Ghurids, Delhi Sultans and the Mughals.

<i>Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap</i> Indian historical television series

Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap is an Indian historical fiction series produced by Contiloe Entertainment. It is based on the life of Maharana Pratap, a sixteenth century ruler of Mewar kingdom. It starred Sharad Malhotra, Rachana Parulkar, Faisal Khan and Roshni Walia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amar Singh I</span> Maharana of Mewar

Maharana Amar Singh I, the Maharana of Mewar, was the eldest son and successor of Maharana Pratap of Mewar. He was the 14th Rana of Mewar dynasty of Sisodia Rajputs and ruler of Mewar from January 19, 1597 till his death on January 26, 1620. His capital was Udaipur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaimal Rathore</span> Ruler of Merta

Jaimal Rathore (1507–1568) was the Rathore ruler of Merta. He was cousin of the Hindu saint Mirabai and became the ruler of Merta after the death of his father, Rao Veeram Dev. His father was perceived as the strongest king of the east in his time. The Amar Kavya records that Udai Singh II granted Badnor along with 210 villages to Rao Jaimal. In 1553, Jaimal resisted falling under the chakri of Maldeo of Marwar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chandrasen Rathore</span> Rao of Marwar (1541–1581)

Rao Chandrasen Rathore was a Rathore ruler of Marwar. He was a younger son of Rao Maldev Rathore. Chandrasen followed his father's policy and stayed hostile to the ruling foreign powers in India. He was well known for defending Marwar from the Mughal Empire.

Banvir, also known as Banbeer was the ruler of Mewar Kingdom between 1536 and 1540. He was nephew of Rana Sanga, born to his brother Prithviraj and his cocunbine.

Shakti Singh Sisodia Mewar was the son of Maharana Udai Singh II Sisodia and Rani Sajja Bai Solanki. He was a Kshatriya Rajput and was younger brother of famous Maharana Pratap, He started the Shaktawat clan of Sisodia From his name Rajputs.

References

  1. "Akbar" . Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  2. "Basawan - Akbar Watches a Battle Between Two Rival Groups - masterworks of painting" . Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  3. "Basawan - Name - V&A Search the Collections" . Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  4. "chittor - airavat". Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  5. Wade, Bonnie C. (1998). Imaging Sound. ISBN   9780226868417 . Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  6. https://3086150802460984893-a-1802744773732722657-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/airavat/Akbar_massacre_sannyasis.jpg?attachauth=ANoY7crJZ0rVpUFmpDq9RpuYxrECmEGmF7RN2H0caXQzbf9IoGggb2QUkfCd9svO_JL93Ta8OZR7KOWxQy4uEJezgz_JEGn-vOpMsXwdZXZUBuc_m8DbFn93HK1ZcDpbYzwuDVh7M7nVdAoFp644w7y_h2qNpyVl_l4rCx6OzLzWRLd8N40h91Rk8ntOvQh-luA3zaTQLk3kJ2Rxy325OUlUiGG8GhyLcg%3D%3D&attredirects=0%5B%5D