Battles of Idar

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Idar Hills Idar hills.jpg
Idar Hills

The battles of Idar were three major battles fought in the principality of Idar between the armies of the two princes of Idar, Bhar Mal who was supported by the Gujarat Sultanate under Muzaffar Shah II and Rai Mal who was supported by the Rajputs under Rana Sanga. The main reason for Rana Sangas involvement in these battles was to reinstate Rai Mal to his rightful throne and to weaken the growing power of the Gujarat Sultanate. In 1517 Rai Mal with the help of Rana Sanga [1] was able to successfully defeat Muzzafar Shah II and retake his kingdom.

Contents

Background

When Sanga came to the throne, the Gujarat Sultanate was at the meridian of its power and prosperity under Muzaffar Shah II. It was through Idar that Sanga came into collision with the Sultan of Gujarat. Idar, was a small Rathore Rajput principality situated on the borders of Gujarat. Its ruler, Rao Bhan, died, leaving two sons, Suraj Mal and Bhim. Suraj Mal succeeded to the throne but died after a reign of 18 months, leaving a minor son Rai Mal, who became the Rao of Idar. He was, however, deposed by Bhim,[ citation needed ] who usurped the throne. Rai Mal fled to Chittor for shelter. Bhim dying a few days after this, his son Bhar Mal, became Rao of Idar. Rai Mal on growing up to manhood claimed his patrimony with the assistance of Maharana Sanga,[ citation needed ] in A.D. 1514 he regained Idar, expelling Bhar Mal, who appealed for help to Sultan Muzaffar Shah II of Gujarat Sultanate.[ citation needed ]

First battle of Idar

First battle of Idar
Date1514
Location
Result Rajput Victory
Belligerents

Mewar.svg Rajput Confederates

Rajputs of idar under Rai Mal Rathore

Flag of the Gujarat Sultanate.svg Gujarat Sultanate

Rajputs of Idar under Bhar Mal Rathore
Commanders and leaders

Rana Sanga
Rao Ganga
Ajja Jhala
Rawal Udai Singh of Vagad
Rao Viram Deo Rathore of Merta

Rai Mal Rathore
Bhar Mal Rathore
Casualties and losses
Minimum Heavy

Second battle

Second battle of Idar
Date1517
Location
Result

Rajput victory

Nizam-ul-mulk defeated
Belligerents

Mewar.svg Rajput Confederates

Rajputs of Idar under Rai mal Rathore

Flag of the Gujarat Sultanate.svg Gujarat Sultanate

Rajputs of Idar under Bhar Mal
Commanders and leaders

Rana Sanga

Rai Mal Rathore
Ajja Jhala
Nizam-ul-mulk
Bhar Mal Rathore
Casualties and losses
Minimum Heavy

The Sultan at this time was on the borders of Malwa watching developments in that country. When the envoys of Bhar Mal reached Muzaffar II, he sent Nizam-ul-mulk with an army to reinstate Bhar Mal on the gadi of Idar. The Mirat-i-sikandari says that" in A.D. 1517, Rai Mal fought with the Gujarat armies and was sometimes defeated sometimes victorious." Ferishta says that Rai Mal was defeated and that he retired to the hilly tract of Bijanagar. Nizam-ul-mulk after reinstating Bhar Mal on the gadi of Idar, went in pursuit of Rai Mal. Rai Mal issued from the hills and attacked the Gujarat army. In the battle that took place, Nizam-ul-mulk was severely defeated and his best officers and soldiers were slain. The Sultan thereupon recalled Nizam-ul-mulk to Ahmadabad.[ citation needed ]

Third battle

Third battle of Idar
Date1517
Location
Result

Decisive Rajput victory

Rai Mal Rathore becomes the Rao of Idar
Belligerents

Mewar.svg Rajput Confederates

Rajputs of Idar under Rai Mal Rathore

Flag of the Gujarat Sultanate.svg Gujarat Sultanate

Rajputs of Idar under Bhar Mal Rathore
Commanders and leaders

Rana Sanga
Rao Ganga
Ajja Jhala
Rawal Udai Singh of Vagad
Rao Viram Deo Rathore of Merta

Rai Mal Rathore

Zahir-ul-mulk 
Nasrat-ul-mulk

Bhar Mal Rathore
Casualties and losses
Minimum Heavy

In A.D. 1517, Rai Mal Rathore, assisted by the Maharana re-entered the Idar territory. The Sultan of Gujarat sent his general Zahir-ul-mulk, with a large army against him. Zahir-ul-mulk was, however, attacked by Rai Mal and defeated with great slaughter. Zahir-ul-mulk was killed at the head of his cavalry and the Sultan's army fled to Gujarat. The Sultan now sent Nasrat-ul-mulk, but he too failed to achieve any success against Rai Mal.[ citation needed ]

Aftermath

Idar was won over by Rai mal Rathore with the help of Rana Sanga but Muzaffar Shah once again took Idar in 1520 leading to Rana Sanga's invasion of Gujarat in which Rana Sanga effectively weakened the Sultanates power by plundering its treasuries and by reinstating Rai mal Rathore as the Rao of Idar.[ citation needed ]

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Idar is a town in Sabarkantha district located in northern Gujarat, India. Recorded in epic history, this town was ruled by the Bhil tribe and descendants of Maitraka of Vallabhi, with its history traced back to the 7th century. The region was ruled by Rajput clans. Initially, Parihar Rajput refounded Idar and ruled until its chief died in the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192. It was then ruled by a Koli chieftain named Hathi Sora, who was succeeded by his son Samalio. The Rathod clan's prince, Sonangji, defeated the former ruler and assumed control, establishing the Rao dynasty that would govern the region for numerous generations. After numerous changes of fortune and many struggles with the Muslim rulers of Gujarat, the Rao rulers left Idar. In 1728, they were succeeded by the Rathod dynasty from Marwar. They ruled Idar State for generations and became part of the Mahi Kantha agency under British rulers. Following the independence of India in 1947, Idar became part of the Union of India and later the Republic of India.

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References

  1. Aligarh Journal of Oriental Studies. Viveka Publications. 1987. p. 15. Retrieved 6 July 2022.