Hemu's Samadhi Sthal

Last updated

Hemu's Samadhi Sthal
Raja Hemu's 'Beheading Place'.JPG
India Haryana location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Hemu's Samadhi Sthal place of beheading of Hemu at panipat
India location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Hemu's Samadhi Sthal (India)
General information
TypeMemorial
Coordinates 29°23′N76°58′E / 29.39°N 76.97°E / 29.39; 76.97 Coordinates: 29°23′N76°58′E / 29.39°N 76.97°E / 29.39; 76.97
Height
Architectural Hindu architecture [ citation needed ]

Hemu's Smadhi Sthal, is a memorial to the Hindu king [1] [2] [3] Hemu at Shodapur village on Jind road near Panipat city in Panipat district of Haryana state in India. It stands at the location where he was executed.

Contents

Encroachment

As the structure was lying unattended and in a state of neglect by Haryana Govt., it has been used by the migrant Muslims who have turned it into a Durgah. [4] This property, more than 10 Acres in revenue records, which formed the Camp of Babur in 1526 during First Battle of Panipat and Camp of Akbar in 1556 during Second Battle of Panipat was with Haryana ASI till 1990. Area still has a Water Tank constructed with Lakhori Bricks in diapleted condition built during stay of Babur. The Chief Minister, Mr. OPChautala of Haryana, in 1990 released the entire area to 'Wakf Board of Haryana' whose Chairman, a Muslim MLA from Mewat area of Haryana allowed encroachments charging money from some people and allowed Pucca constructions.

The Samadhi Sthal was constructed by Hemu's supporters during Akbar's rule on the spot where the dead Hem Chandra Vikramaditya was beheaded by Bairam Khan to get a title of Ghazi for Akbar. Presently a nearby small Mosque and Samadhi Sthal are with Muslim community and rest of all place is illegally encroached with the patronage of Wakf Board. The structure in revenue records is classified as 'Khanghah' in Persian, meaning a 'Serai' or a resting place for travellers. Such Serai's were often constructed by rich in memory of dead specially in Rewari area of Haryana where Hem Chandra belonged.

Architecture

It is built in Hindu architecture. Several such structures, called 'Chattries' or 'Resting Places' for travellers are found in Rewari area with similar architecture and constructed during last many centuries.

History

Hemu was a Brahmin [5] by caste [2] [3] [6] of Alwar Rajasthan of Bhargav Gotra. [7] [8]

Hemu's rise from his humble beginnings in Rewari to the assumption of the royal title of Raja Vikramaditya is considered a notable turning point in history. But for the stray arrow in a battle where he was in a position of strength, Hemu Vikramaditya could well have brought about a restoration of a "Brahminical Monarchical Tradition" to a region which had been subject to Muslim rule for centuries. [9] Hemu's army of 50,000 cavalry was made up of Afghans , Rajputs and Brahmins. [10]

Colonel H.C. Kar comments: [11] "He assumed the title of Vikramaditya. He emerged as a monarch in his own right and the only Hindu to occupy the throne of Delhi during the medieval history of India. Himself a staunch Hindu, he had no disrespect for any religion, Islam or Christianity". Kar also notes that Hemu's rule was on the pattern of the Vijayanagara Empire, a strong Hindu state prevailing in South India for more than three centuries. [11]

John Clark Marshman wrote in 1873: [12]

Hemu was one of the greatest commanders of the age. He was one and all combined in his personality. As a general of sterling qualities, he displayed great valour in the battlefield and embarked upon wonderful planning and strategies to win twenty two battles he waged against the enemies of the state and won all. As an energetic soldier, he never shrank away from the battlefield and when the fight was most fierce, he did not bother for his personal safety and always fought with his adversaries courageously along with his comrades. This earned him goodwill, affection and praise of his entire heterogeneous army consisting of Afghans, Rajputs and various other tribes. He was an outstanding commander and his orders were obeyed by all his troops without grudge and demur.

Daniel Coetzee, Lee W. Eysturlid wrote that : [13]

"Hemu (full name Hem Chandra), who was a Brahmin fighting for Afghan lords, and whose life provides a glimpse into war making in 16th-century India. Hemu's family was engaged in the trade of saltpeter, one of the chief components of gunpowder, which explains Hemu's familiarity with firearms."

The Second Battle of Panipat was fought on 5 November 1556 between the forces of Akbar and Hemu, a Hindu king of Delhi. [14] [15] Hemu had a large army, and initially his forces were winning, but suddenly Hemu was struck by an arrow in the eye and he lost his senses. On not seeing him in his howdah on the back of an elephant, his army fled. The wounded Hemu was captured by Shah Quli Khan Second Battle of Panipat and carried to the Mughal camp at Shodapur on Jind Road at Panipat.[ citation needed ] In this Second Battle of Panipat Hemu's nephew Ramaya, a fat Brahmin commanded the left wing. [16]

According to Badayuni, [17] Bairam Khan asked Akbar to behead Hemu so that he could earn the title of Ghazi . Akbar replied 'He is already dead, if he had any strength for a duel, I would have killed him'. After Akbar's refusal Hemu's body was denied honour by the Mughal battle tradition and was unceremoniously beheaded by Bairam Khan. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajasthan</span> State in northwestern India

Rajasthan is a state in northern India. It covers 342,239 square kilometres (132,139 sq mi) or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population. It is on India's northwestern side, where it comprises most of the wide and inhospitable Thar Desert and shares a border with the Pakistani provinces of Punjab to the northwest and Sindh to the west, along the Sutlej-Indus River valley. It is bordered by five other Indian states: Punjab to the north; Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to the northeast; Madhya Pradesh to the southeast; and Gujarat to the southwest. Its geographical location is 23.3 to 30.12 North latitude and 69.30 to 78.17 East longitude, with the Tropic of Cancer passing through its southernmost tip.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second Battle of Panipat</span> 1556 battle during the Mughal conquest of the Sur Empire

The Second Battle of Panipat was fought on 5 November 1556, between Akbar and the king of Delhi, Hemu. Hemu had conquered Delhi and Agra a few weeks earlier by defeating Mughal forces under Tardi Beg Khan in the battle of Delhi and crowned himself Raja Vikramaditya at Purana Quila in Delhi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panipat</span> City in Haryana, India

Panipat is a historic city in Haryana, India. It is 95 km north of Delhi and 169 km south of Chandigarh on NH-1. The three major battles fought in 1526, 1556 and 1761 took place near the city. The city is famous in India as the "City of Weavers" and "Textile City". It is also known as the "cast-off capital" due to being "the global centre for recycling textiles". Panipat is included in the list of Critically Polluted Industrial area in India. The Comprehensive Environment Pollution Index (CEPI) of the city is 71.91 as against 88.50 of Ankaleshwar (Gujarat). The fatal field of Panipat is the site of three battles that changed the course of India's history, resulting in the creation and confirmation of the Mughal Empire, as well as the decisive defeat of the Maratha Confederacy in North India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemu</span> General, wazir and king (died 1556)

Hemu was an Indian emperor who previously served as a general and Wazir of Adil Shah Suri of Sur Empire during a period in Indian history when Mughals and Afghans were vying for power across North India. He fought Afghan rebels across North India from Punjab to Bengal and Mughal forces of Humayun and Akbar in Agra and Delhi, winning 22 battles for Adil Shah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bairam Khan</span> Mughal military commander and statesman (1501–1561)

Muhammad Bairam Khan(Persianمحمد بیرام خان), commonly known as Bairam Khan or Bayram Khan was an important military commander, and later commander-in-chief of the Mughal army, a powerful statesman and regent at the court of the Mughal Emperors, Humayun and Akbar. He was also the guardian, chief mentor, adviser, teacher and the most trusted ally of Akbar. Akbar honoured him as Khan-i-Khanan, which means "King of Kings". Bairam was originally called Bairam "Beg", but later became honoured as 'Kha' or Khan. Bairam Khan was an aggressive general who was determined to restore Mughal authority in India. Two divans are attributed to him, one in Persian and the other in Chagatai.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rewari</span> City in Haryana, India

Rewari is a city and a Municipal Council in Rewari district in the Indian state of Haryana. King of Rewari is Rao Onkar Singh.It is located in south-west Haryana around 82 km from Delhi and 51 km from Gurgaon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alwar district</span> District of Rajasthan in India

Alwar is a district in the state of Rajasthan in northern India, whose district headquarters is Alwar city. The district covers 8,380 km2. It is bound on the north by Rewari district of Haryana, on the east by Bharatpur district of Rajasthan and Nuh district of Haryana, on the south by Dausa district, and on the west by Jaipur district.

Tardi Beg was a military commander in the 16th century in Mughal Empire. He served under the Mughal Emperors Humayun and Akbar. Beg was part of Humayun's forces when they retreated from India after the siege by Sher Shah. He remained with his leader throughout his exile in Persia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Delhi</span> History of Delhi, India

Delhi has a long history, and has been an important political centre of India as the capital of several empires. Earliest coverage of Delhi's history is in the onset of the Tomar's kingdom in the 8th century. It is considered to be a city built, destroyed and rebuilt several times, as outsiders who successfully invaded the Indian Subcontinent would ransack the existing capital city in Delhi, and those who came to conquer and stay would be so impressed by the city's strategic location as to make it their capital and rebuild it in their own way.

The Harshacharita, is the biography of Indian emperor Harsha by Banabhatta, also known as Bana, who was a Sanskrit writer of seventh-century CE India. He was the Asthana Kavi, meaning Court Poet, of Harsha. The Harshacharita was the first composition of Bana and is considered to be the beginning of writing of historical poetic works in the Sanskrit language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Haryana</span> Aspect of history

Haryana is a state in India. The state houses several sites from the Indus Valley Civilization, which was a cradle of civilization. In the Mahabharata, Haryana is mentioned as Bahudanayak Region.

The Rauniyar is a Hindu caste mostly found in Nepal and India. They are also known as Rauniyar, Roniyar, and Roniaur, they use Rauniyar, Gupta, Mahajan, Sah, Shah, Anand, Ranjan, Kashyap, Rauniwal as their surnames.

The Battle of Tughlaqabad was a notable battle fought on 7 October 1556 between a Hindu king Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, also known as Hemu and the forces of the Mughal emperor Akbar led by Tardi Beg Khan at Tughlaqabad near Delhi. The battle ended in a 'victory of Hem Chandra' who took possession of Delhi and claimed royal status, assuming the title of Raja Vikramaditya. Following his failure, Tardi Beg was executed by Akbar's regent, Bairam Khan. The two armies would meet again at Panipat a month later with opposite results.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chunar Fort</span>

The Chunar Fort is located in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh, in India. Along with Chunar town, near Mirzapur city, situated below the fort, the two are historic places with common history and legends. It is located 34 kilometres (21 mi) North west of Mirzapur. The southeastern part of the fort is on the rocky bank of the Ganges River. The fort's history spans from 56 BC and then between Afghan decedent Sher Shah Suri's (1532) rule, the Mughal Empire rule up to 1772, and Marathas in 1782 to 1804. Lastly, the British Raj occupied the fort to 1947 when India gained independence. Chunar railway station is on the Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya–Kanpur section of Howrah–Delhi main line.

Prabhakaravardhana was a king of Thanesar in northern India around the time of the decline of the Gupta Empire. According to the historian R. C. Majumdar, he was the first notable king of the Vardhana dynasty but the fourth ruler from the family, who are also referred to as the Pushpabhutis. He had been preceded by his father, Adityavardhana, grandfather Rajyavardhana I and great-grandfather, Naravardhana, but inscriptions suggest that Banabhatta, the seventh-century bard and chronicler of the Vardhanas, may have been wrong to call these earlier rulers kings and that they may instead have been mere feudatory rulers of minor significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shodapur</span>

Shodapur is a village in Panipat district of the Haryana state in India. The Second Battle of Panipat was fought on 5 November 1556 between the forces of Akbar and Hemu, a Hindu king of Delhi. In the battle, a wounded Hemu was captured by Shah Quli Khan and carried to the Mughal camp at Shodapur on Jind Road at Panipat where he was beheaded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jal Mahal (Narnaul)</span>

The Jal Mahal, also known as the Jal Mahal of Narnaul or the Water Palace, is a late 16th century palace, fortification, and artificial lake located in Narnaul, Haryana. Built by a Mughal governor of Narnaul, the structure currently serves as a tourist attraction.

Shah Quli Khan was a 16th-century Mughal official, nawab (governor), and art patron. Shah Quli served as the Mughal nawab of Narnaul, India, and notably constructed a number of historic sites in the state.

The Haryanvi people are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group native to Haryana, in northern India. They speak Haryanvi, a central Indo-Aryan language related to Western Hindi, as well as other similar dialects such as Ahirwati, Mewati, Puadhi and Bagri. The term Haryanvi people has been used both in ethnolinguistic sense as well for someone who is from Haryana.

References

  1. ↑ Coetzee, Daniel; Eysturlid, Lee W. (21 October 2013). Philosophers of War: The Evolution of History's Greatest Military Thinkers [2 Volumes]: The Evolution of History's Greatest Military Thinkers. ABC-CLIO. ISBN   978-0-313-07033-4.
  2. 1 2 Sharma, Man Mohan (1998). What Ails the Indian Army: A Report to the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. Trishul Publications. ISBN   978-81-85384-25-2.
  3. 1 2 Sarkar, Sir Jadunath (1960). Military History of India. Orient Longmans. ISBN   9780861251551.
  4. ↑ Ghumakkar
  5. ↑ "Hemu: A National Freedom Fighter & the Hero of 2nd battle of Panipat | Panipat, Haryana | India" . Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  6. ↑ Coetzee, Daniel; Eysturlid, Lee W. (21 October 2013). Philosophers of War: The Evolution of History's Greatest Military Thinkers [2 Volumes]: The Evolution of History's Greatest Military Thinkers. ABC-CLIO. ISBN   978-0-313-07033-4.
  7. ↑ Roy, Kaushik (2004). India's Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil. Orient Blackswan. ISBN   978-81-7824-109-8.
  8. ↑ Sarkar, Sir Jadunath (1960). Military History of India. Orient Longmans. ISBN   9780861251551.
  9. ↑ Richards, John F. (1995). The Mughal Empire (The New Cambridge History of India). Cambridge University Press. p. 12. ISBN   9780521566032.
  10. ↑ Roy, Kaushik (6 October 2015). Military Manpower, Armies and Warfare in South Asia. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-317-32128-6.
  11. 1 2 Kar, L. Colonel H. C. "Military History of India", Calcutta (1980), p.283
  12. ↑ John Clark Marshman, The History of India from the Earliest Period to the Present Time, London (1873), page 50.
  13. ↑ Coetzee, Daniel; Eysturlid, Lee W. (21 October 2013). Philosophers of War: The Evolution of History's Greatest Military Thinkers [2 Volumes]: The Evolution of History's Greatest Military Thinkers. ABC-CLIO. ISBN   978-0-313-07033-4.
  14. ↑ Richards, John F., ed. (1995) [1993]. The Mughal Empire. The New Cambridge History of India (7th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 13. ISBN   9780521566032 . Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  15. ↑ Kolff, Dirk H. A. (2002). Naukar, Rajput, and Sepoy: The Ethnohistory of the Military Labour Market of Hindustan, 1450-1850. Cambridge University Press. p. 163. ISBN   9780521523059 . Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  16. ↑ Roy, Kaushik (2004). India's Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil. Orient Blackswan. ISBN   978-81-7824-109-8.
  17. ↑ Abdul Quadir Badayuni, Muntkhib-ul-Tawarikh, Volume 1, page 6
  18. ↑ George Bruce Malleson (2001). Akbar and the rise of the Mughal Empire. Genesis Publishing Pvt. Ltd. p. 71. ISBN   9788177551785.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.