The forgotten hero of Marwar

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Many warriors fought for their independence however, only a few were remembered. Shivaji and Maharana Pratap went down in Indian history to be known as the symbols of independence. So lets take a look at a much lesser-known but an equally valorous leader who was forgotten in our history books. A ruler who was not just a staunch patriot like Pratap but was also his close ally and contemporary. An exact replica of Maharana Pratap in values and qualities, I am talking about the forgotten hero of Marwar, Rao Chandrasen Rathore

Rajputana in second half of 15th century:

The entire Rajputana was divided into two camps. All the small Rajput states were either in the influence of the more ancient and respected Mewar (Shisodiyas) or the larger and stronger Marwar (Rathores). Mewar had severely weakened after the death of their valorous king Rana Sanga and was then ruled by his youngest son Udai Singh (father of Rana Pratap). Marwar on the other hand utilised this power vaccum and expanded its influence manifoldly under Maldev Rathore. He became so powerful that he was even able to stop Sher Shah Suri’s invasion in Rajputana (The same ruler who had ousted Akbar’s father from India). The powerful but hostile Marwar earned the wrath of the neighboring Rajput states which soon mustered around Akbar with their grievances against the Rathore Chief of Marwar. Akbar used this as a pretext to attack Marwar and sent several expeditions against Marwar. Marwar was not as defensible as Mewar which enjoyed protection of the Aravalli hills and hence it was severely weakened. As fate had wished, Maldeo died soon after. He was succeeded by his younger son Rao Chandrasen in 1562 who inherited a crumbling state (like Pratap).

(A rough division of Mewar in red and Marwar in white)

Rao Chandrasen was the ablest of all the other princes and hence he was declared the successor by Maldev even though Rajputs followed Primogeniture policy and he was not the eldest son. After ascension, Chandrasen had to face his brothers who had rebelled and joined Akbar’s camp (Same as Pratap’s case). He fought two battles with the allied army of Mughals and Rajputs of Bikaner and Amer (Battle of Merta (1562) and Battle of Sojat (1574)). His brother was declared as the king of Jodhpur by Akbar (similar to what Akbar had done in Mewar by appointing Pratap’s brother as the king of Mewar).

Akbar tried to capture the powerful fort of Siwana, capital of Chandrasen. However, two of his expeditions were defeated by Rathore generals Rawal Sukhraj and Patai Rathod. Akbar tried to win over Chandrasen by offering him Jodhpur and make him his mansabdar (fedual). He refused and continued fighting for 2 years until Siwana finally fell. Chandrasen was hunted relentlessly, until he finally retreated to Mewar and joined Pratap. He assembled his army once again and was successful in repulsing Mughals using guerrilla tactics until he met an untimely death soon after in 1581.

This was the story of the ‘Forgotten Hero of Marwar’, an embodiment of valor and sacrifice. He was one of those few kings of the contemporary India who died as an independent king. This was my small tribute in his valiant memory.

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