Battle of Bahraich - The crushing of Ghaznavids

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Every Indian today is aware of Mahmud of Ghazni and his unstoppable 17 raids. His plunders are believed to form the basis of the later Islamic invasions. However, many people today are unaware of the aftermath of Ghaznavid empire.

Mahmud was followed by his nephew Masood Ghazni. Continuing Mahmud’s legacy, he invaded India with an army of more than 100,000 men in May 1031 AD. Unlike Mahmud's army which was basically a raiding party, Masood's army was backed by the imperial army and had attacked India with the intention of permanent conquest and Islamization of India.

King Anandpal Shahi tried to check this invasion along with the king of Sialkot. But, this alliance was overwhelmed by the superiority in numbers of the invading army. Masood continued his advance towards Indian mainland. King Mahipal Tomara also tried to check their advance but he was also defeated. After victories across Northern Indian plains, Masood camped at Bahraich which is near Lucknow.

Meanwhile, a historic alliance was being created under Raja Suhaldev Pasi and the famous Raja Bhoja of Malwa. 17 Indian Kings together forged an alliance. This was the biggest confederation that has ever existed in India.

On 13th June, an army of about 1,20,000 descended on the Ghazni camp of Bahraich. Masood's army was completely besieged and encircled. Each and every man in Masood's camp was killed. The battle ended on 14th June with the victory of the Indian federation.

The invasion was completely crushed and such resounding was this victory that none of foreign kingdoms dared to invade India for the next 160 years.

Nowadays I have seen many people mocking Rajput Kings by saying that they were unable to win even a single battle. This answer seeks to create awareness among such people. There have been many instances where Rajputs were successful in defeating their enemies. Battle of Rajasthan is another such example where Arabs were defeated by a federation of Rajput States. Indians are indebted to the Rajput Kings. They were extremely instrumental in keeping Arab invaders at bay for 3 centuries. This was the time when Khalifat empire was at its peak and extended from Sindh to Spain. However, they were unable to defeat Rajputs and enter Indian heartlands.

But it is a pity that these battles where native Indians crushed the invaders, which should have been the pride of Indians, are hardly mentioned in our history books.

This is an exemplary example of how united Indian kings had the ability to create the most formidable force of the world !!

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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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Durgadas Rathore, the lion of Marwar

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Indian history is full of famous exploits of Rajputs. From Prithviraj's escape from Jaichand's court to Durgadas Rathore’s open defiance in Aurangzeb’s court, this martial race has always been an example of bravery.

So, let’s hear the story of a lesser known Rajput who single-handedly preserved the rule of the Rathore dynasty over Marwar from Mughal subjugation.

17th century Rajputana:

Rajputana after years of relentless resistance had finally tired. All the Rajputs states had finally agreed to accept Mughals as their sovereigns, while retaining their control over their respective states. Several brave Rajput generals adorned the Mughal armies. One of the bravest generals was the ruler of Marwar, Jaswant Singh Rathore who had died while campaigning for Mughals in Afghanistan.

What did Aurangzeb do in return?

The ungrateful Mughal emperor used this as an opportunity to subjugate Rajputana. He was a fanatic Muslim who couldn’t bear the sight of ‘infidels’ in his empire (An attitude which severely undermined the power of once prestigious Mughals later). He refused to accept Jaswant Singh’s infant son as the ruler of Marwar unless he was raised as a Muslim in Delhi. This enraged the Rajput delegation of 300 men under Durgadas Rathore, the custodian of Marwar Royal family. With a rare display of valour, he stormed out of the Mughal court with his men who fought their way out valiantly and thus protected the prince.

Aurangzeb then dispatched armies in Marwar. Anarchy and slaughter were let loose on the doomed state, all the great towns in the plain were pillaged, the temples were thrown down. Jaziya was imposed. Durgadas showed great strategic acumen and engaged the Mughuls in relentless guerilla warfare thereby inflicting heavy damages finally forcing the Mughals to withdraw.

A pioneer of the resurgence of Rajputs, Durgadas Rathore was a rare combination of the dash and reckless valour of a Rajput warrior with the tact, diplomatic cunning and organizing power of the best Mughal ministers.

Uniter of Rajputs:

Mughals had exploited the disunity of Rajputs since long time back. However Durgadas was able to unite Rajputs of various communities, including the long time enemies Rathores and the Sisodiyas to ward off the Mughal invasion. Trade routes throughout the region were plundered by the guerrilla attacks of Rajputs, who also looted various treasuries in the present-day Rajasthan and Gujarat. These attacks heavily impacted the finances of the Mughal (whose finances had already been stressed due to the campaign in Deccan). Finally, Durgadas was able to install Ajit Singh on the throne of Marwar.

A man of character:

Not just a valorous general and a master tactician, Durgadas Rathore was also a man of character. Aurangzeb’s grandchildren and daughter in law were under the supervision of Durgadas. It was inconceivable for a barbarian like Aurangzeb that his daughter-in-law would have escaped untouched, but Veer Durgadas was a man of such honour that he returned them to the Mughal! Unlike Aurangzeb who was forcing Islam on Ajit Singh, Durgadas allowed the grandchildren of the Mughal to learn Islamic faith by a Qazi. This exemplifies the greatness and the true character of Durgadas.

There have been many warriors who fought for their own, but there have been a very few men who fought for others. He could have easily eliminated the infant to become the king himself, but he chose to remain loyal to his word and gave the kingdom unhesitatingly to Ajit Singh. There are few parallels of such absolute detachment from power and such unflinching loyalty to one’s lord!!

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Were Indians truly as vulnerable as portrayed by our history books?

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Our history books are full of detailed invasions. Indians are always portrayed as a bunch of victims whose resistance was always crushed from the onslaught of invading tribes. 
This post seeks to create awareness among people and uplift the crushed image of our ancestors in our minds with the mention of a single example of a forgotten battle. 

Battle of Baharaich.

Every Indian today is aware of Mahmud of Ghazni and his unstoppable 17 raids. His plunders are believed to form the basis of the later Islamic invasions. However, many people today are unaware of the aftermath of Ghaznavid empire.

Mahmud was followed by his nephew Masood Gazni. Continuing Mahmud’s legacy, he invaded India with an army of more than 100,000 men in May 1031 AD. Unlike Mahmud's army which was basically a raiding party, Masood's army was backed by the imperial army and had attacked India with the intention of permanent conquest and Islamization of India.

King Anandpal Shahi tried to check this invasion along with the king of Sialkot. But, this alliance was overwhelmed by the superiority in numbers of the invading army. Masood continued his advance towards Indian mainland. King Mahipal Tomara also tried to check their advance but he was also defeated. After victories across Northern Indian plains, Masood camped at Bahraich which is near Lucknow.

Meanwhile, a historic alliance was being created under Raja Suhaldev. 17 Rajput Kings together forged an alliance. This was the biggest confederation that has ever existed in India.

On 13th June, Rajput army of about 1,20,000 descended on the Ghazni camp of Bahraich. Masood's army was completely besieged and encircled. Each and every man in Masood's camp was killed. The battle ended on 14th June with the victory of the Rajput federation. This battle took place near Chittaura Lake.

The invasion was completely crushed and such resounding was this victory that none of foreign kingdoms dared to invade India for the next 160 years.

Nowadays, I have seen many people mocking Rajputs by saying that they were unable to win even a single battle. This answer seeks to create awareness among such people. There have been many instances where Rajputs were successful in defeating their enemies. This is one such example. India is extremely indebted to the Rajput Kings. They were instrumental in keeping Arab invaders at bay for 3 centuries. This was the time when Khalifat empire was at its peak and extended from Sindh to Spain. However, they were unable to defeat Rajputs and enter Indian heartlands.

But it is a pity that these battles where native Indians crushed the invaders, which should have been the pride of Indians, are hardly mentioned in our history books. We must learn from the Chinese who study their high points much more than the high points of their oppressors and hence they have a natural pride in their civilization. Indian books on the other hand are exactly the opposite where the high points of the invaders are given wide coverage while the high points of our own are not even mentioned.

This battle is an exemplary example of how united Indian kings had the ability to create the most formidable force of the world !!

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