Many historians have described Maharana Udai Singh as a visionary and worthy ruler, while Maharana Udai Singh has also been accused of futile accusations by many historians, some are as follows :-
* Some historians even say that “If there was no Udai Singh between Maharana Sanga and Maharana Pratap, there would never have been Mughal suzerainty over Chittor”.
(Those who say so are insulting not only Maharana Udai Singh but also Maharana Pratap)
* After Maharana Sanga, the name of the next Maharana is often taken as Maharana Udai Singh and it is also said that whatever Maharana Sanga gained in his life, Maharana Udai Singh lost all of that, while Maharana Sanga lost his life in 1527 AD and Maharana Udai Singh’s accession took place in 1540 AD. A lot happened in these 13 years in between.
1527 AD
The Khanwa war took place in which Maharana Sanga was defeated and 80 percent of the army of Mewar got martyred. The territorial boundaries of Mewar were also limited compared to earlier.
1528-31 AD
Maharana Ratan Singh, son of Maharana Sanga, was able to rule for only 3 years, which did not benefit Mewar under his rule.
1533-34 AD
Bahadur Shah, the emperor of Gujarat, attacked Chittorgarh and second Saka of Chittor happened. Many warriors of Mewar got martyred and the Kshatranis chose the path of Jauhar.
(Saka :- a custom, in which rajput women perform jauhar by jumping in fire and rajput men fight until their last breathe. In saka, rajput men have only two options :- win or die.)
* Maharana Vikramaditya, son of Maharana Sanga, was an unfit ruler. During his reign, many feudatories left Mewar and many areas of Mewar went into the hands of the Mughals.
1535 AD
Banveer, son of maid of Kunwar Prithviraj, the eldest son of Maharana Raimal, also took out the rightful position occupying Mewar. Under his rule, Mewar was devastated and many areas of Mewar got out of hand.
* All these things are blamed on Maharana Udai Singh, which is completely unfair.
“Introduction of Maharana Udai Singh”
* Birth :- Maharana Udai Singh was born on August 4, 1522 AD.
* Father :- Maharana Udai Singh’s father was Maharana Sanga. When Kunwar Udai Singh was 5 years old, his father Maharana Sanga died.
* Mother :- Maharani Karnavati was the mother of Maharana Udai Singh. Maharani Karnavati was the daughter of Rao Narbad Hada of Bundi. When Kunwar Udai Singh was 12 years old, his mother Maharani Karnavati performed Jauhar with many Kshatriyans.
* Kunwar Udai Singh’s parents died at an early age and then Banveer also tried to kill them, but Pannadhai sacrificed her son Chandan to protect the life of Kunwar Udai Singh. Thus the early life of Maharana Udai Singh was quite annoying. Pannadhai went to Kumbhalgarh with Kunwar Udai Singh and the fortress Asha Depura raised Kunwar Udai Singh for 6 years.
1537 AD
At this time only Kunwar Udai Singh was among the 7 sons of Maharana Sanga. Gradually, it spread in Mewar that Maharana Udai Singh is alive, but Banveer continued to rule Chittor. Because Banveer had full faith that Kunwar Udai Singh had been killed by his hands.
“Warlords get away from Banveer”
Banveer knew that the feudal lord of Mewar would not see a Dasiputra (son of maid) ruling Mewar for long. Therefore, Dasiputra Banveer tried very hard to become a real Rajput in Chittor. One day Banveer invited all the chieftains to dine. At the meal, Banveer gave one of his plates to Rawat Khan Purviya Chauhan of Kothariya and asked him to eat his left over from it. Rawat Khan refused, saying “I can sit with you, but I can’t eat your left over” (At that time Rajputs considered eating with Dasiputras their insult)
(Rawat Khan Purbia Chauhan :- Manakchand Kothariya, a descendant of Brave Hammirdev Chauhan of Ranthambore, was the first Rawat Sahab. Rawat Manakchand was followed by Rawat Jaipal, Rawat Sarangdev, Rawat Khan. Thus Rawat Khan was the fourth Rawat Sahab of Kothariya)
Rawat Khan and other warlords spoiled Banveer and proceeded towards Kumbhalgarh.
“Accession of Maharana Udai Singh”
Rawat Khan reached Kumbhalgarh and met Kunwar Udai Singh and sent calls to Saindas Chundawat of Salumbar, Jagga Chundawat of Kelwa, Rawat Sanga of Bagore.
(Rawat Saindas Chundawat of Salumbar :- He was a descendant of the famous Rawat Chunda. After Rawat Chunda, respectively, Rawat Kandhal, Rawat Ratansingh, Rawat Duda were seated on the throne of Salumbar. Then 5th Rawat Saheb Saindas of Salumbar lived).
(Rawat Jagga Chundawat of Kelwa :- Kelwa is the home of the Rathore Rajputs, but the Chundawats held power at that time. Rawat Chunda’s son was Rawat Kandhal, whose second son was Rawat Siha. Rawat Siha’s son was Rawat Jagga, whose main estate was Amet)
(Rawat Sanga of Bagore :- Bagore was the home of Rawat Sanga at that time, but his original place remained Devgarh. Rawat Chunda’s son Rawat Kandhal’s younger son Rawat Sanga. Rawat Sanga is the ancestor of the people of Deogarh)
All the warriors reached Kumbhalgarh and paid attention to Kunwar Udai Singh and crowned him. In this way, the coronation of Maharana Udai Singh took place at the age of 15, but the actual coronation was possible only with the victory of Chittor. In Veervinod, Amarakavya and other texts, the right time for the coronation of Maharana Udai Singh has been told only after the Chittor victory.
* Next part will be written about Maharana Udai Singh’s marriage and Mavli war.
Author :- Tanveer Singh Sarangdevot (Laxmanpura – Mewar)
Translated by :- Tanisha Gupta