1540
“Conquering Tana”
Maharana Udai Singh surrounded Tana after winning the battle at Mavli. There was Malla Solanki’s accession on Tana who was supporting Banveer. The fort was surrounded for 1 month, but Maharana could not conquer Tana due to military shortage.
Malla Solanki was favored by Lord Mahadev. One day Malla Solanki was worshiping in the hilltop. On discovering this, Maharana Udai Singh got Malla Solanki murdered with the help of Mewa Sankhla. Maharana Udai Singh conquered Tana.
“Battle of Chittorgarh”
Maharana Udai Singh travelled towards the Chittor fort. Due to military shortage, neither could the Maharana seige the Chittor fort nor could break the fort walls due to artillery. Maharana Udai Singh is also called a visionary ruler. Maharana Udai Singh found a solution to this problem after consulting Asha Devpura.
Asha Devpura shook hands with the Cheel Mehta, the chief of Banveer, on the orders of Maharana. Asha Depura said to Cheel Mehta that “You are also the servant of Maharana Sanga. It is time to express your loyalty for him.”
Many people in the fort also wanted to make Maharana Udai Singh as ruler. Cheel Mehta told Banveer that “The grain has come to an end in the fort, so it would be better to order it at night.”
Banveer considered it necessary and ordered Cheel Mehta to order food at night. On midnight, Cheel Mehta opened the doors of the fort. When 500 to 1000 buffaloes were being entering into the fort with food loaded on their backs, Maharana Udai Singh and his soldiers attacked the doors of the fort. Many Rajputs on both sides got martyred. Banveer escaped from an entrance and Maharana Udai Singh conquered the fort.
“The result of Maharana Udai Singh’s Chittorgarh victory”
After conquering a huge fort like Chittorgarh, the status of Maharana Udai Singh was established in the entire Rajputana. Recovering from many troubles, Maharana Udai Singh entered the Chittorgarh fort. Maharana Udai Singh received a grand reception in Chittorgarh and during this time many songs were composed and sung. These songs were sung for many years in Mewar even after Maharana Udai Singh. Some songs related to Maharana Udai Singh’s departure from Kumbhalgarh and reception in Chittorgarh were heard by Colonel James Tod himself in the 19th century.
“Banveer’s inscriptions and coins”
In 1536 AD, Banveer carved an inscription at the Rampol door of the Chittorgarh fort, in which he gave himself the title of ‘Maharana’. Another inscription of Banveer is also found from the Chittorgarh fort. Banveer ruled Chittorgarh for 5 years and also ran coins in his name.
“Banveer’s Last Time”
Muhanaut Nainasi writes that Banveer ran away towards Gujarat. Colonel James Tod writes that Banveer fled to the south, where he had descendants, known as Bhonsla clan. The reality is that no one knows where Banveer was killed or ran in that war or where he ran.
“Temple and palace built by Banveer in Chittor fort”
* Temple of Tulja Bhavani :- Banveer built this temple which is located in the Chittor fort. It is said that Banveer killed Maharana Vikramaditya in this temple.
* Nau Kotha Mahal :- Banveer did not trust the Rajputs of the fort, so he started to build a small fort on the north side of the palaces of Chittor, so that he could be saved by staying in it during times of trouble. This palace could not be completed, only its southern wall could stand, which still exists in the fort. Today it is known as Nau Kotha Mahal.
“Maharana Udai Singh’s departure to Kumbhalgarh”
Maharana Udai Singh visited Kumbhalgarh after making all the arrangements in the Chittor fort.
17 May, 1540 AD
“Battle of Bilgram”
The battle of Bilgram ensued between Mughal emperor Humayun and Afghan emperor Sher Shah Suri, in which Humayun’s 40 thousand army could not stand in front of Sher Shah Suri’s 10 thousand army. Humayun had to escape for his life and Sher Shah Suri sat on the throne of Delhi.
“Rao Maldev’s Diplomacy”
Rao Maldev Rathore of Marwar helped Maharana Udai Singh by sending an army of 4000. But these days, Rao Maldev sat his cantonments in Tonk and Jahazpur under kingdom of Mewar. Similarly, cantonments were also set up in Ranthambore and Bundi valley and Rathore Rajputs were stationed there.
* Next part will be about Maharana Udai Singh’s Queens and his daughters.
Post Author :- Tanveer Singh Sarangdevot (Laxmanpura – Mewar)
Translated by :- Tanisha Gupta
Nice info