HINDUS (Part 3)

HINDUS(Part 3)

1562, Mughal and Rajputana, Relation of marriage

            

After Jalaluddin’s coronation on the Mughal Throne, he and his commander-in-chief Bairam Khan invaded North and Central India with full of strategies. Although, the kind Jalauddin opposed slaughter of Hindus and high taxes too. He relaxed pressure from Hindus. After 6 years, when Akbar became 20 years old, he wanted to conquer the entire Rajputana. But Rajput Kings were not ready to surrender to Mughal Empire.

            

Rajput King Bharmal suggested an idea to Rajput Kings to make relations with Mughal Empire, so that they couldn’t harm Rajputanas. At first, every Rajput King opposed him, but by time, except King Udaisingh II, rests were ready. Rana Udaisingh II, the king of Mewar, didn’t agree to any kind of relationship with Mughals.

            

King Bharmal proposed his daughter’s hand for the Emperor of Mughal Empire, who was also ready to marry. Akbar asked time to think, while everyone in Mughal Empire also opposed this proposal. A Muslim man cannot marry a Hindu woman. Despite of everyone’s hesitation, Akbar decided to accept the proposal and make relations with Rajputana. King Bharmal’s daughter, Princess Heer Kunwar Jodha bai, put few conditions before Emperor. She didn’t want to convert her religion after marriage, and she wanted a temple inside the Agra Palace. There was chaos because no other person had ever tried to speak before Emperor. But, Akbar agreed and approved her to stay Hindu forever, and also made a temple in his fort.

            

After marriage, since Jodha Bai didn’t convert in Islam, her name remained Jodha too. After marriage, Emperor Akbar ordered to build a prosperous giant city. And in few years, the city was ready. He named it Sikri, Fatehpur Sikri. The royal family moved from Agra to Sikri during 1567. Meanwhile, Jodha gave birth to two twins, who would’ve become heirs, but both, Hassan and Hussain died in a month. Emperor’s first Begum, Ruqquaiya, was also childless.

Mewar (Rajput Kingdom)  

Meanwhile, Akbar attacked Chittorgarh, the capital of Mewar with full of his army. However, Rana Udaisingh moved with his family towards Aravalli Hills where a city of Udaipur had been established by Udaisingh. Later, Udaisingh died of illness. He had made his son Jagmal his heir-apparent under the pressure of his dearest wife and Jagmal’s mother, Dheer Bai.

            

But Jagmal and his older brother Shakti Singh had already chose their way in Mughal Empire. They had become loyal to King Mansingh, Commander of Mughal Army. However, after Udaisingh’s death all ministers of Mewar opposed coronation of Jagmal, as he was weak to rule Mewar. Ministers crowned the eldest son of Rana Udaisingh, Pratap, as the king of Mewar. Pratap would never surrender before Mughals. He was like his father, he would fight till his last breath. He had vowed to reclaim Chittor and destroy Mughals. The first Hindu ruler who shook the roots of Mughal Empire.

Chittorgarh Fort

            

Empress Jodha bai gave birth to the heir of Mughal Empire in 1569. Emperor named him Salim, but his royal name was Jahangir. Meanwhile, Pratap prepared heavy army to challenge Mughals and to reclaim his land. Jagmal gave all the information to Akbar and Akbar was also ready to attack. In 1572, Jodha gave birth to another son, Daniyal. After four years, in 1576, Pratap declared battle at Haldighati.

1576, Battle of Haldighati

           

Maharana Pratap arranged his army of 20000 men in most strategic methods and secured the hilly areas of Haldighati. Akbar ordered Raja Mansingh to march at Haldighati with the army of 60000 men. It was almost thrice than Pratap brought.

            

But Pratap had vowed to destroy Mughal Army and so did Mewaris. After all, they all were Rajputs. Warm blood. When Raja Mansingh attacked with the army of 60000 and using elephant attack, Pratap’s army was uncomfortable at first, but then the rage of Mewaris rose and they started destroying army of 60000. Mansingh couldn’t believe on his own eyes that 20000 Mewari Soldiers were destroying army of 60000.

            

As soon as Maharana Pratap spotted Mansingh sitting on the war elephant, he hurried towards him riding on his horse Chetak. Chetak jumped high in the air, while Pratap shot a spear towards Mansingh. Unfortunately, the Mahaut got killed, but that elephant kicked Chetak on his leg. Chetak was wounded. But at the next attack, Mansingh fell on the ground.

Maharana Pratap attacking Mansingh

            

But then, Jagmal entered in the battlefield with the army of 10000 Mughal soldiers. Mansingh spread rumours that Jagmal actually came with 100000 soldiers, which were outnumbered. There was chaos in Mewar Army, but they started fighting. But Mughal Army was now more than 50000, so Rajputs retreated. Wounded Chetak managed to make his way out of Haldighati by jumping over a long stream, and saved Maharana Pratap. Unfortunately, Chetak died of wounds.

Chetak dies

After the battle of Haldighati

            

Meanwhile, Fatehpur Sikri suffered an accidental draught. All ponds and lakes dried at once. Akbar summoned few of architects to consult, and they said there was some problem in water drainage system. But they couldn’t fix it. Therefore, Akbar decided to evacuate Sikri and went to Lahore for next 12 years.

            

In the absence of Pratap at Udaipur, Jagmal took it in possession. Pratap made Kumbhalgadh his temporary capital and prepared an army to attack Mughals again. Bhamasha, treasurer of Mewar, helped him financially to build army. Pratap trained them in Gorilla War Strategy, which was secret and knew by only forest people. However, Pratap had learned that when he was prince. He trained all the soldiers and marched at Udaipur.

Bhamasha giving money to Maharana Pratap

Maharana Pratap slays a Mughal Soldier along with his horse

           

He reclaimed Udaipur, Chittor and the entire Mewar once again by defeating Mughal Army. Akbar himself wanted to lead the army, but couldn’t due to economical emergencies. Therefore, he sent his sons Salim and Daniyal to fight against Pratap. On the other hand, Pratap also sent his son Amarsingh (Son of Maharana Pratap and Maharani Ajabde). And once again, Mughal Army was unable to defeat Rajputs.

            

After few years, Pratap got wounded while hunting, and he made his son Amarsingh vow that he would never surrender before Mughals. Pratap always knew that Akbar was kind towards Hindus, and after his marriage with Jodha, he was even nicer. But he knew that it was temporary. Akbar’s successor might not be like him. Then what? Hindus will have to suffer again. That’s why wanted to beat Mughal Empire so that Hindu rule could be established once again. Because he knew that Hindus would never do what they have done to them.

            

After his death, Amarsingh ascended the throne of Mewar and became monarch of Mewar Army. He fought against Mughal for many years, and defeated Mughals for more than 25 times. Salim and Daniyal together invaded Mewar after few years, but as Amarsingh never surrendered himself as he vowed before his father in his deathbed.           

One lion among Hindus, Rana Pratap, dared to fight against the tremendous strength of Mughal Empire, and against the greatest ruler of Mughal Sultanate. He even defeated the tremendous army with lesser army. He became inspiration for Hindus to raise their voices against Mughal Empire. Few of regions in Mughal Empire started rebelling. But they weren’t strong enough to destroy this sultanate. Hindus weren’t that fortunate now. That’s why Pratap is not called Rana Pratap, but he is called Maharana Pratap.

            

However, when Mansingh proposed that Hindus desire a temple in Vrindavan, Akbar gave 20 Lakh rupees (then) in the construction of Krishna Temple at Vrindavan through Mansingh. When he was informed that Dwarkadheesh Temple of Dwarka was also old and needed to be rebuilt, he ordered to be rebuilt the temple. Major Vishnu temples and Krishna temples were rebuilt during the reign of Akbar. Salim had also inherited his father’s few qualities. He was also kind towards Hindus.

            

However, Akbar had head that few foreigners had come from west and started business in Deccan States. Those people called themselves Dutch. However, few other foreigners who called themselves British tried to convince Akbar to allow them to start business. However, Akbar refused. And British waited until some another person became Emperor.

Reign of Jahangir

            

Jahangir succeeded his father Akbar after his death in 1602. And in early years of his reign, British again tried to convince him. And Jahangir permitted them to spread business across the Hindustan. But only business. Under the name of East India Company, British started trading from major coasts of western Hindustan and used ships for importing and exporting stuff. And thus, Hindustan got another foreign people, with pleasant smile on their face and bad desires. They always had their eye on Hindustan, but didn’t dare to oppose Mughal Empire in their prime.

British arrives

            
And that’s how East India Company from London started business in Hindustan. Import – export. 

To be continued...