When Maharana Pratap made 36,000 Mughals to surrender in Battle of Dewair
19 Jan 2024 15:56:29
When conversations turn to Maharana Pratap, the Battle of Haldighati often steals the spotlight. But this well-known conflict over-shadows the historical significance of the Battle of Dewair/Diver in 1582, when Maharana Pratap defeated the Mughal army.
Background of the Battle:
After the tragic Battle of Haldighati (18 June 1576), fought between his army and the Mughal emperor Akbar’s army led by Man Singh I of Amber, Maharana Pratap was left with a weakened army consisting of just 7,000 troops. The Mughals stepped up their attempts to capture Pratap after taking control of important regions like Kumbhalgarh, Gogunda, Udaipur, and Chappan. Despite huge odds, Pratap's strategic turn to guerrilla tactics, combined with critical financial aid from his minister, Bhamashah, enabled him to fight the Mughal invasion.
Bhamashah's Contribution:
Bhamashah, the devoted minister, played a crucial role by offering the added wealth of his family to Maharana Pratap. This financial aid enabled Pratap to raise an army of around 40,000 soldiers, representing all sections of society.
The First Battle of Dewair (1582):
Challenging the Mughal forces, Pratap strategically chose Dewair as the battleground. This location, hidden in the Aravalli hills, served as a natural fortress, acting as the entry point for enemy forces into Mewar.
The Battle of Vijayadashami (Dussehra) began in 1582, with Maharana Pratap leading one army and his son, Amar Singh, leading another. Facing the Mughal army led by Sultan Khan, Pratap's forces attacked the Mughal outpost in the village of Dewair.
Key Incidents During the Battle:
During the Battle of Dewair, Amar Singh killed the Mughal commander Sultan Khan and his horse by spear which went through both. The hit was so strong that none of the Mughal warriors were able to withdraw the spear from Sultan Khan's body.Another memorable episode involved Maharana Pratap personally fighting Mughal commander Bahlol Khan and chopping him and his horse in two parts. These heroic achievements earned the soldiers of Mewar the phrase, "The warriors of Mewar cut the rider along with the horse in a single blow."
Aftermath of the Battle:
On seeing the devastation caused by Pratap's men, the remaining 36,000 Mughal soldiers surrendered. The closure of all 36 Mughal garrisons (check stations) in Mewar was an immense achievement for Maharana Pratap. In a single campaign, Pratap regained the entire Mewar territory, with the exception of Chittor, Ajmer, and Mandalgarh.Akbar's Continued Attempts:
Despite the defeat, Akbar kept on assigning his army against Pratap, only to lose each time. Frustrated, Akbar personally travelled to Mewar to defeat Pratap but returned to Agra after six months of unsuccessful attempts.Legacy and Memorial:
A war memorial near Dewair, at “Meva Ka Mathara”, stands as a proof to Maharana Pratap's historic victory against the Mughals. Unfortunately, this significant chapter in our history often goes unnoticed, erased from mainstream narratives.