The Three Great Disasters of Chittor: Stories of Unyielding Courage

Chittor, the historic fort in Rajasthan, India, is a symbol of Rajput valor, resistance, and sacrifice. The tales of Chittor are deeply etched in the annals of history, portraying the indomitable spirit of its warriors and the tragic fate that befell them. This blog recounts the three major disasters, known as "Shakas," that Chittor faced. Each disaster is marked by unparalleled bravery, cunning strategies, and heartbreaking loss.

The First Disaster (Shaka) of Chittor: The Invasion by Alauddin Khilji and the Immolation by Padmavati

In 1206, Sultan Alauddin Khilji ascended the throne of Delhi. Ambitious and determined to live up to his title "Sikander Sani" (Second Alexander), he embarked on a series of conquests, capturing the Ranthambore fort as his first victory. Next, he laid siege to the fort of Chittor.

Despite the fierce resistance of the Chittor warriors, their efforts seemed futile. In a final act of defiance, they donned saffron battle clothes, signifying their readiness for death, and fought to their last breath. This battle saw the martyrdom of Rawal Ratan Singh, the ruler of Chittor, and his wife, Rani Padmini, along with the other ladies of the palace, who committed self-immolation, or 'Johar,' to protect their honor. The noble Rana Lakshman Singh and his seven sons also perished bravely in this bloody conflict.

According to the bards (Bhatts) of Mewar, Rani Padmini's beauty was legendary. When Sultan Khilji learned of her, he launched an attack on Chittor to capture her. Failing to breach the fort's defenses, he sent a message to Rawal Ratan Singh, proposing that if he could see Padmini's reflection in a mirror, he would retreat. In an effort to maintain peace, Rawal Ratan Singh agreed.

Khilji, accompanied by his bodyguards, entered the fort and, after seeing Padmini's reflection, prepared to leave. As a courtesy, Rawal Ratan Singh and his warriors escorted Khilji to the gate. However, Khilji betrayed them, signaling his soldiers to arrest the Rawal. He then sent a message demanding that Padmini accompany him to Delhi in exchange for the Rawal's release.

Rani Padmini devised a counter-scheme to save her husband and protect her honor. She agreed to Khilji's demand but requested 700 palanquins (palkis) for her 700 maids. Khilji accepted, and 700 palanquins were sent. Each palanquin, according to Padmini's plan, concealed a warrior in women's disguise and carried arms for six soldiers disguised as footmen.

Led by Padmini's uncle, Gora, the palanquins reached Khilji's camp. They informed the Sultan that Padmini wished to see her husband for the last time. Khilji agreed, and the palanquins moved toward Rawal's camp. The warriors freed him, and he was taken back to the fort. The sudden attack by the disguised warriors and footmen took Khilji's forces by surprise, driving them out of Chittor.

Enraged by this defeat, Khilji soon regrouped and launched a more formidable attack on Chittor. This time, he emerged victorious, marking the first (Shaka) disaster of Chittor.

Amir Khusro, who accompanied Khilji on this campaign, documented in his book 'Tarikh-e-Elahi' that on January 23, 1303, Sultan Alauddin set out from Delhi to capture Chittor, and on August 25, 1303, the fort was conquered. After slaughtering 30,000 Hindus, he handed over the administration to Khizr Khan and renamed Chittor as Khizrabad.

Khizr Khan ruled Chittor until about 1311 AD but failed to govern effectively. Eventually, Sultan appointed Jalore's Sardar Maldev Songara (Chouhan) as the governor of Chittor. However, in due course, Rana Hammir recaptured his ancestral fort of Chittor.

The Second Disaster (Shaka) of Chittor: The Valor of Maharana Sanga

Maharana Sanga, whose full name was Sangram Singh, ascended the throne of Chittor in AD 1509, following Raimal. His immense valor left a lasting mark not only in the history of Chittor but also in that of India.

Maharana Sanga fought and defeated several rulers, including Sikandar Lodhi of Delhi, Mehmood Shali Begaoda of Gujarat, and Nasiruddin Khilji of Malwa, in a series of battles. Throughout his lifetime, he waged 16 battles against non-Hindu (yavanas) forces. His final confrontation occurred against Babur near the village of Khanwa in the Bayana area in AD 1527. The injuries he sustained in this battle rendered him unconscious, leading to his defeat by Babur.

Babur, in his memoirs, recorded that Rana Sanga had grown immensely in stature due to his bravery and swordsmanship. No single ruler of Malwa, Delhi, or Gujarat was capable of defeating him. The annual revenue from Sanga's state was 10 crore (10 million thousand), and his army consisted of one lakh (one hundred thousand) soldiers. Babur noted that if Sanga had three successors as capable as him, the Mughal rule might not have lasted in India.

Rana Sanga was removed from the battlefield in his unconscious state. Upon regaining consciousness, he was furious and vowed never to return to Chittor in defeat. He began reorganizing his army for another attempt against the Mughals, but his Rajput generals did not support this plan. It is believed that he died in 1528 AD due to poisoning.

Maharana Sanga spent his entire life on the battlefield, his body bearing 80 wound scars. He lost an eye in childhood during a quarrel with his brother Prithviraj, and a foot and a hand were amputated while battling Ibrahim Lodhi of Delhi. Despite these injuries, he continued to soldier on.

Maharana Sanga had seven sons: Bhoj Raj, Karan Singh, Rattan Singh, Vikramaditya, Udai Singh, Parvat Singh, and Krishan Singh. Among them, Bhoj Raj, Karan Singh, Parvat Singh, and Krishan Singh died during his lifetime. After Rana Sanga's death, his son Rattan Singh succeeded to the throne of Chittor, but he too passed away in his youth.

Following Maharana Rattan Singh II's demise, Rana Sanga's senior queen, Rani Karnawati, arrived in Chittorgarh from Kumbhalgarh with her two sons, Vikramaditya and Udai Singh. Vikramaditya succeeded to the throne, but his childish and ungentle habits disappointed the nobles of Mewar. Sensing an opportunity, Gujarat Sultan Bahadur Shah attacked Chittor in 1534 AD.

Aware of the dire circumstances, Dowager Queen Rani Karnawati dispatched her sons to Bundi and wrote a circular letter to the nobles of Mewar, urging them to uphold the honor of their dynasty and take appropriate action. The Mewar nobles organized to confront Bahadur Shah's forces and enthroned Pratapgarh Rawat Bagh Singh as the acting Rana during the hostilities.

A fierce battle ensued, but Chittor could not withstand the might of Sultan Bahadur Shah, who descended on the fort with a large army equipped with firearms and Portuguese generals. Rawat Bagh Singh fought to the end of his life near Pandal Pol, and other renowned warriors also perished in the battle. Within the fort, Dowager Queen Rani Karnawati, along with 13,000 warrior heroines, committed self-immolation (Johar), ending their lives. The fort then fell into the hands of Bahadur Shah, marking the second disaster (Shaka) of Chittor.

Barely 15 days after Bahadur Shah occupied Chittor fort, the army of Emperor Humayun of Delhi marched on Chittor. It is said that Rani Karnawati sent a Raksha Bandhan thread to Humayun, reminding him of his duty to protect Chittor. Humayun, eager to subdue the Sultan, responded to her plea. However, the delay in reaching Chittor allowed Bahadur Shah to capture the fort. Anticipating defeat, Bahadur Shah fled towards Mandu. Humayun pursued him, but Bahadur Shah sought refuge on the Portuguese island of Diu and was killed at sea while returning.

The Third Disaster (Shaka) of Chittor: The Siege by Akbar

Maharana Vikramaditya regained possession of the Chittor fort, but his behavior remained unchanged. Surrounded by flatterers and opportunists, one such figure was Banbeer, the son of Rana Sanga's brother Prithviraj and his maid. Banbeer managed to gain Vikramaditya's patronage. Driven by his desire to rule Chittor, Banbeer murdered Vikramaditya one night and then headed towards the palace to kill Vikramaditya's successor, Udai Singh.

Udai Singh's governess, Panna Dhai of the Khunchi Rajput clan, acted swiftly. She disguised Udai Singh and sent him away with a trusted ally, Yari, while she dressed her own son in Udai Singh's robes. Banbeer, mistaking Panna's son for Udai Singh, killed him. To save Mewar's future ruler, Panna sacrificed her own son before her eyes. That same night, Panna fled the fort, taking Udai Singh to safety. Udai Singh, who was 15 years old, was placed under the guardianship of Ashashah Depura in Kumbhalgarh.

After about five years, Udai Singh defeated Banbeer and reclaimed Chittor. Banbeer was either killed in this battle or, as some contend, escaped to the south.

Having vanquished Banbeer, Maharana Udai Singh took the throne of Chittor. At that time, the Mughal power in Delhi had subjugated most of the Rajput princes. However, Udai Singh's pride prevented him from accepting Akbar's supremacy. Consequently, Akbar led a vast army to attack Chittor on 20th October 1567, laying siege to the fort. Maharana Udai Singh set out to organize Mewar's nobles, entrusting the defense of Chittor fort to Sain Dass Solankhi, Sisodia Patta (Kalewa), and Rathore Jaimal (Badnour).

During Udai Singh's absence, these warriors heroically defended the fort against the Mughals. Akbar himself narrowly escaped death on several occasions. It is said that Akbar even offered Rathore Jaimal the governorship of the state if he surrendered the fort. Jaimal, however, refused, stating: "Listen, Akbar Shah, only after beheading me can you lord over Chittorgarh. Chittorgarh is mine, and the Maharana, a devotee of Shri Eklingji, has entrusted the keys of the fort to me. As long as I live, the Mughals cannot be its masters."

The battle between the Mughal and Mewar armies continued. One day, while Jaimal was supervising repairs from the parapet, Akbar fired a shot from his gun 'Sangram' and hit Jaimal's foot. Despite his injury, Jaimal continued to fulfill his duty. When the fort's defenses began to crack, it became the scene of collective immolation (Johar). The warriors, including Sain Dass, Patta, and Jaimal, fought to the death in a final do-or-die battle. Ultimately, Akbar conquered the fort, marking the Third Disaster (Shaka) of Chittor.

After capturing Chittor, Akbar pursued Udai Singh but failed to catch him. Maharana Udai Singh then founded the new capital of Mewar, Udaipur. He passed away in 1572 AD.

Conclusion

The three disasters of Chittor are tales of unparalleled bravery, sacrifice, and resilience. These events are not just historical episodes but are integral to the cultural and heroic legacy of Rajasthan. The fort of Chittor stands as a symbol of the Rajput spirit, reflecting their unwavering commitment to honor and valor in the face of overwhelming odds. These stories serve as a reminder of the incredible strength and determination of the people who fought to protect their land and their way of life.