The Battle of Haldighati was fought in June 1576. However, Akbar had planned an attack on Mewar in February 1576 when Rana Partap Singh refused his peace treaty for the third time in four years. He wanted Rana Partap's defeat in his hands. He was the only one who didn't seem to fear the mighty Timurid domination. He needed to be taught a lesson.
Rana Partap was disturbed by the constant visits of Man Singh to Mewar in the last two years, that too with Akbar's peace treaty. Chittorgarh had fallen to the Timurid power, and Mewar had lost its bravest. He wouldn't forget that till his last breath. There was no way he could bow down to the Timurid. 17 Mewari villages were under Timurid dominance. He needed to free them. But his morals of showing no enmity with any Rajput always made him most hospitable towards Man Singh. He was looking for a way to start a war. Man Singh came with a peace treaty in the years 1573 and 1574. It is then that Rana Partap decided that the areas near Gogunda were vulnerable to the enemy attack now. He decided to move his family to safer areas near Kumbhalgarh, the forests and villages of Mewar, the Aravallis, and his motherland protected him. In February 1576, Akbar decided to try one last time to make him accept the alliance of the Timurids. As Man Singh's arrival was announced near the Udai Sagar Lake, Rana Partap decided to plan his next move.
" Ajbante, I have made up my mind. Kunwar Amar is going for a meeting with Maan Singh." He ignored her scared and shocked look.
" Amar? How can he talk to the Raja? He is so..." She was confused.
Rana Partap smiled. Kunwar Amar Singh, aged seventeen, was a hot-headed teenager, hating the Timurids since he saw his birthplace turn to ruins because of them. She was scared he would end up insulting Man Singh. He wanted just that.
Man Singh was a bit surprised as the crown prince arrived at the lakeside in Udaipur, where he was stationed, instead of the King.
" Daajiraj Hukum is unwell; he sent me." A reply came before a question was asked.
" But how can we talk peace without the King?" Man Singh frowned.
"Well, the tradition in Mewar is that Kings meet Kings." Amar Singh smiled. "Since you don't rule any state..." Man Singh sighed. "Fair enough, I will lay down the terms of peace..."
" We don't talk peace with Timurids, Raja Man Singh. We don't sell our motherland for luxury. We don't bow down." He was firm.
" Kunwar Amar Singh. You are bringing upon yourself a war whose result will be worse than Chittor's. Think again, if there will be no Mewar, where will you rule?" He tried to persuade the boy.
" A Timurid Mewar alliance is more insulting than no Mewar to rule. We don't make peace with people who take the innocent lives of our civilians." His hand grabbed the hilt of his sword in anger.
" You seem like an exact reflection of your father, foolish and emotional." Man Singh smiled.
" Foolish and emotional is better than cowardice and slavery." Amar smiled. "Some people who doubt their own pedigree often resort to such servitude because they don't know whose blood runs in their veins." That was the last straw. Maan Singh stood up, followed by his men, angry, swords out. He was known to have been adopted, but nobody had ever dared to question his pedigree, let alone a young boy.
"Do you know who you are talking to?" He rebuked. "Don't be so naive, Kunwar Amar, your words will have political consequences." Amar Singh smiled as he gestured at his men to lower their weapons.
"I really know I am talking to Akbar's pet mouthpiece." His choice of words made Man Singh fume. The prince had a smile on the edge of his lips. "While you are talking to the prince of Mewar, descendant of the great Rana Sanga who stood up to Babur, I..." Amar shook his head, "Have heard no such claim of you or your royal blood. If you even have one..." He watched Man Singh stand up as the chieftains accompanying them drew their swords. Amar smiled, staring at him, " Is in question, especially after the way you sit when he asks you to, bark when he tells you to..."
"Kunwar Amar Singh!" Insulted and humiliated, Maan Singh stormed out, saying, "Rana Partap Singh will pay for this humiliation."
" Hai Eklingji. What did Amar do..." Maharani Ajbante Baisa exclaimed, scared as she heard what had happened. She was more scared of his father's reaction as she rushed to the room overlooking the court sessions at Kumbhalgarh. She spotted Amar standing head bowed as his Father sat seriously while Rawat Chundawat described what had happened. Ajbante Baisa searched his face for a reaction, saying a quick prayer.
" You did well, Kunwar Amar." Made everyone look at Ranaji in shock. Did he just praise his son?
" Daajiraj?" He asked, confused.
" This is what we needed. To push them into a do-or-die situation. Now either they will leave Mewar, or we will die saving our motherland. Jai Eklinji."
" Jai Eklingji" echoed in the courtroom at Kumbhalgarh. Ajbante clasped her hands together, teary, in prayer, watching her son being embraced by his father. In that moment of a public acknowledgement for his heir, Ajbante remembered how he once craved affection from his father. She understood his need to appreciate Amar.
" Ranaji." Her call stopped him from putting down his turban. He knew she would come with questions in her mind.
" Ajbante. You want to know why I am pushing towards the war, right?" He stared at her pale face as she nodded. "They did not seem eager..." She whispered.
"This is the only way. We still have some time. Man Singh will inform the Turk, and he will plan an attack. Within that time, we have to gather a troop. I have already written to Mamasa in Jalore. Your brother will be coming with him. He wants revenge for the way Rao Ramrakh was slain at Chittor; how could I say no?" He smiled reassuringly at her worried face, "Rawat Chundawat is making preparations at Salumber. Marwar will not help them as Mota Raja promised, and the Solankis and Chauhans have taken no stand yet." He said the latter in a sarcastic tone as if telling her So much for alliances will help, huh, Ajbante? They refused to help their daughters. She looked away, reading his thoughts.
" The Bhils?" She asked after contemplation, as he nodded. "Rana Punja has been informed. Hakim Khan and his army, too, are ready to help."
"Ranima. Mamasa is here." Made them look up at the door where Kunwar Amar stood, pleased. "He wants to discuss his army strength, Daajiraj Hukum." Rana Partap nodded at his wife as she rushed out to meet her brother.
" Bhai Balwant." She smiled as she rushed to meet her younger brother, the now Rao of Bijoliya. He touched her feet as she blessed him and asked about her homeland. He informed her in rather grim details that Bijoliya was badly damaged after Chittorgarh fell, and there's a Timurid army camp outside the city. He tried to sound hopeful. "We will drive them out by Eklingji's grace. They even attacked the Jain priests. Can you imagine?"
"They will attack every Mewari, Bhai. They want to break us with fear." Ajbante's jaws tightened. "They did the same to mosques and temples in Chittor."
"Kunwar Amar?" Rao Balwant was pleased with how the boy looked like his father's reflection as Amar arrived to greet him alongside his brother.
"This is Kunwar Bhagwan Das." Ajbante introduced proudly. "Rajkumari Champawati is somewhere." She sighed, "I will find her. You haven't met either of them." He fondly patted the eager child's head.
" Daajiraj Hukum will see you soon. We are planning strategies against a Timurid attack," an enthusiastic Amar spoke as Balwant did not miss the worry on his sister's face.
" You will lead the troops, Maan Singh." Akbar's words shocked the man.
" Me, Jahan Panah?" He fumbled.
" You caused this war when I sent you on a peace mission." Akbar rebuked. " It is now yours to win. I am sending you my troops. March with them towards Gogunda and Kumbhalgarh. I am sure Partap will stop you somewhere."
" But Jahapanah, I don't think we can travel that deep into Mewar. Its forests and Hills are ruled by the Bhils." Man Singh sounded unsure.
" Then what do you suggest? A proper war?" Akbar frowned. "Do you not know how tired the troops are after the constant rebellion of Raja Pratapaditya all the way in the east?" He shook his head. "You have to wait then, let them rest." Maan Singh grew quiet. He had travelled far east, to Banga, where Pratapaditya was posing serious threats to Timurid expansions on the banks of the Ganga Delta. His son was posted there.
A letter arrived with the seal of Raja Maan Singh, a little later than Rana Partap anticipated. He was growing restless, thinking that the clever Akbar must have curbed down Maan Singh's enthusiasm.
" Choose a place and time, and I will fight you to death there. Raja Maan Singh."
Mewar was waiting for this. Immediately, a meeting was called. Rana Punja, the chief of the Bhils, suggested a very unusual place. The yellow soiled land near Banas. It could be travelled to from Loh Karan, where they would camp. The place was full of ridges, narrow passes and natural foliage along with a natural battleground in the bank of the Banas. The Bhils knew the forests well. There were also several natural caves along the way to hide their weapons and gunpowder. It was perfect.
" They chose this?" Akbar frowned. " What is the strategy?" He ordered his spies to know the enemy's strengths. This was highly unusual terrain to fight in. He wished to bring Rana Partap's troops somewhere near the borders, closer to any of his allied states, for a fair fight.
" Maan Singh! Start moving towards Mewar. You need to win this battle." Akbar knew there was more to this place, chosen carefully by Mewar. Perhaps it was time Maan Singh faced his song.
" We have around 2000 soldiers, 100 horses and 100 elephants, Ranaji. The Afghans have brought cannons." Rawatji read out.
" The cannons are around 20 Ranaji." Hakim Khan Sur added.
" We are around 200 Bhils." Rana Punja informed.
" So here are the formations," Rana Partap pointed to the map.
"I will be at the centre with Mewar's troop and Chundawat Ji and Jhalla Maan Singh. The front will be lined with elephants and cannons and a troop of Afghans led by Senapati Hakim Khan. Balwant will be on the right with another troop from Jalore. Raja Man Singh of Jalore and Raja Beharmal of Ranthambore will be on the left with Tarachand Ji's troop." Everyone agreed to the formation. "Jagannath Pandit wants to join our troop, too."
The Maharani's arrival was announced as everyone decided to take the king's leave. She stopped them all. She was here as a Maharani today, not his wife.
" I have a request." She spoke up as people stared at each other. Her requests were always trouble for him.
" No, you or any woman from the family won't participate in the war." He spoke up. "Neither is there any need to prepare for..." Jauhar. The chieftains were disturbed at the sudden memory of Chittorgarh still fresh in their mind. "You all are to leave immediately for Avadgarh. I have spoken to the..."
" No, it's not that. I have a request to take Kunwar Amar." Her words shocked him. A few days ago, she was scared her son was not ready to handle a meeting, and here she was asking him to take him to a war where they could die. Rana Partap was unsure. He dispersed the people with a hand gesture, saying, "Ekanth."
She looked around the faces looking at her with immense respect before they left.
"Ajbante." He spoke up. " We decided Amar needs to be here. For the sake of Mewar's future." If something happens to me...
" If not now, when will he accompany you to war?" She shook her head firmly, looking up at him, as if to brush away the thought in his mind. As if she believed he was invincible despite his share of failures.
"I thought I would tell him to accompany the family to Avadgarh. You need protection, too." He reasoned with her calmly. Ajbante knew it was an excuse. She smiled faintly.
"Kunwar Chand can protect his mothers. Kunwar Amar needs to know what is at stake."
" I am not his father there, Ajbante, I can't protect your son." He tried to scare her in vain. When had he ever seen her scared?
" You don't need to; if he dies, he will die for his motherland." Her voice didn't shake. " It will be his fate. I want my son to participate in his father's most important battle."
" Ajbante." He held her hand. " He is Mewar's future. If anything happens to me..."
" Then Mewar will not have a future to look forward to." Her words made him look up at her calm face. Her eyes reflected the storm inside.
" I have already arranged the troops. Now Amar..." He shook his head. "I can't give him command of a wing."
" He can fight like any normal soldier; he doesn't need to be in command." She was adamant.
" No, Ajbante." His hands reached her mouth as she spoke. " I...."
" I trust you, Ranaji, with you leading, nothing will ever happen to our family or Mewar." She smiled. That was the faith he needed.
The day was 21st June 1576. The Battle was about to begin; it would go down in history as the Battle of Haldighati, the land named by the Rana himself.
" I will protect Kunwarji with my life." Her brother promised that she would do his tilak. She smiled at him. All of a sudden, all the people she ever cared for were going through this uncertain turn of events. She remembered the horrors of Chittorgarh. She had met her parents there last, before leaving reluctantly with the royal family. She had heard of their passing in the last Jauhar and Saka. She had kept her nerves calm. She had no time to be a sister, a wife or a mother. She was Mewar's queen. She reassured the scared queens who had not been able to face the Rana ji after their fathers had refused to help. He looked at them, and they felt like betrayers, guilty of something they hadn't done. Every one of them distanced themselves from him at this hour, scared of his reactions, unsure of how it would eventually impact the future of their children. Ajbante had to handle the scared queens and the children, and reassure the chieftains' families, too. She had no time to be scared of the consequences. She could only hope, pray and wait.
" Ranima." Kunwar Amar was in his armour as he touched her feet. She gestured at the other mothers, who were equally nervous about his first major battle. He took their blessings and then stood facing his mother. His smile was a reassuring nod, and she did his aarti, reflecting on how quickly he had grown. Bhagwan Das stood holding a disappointed Kunwar Chand's hand. He wanted to go. But his Badima insisted he is still young. She said she needed him to protect the ladies, which was equally important. Bhagwan Das saw his mother look at his Dadabhai with pride. Dadabhai looked like Daajiraj in that attire; he envied him today. The innocent soul didn't know what his Dadabhai was going to face. Solankini, who was closest to Amar, was trying to hold back proud tears as Ajbante patted his head. She did his Tilak.
" Vijayi Bhava. Make your father proud, Kunwar Amar, so that he can say this is my son." He nodded and, on an impulse, hugged his mother tight. This made Ajabde's heart sink. She felt like she was losing him. But she didn't let her composure go.
"Ranaji padhaar rahe." Made Amar move away from his mother's embrace. The last thing he wanted was for his father to see this and doubt whether he is ready. He knew how much she fought herself and him to convince Rana Partap Singh. He walked in and glanced at the scared faces and Ajbante's calm smile. Kunwar Amar touched his feet. He held the boy's shoulders and said, " I was younger than you when I had my first major battle. And I now know why my Daajiraj was so unsure of me back then. It's not your inabilities, Amar, it's my insecurities. Fight like a true Rajput Son. Make your Mother proud." He nodded, smiling. As soon as Amar left, one by one, his queens touched his feet. He had no particular instructions for them. He looked at Kunwar Chand and said, " Take care of your Mothers." That made him happy as he touched his father's feet.
He stared at Ajbante as she stepped forward to do the aarti. Solankhini Bai looked at the duo and stepped back a few feet, indicating that everyone should leave. Everyone followed her out as Ajbante did the aarti.
" Think again, I may not be able to help Amar..." he said with a soft nod.
" He shouldn't need your help." She stopped him. She did his tilak as her eyes shone with tears. She wanted to hold them back, but being alone here with him, reflecting on their twenty years of the journey, she failed. Rana Partap was glad she failed; her tears were his strength. He wiped them away as she murmured, " Sh...shama Kijiye."
" No, Ajbante, you are the bravest Rajputani I know." He reassured her that the tears were not wrong. He took the sindoor from the thali and filled her hairline. She touched his feet.
" Jai Eklingji," he reassured her as she nodded at him. In their exchange of glances were unsaid promises, to fight and return home, to wait and pray.
" Jai Eklingji." She smiled back.
He turned to go but stopped as he glanced over his shoulder to catch a final glimpse of her. Eyes met as she stepped forward and, in an impulsive moment, hugged him tightly. He felt like all his determination, bravery, and willpower came back with that hug. Whatever little doubts he had were gone. He held her briefly, not remembering the last time they held on to each other that way. It had been an awfully long time since they had the chance to put each other before their duties. He took a few measured steps back, letting go of her hand, then turned around and walked out without looking back. She folded her hands in prayer, wiping her tears.
" Jija." Solankini's voice broke her trance as she kept staring at the door. She turned around to hug the scared queen.
" Don't worry, he will always protect Mewar," she reassured Solankini Bai.
The armies had started moving towards each other until they met on the bank of the Banas. The enemies were larger in number. Maan Singh was in the centre of his formation on his elephant. The Mewaris followed Rana Sanga's war strategies. Trunks were attached to their horses to make them look like elephants from a distance. Everyone was ready on either side of the river. Rana Partap sat on his handsome stallion Chetak, the red Mewari flag with the golden sun on one hand and the sword of his ancestors on the other. Kunwar Amar was with Raoji, seeing Man Singh make his blood rush as he tightened the grip on his sword. The hideout was protected by a few soldiers. Away from it all, in Avadgarh, Ajbante sat down to pray as soon as she heard the news of war. It was time. The conch shells blew as the armies clashed. Swords clanked, the air filled with war cries.
" Har Har Mahadev!"
Swords clashed, and shrieks broke out. The brave men fought the braver. The Bhils stationed themselves on the pass. As the Timurid army approached, led by foot soldiers, Mewari cannons fired.
" Fall back!" Rana Partap instructed his men. They retreated into the pass, confusing the Timurids. Maan Singh smiled happily, " Scared already!"
As the foot soldiers entered the narrow pass, boulders showered on them. The Bhils were positioned well enough to camouflage themselves. The foot soldiers ran in fear. Some were killed by boulders, others by the stampede of panic, and many fell off the ridges of the pass into the thorny bushes, maiming them. Mewar's Mother Nature was fighting with her favourite son. Arrows reigned over the Timurid army.
" Attack!" Rana Partap instructed again as the army rushed towards the Timurid army, taken by surprise. Cannons welcomed them. Swords clashed again as Maan Singh was amazed at Rana Partap's war tactics. Kunwar Amar was slaying men left and right; they all deserved to die, they took lives, and they took what he called home.
" Calm down before you do something stupid." Rao Balwant cried in vain as Amar unknowingly barged into the enemy, prompting him to go after the crown prince. Amar found himself surrounded by foot soldiers and riders.
" He is Mewar's crown prince, let's take his head for Shehenshah." Someone suggested. His anger knew no bounds as he attacked.
Rao Balwant found him too late to stop Amar's anger, so he joined in.
" Kunwarji, run with your horse."
" Never! I will kill them, then die."
" Don't be like this, this is the time to think strategically, I order you! Fall Back! Now!"
" What about you?" He looked worried, holding the stabbed hand as his clothes were soaked in blood.
" Don't worry about me, just go!" He yelled.
" Kunwar Amar... Jija!" Solankhini ran in breathlessness as Ajbante's heart skipped a beat.
"He's here!" Made her run out. His clothes were blood-soaked, the Vaid was attending to his injuries as she ran out, taking his head on her lap, she called softly. "Amar?"
" Maa ...." He groaned in pain.
" What is happening there?" She asked, feeling his hot, burning head.
" I think... I...It's... all .... over." He shook his head as the others gasped.
"Amar Singh!" Her voice made Solankini rush to his side.
She got up and coldly told the Vaid, " Take care of him," and left without turning back. Solankhini held Amar's hand as he groaned. " Majhli Ma I am so... sorry."
" No No... Hush!"
" Ranaji, I think we should fall back, the soldiers..." Rawatji suggested looking around.
" No, we haven't broken the centre formation yet. "
" Ranaji... the cannon attack killed a few Afghans and... Hakim Khan died fighting." A soldier ran in with news.
" Ranaji, we should..." Maan Singh Jhalla spoke as Rana Partap shouted, "Attack!"
In a few minutes, breaking a few soldier barriers, Chetak was in front of Man Singh's mighty elephant. Man Singh smiled down upon Rana. His blood was boiling clearly. A spear in his hand, then in a moment, it brushed past Maan Singh. Swords were out.
The elephant's trunk had swords attached to it. They hurt Chetak's leg as the horse leapt in pain. Partap's sword brushed against Maan Singh's arm. Three soldiers came to his aid as Partap fought them single-handedly. They injured him and stabbed him in the back.
" Ranaji!" Maan Singh Jhalla cried in fear as he drove Chetak away while Chundawat and others defended.
" Rana Punja has fallen back in the pass." Made Maan Singh Jhalla sure of the outcome.
" Ranaji, listen to me."
" Let me go, Jhalla Ji, I need to fight the..." He sounded agitated.
" No! Listen to me, Ranaji, you need to be alive for Mewar." Maan Singh shook sense back into him.
" I order you..." He was furious.
" Chetak, run away and take him to safety. Go!" Chetak didn't move at Jhalla Maan's instructions.
" Please, Ranaji, for Mewar!" Rana Partap patted Chetak as he ran. Before doing so, Jhalla Maan Singh took his turban and Mewar's flag away.
" Maharani Maharani." A daasi ran in, followed by the scared queens.
" Raoji is..." She shook her head as Champabai ran to Ajbante, who sat down without a word. Not a tear appeared in her eyes as she said, "Bhai?"
After a minute's silence, she looked up at Solankini.
" How is Amar?"
" Better, Jija." Solankini looked worried. There was still no news of the king.
"Tell him to get ready for his Mamasa's antim sanskar. His son is in the battle." Her calm voice made Solankini Bai hold her stone-cold hands. Ajbante reassured her in a nod, fighting with all her strength not to lose composure. She knew once she was alone and knew he was safe, she would mourn the brother she lost. Now was not the time.
" Find Rana Partap and slay him!" Maan Singh ordered his troops.
They found Jhalla Maan with the flag and turban while he slayed others. They thought he was the king and slew him mercilessly.
" He is killed", Man Singh was assured.
" We will march to Gogunda." He smiled.
"Chetak!" The horse fell while crossing the stream as he shouted. A few enemy foot soldiers were behind him. They had spotted him running.
"Chetak! You are bleeding." The horse breathed heavily as tears appeared in his eyes. He patted his partner. A gust of leaves alarmed him as his injured hand struggled with the sword.
" Dadabhai, it's me." His sword stopped at the front man.
" Bhai Shakti?" He thought he was hallucinating.
" Dadabhai, take my horse and go." Shakti had not been seen since he left Udai Singh's post at Mandalgarh, refusing to play any part in his father's reign after the fall of Chittorgarh. Rumours were that he had joined hands with the Timurids, much like his other half-brothers, Sagar and Vikram.
"But Chetak." He was alarmed as the horse had stopped breathing. "Chetak!" He exclaimed, kneeling before the horse, staring into its pebble-like eyes.
" He is gone, Dadabhai, take my horse." He pleaded. Rana Partap hugged his lost brother.
" We will meet again soon?" He said it more like a question to his younger brother. Something in him knew Shakti would never be disloyal to him or Mewar. He was proven right.
" Yes, I promise. Go!"
" Everything is falling apart there." Amar was pacing as Ajbante sat calmly. "When I was ordered to leave..."
"Where was Ranaji?" Solankini Bai's throat dried.
"I don't know. The messenger says they can't find him." Amar looked up briefly at his mother. Solankini Bai gasped. It was almost midnight. The enemy troops had taken over Kumbhalgarh, they heard. But where was he? He was not found in the blood-soaked Rakt Talai, where, from the news of the passing of the Tanwars, Krishna Das Chundawat, Hakim Khan Suri, Bhil Punja and Jhalla Maan had arrived. He had lost all his major allies. What happened to him? Was he captured?
" Do you hear that, Jija?" Solankini Bai gasped and eyed the calm Ajbante sitting in the prayer room.
" He is safe." Her voice was firm.
" How can you say that?" Solankini Bai frowned.
" Because I am breathing." Her answer stunned her son, who looked up at his mother. For the first time in many years, Amar observed how his mother seemed to have aged overnight. The uncertainty and turmoil took a toll on her ever-smiling face, which now looked quite pale.
" Maharanisa, Maharanisa." A Daasi came running after a few days. The rumours of his death were spread by the Timurids, and fearful Mewaris looked at Amar Singh, who was as clueless as they were. Yet he gathered his remaining troops, injured men and bruised egos and led them to protect Gogunda and Udaipur. He tried his best to revive a few smaller camps as well, all the while wondering if he should wait for news from his father or get coronated. Tonight, he was back, bruised and worried, in Avadgarh to consult with chiefs. He could never share his options with the two people who always advised his father, his mother and his grandmother. Speaking to them about a coronation would mean that he implied his father was not coming back. How could he imply that without sounding greedy for the throne? He heard the Daasi run by as he went out to inspect.
" Ranaji is here." The Daasi stopped as the queens gasped and prayed, and Ajbante did not wait for anyone else as she ran out towards the entrance. The Ranimahal witnessed a glimpse of the horse that brought him in. It wasn't Chetak. She ran to him, amidst the flickering lights of torches in the darkness, as he stumbled at the threshold, and she held on to him. He looked up at her as she observed his embalmed scars.
" Ajbante! Chetak! Chetak is.... gone!" made her eyes go wide as her mouth dried up.
" Wh... who helped you?" She asked as the soldiers rushed to help him get to the room.
" Bhai Shakti...." He fumbled. She could not believe her ears.
" Bhai Shakti Ajbante, he came." Ajbante nodded as he repeated to her.
" Jaldi Vaidji." Solankini Bai looked agitated.
" Amar?" Rana Partap looked at Ajbante in fear.
" He is injured. Balwant saved him. He fought bravely, Ranaji. He..."
Rana Partap observed her pale face as his eyes now fell on his firstborn.
" We tried to stop them as they marched to Gogunda, but the army is running out!" Amar looked disturbed.
" We will build one again. " Ajbante spoke up, interrupting his rant. "Your father needs to heal first." Her words made the medicine men step up and take him inside as he groaned a little. Ajbante said a soft prayer.
" But how, Jija? We have no resources." Phool Kanwar spoke up as she turned to the queen. "How will we build an army?"
"I don't know, Rathore Rani Ji, but I have faith." She glanced over her shoulder at the slow, struggling, retreating figure of her husband. "I have faith in him. You should too."
Rana Partap had returned to court after days of suffering in bed. He still looked weak but undefeated. The chieftains sat around him, some newly appointed because their fathers were martyred in the battle, ready to seek revenge. "We need financial aid to build the army," Amar spoke what everyone was thinking. "The royal treasury is unfortunately drying up." Beharimal made everyone look up. " I have 20000 gold coins and 30000 money resources. We can..."
"Ranaji, take my wealth too." Bhama Shah insisted.
" But that is your money..." Rana Partap protested at the noblemen.
"The greatest contribution I can make is to my motherland." Beharimal insisted.
"Ranasa, all my wealth has come from looting people back when we were thieves and dacoits." Bhama Shah folded his hands, "Ever since I vowed by the Jain rules, I have neither used the sinful wealth nor do I wish to. But if Mewar used it to build an army, I would be relieved of my sins. This is my Mother; they are attacking, Ranaji." He smiled.
Rana Partap Singh agreed. There was a lot to be done, an army to rebuild, strategies to be made, and to use the rumours of his death among enemies well to his advantage. He needed Amar to lead a few smaller attacks on the camps, to establish the rumours as true. Once that was done, Akbar would surely move his troops out of Mewar, relieved that he was gone. The cost incurred for keeping them was high. They could then win back what was theirs. His head throbbed as he dismissed the court.
An injured Rana Partap let his wife take charge for a few days as she nursed him back to health. He shared with her his idea to keep the rumours of his death alive. Although she was disturbed, she listened eagerly to his opinion of using it to their advantage.
" I don't think Amar can be your heir." She said abruptly, dressing his wounds.
" What? Ajbante, he fought well in the battle and..."
" He said we are losing before it was lost, he said it was over. A king never..." She looked disturbed.
" Ajbante." He held her hand with his injured one. " Give him some time. Trust me, he is perfect. And..." He looked at her deteriorating health, worried. " Take care of yourself, too."
She smiled wearily, adding, " I am fine, here, take your medicines."
Gogunda had fallen to Maan Singh. Kumbhalgarh was his. Soon, he wanted to take over the entire Mewar. Consolidate it to the Timurids. Sitting in the fort of Anchalgarh, Maan Singh contemplated his success. He wanted to write to Akbar telling him the suspected news of the Rana's death was confirmed. Although they lost a few smaller camps near Kelwara, the army was significantly small, led by Amar Singh, and he was sure they could win it back soon. There was clamouring in the halls as soldiers rushed in.
" Gogunda has been attacked. There are fresh attacks at Mandalgarh, Kelwa and..." The soldier caught his breath as Maan Singh looked stunned.
"What do you mean..." He stood up. "I have to inform the..."
"They have been informed." The soldier spoke, lowering his head. He held out a scroll for Maan Singh to read.
The emperor was disappointed with his failure to protect camps and sent Shahbaz Khan alongside Bahlol Khan and his son Salim to Mewar instead. Maan Singh was to hand over command to Shahbaz Khan and leave. Maan Singh was tired of the constant conflict in Mewar.
" Partap is alive." Shahbaz Khan entered the chamber as Maan Singh looked stunned.
" What?" He asked, surprised. "That's impossible. I saw the soldiers kill him mercilessly at Haldighat."
"Did you?" Shahbaz Khan looked amused. "I have not met the Rana, but from what I hear, do you think it is possible to kill him that easily?" His question made Maan Singh realise his mistake. Shakti Singh had played him by identifying the body as that of his brother.
"What is your plan?" He asked as Shahbaz Khan looked confident. "I will set up a post at Kumbhalgarh. Something tells me he will definitely attack that fort first. To take back his capital." Maan Singh nodded and left, mentally making a note to write to Akbar that he was tired from the constant conflict in Mewar for the past five years since Haldighati, and it was time for him to move away. Perhaps, he could seek refuge in Anchalgarh and get involved in administrative work.
It is widely believed that after Haldighati, the Rana made a famous vow to his chieftains. He promised not to indulge in luxury, not to stay in palaces, not to sleep on a soft bed and mix a little grass into his Roti when he ate, as a reminder that he had to keep his vow to free Mewar. He promised to break the vow only when Chittorgarh was regained, and he kept it till his last breath. Folksongs of Mewar like Hari Ghas Ki Roti still sing praises of these vows. Within months, Rana Partap attacked several camps and won them back. He then marched to Dewair, in 1582 CE, a battleground very close to the battlefield of Haldighati, where he slew Bahlol Khan in two, alongside his horse. Shahbaz Khan led the attacks, and Amar Singh led one of the wings of the commanding army. The defeat was humiliating to the Timurid camp. They abandoned many smaller camps and fled, leaving the adjoining areas, and Partap continued his guerrilla warfare with the remaining. Akbar was deeply moved by the danger Salim was put in Mewar. He finally accepted that although he had managed to capture Chittor, Mewar was not in his fate. The Timurid allied armies were ordered to retreat from Mewar. Akbar had to accept that he couldn't kill or defeat Partap. The Mewaris praised and blessed their King; he was a true guardian and protector of their land. Kunwar Amar proved to be a worthy heir. Kunwar Shakti was now Rawat Shakta Singh Chundawat. He was made the Rawat of the Baasi area by an ever-grateful Rana Partap. His family continued to stay there and rule.
The Battle of Haldighati was only fought for four hours; the Timurids thought they had won it and killed Rana. Later, they knew they were wrong. The results of this battle were actually indecisive, while Akbar's accounts claimed it as a " Humiliating Victory" in history. No Battle was of so much influence on Akbar as this one, as he finally realised Rana Partap Singh was invincible. It was a battle that proved that the number of soldiers didn't win wars. Determination did. The land still stands witness to the brave hearts, and the museums still have the armour and statues of the Bravehearts.
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