Character of Rana Bikramajit

Rana Bikramajit succeeded his brother Rana Ratan Singh. This prince had all the aggressiveness of his race, without the redeeming qualities which had endeared his brother to his subjects.

Rana Bikramajit was insolent, passionate, vindictive, and utterly regardless of the respect due to his proud nobles. Instead of appearing at their head, he passed his time amongst wrestlers and prize-fighters, on whom, and a multitude of paiks, or foot soldiers. Rana Bikramajit lavished gifts and favors on his foot soldier instead of aristocratic Rajputs, the equestrian order of Rajasthan.

Military Innovation

In this innovation he probably imitated his foes, who had learnt the value of infantry. The use of artillery was now becoming general, and the Moslems had perceived the necessity of foot for its protection.

But, except in sieges, the Rajput despised the new arm, preferring to fall with dignity from his horse, rather than to descend to equality with his foot soldier antagonist. An open rupture between Rana Bikramajit and his nobles was the consequence of such an innovation.

Battle with Sultan of Gujarat

Bahadur, Sultan of Gujarat, determined to take advantage of the Rajput divisions, and to revenge the disgrace of his predecessor’s defeat. Reinforced by the troops of Mandu, he marched against the Rana Bikramajit, then encamped in the Bundi territory.

Though the force was overwhelming, yet, with the high courage belonging to his house, Rana Bikramajit did not hesitate to give battle but his foot soldiers were unable to withstand the Sultan attack. Rana Bikramajit vassals and kin marched off in a body to defend Chittor and the posthumous son of Rana Sanga, still an infant.

Seige of Chittor

There is sanctity in the very name of Chittor, which from the earliest times never failed to secure her defenders. Every Chieftain forgot even bitterest of the feud when “barbarian,” threaten them. Every chieftain who could claim kinship with the house of Mewar came to pour out his blood in defence of the abode of his fathers. “The son of Bundi ” came with a brave band of 500 Hadas; the heir of Surajmal brought a strong force of auxiliaries, as did also the chiefs of Sonigura and Deora, the Raos of Jhalawar and Abu, and many others from all parts of Rajasthan.

The Rajput made the most powerful effort to defend Chittor. Sultan of Gujarat bought European artillerists for the subjugation of Chittor. The Sultan of Gujarat brought with him engineer named Labri Khan of Frengan. Soon he sprung a mine at the Bika Rock, which blew up forty-five cubits of the ramparts. Guarding the wall, the Brave Hada instantaneous got killed. Rajput bravely defended the breach, and repelled many assaults.

To set an example of courageous devotion, the queen-mother, Jawahi Bai, clad in armour, headed a sally. She died in the battle. Still the besiegers gained ground, and the last council convened was to concert means to save the infant son of Rana Sanga from his imminent peril.

Only Royalty can defend Chittor.  Surajmal, the prince of Deola was hurriedly appointed as ruler of Mewar. The banner of Mewar floated over him  amid the shouts of the defenders.

Fall of Chittor

The prince of Bundi took the responsibility of safety of infant Udai Singh . Garrison put on their saffron robes while women collected materials for the jauhar. There was little time for the pyre. The bravest had fallen in defending the breach, now completely exposed. Combustibles were quickly heaped in reservoirs and magazines excavated in the rock, under which gunpowder was strewed.

Kurnavati, mother of the prince, led the procession of women to Jauhar. Soon rajput thrown open the gates and the Deola chief, at the head of the survivors, with a blind and impotent despair, rushed on his fate.

Horrid spectacle appalled Bahadur which the interior of the fortress presented. Every clan lost its chief, and the choicest of its warriors. During the siege and in the storm 32,000 Rajputs were slain. This was the second sack of Chittor.

Humayun help Chittor

Humayun had received the gift of the “rakhi” bracelet from Queen Kurnavati, he therefore pledged to champion her cause. The advance of Humayun forced sultan of Gujarat to leave Chittor within a fortnight.

He was so pleased at receiving the bracelet from the princess Kurnavati, which invested him with the title of her brother, and protector to her infant Udai Singh, that he pledged himself to her service. Kurnavati demanded the fulfillment of the pledge after the siege of Chittor.

Humayun proved himself a true knight, and even abandoned his conquests in Bengal to save Chittor. He expelled the troops of Bahadur from the city. He assaulted and captured Mandu as a punishment for the part her chief had played in allying himself with the king of Gujarat.

Rana Bikramajit, though restored to his capital, had gained nothing by adversity. He renewed all his former insolence to his nobles. Soon he slapped in open court Karamchand of Ajmer, the protector of his father, Sanga, in his misfortunes. The assembly of nobles imprisoned Bikramajit and straightway went to Banbir, the natural son of Sanga’s brother Prithvi Raj, and offered to seat him on the throne of Chittor.

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