Chandrasen Rathore

Chandrasen Rathore (r. 1562–1581) was an Indian ruler of Marwar (in the present day Rajasthan state of India). He was the third son of Maldeo Rathore, who broke the Rajput tradition of primogeniture by naming Chandrasen as his successor. Chandrasen followed his father's policy and stayed hostile to the ruling foreign powers in India. He defended his kingdom for nearly two decades against relentless attacks from the Mughal Empire.[1]

Chandrasen Rathore
Rao Chandrasen Rathore
Ruler of Marwar
Reign7 November 1562 – 1581
PredecessorMaldeo Rathore
SuccessorUdai Singh
Born1541
Died1581(1581-00-00) (aged 39–40)
SpouseSisodni Rani (Mewar princess)
IssueRai Singh
Askaran
Agrasen
DynastyRathore
FatherMaldeo Rathore
MotherRani Jhali Swarup Deviji

In 1562, Chandrasen's elder brother Ramchandra took the aid of Akbar and invaded Jodhpur. Chandrasen Rathore was reluctant to fight as his father's ashes had not been immersed yet. Ramchandra occupied Jodhpur and was recognized as its raja by Akbar. Chandrasen waited till the mourning period had passed. He then led an army towards Jodhpur and defeated Ramchandra. Chandrasen Rathore crowned himself in Jodhpur and ousted his brothers, Udai Singh and Ramchandra out of Marwar. Akbar took advantage of these internal disputes, and with the help of the rajas of Bikaner and Amer, fought Chandrasen in several battles.[2]

In 1564, Hussain Quli Khan-i-Jahan captured Jodhpur. Chandrasen was forced to retreat to Bhadrajun.[3][4] Chandrasen Rathore continued to defy Mughal suzerainty by attacking the imperial forces every now and then. He also succeeded in establishing himself in the northern part of Marwar. However he failed to consolidate his position and lost both men and material. He was forced to sell his family's heirlooms in order to continue his struggle.[5][6]

In 1570, Akbar hosted the Nagaur Durbar. Chandrasen attended the court but left without the permission of the emperor after disagreeing to his demands.[7]

In 1571 the fort of Bhadrajun was put to siege and captured. Chandrasen escaped to Siwana.[8][9] The same year Rao Chandrasen was welcomed by Rana Udai Singh II of Mewar and his daughter was married to the Rao. After the matrimonial alliance Chandrasen attacked several Mughal outposts with renewed vigour.[10] The situation however changed after Rana Udai Singh's death in 1572. Rana Pratap, who succeeded to the throne, refused to help Chandrasen as he was himself faced with many problems. Disappointed by these developments Chandrasen left Mewar.

In 1575 a powerful Mughal operation was launched against Chandrasen under Shah Quli Khan, Rai Singh, Keshav Das and Shahbaz Khan.[11]

In 1576 the powerful fort of Siwana which served as Chandrasen's capital was captured by the Mughals.[12]

Chandrasen made attempts to ask his brother in-law, Rawal Askaran of Dungarpur for help. However Askaran had already submitted to the Mughals and refused.[13][14] Chandrasen was forced to move from one place to another. Rawal Askaran informed of these events to the Mughal emperor who appointed Payanda Khan and Sayyid Qasim to punish Chandrasen (1580). Chandrasen by this time was left with just a few hundred loyal companions and was unable to face the imperial army. He was forced to retreat to the mountain defiles of Sarand[15][16][17]

Chandrasen made Sojat his capital and rallied his clansmen, he used the hills of Sarand to continue his war against the Mughal empire. Chandrasen continued his struggle until his death in 1581 at Pali, after which Marwar was brought under direct Mughal administration, and in August 1583 Akbar restored the throne of Marwar to Udai Singh.[18]

Preceded by
Maldeo Rathore		 Rulers of Marwar (Jodhpur)
The Rathore Dynasty
7 November 1562 – 1565		 Succeeded by
Udai Singh

References
  1. Bose, Melia Belli (2015). Royal Umbrellas of Stone: Memory, Politics, and Public Identity in Rajput Funerary Art. BRILL. p. 150. ISBN 978-9-00430-056-9.
  2. Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II By Satish Chandra pg.106
  3. Akbarnama, II, pg.358
  4. Jodhpur Khyat pg. 87
  5. Tuzuk-i-Jehangiri pg. 285
  6. Vir Vinod II pg.814
  7. Medieval India: From Sultanate to the Mughals Part - II pg-120, by Satish Chandra
  8. Akbarnama III pg. 80
  9. Jodhpur Khyat pg. 80
  10. Vigat II pg.63-65
  11. Akbarnama III pg. 80-82
  12. Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II pg-120, by Satish Chandra
  13. Jodhpur Khyat pg.118-119
  14. Vir Vinod II pg.114, 814-815
  15. Akbarnama III, pg. 318-319
  16. Jodhpur Khyat pg. 119
  17. Vir Vinod II, pg. 814
  18. Sarkar, J.N. (1984, reprint 1994). A History of Jaipur, New Delhi: Orient Longman, ISBN 81-250-0333-9, p.41
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.