Silhadi

Silhadi has been variously described as of Gahlot, Sisodia, Tomar or Puar ancestry. His association with the Gahlots and Sisodias (a branch of Gahlots) is probably a result of his marriage into the Sisodia ruling family of Mewar. However, he most probably belonged to the Tomar clan, and came from the Tonwarghar tract located to the north of Gwalior.[7]

Silhadi has also been described as a Purbiya Rajput, but the term "Purbiya" here is not a clan name. He commanded a mercenary force of Rajputs from the eastern region (Purab), which included Awadh, Bihar and the area around Varanasi. These soldiers were called Purbiya (eastern), and therefore, Silhadi was described as a Purbiya too.[7]The Purbiya or eastern rajputs were regarded as Pseudo rajputs by their western counterparts.[8]

Along with his relative Medini Rai,[9] Silhadi rose to positions of power in the service of Sultan Mahmood Khilji II (ruled 1510-1531) of the Malwa Sultanate. Medini Rai and Silhadi were de facto rulers of the northeastern Malwa region during Mahmood’s reign. Bhilsa, Chanderi and Raisen were their strongholds. At one time they had become so powerful that they seemed to start open rebellion. But in any ways they became semi-independent regions.

Both Silhadi and Rai assisted by Rana Sanga of Mewar manage to conquer most of the Malwa.Chanderi was capital of Medini rai's kingdom Malwa now under lordship of Sanga.[10] While Silhadi establish himself as lord of Sarangpur and Raisen region as a vassal ruler of Rana Sanga.[4] He remained a decisive factor in the politics of north and central India during his life and was responsible for sinking the fortunes of many kings by his sudden defections. He gained everlasting notoriety by betraying Sanga in the Battle of Khanwa and causing the Rajput Confederacy defeat. He joined the Mughals with a garrison of 30,000 Rajputs.[11][12] After betraying Rana Sanga, Silhadi converted to Islam and was given the name "Silah-al-din".[13] According to some historians this betrayal never happened and was a later concoction.[6]

In 1531, Bahadur Shah of Gujarat reached Dhár, hearing that Silhadi kept in captivity certain women who had belonged to the harem of Sultán Násir-ud-dín of Málwa, Bahádur marched against him and forced him to surrender and embrace Islám. The chief secretly sent to the Rána of Chitor for aid and delayed handing over Raisen. On learning this Bahádur dispatched a force to keep Chitor in check and pressed the siege. At his own request, Silhadi was sent to persuade the garrison to surrender. But their reproaches stung him so sharply, that, joining with them, they sallied forth sword in hand and were all slain.[14]