Rana Sanga: Biography, Reign, War and Controversy

Why in News?

Recently, a controversial statement by a Rajya Sabha MP regarding the brave ruler Rana Sanga has sparked widespread outrage in Rajasthan. Honoring Rana Sanga’s bravery and generosity, various political parties have raised objections to the remarks.

Detailed Introduction of Maharana Sanga

Maharana Sangram Singh, known as Rana Sanga, was one of the greatest Rajput rulers of the 16th century. He was famous for his bravery and leadership. He protected his kingdom and challenged foreign invaders. His courage and political skills are still remembered in history.

• Birth: Rana Sanga was born on 12th April 1484 in the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar.
• Family: His father, Rana Raimal, was the ruler of Mewar, known for his bravery. Rana Raimal had four sons — Prithviraj, Jaimal, Sesha, and Rana Sanga. After Rana Raimal’s death, the brothers started fighting for the throne.
  • Prithviraj, the eldest brother, wanted power so badly that he tried to kill Rana Sanga. In this fight, Sanga lost one eye and one arm. Jaimal and Sesha also supported this plan. Despite family betrayal, Sanga became stronger.
• Personal Life: Rana Sanga’s wife was Rani Karnavati, known for her courage and wisdom. 
  • He had four sons — Ratan Singh II, Uday Singh II, Bhoj Raj, and Vikramaditya Singh.
  • Some historical records mention that Rana Sanga had 22 wives.
• Rise to Power: Rana Sanga never let his physical disabilities weaken him. While hiding in Ajmer, he united powerful Rajput leaders. His bravery gained people’s trust.
  • In 1509, after his brother Prithviraj’s death, the struggle for the throne began again. This time, Sanga had support from loyal soldiers and Rajput leaders. With the help of Karmchand Panwar, a close supporter from Ajmer, Rana Sanga won the throne and made Mewar powerful.
• Political Skills: Gaining power was one thing, but maintaining it was a bigger challenge. Rana Sanga was skilled in both war and diplomacy.
  • Uniting different Rajput rulers in Rajputana was difficult, but Sanga made it possible. He taught Rajputs the importance of unity against foreign invaders.
  • He defeated the Lodi dynasty of Delhi and challenged the Sultans of Malwa and Gujarat. He also fought against Babur with the support of Rajput forces.
• Personality: Rana Sanga was not just a warrior; he was an inspiring ruler.
  • Despite losing one eye, one arm, and one leg, he always led his army from the front. His courage was so great that even his enemies respected him.
  • His body had more than 80 wounds from battles. Yet, his determination never broke.
  • He cared deeply for his people. Even during wars, he maintained peace and prosperity in his kingdom. His people felt safe under his rule.
  • Rana Sanga maintained the pride of Rajputana. He preferred to die fighting rather than surrender to foreign invaders.

Reign of Rana Sanga

Maharana Sangram Singh (Rana Sanga) ruled Mewar from 1509 to 1528. During his rule, he fought many battles against different kingdoms and won most of them. He transformed Mewar into a strong and united state.

• At that time, many neighboring kingdoms wanted to capture Mewar. But Rana Sanga used smart diplomacy and war skills to defeat them. Under his rule, Mewar’s kingdom expanded greatly:
  • North: Up to the Sutlej River in Punjab.
  • South: Up to the Narmada River after conquering Malwa.
  • West: Up to the Indus River.
  • East: Up to Bayana, Bharatpur, and Gwalior.
• He formed a Rajput Confederacy with 7 kings, 9 chieftains, and 104 nobles. His army had 80,000 cavalry, 500 war elephants, and 1 lakh soldiers.
• Rana Sanga first tested his strength against the Malwa Sultanate. He united Rajput rebels and defeated Malwa’s army. He captured Mahmud Khilji, the ruler of Malwa.
• After winning in Malwa, he challenged the growing power of Gujarat’s Sultan, Muzaffar Shah. He stopped Gujarat from expanding into Mewar.
• Ibrahim Lodi, the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, attacked Mewar many times. Each time, Rana Sanga defeated him with his military skills. 
• His war strategies included fast cavalry, surprise attacks, and exploiting enemy weaknesses. He fought over 100 battles and won most of them.

Major Battles Fought by Rana Sanga

• Battle of Khatoli (1517): 
  • The Battle of Khatoli was fought in 1517 between Rana Sanga and Ibrahim Lodi. Lodi wanted to stop the rising power of the Rajputs. However, his army faced strong resistance in Mewar.
  • In this fierce battle, Rana Sanga defeated Ibrahim Lodi. But he lost one arm and one leg. Despite his injuries, his courage remained strong. This victory boosted Rajput power in North India.
• Battle of Dholpur (1519): After losing at Khatoli, Ibrahim Lodi attacked Mewar again in 1519. This time, he allied with the Sultan of Malwa to crush the Rajputs. But Rana Sanga’s bravery and strategy defeated this alliance. Lodi’s army was forced to retreat to Agra.
• Battle of Idar (1520):
  • In 1520, Malik Hussain, the Sultan of Gujarat, attacked Rajputana’s borders. The Battle of Idar happened when Gujarat tried to capture Mewar.
  • Rana Sanga defeated Gujarat’s army and pushed them back to Ahmedabad. After winning, he captured Gujarat’s wealth.
• Battle of Gagron (1520):
  • The Battle of Gagron was fought between Rana Sanga and Mahmud Khilji II, the Sultan of Malwa. Gujarat’s army supported Malwa.
  • Rana Sanga’s army used surprise attacks to destroy the enemy. He captured Mahmud Khilji, but treated him with respect. He returned to his kingdom but kept Mahmud’s son as a hostage in Chittorgarh.
• Battle of Bayana (1527):
  • In 1527, the Battle of Bayana was fought between Rana Sanga and Babur, the Mughal ruler. The commander of Bayana, Nizam Khan, refused to accept Babur’s authority.
  • Babur sent his army to capture the fort but failed. Rana Sanga took this chance to attack Babur’s army and defeated them. This battle showed Sanga’s strategic skills.
• Battle of Khanwa (1527):
  • The Battle of Khanwa was a decisive battle fought between Rana Sanga and Babur in 1527. Rana Sanga wanted to unite India against foreign invaders. He believed that Babur would leave India after looting, like Taimur.
  • However, Babur inspired his army by declaring Jihad (holy war) and used cannons in the battle. Despite fighting bravely, Rana Sanga’s army was weakened by Babur’s superior artillery.
  • The defeat at Khanwa weakened Rajput power. It also gave the Mughal Empire a chance to dominate North India.

Death and Succession of Rana Sanga

• Death: During the Battle of Khanwa (1527) against Babur, Rana Sanga was seriously injured by an arrow. Some accounts say he was later poisoned by someone in his own court. He died on 30 January 1528. His death was a great loss to Rajputana and its glorious era.
• Succession: After his death, his son Ratan Singh II became the ruler. However, he could not match his father’s military skills or leadership. The major Rajput clans became divided. This gave the Mughal Empire a chance to expand in North and Central India.

After the defeat at Khanwa and Rana Sanga’s death, Babur decided to settle permanently in India. He strengthened his hold over Delhi, Agra, and other parts of North India. With Rana Sanga’s death, an era of bravery, sacrifice, and freedom came to an end.

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