The Battle of Haldighati was fought between the Armies Maharana Pratap and Akbar, in the pass of Haldighati, on 18 June 1576. The forces of Mewar was led by the Legendary Warrior Maharana Pratap with many other generals like, Ram Shaah Tomar from Gwalior, Bhil Rana Poonja, Jhala Maan, Hakim Khan Sur the Afghani General, Krishna Das Chundawat from Salumbar, leading the Hawaral Troops Bhim Singh Dodia and many more with 3000 troops accompanied by 300 Bhil Archers.
On the other side, Mughal army was led by Miraza Raja Maan Singh I of Amer, who was a undefeated warrior until he fought Battle of Haldighati, this was the first time when Maan Singh was a independent General leading mughal army.
Akbar played a very tactical game and wanted to take advantage of Maan singh and Mahrana Pratap’s enmity. Before this war, Akbar sent Mirza Raja Maan Singh I to meet Maharana Pratap and convince him to sign the treaty of acceptance of Mughal rule but Maharana Pratap disrespected Maan Singh and rejected the Treaty. After this Maan Singh was furious on Maharana.
Along with Maan Singh, Akbar sent his best general Sayyed Ahmad Khan Barah, Asaf Khan, Bahlol Khan, Al Badayuni, and many more with 10,000 troops.
The Battle of Haldighati
Maharana’s Army strengths was less in number in comparison to Mughal army. So Maharana decided to use guerilla warfare tactics as a result Maharana choose to fight in the pass of Haldighati.
Mughal Army started to march in the pass of Haldighati, and got a welcome message from the Mewar army standing on the next side of the pass, by killing the first wave Mughal army as a result mughal army decided to retreat. Many attempts were made but Mughals were not able to get into it.
It is mentioned by the Mughal war writer Al Badayuni, the first attack of Mewad Army was so brutal, that it made forced Mughal Army to retreated till the banks of Banas river.
During the retreat, Mewad Army started chasing the Mughal army and were exposed in an open land area. As it is said, the army with large number have a significant advantage when it comes to fight in an open and plain area. In between this, one of the Mughal soldier, Mihattar Khan, spread the false rumor that Akbar is coming to fight along with the large army of Ajmer.
The war was now started in the plain area, Maharana and Mughal general Bahlol Khan started one to one fight. It is said, Maharana Pratap tore Bahlol Khan into two parts along with his horse in a single blow. This made a Maharana Pratap a nightmare for the Mughal army and Badshaah Akbar.
Maharana Pratap saw Maan Singh sitting on the elephant name ‘Mardana’. Maharana pratap furiously started moving towards Maan Singh sitting on his Horse, ‘Chetak‘. Chetak Put his both legs on the head of the Maan Singh’s Elephant. Maharana attacked Maan Singh from his spear, but Maan Singh survived and the spear hit the Cabin of Maan Singh.
In this fight, the elephant of Maan Singh attacked Chetak with sword holding in its trunk. Resulted choped one of his leg and Maharana missed the target. After this attack, the Cabin of Maan Singh was destroyed and he fell down. The Army of Maan Singh started to attack Maharana and injured him severely.
As Maharana saw the legs of Chetak was chopped off and oozing blood. The Chetak was not able to fight run any more, he decided to save his life and wanted him to get out of the battle field. As Maharana Pratap started to take Chetak out of the battle field Mughal army stated chasing him. Chetak Jumped 18 Feet long canal.
After Maharana went out of the Battle, Jhala Bidda or Jhala Maan Singh took all the command under his control and Martyr while fighting.
Aftermath
According to Muntakhab-ul-Tawarikh (written by Al Badayuni), Mughal Army was larger in number as a result started gaining the victory. However, after this battle Mughal Army went to Gogunda, the temporary capital of Mewar during that time, and due to the fear of Mewad they build walls around it so that Mewad army don’t attack.
When Maharana was leaving the battle, Mughal army was so scared of him they didn’t even tried to chase him back. Mughal Army was so tired due to heat of summer. Al Badayuni said, they had constant fear of Mewar army during their stay in Gogunda.
Bhil warriors used to attack them day and night. This made the moral of the Mughal army very low.
Mewad army lost a battle but not the war. In long run, Mughals faced sever losses.
After this battle Akbar suspended Maan Singh from the court and said he don’t want to see his face ever. Now ask yourself, which king will treat his general if he wins a war for him. Mewad Army didn’t defeated Mughals in the Battle of Haldighati not Mughals won the battle. It was inconclusive, and in long run Maharana Pratap regained all 36 out posts of Mewar Back.
Click Here to read some more related articles on our website
