Mewar 11: Banishment of the Charans - Revision history

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This page is an extract from <br/>
ANNALS AND ANTIQUITIES <br/>
OF <br/>
'''RAJASTHAN '''<br/>

OR THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN <br/>
RAJPUT STATES OF INDIA <br/>

By <br/>
LIEUT.-COL. JAMES TOD <br/>
Late Political Agent to the Western Rajput States <br/>

Edited with an Introduction and Notes by <br/>
WILLIAM CROOKE, CIE. <br/>
Hon. D.Sc. Oxon., B.A., F.R.A.l. <br/>
Late of the Indian Civil Service <br/>

In Three Volumes <br/>
VOL. IV: ANNALS OF MEWAR<br/>
[The Annals were completed in 1829]<br/>

HUMPHREY MILFORD <br/>
Oxford University Press <br/>
London Edinburgh Glasgow New York <br/>
Toronto Melbourne Bombay <br/>
1920 [The edition scanned] <br/>
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Note: This article is likely to contain several spelling mistakes that occurred during scanning. If these errors are reported as messages to the Facebook page, [http://www.facebook.com/Indpaedia Indpaedia.com] your help will be gratefully acknowledged.

=Mewar 11: Banishment of the Charans=
==Banishment of the Charans==

There has always been a jealousy
between the Mangtas, as they term all classes ' who extend the,'
palm,' whether Brahmans, Yatis, Charans, or Bhats ; but since
Hamir, the Charan influence had far eclipsed the rest. A Brahman
astrologer predicted Kumbha's death through a Charan, and as
the class had given other cause of offence, Kumbha banished
the fraternity his dominions, resuming all their lands : a strong
measure in those days, and which few would have had nerve to
attempt or firmness to execute. The heir-apparent, Raemall,
who was exiled to Idar for what his father deemed an impertinent
curiosity,3 had attached one of these bards to his suite, whose
ingenuity got the edict set aside, and his race restored to their
lands and the prince's favour. Had they taken off the Brahman's
head, they might have falsified the prediction which unhappily
was too soon fulfilled.4
1 Jodha laid the foundation of his new capital in S. 1515 [a.d. 1459], ten
years anterior to the event we are recording.
2 [See p. 268 above.]
3 He had observed that his father, ever since the victory over the king at
Jhunjhunu, before he took a seat, thrice waved his sword in circles over his
head, pronouncing at the same time some incantation. Inquiry into the
meaning of this was the cause of his banishment.
4 During the rains of 1820, when the author was residing at Udaipur, the
Rana fell ill.; his complaint was an intermittent (which for several years
returned with the monsoon), at the same time that he was jaundiced with

==Rana araemall, A.D. 1473-1508==
Raemall succeeded in S. 1530
(A.d. 1474) by his own valour to the seat of Kumbha. He had
fought and defeated the usurper, who on this occasion fied to the
king of Delhi and offered him a daughter of Mewar. After his
death in the manner described, the Delhi monarch, with Sahasmall
[292] and Surajmall, sons of the parricide, invaded Mewar, encamp
ing at Siarh, now Nathdwara. The chiefs were faithful to their
legitimate prince, Raemall, and aided by his allies of Abu and
Girnar, at the head of fifty-eight thousand horse and eleven
thousand foot, he gave battle to the pretender and his imperial
ally at Ghasa. The conflict was ferocious. ' The streams ran
blood,' for the sons of the usurper were brave as lions ; but the
king was so completely routed that he never again entered Mewar.

Raemall bestowed one daughter on Surji (Yadu), the chief of
Girnar ; and another on the Deora, Jaimall of Sirohi, confirming
his title to Abu as her dower. He sustained the warlike reputa
tion of his predecessors, and carried on interminable strife with
Ghiyasu-d-din of Malwa, whom he defeated in several pitched
battles, to the success of which the valour of his nephews, whom
he had pardoned, mainly contributed. In the last of these
encounters the Khilji king sued for peace, renouncing the pre
tensions he had formerly urged." 1 The dynasty of Lodi next
enjoyed the imperial bauble, and with it Mewar had to contest
her northern boundary.

==The Sons of Rana Raemall==
Raemall had three sons, celebrated
bile. An intriguing Brahman, who managed the estates of the Rana's
eldest sister, held also the twofold office of physician and astrologer to the
Rana. He had predicted that year as one of evil in his horoscope, and was
about to verify the prophecy, since, instead of the active medicines requisite,
he was admijiistering the Haft dhat, or ' seven metals,' compounded. Having
a most sincere regard for the Rana's welfare, the author seized the opportunity
of a full court being assembled on the distribution of swords and coco-nuts
preparatory to the military festival, to ask a personal favour. The Rana,
smillng, said that it was granted, when he was entreated to leave off the
poison he was taking. He did so ; the amendment was soon visible, and,
aided by the medicines of Dr. Duncan, which he readily took, his complaint
was speedily cured. The ' man of fate and physic ' lost half his estates,
which he had obtained through intrigue. He was succeeded by Amra the
bard, who is not hkely to ransack the pharmacopoeia for such poisonous
ingredients ; his ordinary prescription being the ' amrit.'

1 [Ferishta does not mention these campaigns (iv. 236 ff.), and Ghiyasu-d
dln (a.d. 1469-99) is said to have spent his life in luxury and never to have
left his palace {BG, i. Part i. 362 ff.).]
in the annals of Rajasthan : Sanga, the competitor of Babiir,
Prithiraj, the Rolando of his age, and Jaimall, Unhappily for
the country and their father's repose, fraternal affection was
discarded for deadly hate, and their feuds and dissensions were a
source of constant alarm. Had discord not disunited them, the
reign of Raemall would have equalled any of his predecessors.
As it was, it presented a striking contrast to them : his two elder
sons banished ; the first, Sanga, self-exiled from perpetual fear
of his life, and Prithiraj, the second, from his turbulence ; while
the youngest, Jaimall, was slain through his intemperance. A
sketch of these feuds will present a good picture of the Rajput
character, and their mode of life when their arms were not required
against their country's foes.

Sanga 1 and Prithiraj were the offspring of the .Jhali queen ;
Jaimall was by another mother. What moral influence the name
he bore had on Prithiraj we can surmise only from his actions,
which would stand comparison with those of his prototype [293]
the Chauhan of Delhi, and are yet the delight of the Sesodia.
When they assemble at the feast after a day's sport, or in a sultry
evening spread the carpet on the terrace to inhale the leaf or take
a cup of kusumbha,2 a tale of Prithiraj recited by the bard is the
highest treat they can enjoy. Sanga, the heir-apparent, was a
contrast to his brother. Equally brave, his courage was tempered
by reflection ; while Prithiraj burned with a perpetual thirst for
action, and often observed " that fate must have intended him
to rule Mewar." The three brothers, with their uncle, Surajmall,
were one day discussing these topics, when Sanga observed that,
though heir to ' the ten thousand towns ' of Mewar, he would
waive his claims, and trust them, as did the Roman brothers, to
the omen which should be given by the priestess of Charani Devi
at Nahra Magra,3 the ' Tiger's Mount.' They repaired to her
abode. Prithiraj and Jaimall entered first, and seated themselves
on a pallet : Sanga followed and took possession of the panther
hide of the prophetess ; his uncle, Surajmall, with one knee
resting thereon. Scarcely had Prithiraj disclosed their errand,
when the sibyl pointed to the panther-hide 4 as the decisive omen
1 His name classically is Sangram Singh, ' the Hon of war.'
2 [Infusion of opium.]
3 About ten miles east of Udaipur.
4 Singhasan is the ancient term for the Hindu throne, signifying ' the
of sovereignty to Sanga, with a portion to his uncle. They re
ceived the decree as did the twins of Rome. Prithiraj drew his
sword and would have falsified the omen, had not Surajmall
stepped in and received the blow destined for Sanga, while the
prophetess fled from their fury. Surajmall and Prithiraj were
exliausted with wounds, and Sanga fled with five sword-cuts and
an arrow in His eye, which destroyed the sight for ever. He made
for the sanctuary of Chaturbhuja, and passing Sivanti, took
refuge with Bida (Udawat), who was accoutred for a journey, his
steed standing by him. Scarcely had he assisted the wounded heir
of Mewar to alight when Jaimall gaUoped up in pursuit. The
Rathor guarded the sanctuary, and gave up his life in defence of
his guest, who meanwhile escaped.

==Retirement of Sanga==

Prithiraj recovered from his wounds ;
and Sanga, aware of his implacable enmity, had recourse to many
expedients to avoid discovery. He, who at a future period leagued
a hundred thousand men against the descendant of Timur, was
compelled to associate with goat-herds, expelled the peasant's
abode as too stupid [294] to tend his cattle, and, precisely like our
Alfred the Great, having in charge some cakes of flour, was re
proached with being more desirous of eating than tending them.
A few faithful Rajputs found him in this state, and, providing him
with arms and a horse, they took service with Rao Karamchand,
Pramar, chief of Srinagar,"1 and with him ' ran the country.'
After one of these raids, Sanga one day alighted under a banian
tree, and placing his dagger under his head, reposed, while two
of his faithful Rajputs, whose names are preserved,2 prepared his
rcfjast, their steeds grazing by them. A ray of the sun penetrating
the foliage, fell on Sanga's face, and discovered a snake, which,
feeling the warmth, had uncoiled itself and was rearing its crest
over the head of the exile : 3 a bird of omen 4 had perched itself
lion-seat.' Charans, bards, who are all Maharajas, ' great princes,' by
courtesy, have their seats of the hide of the lion, tiger, panther, or black
antelope.
1 Nearly ten miles south-east of Ajmer.
2 Jai Singh Baleo and Jaimu Sindhal.
3 [A common folk-tale, told of Malhar Rao Holkar and many other
princes (Crooke, Popular Religion Northern India, ii. 142 ; Malcolm, Memoir
of Central India, 2nd ed. i. 143 f. ; E. S. Hartland, Ritual and Belief, 323 f.).]
4 Called the devi, about the size of the wagtail, and like it, black and
white.
on the crested serpent, and was chattering aloud. A goat-herd
named Maru, ' versed in the language of birds,' passed at the
moment Sanga awoke. The prince repelled the proffered homage
of the goat-herd, who, however, had intimated to the Pramara
chief that he was served by ' royalty.' 1 The Pramara kept the
secret, and gave Sanga a daughter to wife, and protection till the
tragical end of his brother called him to the throne.

==' The Adventures of Prithiraj==

When the Rana heard of the
quarrel which had nearly deprived him of his heir, he banished
Prithiraj, telling him that he might live on his bravery and main
tain himself with strife. With but five horse 2 Prithiraj quitted
the paternal abode, and made for Bali in Godwar. These dis
sensions following the disastrous conclusion of the last reign,
paralysed the country, and the wild tribes of the west and the
mountaineers of the Aravalli so little respected the garrison of
Nadol (the chief town of Godwar), that they carried their depreda
tions to the plains. Prithiraj halted at Nadol, and having to
procure some necessaries pledged a ring to the merchant who had
sold it to him ; the merchant recognized the prince, and learning
the cause of his disguise, proffered his services in the scheme
which the prince had in view for the restoration of order in God
war, being determined to evince to his father that he had resources
independent of birth. The Minas were the aboriginal proprietors
of all these regions ; the Rajputs were interlopers and conquerors.
A Rawat of this tribe had regained their ancient haunts, and held
his petty court at the [295] town of Narlai in the plains, and was
even served by Rajputs. By the advice of Ojha, the merchant,
Prithiraj enlisted himself and his band among the adherents of
the Mina. On the Aheria, or ' hunter's festival,' the vassals have
leave to rejoin their famUies. Prithiraj, who had also obtained
leave, rapidly retraced his steps, and despatching his Rajputs
to dislodge the Mina, awaited the result in ambush at the gate of
the town. In a short time the Mina appeared on horseback, and
in full flight to the mountains for security. Prithiraj pm-sued,
overtook, and transfixed him with his lance to a kesula tree, and
setting fire to the village, he slew the Minas as they sought to
escape the flames. Other towns shared the same fate, and all the
1 Chhatrdhari.
2 The names of his followers were, Jasa Sindhal, Sangam (Dahhi), Abha,
Jaiia, and a Badel Rathor.
province of Godwar, with the exception of Desuri, a stronghold
of the Madrecha Chauhans, fell into his power. At this time
Sada Solanki, whose ancestor had escaped the destruction of
Patan and found refuge in these mountainous tracts, held Sodh
garh. He had espoused a daughter of the Madrecha, but the grant
of Desuri and its lands 1 in perpetuity easUy gained him to the
cause of Prithiraj .

Prithiraj having thus restored order in Godwar, and appointed
Ojha and the Solanki to the government thereof, regained the
confidence of his father ; and his brother Jaimall being slain at
this time, accelerated his forgiveness and recall. Ere he rejoins
Raemall we will relate the manner of this event. Jaimall was
desirous to obtain the hand of Tara Bai, daughter of Rao Surthan,2
who had been expelled Toda by the Pathans. The price of her
hand was the recovery of this domain : but Jaimall, willing to
anticipate the reward, and rudely attempting access to the fair,
was slain by the indignant father. The quibbling remark of the
bard upon this event is that " Tara was not the star (tara) of his
destiny." At the period of this occurrence Sanga was in conceal
ment, Prithiraj banished, and Jaimall consequently looked to
as the heir of Mewar. The Rana, when incited to revenge, replied
with a magnanimity which deserves to be recorded, " that he who
had thus dared to insult the honour of a [296] father, and that
father in distress, richly merited his fate " ; and in proof of his
disavowal of such a son he conferred on the Solanki the district
of Radnor.

==Prithiraj recalled==

This event led to the recall of Prithiraj,
who eagerly took up the gage disgraced by his brother. The
adventure was akin to his taste. The exploit which won the
hand of the fair Amazon, who, equipped with bow and quiver,
subsequently accompanied him in many perilous enterprises,
will be elsewhere related.

1 The grant in the preamble denounces a curse on any of Prithiraj's
descendants who should resume it. I have often conversed with this
descendant, who held Sodhgarh and its lands, which were never resumed by
the princes of Chitor, though they reverted to Marwar. The chief still
honours the Rana, and many lives have been sacrificed to maintain his
claims, and with any prospect of success he would not hesitate to offer
his own.
2 This is a genuine Hindu name, ' the Hero's refuge,' from sur, ' a warrior,'
and thari, ' an abode.'
Surajmall (the uncle), who had fomented these quarrels, re
solved not to belie the prophetess if a crown lay in his path. The
claims acquired from his parricidal parent were revived when
Mewar had no sons to look to, Prithiraj on his return renewed
the feud with Surajmall, whose ' vaulting ambition ' persuaded
him that the crown was his destiny, and he plunged deep into
treason to obtain it. He joined as partner in his schemes Sarang
deo, another descendant of Lakha Rana, and both repaired to
Muzaffar, the sultan of Malwa.1 With his aid they assailed the
southern frontier, and rapidly possessed themselves of Sadri,
Bataro, and a wide tract extending from Nai to Nimach, attempt
ing even Chi tor. With the few troops at hand Raemall descended
to punisii the rebels, who met the attack on the river Gambhir.2
The Rana, fighting like a common soldier, had received two-and
twenty wounds, and was nearly falling through faintness, when
Prithiraj joined him with one thousand fresh horse, and reanimated
the battle. He selected his uncle Surajmall, whom he soon
covered with wounds. Many had fallen on both sides, but neither
party would yield ; when worn out they mutually retired from
the field, and bivouacked in sight of each other.

==Interview between Prithiraj and Surajmall==
It will show the
manners and feelings so peculiar to the Rajput, to describe the
unique in the
details of strife, perhaps, since the origin of man. It is taken
from a HIS. of the Jhala chief who succeeded Surajmall in Sadri.
Prithiraj visited his uncle, whom he found in a small tent reclining
on a pallet, having just had ' the barber ' (nai) to sew up his
wounds. He rose, and met his nephew with the customary
respect, as if nothing unusual had occurred ; but the exertion
caused some of the wounds to open afresh, when the following
dialogue ensued :

Prithiraj,_" Well, uncle, how are your wounds ? "
Surajmall," Quite healed, my child, since I have the pleasure
of seeing you " [297].

Prithiraj" But, uncle (kaka), I have not yet seen the
Diwanji. 3 I first ran to see you, and I am very hungry ; have
you anything to eat ? "
1 [There is an error here : there was no contemporary Sultan of Malwa
of this name.] 2 Near Chitor.
3 ' Regent ' ; the title the Rana is most famiharly known by.
Dinner was soon served, and the extraordinary pair sat down
and ' ate off the same platter ' ; 1 nor did Prithiraj hesitate to
eat the pan,"2 presented on his taking leave.
Prithiraj,_" You and I will end our battle in the morning,
uncle,"
Surajmall.____" Very well, child ; come early ! "

They met ; but Sarangdeo bore the brunt of the conflict, re
ceiving thirty -five wounds. During "four gharis ' swords and
lances were plied, and every tribe of Rajput lost numbers that
day " ; but the rebels were defeated and fled to Sadri, and
Prithiraj returned in triumph, though with seven woimds, to
Chitor. The rebels, however, did not relinquish their designs,
and many personal encounters took place between the uncle and
nephew : the latter saying he would not let him retain " as much
land of Mewar as would cover a needle's point " ; and Suja 4
retorting, that he would allow his nephew to redeem only as
much " as would suffice to lie upon." But Prithiraj gave them
no rest, piu-suing them from place to place. In the wilds of
Batara they formed a stockaded retreat of the dhao tree, 5 which
abounds in these forests. Within this shelter, horses and men
were intermingled : Suja and his coadjutor communing by the
night-fire in their desperate plight, when their cogitations were
checked by the rush and neigh of horses. Scarcely had the
pretender exclaimed " This must be my nephew ! " when Prithiraj
dashed his steed through the barricade and entered with his troops.
All was confusion, and the sword showered its blows indiscrimin
ately. The young prince reached his uncle, and dealt him a blow
which would have levelled him, but for the support of Sarangdeo,
who upbraided him, adding that " a buffet now was more than a
score of wovmds in former days " : to which Suja rejoined, " only
when dealt by my nephew's hand." Suja demanded a parley ;
and calling on the prince to stop the combat, he continued : " If
my children are Rajputs, they will
run the [298] country to find support ; but if you are slain, what
1 Thali, ' a brass platter.' This is the highest mark of confidence and
friendship.
2 This compound of the betel or areca-nut, cloves, mace, Terra japonica,
and prepared lime, is always taken after meals, and has not unfrequently
been a medium for administering poison.
3 Hours of twenty-two minutes each.
4 Famihar contraction of Surajmall. 5 [A7iogeissus laiifolia.]
will become of Chitor ? My face will be blackened, and my name
everlastingly reprobated."

The sword was sheathed, and as the uncle and nephew em
braced, the latter asked the former, " What were you about,
uncle, when I came ?’" Only talking nonsense, chUd, after
dinner." " But with me over your head, uncle, as a foe how

" What could I do ? you had
left me no resource, and I must have some place to rest my
head ! " There was a small temple near the stockade, to which
in the morning Prithiraj requested his uncle to accompany him
to sacrifice to Kali, 1 but the blow of the preceding night prevented
him. Sarangdeo was his proxy. One buffalo had fallen, and a
goat was about to foUow, when the prince turned his sword on
Sarangdeo. The combat was desperate ; but Prithiraj was the
victor, and the head of the traitor was placed as an offering on
the altar of Time. The Gaunda 2 was plundered, the town of
Batara recovered, and Surajmall fled to Sadri, where he only
stopped to fulfil his threat, " that if he could not retain its lands
he would make them over to those stronger than the king " ; 3
and having distributed them amongst Brahmans and bards, he
finally abandoned Mewar. Passing through the wilds of Kan
thal,4 he had an omen which recalled the Charani's prediction :
"a wolf endeavouring in vain to carry off a kid defended by
maternal affection." This was interpreted as ' strong groimd for
a dwelling.' He halted, subdued the aboriginal tribes, and on
this spot erected the town and stronghold of Deolia, becoming
lord of a thousand villages, which have descended to his offspring,
who now enjoy them under British protection. Such was the
origin of Partabgarh DeoUa.5

1 The Hindu Proserpine, or CaUigenia. Is this Grecian handmaid of
Hecate also Hindu, ' born of time ' {Kali-janama) ? [Ka\\:7e;'tia, ' bearer of
fair offspring,' has, of course, no connexion with KaU.]
2 Gaunda, or Gaimra, is the name of such temporary places of refuge ;
the origin of towns bearing this name.
3 Such grants are irresumable, under the penalty of sixty thousand
years in hell. This fine district is eaten up by these mendicant Brahmans.
One town alone, containing 52,000 bighas (about 15,000 acres) of rich land,
is thus lost } and by such follies Mewar has gradually sunk to her present
extreme poverty.
4 [Kauthal, in Partabgarh State, is the boundary [Kantha) between
Mewar on the north, Bagar on the west, and Malwa on the east and south.]
5 [The statement in the text that Surajmall, son of Uda, retired to

==Prithiraj poisoned: Death of Rana Raemall==
Prithiraj was
poisoned by his brother-in-law, of Abu, whom he had punished
for maltreating his sister, and afterwards confided in. His death
was soon followed by that of Rana Raemall, who, though not
equal to his predecessors, was greatly respected, and maintained
the dignity of his station amidst no ordinary calamities [299].1