Chandrasen Rathore

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Chandrasen Rathore
Rao of Marwar
Rao Chandrasen.jpg
Rao Chandrasen Rathore
Ruler of Marwar
Tenure7 November 1562 – 11 January 1581
Coronation31 December 1562
PredecessorRao Maldeo Rathore
SuccessorUdai Singh
Born(1541-07-30)30 July 1541
Died11 January 1581(1581-01-11) (aged 39)
SpouseSisodni Rani (Mewar princess)
IssueRai Singh
Askaran
Ugrasen
DynastyRathore
FatherRao Maldeo Rathore
MotherRani Jhali Swarup Deviji

Rao Chandrasen Rathore (r. 1562–1581) was an Indian ruler of Marwar (in the present day Rajasthan state of India). He was a younger son of Rao Maldeo Rathore. 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]

Early life[]

Born on 30 July 1541, Chandrasen was the son of Rao Maldeo, Raja of Marwar and Rani Swarup Deviji, daughter of Jhalo Jaito Sajivat.[2] He was also the younger and only full-brother of Udai Singh, his successor.

Maldeo named him as his successor, putting aside the claims of his older brothers, Ram and Udai Singh. This led to an eternal rivalry between Chandrasen and Udai Singh.[3]

Reign[]

On the death of Rao Maldeo, Chandrasen ascended the gadi (throne) of Marwar.[3]

Although there was no law of Primogeniture present, rarely had the rights of the older child been put aside. This led to feud between Chandrasen and his brothers.[3]

In 1562, Ramchandra, Udai Singh and Raimal rebelled at Sojat, Gangani and Dunda respectively. When Chandrasen had sent army to subdue them, Ramchandra and Raimal fled the battlefield without facing him.[4]

In December 1562, Chandrasen fought Udai Singh and defeated him in Lohawat. In this battle, both sides suffered great loses in men and material. Udai Singh had given a blow with an axe to Chandrasen and he also received a blow from Rawal Megh Raj, an ally of Chandrasen.[5]

Chandrasen then fought Ramchandra at Nadol in 1563 and when Ramchandra saw no chance of his success, he fled to Nagore.[4] Akbar took advantage of these internal disputes, and with the help of the rajas of Bikaner and Amer, fought Chandrasen in several battles.[6]

In 1564, Hussain Quli Khan-i-Jahan invaded and captured the fort of Jodhpur. Chandrasen was then forced to retreat to Bhadrajun.[7][8] 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.[9][10] The initial six years of his exile seems to be the hardest and he was forced to sell his family's heirlooms in order to continue his struggle.[11]

In November 1570, Chandrasen had come Bhadrajun to attend the Mughal Court in Nagore. Udai Singh had also come to this court from Phalodi. It seems both the brothers had come to the court with the intention of getting Jodhpur back. But Chandrasen, however, left the court soon after his arrival but left his son, Raisingh, there. It seems Chandrasen had left the court as he realised he could not get Jodhpur back by Royal favours. Also it appears that the Udai Singh had managed to get Royal favours and also his presence may have soured the atmosphere for Chandrasen.[12]

Akbar who felt the stay of Raisingh could not fulfill his purpose had the fort of Bhadrajun was put to siege and captured in 1571. Chandrasen escaped to fort of Siwana .[12][13][14] 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.[15] 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.[16]

In 1576 the powerful fort of Siwana which served as Chandrasen's capital was captured by the Mughals.[17]

After the fall of Siwana, Rawal Askaran of Dungarpur , offered help to Chandrasen who stayed at Dungarpur for a few months before leaving.[18]

Akbar then had sent Jalal Khan to capture Chandrasen. But in the hot pursuit of Chandrasen, Jalal Khan lost his life. It seems the garrison used by Chandrasen at Siwana were sufficiently secured as could not be dislodged by the strenuous efforts put by Jalal Khan and other. He had also put a troop of faithful Rathors of Durana.[19]

Finally in his 21st regenal year, Akbar had decided to put an end to the thing and sent a strong force under Mir Bakshi Shahbaz Khan. Shahbaz Khan had managed to reduced the fort of Duran and attack Siwana. By the end of March 1576, the fort of Siwana had fallen and left Chandrasen as a homeless wanderer.[19]

At the request of his Sardars, he then proceeded to hills of Piplod. During this time, Rawal Har Rai of Jaisalmer attacked and captured the fort of Porkaran for the Mughals.[20] Chandrasen made attempts to ask Rawal Askaran of Dungarpur for help. However Askaran had already submitted to the Mughals and refused.[21][22] 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[23][24][25]

Chandrasen made Sojat his capital and rallied his clansmen, he used the hills of Sarand to continue his war against the Mughal empire.

Death and aftermath[]

Chandrasen continued his struggle until his death on 11 January 1581 at Siriari Pass.[20] After his death, Marwar was brought under direct Mughal administration until Akbar restored the throne of Marwar to Udai Singh in August 1583.[26]

Family[]

Consort[]

Several:[27]

  • Bari Rani Chauhan Kalyandeji (d. before 1581) – daughter of Sacoro Chauhan Hamir Vikavat.
  • Rani Naruki Kachwahi Suhagdeji – daughter of Naruka Kachwaha Vir.
  • Rani Bhatiyani Sohagdeji (née Kankande) (d. January 1581) – daughter of Bhati Raval Harraj of Jaisalmer – She became sati at the time of Chandrasen's death.
  • Rani Sisodini Surajdeji (née Chandabai) (m. 3 April 1560, Chittor; d. c. 1613, Mathura) – daughter of Rana Udai Singh II of Mewar – After Chandrasen's death, she was granted the village of Sivrar by Raja Udai Singh.
  • Rani Kachwahi Kankundebai (née Kukamdebai)
  • Rani Devri Ahankardeji (m. 22 June 1568, Sirohi; d. c. 1603, Mathura) – daughter of Devra Chauhan Rao Mansingh of Sirohi.
  • Rani Bhatiyani Harkhandeji (née Sahodarambai) (d. November or December 1640 Gopasar) – daughter of Kelhan Bhati Ram of Vairsalpur – After Chandrasen's death, she was given the village of Gopasar for her maintenance by Raja Udai Singh.
  • Rani Bhatiyani Premaldeji (d. c. 1627, Vikumarpur) – daughter of Kelhan Bhati Rao Jaisa of Pungal.
  • Rani Bhatiyani Jagisambai (d. January 1581) – daughter of Jeso Bhati Maha, a military servant of Chandrasen – She became sati at the time of Chandrasen's death.
  • Rani Sodhiji Meghambai (d. January 1581) – daughter of Sodho Pamvars of Umarkot – She became sati at the time of Chandrasen's death.
  • Rani Chauhan Purbaniji (d. January 1581) – She became sati at the time of Chandrasen's death.
  • Rani Kelhan Bhatiyani – daughter of Kelhan Bhati Rao Dungarsi of Vikumpur.
  • Rani Hadi (d. 21 February 1569, Rinthambhor) – daughter of Hada Chauhan Rao Surjan of Bundi – Chandrasen received, in dowry, an elephant, fifteen horses and jewellery worth Rs 15000.

Issue[]

Sons:[27]

  • Raysingh (b. c. 1558) – with Suhagdeji – Eldest son of Chandrasen.
  • Ugrasen (2 August 1559 - c. 1582) – with Kalyandeji – He was killed for murdering his younger half brother, Askaran.
  • Askaran (19 June 1570 - 25 March 1582, Siriyari) – with Surajdeji – He was murdered in his sleep by his half brother, Ugrasen.

Daughters:[27]

  • Jamoti Bai (d. c. 1588) – with Kalyandeji – She was married to Durganot Devro Chauhan Vij of Bhadrajun and became sati at the time of his death.
  • Askumvar Bai – with Suhagdeji – She was married to Mirza Raja Man Singh of Amber.
  • Karameti Bai (m. 9 December 1569) – with Sobhagdeji – She was married to Rana Udai Singh II of Mewar.
  • Kamlavati Bai – with Ahankardeji – She was married to Rajavat Kachwaha Govardhan, son of Raja Askaran of Narwar.
  • Raykumvar Bai – with Ahankardeji – She was married to Kachwaha Sabal Singh , son of Raja Man Singh of Amber. She became sati at the death of Sabal Singh.
  • A daughter – with Ahankardeji – She was married to Rana Udai Singh II of Mewar.

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. ^ Mertiyo Rathors of Merta, Rajasthan Vol. II. p. 37.
  3. ^ a b c Bhargava, Visheshwar Sarup (1966). Marwar And The Mughal Emperors (1526-1748). p. 44.
  4. ^ a b Bhargava, Visheshwar Sarup. Marwar And The Mughal Emperors (1526-1748). p. 45.
  5. ^ Singh, Rajvi Amar (1992). Mediaeval History of Rajasthan: Western Rajasthan. p. 1170.
  6. ^ Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II By Satish Chandra pg.106
  7. ^ Akbarnama, II, pg.358
  8. ^ Jodhpur Khyat pg. 87
  9. ^ Tuzuk-i-Jehangiri pg. 285
  10. ^ Vir Vinod II pg.814
  11. ^ Bhargava, Visheshwar Sarup. Marwar And The Mughal Emperors (1526-1748). p. 46.
  12. ^ a b Bhargava, Visheshwar Sarup (1966). Marwar And The Mughal Emperors (1526-1748). pp. 46–48.
  13. ^ Akbarnama III pg. 80
  14. ^ Jodhpur Khyat pg. 80
  15. ^ Vigat II pg.63-65
  16. ^ Akbarnama III pg. 80-82
  17. ^ Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II pg-120, by Satish Chandra
  18. ^ Mertiyo Rathors of Merta, Rajasthan Vol. II. p. 114.
  19. ^ a b Bhargava, Visheshwar Sarup. Marwar And The Mughal Emperors (1526-1748). p. 52.
  20. ^ a b Bhagava, Visheshwar Sarup. Marwar And The Mughal Emperors (1526-1748). pp. 52–53.
  21. ^ Jodhpur Khyat pg.118-119
  22. ^ Vir Vinod II pg.114, 814-815
  23. ^ Akbarnama III, pg. 318-319
  24. ^ Jodhpur Khyat pg. 119
  25. ^ Vir Vinod II, pg. 814
  26. ^ Sarkar, J.N. (1984, reprint 1994). A History of Jaipur, New Delhi: Orient Longman, ISBN 81-250-0333-9, p.41
  27. ^ a b c Mertiyo Rathors of Merta, Rajasthan Vol. II. pp. 37–40.

External links[]

Preceded by Rulers of Marwar (Jodhpur)
The Rathore Dynasty
7 November 1562 – 1581 		Succeeded by
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