The valor of Rajputs

 Eminent Odia writer Manoj Das in his book SMRUTIRA PRADEEPA (Lamp from Memory), a collection of his articles written years ago in Odia provided a rare glimpse into our History, especially the part about the valor of Rajputs, a warrior clan in India. It has been an immense pleasure going through Manoj Das's book and retelling his stories I read in Odia in English for the larger audience.

Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emporer (credited with the building of Taj Mahal) once invited the independent minded Rajput King Amar Singh of Mewar, now part of modern day Rajastan under the guise of peace. No sooner the brave but unsuspecting Rajput entered the Mughal fort, than he was betrayed by the wily emperor and was killed. The emperor ordred the Rajput king's body not to be cremated and left on the ground as the proud Rajput king dared to defy the Mughal-E-Azam. 

Soon came marching a cavalry of 20 brave Rajputs to secure Amar Singh's body and entered into the Mughal fort. In the ensuing fierce fight 17 of them were killed but the remaining 3 managed to get Amar Singh's body back and give him a decent cremation he deserved.

In another incident, Aurangzeb who succeeded Sah Jahan as the emperor was taking the king of Jodhpur Kingdom, Jashwant Singh for a stroll around his palace. He showed one of his prize collection, a full grown Tiger inside a cage. The emperor asked the Rajput if he had seen any animal more ferocious than his prize catch.  

Jashwant Singh laughed and said that it is normal for the Rajput kids to play with Tigers. "Is that so ?" Arurangzeb mocked at the Rajput King thinking that the later was bluffing. Jashwant Singh ordered his young son Prithvi Singh to enter the cage and fight the Tiger. Prithvi Singh entered the cage, fought and killed the Tiger despite suffering grave injuries. Aurangzeb turned red with humiliation. There are numerous such anecdotes of Rajput bravery. 

There were many Rajputs like Veer Hammir, Rana Pratap and Amar Singh who fought bravely against their opponents. When defeated their women became Sati by self immolation, preferring death to dishonor.

Rajputs who are supposed to be the descendants of Huns were no doubt extremely brave. Akbar was astounded by the bravery shown by Rajputs while defending against the Mughal army. So he made peace with them by marrying into their family forming strategic alliance.

Only thing worked against them was they were divided among themselves as they all had lots of ego due to their valor and self respect. They indulged in frequent infighiting. Others took advantage of their disunity. In fact the last Hindu ruler in Delhi Prithviraj Chauhan was duped by Jaichand, his father-in-law. Rajputs also lacked foresight and war strategy to win. They would go for full frontal attack and fight until their death. Such a strategy always went against them.

Shivaji who was a master strategist was aware of the brave stories of Rajputs narrated to him by his mother Jijabai during his childhood. He was prudent enough to use these three elements - "Flattery, Bravery and Bribery" to win over his rival, as and when needed. He was not a foolhardy like the Rajputs to go for full frontal aggression. Shivaji's bravery was unmatched, but he used classic guerilla warfare tactics and pre-emptive strikes and tactical withdrawal to fight another day - an explosive combination for success. The story of Rajputs is yet a stark reminder that strategic planning and its execution is the key behind any success story as rarely a success comes by fluke.