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The Kingdom of Mewar was an independent Hindu kingdom that existed in the Rajputana region of the Indian subcontinent and later became a dominant state in medieval India. The kingdom was initially founded and ruled by the Guhila dynasty, followed by its cadet branch, the Sisodia Dynasty.
The earliest kingdom was centered around the south-central part of Rajasthan, state of India. It was bordered by the Aravali Range to the northwest, Ajmer to the north, Gujarat, Vagad and Malwa regions to the south and the Hadoti region to the east.
Mewar rose to prominence in the reign of Bappa Rawal (7th century) known for his involvement in thwarting Arab incursions in India. Over time, it became vassal to Imperial Pratihara, Paramaras and then to Chahamanas. In the early 10th century, Mewar emerged as an independent state, actively battling neighboring powers and confronting the expansion of Delhi Sultanate until the fall of its capital Chittorgarh in 1303 against the latter, leading to the annihilation of Guhila Dynasty.
The Sisodia dynasty, a junior branch of Guhilas, re-occupied Mewar in 1326, ushering in a golden age characterized by military prowess and territorial expansion. Under the reigns of Maharana Kumbha and his grandson Maharana Sanga, Mewar achieved victories against Islamic States of Malwa, Gujarat, and Delhi particularly in Mewar-Malwa conflicts and Mewar- Delhi conflicts. It also successfully fought off and vassalized neighboring Hindu kingdoms. At its zenith under Rana Sanga, it controlled large parts of Northern India. After Rana Sanga's death, the kingdom declined rapidly. Nonetheless, it continued to resist Mughal expansion, most notably under Maharana Pratap, later it became a tributary state with a significant degree of autonomy. The decline of Mughal Empire saw sovereign leaders like Raj Singh and his successors led rebellions culminating in de facto independence for Mewar, notably Rathore Rebellion and Rajput-Mughal war (1708–1710). Eventually, falling under Maratha Empire's influence and accepting British suzerainty in 1818, Mewar remained a princely state until it joined the Union of India in 1947.
Mewar's legacy includes its prolonged resistance against Islamic invasion and traditions like Jauhar (self-immolation) witnessed during the time of defeats. While primarily a Hindu state, the kingdom also patronized Jainism and Buddhism. Among Mewar's UNESCO World Heritage Sites are Kumbhalgarh and Chittorgarh, described variously as the jewels of Rajput architect in India. Udaipur, also known as the city of lakes and one of the largest cities of the North India was also founded by the Rana of Mewar, Udai Singh II.
Mewar is surrounded by the Aravali Range to the northwest, Ajmer to the north, and Gujarat, Vagad, and Malwa to the south, with the Hadoti region to the east. The area features mountainous hills, plateaus, and rivers such as Banas, Som, and Sabarmati, along with dry deciduous forests that are denser during the monsoon months. The central plains, watered by the Banas River and its tributaries, are highly cultivated, with black, light loamy soil supporting crops like cotton, maize, sugarcane, wheat, and barley, suitable for both Kharif and Rabi seasons. The average height of these plains is about 600 ft. MSL. This geography has allowed Mewar to maintain its freedom and resist imperial powers, making it favourable for guerrilla warfare. The boundaries of Mewar largely remained consistent except from 1326 to 1533, during which time the kingdom more or less extended from near Mandu(capital of Malwa Sultanate) in the south to Bayana in the north-east, reaching into desert areas towards the Indus River in the west. Thus, controlling large parts of Northern India. However, due to dynastic conflicts and ongoing struggles against the Mughals and Marathas, the kingdom's size diminished, eventually covering an area of 14,000 square kilometers by 1941. With the treaty of Accession to India, the area of Mewar was merged with the Rajasthan.
Less is known about the origins of the Kingdom of Mewar. It was originally ruled by the Guhila dynasty. Guhadatta is considered the first ruler of the kingdom in the 7th century. In the early 8th century, it came under the sub ordinance of the regional Mori rulers. The kingdom under Bappa Rawal acquired control of Chittor in 728 after taking it away from its Mori overlords. Nagda was the capital of Mewar around this period. Bappa Rawal defeated an early Arab Caliphate invasion of India through a confederation with Gurjar-Pratihara ruler Nagabhata I. Bappa Rawals successors, namely Khuman II would continue to resist Arab incursions into the country.
The Guhilas from the 8th century acknowledged the suzerainty of the Gurjara-Pratiharas. In the 10th century, Bharttripatta II became an independent ruler and broke ties with the Pratihara empire and assumed the title Maharajadhiraja. His successor Allata killed Devapala, the ruler of the Gurjara Pratihara at that time.
The Guhilas was controlled by the Kingdom of Malwa in the 11th century and by the Chahamanas in the 12th century. Guhila ruler Samantsingh established another branch of Guhilas in Vagad and also fought alongside the defeated Prithviraja III of Ajmer in Second Battle of Tarain against Muizzuddin Muhammad Ghuri.
Through the 13th century, the Guhilas started getting more powerful and became independent of the Chahamana rule. It had to resist multiple invasions by Turkic invaders. Eventually, in 1303 Sultan of Delhi, Alauddin Khalji invaded Mewar, besieged Chittor. In the siege, Rana Lakhan with his seven sons died in the battle and the women committed Jauhar. Although, Ajay Singh survived the disaster who later brought up Hammir.
Following Alauddin Khalji's invasion in 1303, the Guhila Dynasty ceased to exist. In 1326, Hammir Singh (1326-1364), a descendant of Rahapa, from Sisodia dynasty (Cadet branch of Guhilas) attempted to regain control of Mewar, but his initial efforts were thwarted. Khizr Khan, one of Alauddin's sons, was forced to relocate, and Maldev Songara from the Chauhan clan took charge of Mewar, successfully repelling Hammir's assaults. Eventually, Hammir seized the fort of Jilwara and established a base in Kelwara, allowing him to capture further territories, including Sirohi and Idar.
Hammir later recaptured Chittorgarh and defeated the Delhi Sultanate forces at the Battle of Singoli.
Rana Kshetra Singh (1364–1382), expanded the kingdom significantly, capturing Ajmer, Hadoti and Mandalgarh. He also quelled a rebellion in Idar alongside defeating Dilawar Khan of the Malwa Sultanate. Kshetra was succeeded by Lakha, who conquered Merwara and helped Rao Ranmal Rathore, one of the princesses of the neighbouring Kingdom of Marwar, to gain the throne, thus establishing Mewar's influence over Marwar. He also rebuilt Mewar's infrastructure, destroyed during the invasion of Allaudin Khalji, but died in battle to secure pilgrimage taxes. It was during his reign that his elder son Chunda abdicated the throne for his younger brother Mokal, son of the second wife of Lakha and a Rathore princess, over a dispute.
Lakha's son Mokal Singh became Rana at a young age under the regency of his mother, Hansa Bai. He successfully defended against invasions, annexed Ajmer and Sambhar, and conquered Jalore before being assassinated by his uncles.
After his father's assassination, Kumbha succeeded to the throne of Mewar in turbulent times, when it was under constant threat from all sides, especially from the Sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat. Malwa was able to drive the traditional vassals of Mewar, like the Hadas of Hadoti and Gujarat, and the rulers of Sirohi, into their side and was even hatching designs on Mewar. At this time, Kumbha was helped by his uncle Rao Ranmal Rathore of Marwar, who was a political junior ally of Mewar, as the latter was helped by Kumbha's father. In securing the throne of Marwar. Ranmal first killed the assassins of Mokal and restored stability in Mewar.
Kumbha, on the other hand, also wasted no time in turning towards the vassals who had defected from the side of Mewar. He first defeated the Hadas and annexed Mandalgarh, bringing Mewari control over Hadoti again, and then turned his attention towards Sirohi, where he annexed Abu and also reduced the rulers of Sirohi to vassals alongside Dungarpur, which was in rebellion. Then, Kumbha started a rigorous policy of expansion in which he annexed Sambhar, Ajmer, Khatu, Chatsu, Lalsot, Marot, Toda, Didwana, Narena, Gagraun, Mandsaur, and Ranthambore. He also placed a bid for supremacy in Malwa after Sultan Hoshang Shah's death, and one of his ministers usurped it, due to which Umar Khan, one of Hoshang Shah's sons, came to Mewar for help. Kumbha invaded Malwa and defeated Mahmud and captured him. He reduced to vassals the Sultanate of Nagaur, the Kachwahas of Amber, the Sankhlas of Janglau, and the Khyamkhanis of Jhunjhunu. A dispute occurred between Ranamal and Kumbha. Kumbha had Ranamal assassinated and Marwar captured for seven years, which he later allowed Jodha (son of Ranamal) to recapture on the pretext of following his grandmother's wishes, but some historians argue that Kumbha didn't want to fight a three-front war in Malwa, Gujarat, and Mewar, and also to look generous among his Rajput folk. When Idar, one of the Vassals of Mewar, was captured by the Sultan of Gujarat, Kumbha extended necessary help in recapturing it. In this way, Kumbha was able to extend his sway over much of Rajasthan and areas of Northern Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. However, this policy of expansion came at a cost when the Sultans of Malwa and Gujarat, in order to avenge their initial defeats, started to attack Mewar. The odds against Mewar were overwhelming, as Nagaur also rose in rebellion. Though, sorely pressed from all sides by the invasions of the Sultans of Malwa and Gujarat, who attacked numerous strongholds such as Ajmer. Kumbha was largely able to maintain his position and retain most of his conquests except for some outlying areas such as Ranthambore.
Kumbha was also a patron of the arts and a great builder. He is said to have erected the famous Vijay Stambha of Chittor and was responsible for the construction of numerous Hindu and Jain shrines. His commetary on the Gita and Govinda is also very popular and widely praised. He is credited to have build 32 out of the 84 fortreses of Mewar. He is one of the most popular rulers of medieval India.
He came to power by defeating, Udai Singh I in battles at Jawar, Darimpur and Pangarh. He restore Mewar to stability from the damage that has occurred following the assaisination of Maharana Kumbha. Early in Raimal's reign, Ghiyas Shah of Malwa attacked Chittor unsuccessfully. Soon after, Ghiyas Shah's general, Zafar Khan attacked Mewar and was defeated at Mandalgarh and Khairabad. By marrying Sringardevi (daughter of Rao Jodha), Raimal ended the conflict with the Rathores. During Raimal's reign, Godwar, Toda and Ajmer were captured by his son Prithviraj.He also helped Hadas to recapture Hadoti from the grasp of Malwa Sultanate and left a fairly large kingdom to his sons Raimal also strengthened the state of Mewar and repaired the temple of Eklingji in Chittor.
After his father's death, Sangram Singh ascended on the throne in 1509. The time at which he ascended the throne of Mewar was a opportunistic one as the Sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat and fallen in disarray and rulers of Marwar, Amber, Hadoti, Idar and the other Rajputs states were not powerful enough to contend with the rulers of Mewar. He first strengthened his kingdom by repairing the existing forts and garrisoned them and reorganised the army and proper defences were laid along with reorganising of administration by appointing his one of close associates to governor of Ajmer. He also reduced neighbouring states of Amber, Sirohi and Idar to vassalship again.
Around 1517, in the Sultanate of Malwa under the Sultan Mahmud Khilji II, too much power landed in the hands of Medini Rai which upset a lot of Muslim nobles. Eventually, Mahmud himself asked for help from the Sultan of Gujarat to get rid of Medini Rai. The war started as the two sultans besieged Mandu where Rai's son died. Sanga supported Medini Rai and in turn attacked and captured Gagron where he appointed Medini Rai to govern as a replacement to his prior holdings in Malwa. In 1518 Mahmud Khilji II collected another massive army and invaded Mewar through Gagron. In the ensuing battle, the Maharana won decisively; he took Khilji captive, appointed a physician to care for Khilji, and later escorted him back to his kingdom to Mandu. Eastern Malwa including Chanderi was captured and were given to Medini Ray. In 1518, Ibrahim Lodhi ascended to the throne of Delhi. He engaged with Sanga in two major battles when he realized Sanga had been encroaching on land in the Sultanate. The sultan was defeated at Khatoli and Dholpur; as a result, Sanga was able to capture the entire North-East Rajputana up to Agra This defeat was a humiliating setback for the new sultan as he lost much territory to an internal conflict in his empire. In the Battle of Khatoli, a sword injured Sanga's arm, and his leg was injured by an arrow, making him lame.
In 1520, Sangram decided to attack Idar and the Sultanate of Gujarat after a furious exchange with him. In the ensuing campaign, the Rana not only completely captured Idar, but also raided Ahmadabad and returned with massive wealth looted. After looting Ahmedabad, the Sultan of Malwa and Gujarat mobilized heavily in 1521 against the Rana, who joined forces with most of Rajputana. In the end, the heavy mobilization was of no use, and Sanga could use his brilliant diplomatic skills to scare the Sultans. The same year, Ibrahim Lodhi tried to attack the Rana but failed again. It is around this time that Sanga's power was at its zenith. He had thoroughly defeated Gujarat and Delhi, largely captured Malwa. Almost all of Rajasthan accepted his suzzeranity and his influence extent upto vincity of Agra in east to river Indus in west.
In 1526, Babur invaded, defeated and killed Ibrahim Lodhi, establishing the Mughal Empire. Sanga opposed this development and called his banners to opposed Babur. After successful skirmishes and defeating Mughal forces in Bayana, Sanga suffered a serious defeat despite the numerical superiority because of the use of gunpowder by the Mughals.
Text from the Wikipedia article “Kingdom of Mewar”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.