एक दुखी परिवार –  50

Rajputana endured repeated  expansionist assaults

Parts of Rajasthan may have been occupied by the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappans). Excavations at Kalibanga in northern Rajasthan around 1998 revealed the existence of human settlements of Harappan times on the banks of a river that dried up later, which some people believe to be the Saraswati.

Rajasthan's geographic position in India has caused it to be affected by the expansionist assaults of various empires. It was a part of the Mauryan Empire around 321-184 BCE. It had also been a part of Republics like Arjunyas, Hunas,Kushans, Malavas, Saka Satraps and the Yaudheyas. The Guptas reigned in the 4th century. Some Buddhist caves and Stupas have been found in Jhalawar, in the southern part of Rajasthan.

The decline of the 300 year old Gupta Empire in the 6th century led to the political unrest in the Northern India and was followed by an epoch of instability as numerous chieftains tried to gain power. 

The situation was stabilized when theGurjara-Pratiharas emerged around 700 CE.

Gurjar pratihars were well known for their hostility towards Arab invaders.

The Arab chronicler Sulaiman describes the army of the Gurjar Pratihars as it stood in 851 CE, :-

The king of Gurjars maintains numerous forces and no other Indian prince has so fine a cavalry. He is unfriendly to the Arabs, still he acknowledges that the king of the Arabs is the greatest of kings. Among the princes of India there is no greater foe of the Islamic faith than he. He has got riches, and his camels and horses are numerous, he says.

Medieval period

Hemu was a Hindu Emperor of Northern India

Maharana Pratap, a Rajput ruler was a great warrior of his time. Mughal emperor Akbar sent many missions against him. However he survived and ultimately gained control of all areas of Mewar excluding fort of Chittor.

Prithviraj Chauhan defeated the invading Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191 and in fifteen further battles before himself being defeated when he was betrayed by one of his own. This betrayal became a trend in the decades to come.

After the defeat of Chauhan around 1200, a part of Rajasthan came under Muslim rulers. 

That betrayal set into motion a beginning of an end.

The principal centers of their powers were Nagaur and Ajmer. Ranthambhor was also under them . At the beginning of the 13th century, the most prominent and powerful state of Rajasthan was Mewar. The Rajputs resisted the Muslim incursions into India, although a number of Rajput kingdoms eventually became subservient to the Delhi Sultanate. 

Mewar led others in resistance to Muslim rule: Rana Sanga fought the Battle of Khanua against Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire.

(Cont.    .)