Silhadi
Encyclopedia
Raja Shiladitya, also called Silhadi was a Tomar Rajput chieftain of northeast Malwa in the early decades of 16th century India
. He commanded a mercenary
force of Purabiya soldiers (hailing from present-day eastern U.P.
and Bihar
) and for that reason is himself occasionally referred to as a Purabiya Rajput by contemporary sources. He remained a decisive factor in the politics of north and central India during his life and was responsible for sinking the fortunes of many kings by his sudden defections. He gained everlasting notoriety by betraying Rana Sanga
in the battle of Khanwa
and causing the Rajput confederacy’s defeat .
rulers of northeast Malwa region during Mahmood’s reign. Bhilsa, Chanderi
and Raisen
were their strongholds. At one time they had become so powerful that they seemed to threaten Mandu
, the capital of Malwa, itself. Only after some assistance from Gujarat Sultan Bahadur Shah
, Mahmood was able to keep Purabiyas at bay.
in a grand Rajput confederacy against Mughal emperor Babur
. Rana Sanga had given his daughter’s hand to Silhadi’s son as a token of their alliance. This was probably the greatest honor any man could aspire for, as Rana belonged to the most prestigious clan of Rajputs. He led the vanguard (in hindi - herole) at Battle of Khanwa. Somehow, it was not enough for Silhadi. Right in the middle of Battle of Khanwa
, he treacherously decamped with his followers to Babur’s side. This brought immediate collapse of Rana’s forces.
Before this victorious campaign, Bahadur Shah had promised to allocate Ujjain and Sarangpur to Silhadi. But now he reneged on his promise realizing that it would make Silhadi too powerful to control. Instead Bahadur Shah ordered Silhadi to handover Raisen fort and all his territory in Malwa and relocate to the town of Baroda. Bahadur Shah seemed to have learned his lessons from the fate of Silhadi’s previous allies. When Silhadi refused to agree to these terms, Sultan Bahadur Shah promptly took him in captivity and along with him proceeded to Raisen fort, which was being held by Silhadi’s brother Lakshman Rai. Ostensible cause of this expedition was given as to free some Muslim women in the household of Silhadi.
, the sultan’s army could not make any headway against the Raisen fort. Silhadi now tactfully convinced Bahadur Shah to send him inside the fort so that he could convince his brother to vacate the fort. Permission was granted and Silhadi went inside the fort. In an emotional family meeting, the two brothers weighed their options. Situation in the fort was hopeless because of dwindling food supply. Durgavati, Silhadi’s wife who was also besieged in the fort, forcefully pleaded for Jauhar and Saka, a traditional Rajput victory-or-death stand. Martyrdom was decided upon. It can also be said that they had no other real choice. Nobody could realistically believe that Bahadur Shah really wanted to rehabilitate them in Baroda. In all probability he planned to put all Purabiyas to sword as soon as they came out of fort.
Rani Durgavati, taking her daughter-in-law (daughter of Rana Sanga) and her two children by the hand jumped into Chita, a fire-pit dug for the purpose. Seven hundred other women followed her in the Chita. Silhadi and Lakshman then armed themselves and died as consecrated warriors in a fight with sultan’s army at the foot of the fort. This was in year 1532.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He commanded a mercenary
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
force of Purabiya soldiers (hailing from present-day eastern U.P.
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
and Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
) and for that reason is himself occasionally referred to as a Purabiya Rajput by contemporary sources. He remained a decisive factor in the politics of north and central India during his life and was responsible for sinking the fortunes of many kings by his sudden defections. He gained everlasting notoriety by betraying Rana Sanga
Rana Sanga
-Historical Fact:Maharana Sangram Singh was the ruler of Mewar state, a region lying within the present-day Indian state of Rajasthan, a desert region, between 1509 and 1527. He was a scion of the Sisodia clan of Suryavanshi Rajputs...
in the battle of Khanwa
Khanwa
Khanwa is the name of a village lying about 60 km west of the city of Agra in India. It was the scene of a famous battle in the history of north India, and a few miles from Fatehpur Sikri.-History:...
and causing the Rajput confederacy’s defeat .
Roots
His roots can probably be traced to the Gwalior district. He, along with his kinsfolk Medini Rai, rose to positions of power in the service of Sultan Mahmood Khilji II (Ruled 1510-1531) of Malwa. Medini Rai and Silhadi were de factoDe facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
rulers of northeast Malwa region during Mahmood’s reign. Bhilsa, Chanderi
Chanderi
Chanderi चंदेरी شندرئ is a town of historical importance in Ashoknagar District of Madhya Pradesh state in India. It is situated at a distance of 127 km from Shivpuri,37 km from Lalitpur,55 km from Ashok Nagar and about 45 km from Esagarh It is surrounded by hills southwest of...
and Raisen
Raisen
Raisen is a town and a municipality in Raisen district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of Raisen District. Raisen takes its name from the massive fort at the top of a hill. The town is located at the foot. The name is probably a corruption of Rajavasini...
were their strongholds. At one time they had become so powerful that they seemed to threaten Mandu
Mandu
Mandu or Mandavgad is a ruined city in the Dhar district in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state, central India. The distance between Dhar & Mandu is about 35 km. In the 11th century, Mandu was the sub division of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom...
, the capital of Malwa, itself. Only after some assistance from Gujarat Sultan Bahadur Shah
Bahadur Shah I
Bahadur Shah was a Mughal Emperor, who ruled India from 1707 to 1712. His original name was Qutb ud-Din Muhammad Mu'azzam later titled as Shah Alam by his father. He took the throne name Bahadur Shah in 1707. His name Bahādur means "brave" & "hero" in Turko-Mongol languages...
, Mahmood was able to keep Purabiyas at bay.
Battle of Khanwa, treachery
In 1527, Silhadi aligned himself with Rana Sanga of MewarMewar
Mewar is a region of south-central Rajasthan state in western India. It includes the present-day districts of Pratapgarh, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara and some of the part of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The region was for centuries a Rajput kingdom that later...
in a grand Rajput confederacy against Mughal emperor Babur
Babur
Babur was a Muslim conqueror from Central Asia who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for the Mughal dynasty of South Asia. He was a direct descendant of Timur through his father, and a descendant also of Genghis Khan through his mother...
. Rana Sanga had given his daughter’s hand to Silhadi’s son as a token of their alliance. This was probably the greatest honor any man could aspire for, as Rana belonged to the most prestigious clan of Rajputs. He led the vanguard (in hindi - herole) at Battle of Khanwa. Somehow, it was not enough for Silhadi. Right in the middle of Battle of Khanwa
Battle of Khanwa
The Battle of Khanwa, was fought near the village of Khanwa, about 60 km west of Agra on March 17, 1527. The second major battle fought in modern day India, by the first Mughal Emperor Babur after the Battle of Panipat . As the Mughal Empire expanded it faced new opponents especially in the...
, he treacherously decamped with his followers to Babur’s side. This brought immediate collapse of Rana’s forces.
Asks for Mewar's help
After this battle, Silhadi retired to his fortress in Raisen, a town just east of Bhopal and on the border of Malwa and Bundelkhand. Differences soon arose between him and his sovereign sultan Mahmood. Mahmood probably realized that Purabiyas were becoming too powerful for his safety. Sultan Mahmood planned to get rid of Purabiyas by putting Silhadi to death. Silhadi fled to Mewar and got shelter under Mewar's king Rana Ratan Sen, the son of Rana Sanga. Rana Sanga had died in 1527 soon after the battle of Khanwa. This episode speaks volumes about the chivalry of rulers of Mewar, who did not refuse shelter even to their traitor. There he opened negotiations with Bahadur Shah of Gujarat.Alliance with Mewar and Bahadur Shah
Soon Mewar, Gujarat and Purabiyas formed an alliance against Malwa. Rana himself did not take part in the campaign. Bahadur Shah and Silhadi together overthrew Malwa sultanate and annexed it in Gujarat Sultanate in 1531.Before this victorious campaign, Bahadur Shah had promised to allocate Ujjain and Sarangpur to Silhadi. But now he reneged on his promise realizing that it would make Silhadi too powerful to control. Instead Bahadur Shah ordered Silhadi to handover Raisen fort and all his territory in Malwa and relocate to the town of Baroda. Bahadur Shah seemed to have learned his lessons from the fate of Silhadi’s previous allies. When Silhadi refused to agree to these terms, Sultan Bahadur Shah promptly took him in captivity and along with him proceeded to Raisen fort, which was being held by Silhadi’s brother Lakshman Rai. Ostensible cause of this expedition was given as to free some Muslim women in the household of Silhadi.
Saka and Jauhar - Solace in death
After months of siegeSiege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
, the sultan’s army could not make any headway against the Raisen fort. Silhadi now tactfully convinced Bahadur Shah to send him inside the fort so that he could convince his brother to vacate the fort. Permission was granted and Silhadi went inside the fort. In an emotional family meeting, the two brothers weighed their options. Situation in the fort was hopeless because of dwindling food supply. Durgavati, Silhadi’s wife who was also besieged in the fort, forcefully pleaded for Jauhar and Saka, a traditional Rajput victory-or-death stand. Martyrdom was decided upon. It can also be said that they had no other real choice. Nobody could realistically believe that Bahadur Shah really wanted to rehabilitate them in Baroda. In all probability he planned to put all Purabiyas to sword as soon as they came out of fort.
Rani Durgavati, taking her daughter-in-law (daughter of Rana Sanga) and her two children by the hand jumped into Chita, a fire-pit dug for the purpose. Seven hundred other women followed her in the Chita. Silhadi and Lakshman then armed themselves and died as consecrated warriors in a fight with sultan’s army at the foot of the fort. This was in year 1532.