Battle of Bandanwara was fought between Mewar and Mughal forces in 1711 AD, between Hurda and Bandanwara, near Khari river in Bhilwara district, Rajasthan.

Battle of Bandanwara
Part of Mughal-Rajput Wars
Date1711 AD
Location
Bandanwara ( In present day Bhilwara district of Rajasthan, India )
Result

Rajput victory [1] [2]

•Last Major battle between Kingdom of Mewar and Mughal Empire
Belligerents
Kingdom of Mewar Mughal Empire
Commanders and leaders
Sangram Singh II
Umaid Singh of Shahpura
Devbhan Chauhan of Kotharia
Surajmal Solanki of Desuri
Rawat Sangram Singh of Deogarh
Jai Singh of Badnor (WIA)
Rawat Gangdas of Baansi
Samant Singh of Salumbar (WIA)
Rawat Maha Singh of Kanore
Bahadur Shah I
Ranzbaz Khan Mewati 
Nahar Khan 
Mir Bakhshi Zulfikar Khan
Casualties and losses
Light Heavy

Background

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Maharana Amar Singh II had captured Mandalgarh, Badnore and Pur Mandal after death of Aurangzeb. But Mughals had not granted any written deeds for these Parganas. After death of Maharana Amar Singh II, Bahadur Shah granted Pur Mandal to Ranbaz Khan Mewati in Feb-March, 1711 AD. Ranbaz Khan moved with his own army, along with 5-7 thousand-strong force sent by Mir Bakhshi Zulfikar Khan, to take control of the territory.[3]

Preparation

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News of invasion reached Udaipur and Maharana Sangram Singh - II dispatched a large army, consisting of various chiefs of Mewar:[4][5][6]

  • Devbhan Chauhan of Kotharia
  • Umaid Singh of Shahpura
  • Jai Singh of Badnor
  • Rawat Maha Singh of कानोड़
  • Rawat Surat Singh, brother of Rawat Maha Singh
  • Rawat Sangram Singh of Deogarh
  • Samant Singh of Salumbar
  • Surajmal Solanki of Desuri
  • Rawat Gangdas of Baansi
  • Suraj Singh Rathore of Limara
  • Devi Singh Chundawat of Begun
  • Hathi Singh Dodiya
  • Prithviraj Chundwat of Amet
  • Sahab Singh Rathore, ancestor of Rathores of Rupaheli
  • Surat Singh Mertiya of Ghanerao
  • Kothari Bhim Singh of Begun

Battle

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Mughal and Mewari forces met near Khari river.[7] Mughal forces had archers on elephants and horses. Attack of Mewar forces was so quick, that the Mughal archers could draw only once and the Mewar cavalry reached very near and hand-to-hand combat ensued.[8] [9] Maha Singh of Kanore fell in the battle, Jai Singh of Badnore and Samant Singh of Salumbar were wounded in the battle. Rao of Begun had sent his Kamdar, Kothari Bhim Singh of Begun, who fought on the battlefield of Bandanwara with great vehemence and vigour, he fell in the battle fighting bravely.[10] Ranzbaz Khan, along with his brother Nahar Khan and other close relatives, were killed in the battle. Mughal forces suffered massive casualties and were defeated.[11][12] Deendar Khan fled with remaining army to Ajmer, his camp was captured by Mewari forces.[13] With this battle, Mewar succeeded to retain its control on this territory.[14]

Mewar Bhupal Infantry(currently known as 9th Grenadiers (Mewar), had the Battle of Bandanwara (1711) listed on its state forces colours, before it was merged into Indian Army.[15]

References

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  1. ^ Hooja, Rima (2006). A history of Rajasthan. Rupa and company. p. 698. ISBN 9788129108906. Rajab Khan set out with Mughal troops to take control of the tracts allocated to him. The two forces clashed on the banks of the river Khari near Hurda, resulting in the defeat of Rajab Khan.
  2. ^ History of Mewar, p324
  3. ^ Vir Vinod, p938
  4. ^ Vir Vinod, p939
  5. ^ History of Mewar, p324
  6. ^ Ghanerao ke Mertiya Rathore,p80
  7. ^ Ghanerao ke Mertiya Rathore,p80
  8. ^ Vir Vinod, p940
  9. ^ Bilas. 2023, p. 128.
  10. ^ Mehta & Mehta 1971, p. 107.
  11. ^ History of Mewar, p324
  12. ^ Mewar and Maratha relations,p17
  13. ^ Ghanerao ke Mertiya Rathore,p80
  14. ^ Sehgal 2023, p. 40.
  15. ^ Palsokar 1980, p. 183.

Sources

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  • Somani, Ram Vallabh (1976). History Of Mewar [From the earliest times to 1751 AD] (1st ed.). Jaipur: Shantidevi,Matheshwari Publications.
  • Paliwal, Dr. Devilal (1980). Ghanerao ke Mertiya Rathore (1 ed.). Udaipur: Shri Geeta Printing Press.
  • Shyamaldas, Kaviraja (2017). Vir Vinod (4 ed.). Jodhpur: Rajasthani Granthagar. ISBN 9788187720249.