Maharaja Chhatrasal

Maharaja Chhatrasal Latest News

Underway at the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum at Shyamal Hills in Bhopal, the second day of Mahua Festival carried a theme steeped in local legend: the life of Maharaja Chhatrasal.

About Maharaja Chhatrasal

• Maharaja Chhatrasal (4 May 1649 – 19 December 1731) was a medieval Indian warrior who fought against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and established his own kingdom in Bundelkhand.
• He belonged to the Bundela clan of Rajputs, born under Mughal supremacy but died as an independent king of an independent kingdom.  
• His father had raised the banner for freedom a generation earlier but was killed in battle with the Mughals after killing the favourite of the emperor, Abu Fazl. 
• Maharaja Chhatrasal started a revolt at the age of 22 and formed a kingdom of his own at the age of 26 against Mughal dominance.  
• During the first ten years of his revolt, he conquered a large tract of land between Chitrakoot and Panna on the east and Gwalior on the west. 
• His victory march continued as far as Malwa, Punjab, Rajasthan, establishing the Bundela kingdom.  
• Some of the Mughal generals who were defeated by him were Rohilla Khan, Kaliq, Munawwar Khan, Sadruddin, Sheikh Anwar, Sayyid Latif, Bahlol Khan and Abdus Ahmed. 
• Alliance with the Marathas:
  • In 1729, Chhatrasal sought help from Peshwa Baji Rao I against the Mughal commander Muhammad Khan Bangash.
  • Baji Rao I defeated Bangash and helped Chhatrasal retain his kingdom.
  • In gratitude, Chhatrasal granted a portion of his territory to the Marathas, strengthening Maratha influence in central India.
  • Chhatrasal also gave his daughter Mastani as a bride to Baji Rao I. 
• He was not only a great warrior but an able administrator too; his governance ensured his kingdom would always have a full treasury. 
• Highly respected for his sense of honour and love for his people, he was given the title of ‘Maharaja’ by Sant Prannath.

Source: TOI

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