The Battle of Mandalgarh and Banas were two major battles fought between Rana Kumbha of Mewar and Mahmud Khalji of Malwa which resulted in two indecisive conflicts.

Battle of Mandalgarh

Battle of Mandalgarh
Date1443
Location
Mandalgarh,Rajasthan
Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
Kingdom of Mewar Malwa Sultanate
Commanders and leaders
Kumbha of Mewar Mahmud Khilji

In 1443 Rana Kumbha left Chittor to invade Haraoti. Finding Mewar unprotected, the Sultan of Malwa, Mahmud Khalji, burning with a desire to take revenge and wipe off the disgrace of his defeat in the Battle of Sarangpur in 1437, invaded Mewar.He invaded Mewar and launched an attack on Kumbhalgarh, a formidable fort. However, the sultan's efforts to breach the fortress proved futile. Frustrated, Mahmud Khilji then moved towards Chittor and wreaked havoc on the surrounding territory. Upon learning of Mahmuad Khilji's destructive actions in his country, Kumbha swiftly returned and confronted the sultan's army near Mandalgarh. In the ensuing battle, Kumbha emerged victorious, causing Mahmud Khilji to retreat back to his stronghold in Mandu.[1]

The Persian chornicles claim that for two days, the result of the battle remained indecisive. On the third day, Rana Kumbha finding himself in a position where he may get defeated, accepted to pay a large sum of money and sued for peace.however modern historian's finds this version to be an exaggeration.[2]

Historian Upendra Nath Day concludes that both claims;ie victory of the Malwa and thd Mewar is both exaggerated and the result remains undecided with advantages on side of Kumbha and Mahmud thought it expedient to return.[3]

Battle of Banas

Battle of Banas
Date1446
Location
Banas River,Rajasthan
Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
Kingdom of Mewar Malwa Sultanate
Commanders and leaders
Rana Kumbha Sultan Mahmud Khilji

Three years after his previous failed invasion, Sultan Mahmud Khilji returned with a larger army, this time target

ing Mandalgarh. Kumbha, the ruler of Mewar, intercepted the sultan's forces as they crossed the river Banas and inflicted a devastating defeat upon him. This crushing victory left Mahmud Khilji demoralized and he remained inactive for the next eight years. It was not until 1454 that Mahmud Khilji attempted another campaign against Mewar, this time with Chittor as his objective. However, Kumbha preemptively engaged the sultan before he could reach his goal and forced him to retreat back to Mandu.[1]

However RV Somani states that the repetitive description of persian chronicles of retreat due to rainy season as a common way to hide sultan's defeat.[4]

Upendra Nath Day addresses that the result of the conflict remained indecisive as the Malwa forces under Mahmud Khalji withdrew due to the approach of rainy season was really a danger because the ravines etc. as explained by Shihab Hakim. He states that the victory attained by Rana Kumbha was an exaggeration, as the Rajputs couldn't find the reason for the withdrawal of Malwa forces.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 Mankekar, D. r (1976). Mewar Saga.
  2. ↑ Somānī, Rāmavallabha (1995). Maharana Kumbha and His Times: A Glorious Hindu King. Jaipur Publishing House. p. 86.
  3. 1 2 Day, Upendra Nath (1978). Mewar Under Maharana Kumbha, 1433 A.D.-1468 A.D. Rajesh Publications. pp. 56–187.
  4. ↑ Ram Vallabh Somani (1976). History of Mewar, from Earliest Times to 1751 A.D. Mateshwari. p. 129. OCLC 2929852.
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