Sangram Singh I, also known as Rana Sanga, was a Sisodia dynasty ruler. He ruled Mewar, the old Guhila (Sisodia) kingdom in modern-day northwestern India. However, under his skilled leadership, his kingdom grew to become one of Northern India's most powerful powers in the early sixteenth century. He ruled over sections of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Chittor served as his capital. Before the Mughal Era, Rana Sanga was the last independent Hindu king of Northern India to control a substantial region. In some recent literature, he is referred to as the Hindu Emperor of Northern India. In this article, we will discuss the Important Ruler of the Muzaffarid Dynasty in Mewar Rana Sanga (1508-1528 CE) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Rana Sanga - Background

• Rana Sanga was the son of Rana Raimal and Ratan Kunwar, the Sisodia king and queen.
• Sanga was the youngest of Raimal's four sons, but due to circumstances and a brutal battle with his brothers Prithviraj and Jagmal, in which he lost one of his eyes, he eventually succeeded to the kingdom of Mewar in 1508.
• Several of his contemporaries adored his rule, notably Babur, who called him the "greatest Indian monarch" of the period.
• Rana Sanga's long military career included continuous victories against various neighbouring Muslim countries, most notably the Delhi-based Lodhi dynasty.
• For the first time since the Second Battle of Tarain, he gathered many Rajput clans and marched against the Timurid monarch Babur.
• Despite his initial successes, Sanga was defeated at Khanwa by the Timurids, who used gunpowder, which was unknown in North India at the time.

Reign of Rana Sanga

• Sanga reconciled the warring tribes of Rajputana through diplomacy and marital alliances after ascending to the throne.
• Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, wrote of the difficulties he faced in India in his memoirs, describing Sanga as India's greatest infidel (Hindu) king.
• Sanga had grown so powerful as a result of his audacity and sword, Babur said, that his empire now encompassed a large area of Northern India.
• Medini Rai, a dissident Malwa sultan's minister, was fighting Mahmud for the Malwa throne and was promised assistance by Rana Sanga.
• As a result, at Gagron, the combined Muslim troops of Gujarat and Malwa faced off against the Sisodias led by Sanga.
• The fight ended with the Muslim armies being routed and the Rajputs winning decisively.
• After the victory in the battle, Sanga conquered Malwa alongwith Chanderi.
• Following his conquest of Malwa, Sanga shifted his attention to northeastern Rajasthan, which was then under the power of Ibrahim Lodi.
• Rana and his army confronted Lodi at the Hadoti border at Khatauli, and the Lodi army suffered significant defeats and withdrew.
• With his mighty force of 40,000 Rajputs and three vassals, Sanga invaded Gujarat in 1520 to settle the succession of the state of Idar.
• Sanga successfully captured Northern Gujarat and chose one of his vassals to rule there after a series of battles.
• In 1527, a fight was fought between him and Babur (Mughals) at Khanwa, 37 miles west of Agra.
• Because of their cannons, matchlocks, and other guns, the Mughals were triumphant.
• During the battle, Sanga was also betrayed by Silhadi, who switched sides and joined Babur.
• The Mughal triumph is seen as a watershed moment in the Mughal conquest of North India, as the conflict proved to be more historic and eventful than Panipat in that it established Babur as the unquestioned ruler of North India while smashing and revitalizing Rajput powers.

Death and Succession

• In his last battle with Babur, Rana Sanga was injured by an arrow in the middle of the combat and had to flee.
• Prithviraj Singh I Kachwaha and Maldeo Rathore of Marwar carried Sanga away from the battlefield unconscious.
• He took an oath not to return to Chittor till he had defeated Babur and conquered Delhi after regaining consciousness.
• He was poisoned by his own nobility who did not want another war with Babur while preparing to conduct another war against him.
• Ratan Singh II succeeded him when he died at Kalpi in 1528.

Conclusion

Under the skilled leadership of Rana Sanga, his kingdom grew to become one of Northern India's most powerful kingdoms in the early sixteenth century. Sanga's long military career included continuous victories against various neighbouring Muslim countries, most notably the Delhi-based Lodhi dynasty. Rana Sanga was the last independent Hindu king of Northern India to control a substantial region.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who was the ruler of Mewar during the Battle of Khanwa?

A) Maharana Pratap
B) Rana Sanga
C) Raj Singh
D) Jai Singh

2. The Battle of Khanwa (1527) was fought between which two rulers?

A) Maharana Pratap and Akbar
B) Rana Sanga and Babur
C) Shivaji and Aurangzeb
D) Baji Rao I and Nizam-ul-Mulk

3. What was the primary cause of the Battle of Khanwa?

A) Religious differences
B) Babur’s expansionist ambitions
C) Economic rivalry
D) Succession dispute in Mewar

4. Who succeeded Rana Sanga as the ruler of Mewar?

A) Maharana Pratap
B) Vikram Singh
C) Udai Singh
D) Raj Singh

5. What was the result of the Battle of Khanwa for Rana Sanga?

A) Rana Sanga was victorious
B) Rana Sanga’s power increased
C) Rana Sanga’s defeat weakened Mewar
D) Rana Sanga expanded his territory

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the political and military significance of Rana Sanga’s leadership in the context of Rajput resistance to Mughal expansion.

Answer: Rana Sanga’s leadership marked a pivotal moment in Rajput resistance to Mughal expansion. His efforts to unite various Rajput states into a coalition against Babur showcased his strategic vision. The Battle of Khanwa, though ultimately a defeat, demonstrated Rana Sanga’s ability to rally multiple forces against a common enemy. Despite the defeat, his leadership provided a model of Rajput unity and defiance, and although Mewar was weakened after his death, his resistance against the Mughals became a symbol of Rajput valor and unity, which would continue to inspire future generations of Rajput leaders like Maharana Pratap.

Q2: Evaluate the impact of the Battle of Khanwa on the Mughal Empire’s expansion in northern India.

Answer: The Battle of Khanwa was a turning point for the Mughal Empire's expansion in northern India. Babur’s victory over Rana Sanga not only cemented Mughal control over north India but also eliminated a significant challenge to Mughal rule. The battle allowed Babur to solidify his position and secure the resources of Mewar, a key strategic region. Following this, Babur’s successors, particularly Akbar, would continue to expand Mughal influence across India. The defeat of the Rajput coalition marked a decline in organized resistance to the Mughals in northern India, which had previously been fragmented and lacked unified leadership.

Q3: How did Rana Sanga’s reign contribute to the cultural and political landscape of Mewar and Rajasthan?

Answer: Rana Sanga’s reign was marked by efforts to strengthen Mewar both politically and culturally. He sought to unify the fragmented Rajput states, and through his military and political acumen, he consolidated power in Mewar. Culturally, his reign saw the flourishing of Rajput identity, which was characterized by resistance against foreign invaders and a strong sense of pride in Rajputana heritage. Despite his ultimate defeat, Rana Sanga’s legacy influenced subsequent Rajput leaders, particularly Maharana Pratap, and his efforts laid the foundation for continued Rajput resistance in Rajasthan.

Previous Year Questions on Rana Sanga

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019:

Question: Which battle marked the defeat of Rana Sanga and was decisive for Mughal control over northern India?

A) Battle of Panipat
B) Battle of Khanwa
C) Battle of Haldighati
D) Battle of Talikota

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The Battle of Khanwa (1527) was a decisive battle where Babur defeated Rana Sanga, securing Mughal control over northern India.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Discuss the significance of Rana Sanga’s role in Rajput resistance to Mughal rule during the early 16th century.

Answer: Rana Sanga’s role in Rajput resistance to Mughal rule was significant as he united several Rajput states against Babur’s invasion, showcasing Rajput unity and valor. Although he was defeated at the Battle of Khanwa, his efforts set the tone for continued resistance by later Rajput rulers, most notably Maharana Pratap, against Mughal expansion in Rajasthan.