Silhadi

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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.

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 facto 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 1527, Silhadi aligned himself with Rana Sanga of Mewar 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. 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.

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. 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.

After months of siege, 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.