Udal of Mahoba

Grand statue of Udal's brother Alha in Mahoba U.P.

Udal (full name Udai Singh) was a Rajput general in the army of Chandel King Maharaj Parimard Dev Burman (also known as Parmal or Parimal) of Mahoba in 12th-13th century AD. He was younger brother of Alha. Parmal raised Udal as his own son, since he was born after the death of his father Dassraj, who - a general himself - was killed in the service of Parmal.^[1]

Udal was generally seen on a horse whereas Alha, on an elephant. Both are among the greatest warriors of Mahoba of all times. Out of total 52 battles fought by these Banaphar rajputs, Udal alone had won 22 battles. Alha and Udal chowk is now situated in Mahoba city. A grand statue of Udal has also been established there.

It is believed that both these brothers had built so many structures and temples in Mahoba district.

Last battle against Delhi

Prithviraj Chauhan declared war on Mahoba. During the battle the Mahoban army was split into three different sections. One was led by the Prince of Mahoba, while the other two were led by the brothers Alha and Udal. Chauhan defeated the sections under Udal and the Prince of Mahoba - Brahma. Udal had injured chand Pundir, a friend and general of Chauhan, in combat. Udal moved forward and injured kanha dev kaimash and chamunda rai and injured prithviraj Chauhan so badly that he could hardly move. Udal also defeated chamunda rai and kanha dev and kaimash chief commanders but left alive chamunda rai to say that he is Brahmin and he will not kill him due to Brahmin, Chamunda Rai, in an attempt to save his friend Prithviraj, killed Udal in the last from back .

Chand bardai poet of prithviraj wrote in prithviraj raso

"उदल को नाच्यो कबंध पिलयो शीश धर शूर

हनी फौज पृथ्वीराज की एक हजार हुजूर

पहले ऊदल कान्ह धुकायो ।पाछे कान्ह उठ्यो रिस लायो ।।

लरयो उद्दल कान्ह मलसर्रह ।भये मूर्छा कान्ह अति भरेह ।।

फिर चहुवान चेत किये चंदही। अरु कैमास आय ढिग बंदही।।

सेल साधि उदल के मारीह ।उदल पेलि दियो तलवारिह ।।

भयो रुण्ड खेलो धरनि सह ।दई तेग फिर कान्ह के शिर ।।

फेरी दई कैमास सुकन्दह। भये मूर्छा दोउ दंडाह।

फिर उदल चामुंडाही मारयो। भम्हंन कहि तेहि का फिरि छाड्यू।।

उदल किये पृथ्वीराज सो भारी ।पृथ्वी कियो युद्ध अति भारी ।।

डेढ़ पहर भयो युद्ध भारी । गिरे धरनि दोउ वीर सम्हारि।।

पहरे द्वेक कीन्हो बहुयुद्धह ।पाछे भयो मूर्छा उद्दह ।।

तीनिउ मिलिके मारिये नृप जसराज कुमार

मारे भट पृथ्वीराज के शिर बिन एक हजार "

Alha, commander of the third section, had seen Chauhan falling injured. As soon as he moved forward to kill Prithviraj Chauhan, his guru Gorakhnath came in the way. The guru forbade him not to take revenge of his brother's death but to think for the welfare of the entire rajput state.

Alha did not kill Chauhan and went to the Himalayan mountains.

References

1. ↑ Mishra, Pt. Lalita Prasad (2007). Alhakhand (in Hindi) (15 ed.). Post Box 85 Lucknow (India): Tejkumar Book Depot (Pvt) Ltd. pp. 1–11 (History of Mahoba).