myIndiamyGlory

 

An interesting incident shows how great Rana Sanga was. After winning the Battle of Khatoli, the Rana did not sit on his throne. He instead surprised everyone by sitting on the ground among the lesser nobles. The whole court was bewildered. They asked Rana the reason. He replied that he had lost an arm and had become lame and hence he was not fit for the throne. Medini Rai, a Rajput chief, then took Rana Sanga by his hand and made him sit on his throne.

 

Many often misinterpret that Rana Sanga invited Babur to India. There is no evidence in Indian records of this. It was Daulat Khan Lodhi, Subedar of Punjab and relative of Delhi Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi who invited Babur to India. Yes Rana Sanga did get the news that Babur was on his way to attack the Delhi Sultanate. He did plan that when Babur would attack Delhi, he would attack Agra. And he never sided with Babur and Mughal forces. There is a probability that someone from the Lodhi clan faked as messenger of Sanga. Because not only Daulat Khan but also another enemy of Lodhis Alam Khan also invited Babur. So a 3rd proposal might have well convinced Babur. The reason why few also quote Babarnamah to prove their point.

 

Distortions in history textbooks have brainwashed the youth since 70 plus years. Even Bipin Chandra in NCERT book mentions Rana Sanga sided with Mughals inviting Babur. The same Bipin Chandra described Bhagat Singh in Delhi University book as ‘revolutionary TERRORIST’, not ‘freedom fighter’.

 

Rana Sanga fought against Babur in Khanwa in alliance with other chiefs, but was defeated (Sanga’s first and last defeat). Had Sanga invited Babur he would have definitely sided with Mughals. Rana prepared for another battle against Babur, but the Rana’s own chiefs poisoned him to death. There were/are no dearth of traitors. Had Sanga not been poisoned and had he involved in a 2nd battle against Babur, history of India would have been different.

 

Another section of people opine Sanga invited Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodhi. Truth is Rana Sanga defeated Ibrahim Lodhi twice – in Khatoli and Dholpur. Why will Rana need help of Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodhi? He also defeated Gujrat Sultanate and won many more battles. He never lost a battle except one (the first and last) against Babur in Khanwa. Rana Sanga’s tale of valor is described in Chapter 7 in Book 1 of Saffron Swords along with 51 more episodes of valor of warrior ancestors against invaders from across Bharat from the 8th century to independence.

 

Irony is we have Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Road in the capital city of India. The Lodhi dynasty, of Afghan origin (ruled Delhi from 1451 to 1526) were gone and their rule ended centuries ago. Yet we celebrate them everyday. This happens in India only! Sanga defeated Ibrahim Lodhi, the last Lodhi Sultan of Delhi. Shouldn’t Lodhi Road be renamed as Rana Sanga Road?

Image courtesy: Wikimedia.