Hammir Dev Chauhan

Hammir Dev Chauhan was a direct descendant of Prithviraj Chauhan. He was an Agnivanshi Rajput. Hammir ruled over Ranathambore from 1282-1301. Hammir's father Vagbhatta ruled from 1237-1253 and his son Jaitra, Hammir's father, ruled from 1253-1281 AD.

Ballads of Hammir's bravery are still sung in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Jaisingh Suri, a Jain historian, in 14th century, wrote Hammir's biography, Hammira Mahakavya.

Campaigns

Hammir conquered Mount Abu, Saraspura, Dhar, Gadhamandala, Champa, Khandela and Kankaroli. These regions comprise whole of Malwa and southern part of Rajasthan. In 1290 Jalaludin-Khilji, ruler of Delhi, attacked Hammir because of his rising power. Jalaludin's forces were defeated by Hammir. In 1296, Jalaludin was murdered by Allauddin Khilji. In 1297 Allauddin sent an army to plunder Gujarat, under the generalship of Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan. This army looted the temple of Somnath and Shivalinga was broken into pieces and was being carried back to Delhi. Kanhad Dev Songara, ruler of Jalore attacked and defeated Ulugh Khan and captured the broken Shivalinga which was washed in Ganga-jal and the fragments were established in various temples in Jalore. Muhammad Shah a neo-muslim helped Kanhad Dev Songara. Muhammad was a general in Khilji's army. Muhammad Shah after this war went and stayed with Hammir at Ranthambore. Ulugh Khan went and apprised Allauddin who ordered him and Nusrat Khan to conquer Ranthambore. In 1299 they started out with 80,000 cavalry and a large infantry to attack Hammir. Hammir's army repulsed the attack and killed Nusrat Khan. Ulugh Khan escaped and reached Delhi. Khilji was taken aback by this defeat and wanted revenge. He finally came himself in 1301, and there was a long siege. Hammir was very well prepared. When the fort would not fall after repeated bloody skirmishes khilji resorted to diplomacy. Hammir was very suspicious but he heeded to his councillors who told him that sword is not always the best recourse. Ratipal and Ranmal, who were close confidants of Hammir, were sent to the khilji camp. Ranmal's father was hung by Hammir for treachery and his property was confiscated. Ranmal earned the trust of Hammir by being brave in battles that Hammir fought but perfidy was in his blood. Khilji bribed these two generals of Hammir's army and consequently Ranthambore fell.

References

*The glory of Ranthambhor:"Dr LS Rathore: Jodhpur university press, Jodhpur (India) First published in 1990"::Detailed description of wars between Hammir Dev Chauhan and Khilji.