Jaimal and Patta
Encyclopedia
Jaimal Rathore of Badnor and Patta of Kelwa (Jaimal Rathore: cousin of Meerabai, Patta or Fatta:Fateh Singh Sisodiya) were the warriors who faced attack of Akbar in 1567 and 1568 AD on the fort of Chittor. Both were aged 16 years.When Akbar attacked Chittor, Rana Udai Singh II left the fort together with his family. Jaimal Rathore
of Merta was appointed qiledar (Commander in charge) of the fort. Akbar arrived at Chittor on 23 October 1567 AD and sieged the fort. The siege continued for at least four months. Ultimately Akbar ordered his men to bury mines and explode them to demolish the walls of the fort so that the Mughal
army could enter it. The people inside the fort were running short of food and water and other supplies. Finally Akbar was able to damage a wall of the fort. Next morning on 23 February 1568 AD Jaimal Rathore started repairing part of the damaged wall. Akbar noticed him walking on the walls and guessed from his clothing that he was an important person. He shot at him with his gun "Sangram" and wounded Jaimal in the leg.
When the Rajputs in the fort felt that the war could not be won, they decided to die in the war. On the same night Rajput
ladies committed Jauhar
. When the flames were sighted atop the fort, Raja Bhagwandas of Amer immediately realized that they were the flames of Jauhar. He cautioned the Mughal forces to be ready to face the ferocious Rajput men at any moment because Rajputs would now fight till their last breath. Next morning the Rajput
men under the command of lame but valiant Jaimal Rathore and his army performed Saka (Kesariya or Saffron) by wearing saffron clothes and fought their last fight with Mughal army. Since Jaimal was injured and could not ride a horse, his brother Kalla Rathore made him sit on his shoulders and as a single entity, they fought with four hands. It seemed as if god Charbhujanathji himself had incarnated on the batllefield. When Jaimal died in the war, Patta Sisodia
took the command, but he too died in the battle. These young men displayed true Rajput chivalry. Akbar was so impressed with the bravery of these two warriors that he commissioned a statue of Jaimal and Patta riding on elephants at the gates of the Agra
fort. The statues were later destroyed by the Aurangzeb.
Rathore
The Rathore is a Suryavanshi Rajput clan same caste as Lohana. Their Kuldevi is Nagnechiya Mata and "Karani Mata". Rathores are originally from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. Rathores are historically considered the samurais of India...
of Merta was appointed qiledar (Commander in charge) of the fort. Akbar arrived at Chittor on 23 October 1567 AD and sieged the fort. The siege continued for at least four months. Ultimately Akbar ordered his men to bury mines and explode them to demolish the walls of the fort so that the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
army could enter it. The people inside the fort were running short of food and water and other supplies. Finally Akbar was able to damage a wall of the fort. Next morning on 23 February 1568 AD Jaimal Rathore started repairing part of the damaged wall. Akbar noticed him walking on the walls and guessed from his clothing that he was an important person. He shot at him with his gun "Sangram" and wounded Jaimal in the leg.
When the Rajputs in the fort felt that the war could not be won, they decided to die in the war. On the same night Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
ladies committed Jauhar
Jauhar
Jauhar and Saka refer to the ancient Indian tradition of honorary self immolation of women and subsequent march of men to the battle field to end their life with respect. It was followed by the Rajput clans in order to avoid capture and dishonour at the hands of their enemies...
. When the flames were sighted atop the fort, Raja Bhagwandas of Amer immediately realized that they were the flames of Jauhar. He cautioned the Mughal forces to be ready to face the ferocious Rajput men at any moment because Rajputs would now fight till their last breath. Next morning the Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
men under the command of lame but valiant Jaimal Rathore and his army performed Saka (Kesariya or Saffron) by wearing saffron clothes and fought their last fight with Mughal army. Since Jaimal was injured and could not ride a horse, his brother Kalla Rathore made him sit on his shoulders and as a single entity, they fought with four hands. It seemed as if god Charbhujanathji himself had incarnated on the batllefield. When Jaimal died in the war, Patta Sisodia
Sisodia
The Sisodia are Chattari Rajputs of the Suryavanshi lineage who ruled the kingdom of Mewar in Rajasthan. Prior to Rana Hamir the clan was known as Gehlot or Guhilot. In 1303 CE Alla-ud-din Khilji attacked Chittor...
took the command, but he too died in the battle. These young men displayed true Rajput chivalry. Akbar was so impressed with the bravery of these two warriors that he commissioned a statue of Jaimal and Patta riding on elephants at the gates of the Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
fort. The statues were later destroyed by the Aurangzeb.
External links
- persian.packhum.org - The Akbarnama, part II, chapter 65, H.M.'s Siege of the Fortress of Citũr