Empires of India: The Rajputs

Around the fifteenth century, several Muslim rulers controlled regions in north, northwest and even central India. In the face of their relentless aggression, the battle to protect Hindu beliefs and way of living was an uphill task. It was during this time that sons from the Rajput clans refused to yield, leading to countless battles and lessons to future generations on leaving no stone unturned to uphold their honour. The kingdom of Mewar emerged as key in the resistance to Muslim rulers, with the Rajput dynasty there producing successors such as Maharana Kumbha, Maharana Sanga, and Maharana Pratap. They left an incredible legacy, with Maharana Kumbha remaining undefeated in every battle he ever fought and ensuring art and culture flourished under his reign. Maharana Sanga overcame difficult personal circumstances to finally become the first ruler who succeeded in uniting the Rajput clans to keep invaders at bay. Years down the line, when several Rajput leaders were forming alliances with the Mughal empire, Maharana Pratap valiantly countered them in epic battles such as the one in Haldighati. Apart from Mewar, an orphaned Chhattrasal from Bundelkhand drew inspiration from Chatrapati Shivaji and played a pivotal role in the Mughal empire’s downfall. In this book, delve deeper into the stories of these determined brave men and their tales of political and personal triumphs as they rewrote Indian history.