#23_February is a date etched in stone by the blood of Rajputs in what is exclusively a Rajput tradition of Jauhar & Saka.
No race/community in the world has so oft repeated this unheard of & unparalleled feat of Last Stands so readily over centuries.
It was 23 February 1568 !
Akbar had sat before mighty Chitrakoot (Chittorgarh) for months with resources of an empire aiding his pursuit of personal glory & subjugation of #Hindua_Suraj, Rana of Mewar.
Prima Donna of reigning Hindu Princes. Rana Udai Singh sat on the hallowed throne of Kumbha & Sanga !
The siege has begun on 20 October 1567. Rana had given shelter to Baz Bahadur besides the Mirzas of Sambhal.
Rana was epitome of chivalry, valour & inherited the pride of his ancestors refusing to bow to Akbar.
Abul Fazl, “none of his ancestors had bowed & kissed the ground” !
And, Udai Singh not in the league of Kumbha or Sanga wasn’t amenable to it either. Mandalgarh had fallen & now Akbar stood before Chittorgarh in vain hope of its garrison surrendering. Rana had been asked to leave by his vassals, fort commanded by Jaimal Rathore & Patta Sisodiya.
Fort had 8000 Rajputs defending against a host of 55000 Mughal. Full 58 days after the siege was raised, on 22 Feb a fluke shot got Jaimal in leg which wounded the commander besides the breach in citadel had endangered the garrison’s situation in defending it.
Rajput women laid the Jauhar pyres at selected places & immolated themselves in the hoary traditions of Rajputs. Not all did immolate, some fought till they died as soldiers.
Mother of Patta Chundawat, Sajjan Bai Soniggura armed herself & her daughter in law, wife of Patta.
The latter, Jiwan Bai Solanki, an excellent marksman was finally killed in the battle. Such deeds performed by the mothers & wives, made the Rajput reckless of his life.
The final journey, the Saka, began with the 8000 taking the last ‘Bida’ betel leaf, put on their #Kesariya &
began the work of Rudra, no one lived to soil the Kesariya with an inglorious surrender.
Rajputs rode death, selling lives dearer than anything could command & extracting heavy price of the Mughals.
When Salumbar fell at Suraj Pol, it was not a fight for survival but Honour !
Abul Fazl records the heroics of Jaimal & Kalla Rathore between Hanuman Pol & Bhairav Pol. Fazl calls Kalla Ji as an inspiration for Rajputs.
Rajput chronicles speak of ‘Charbhuja’ with Jaimal riding shoulders of his nephew Kalla wrecked havoc & both wielding swords in both hands
To eternise this memory of the lives lost to senseless massacre. Numerals 74.5 are accursed. Marked on bankers seal, it’s the strongest of seals, reads “Chittod Marya ka Paap” is thereby invoked on all who violate this sacredness.
Janue was taken away to Agra to proclaim defeat.
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