(1) #Thread on the Forgotten Hindu Maharaja - Himu (aka Hemu, Hemchandra Vikramaditya)
He had won total *23 battles* in his very martial lifetime, after which he took on the title "Vikramaditya"
(2) He was born as Himu Bhargav in southern part of Alwar state in #Rajputana.
Starting as a greengrocer in Rewari, he first became a Police Superintendent of the bazars there, and gradually became a trusted confidante of Sultan Islam Shah Suri ( 👇 reigned 1545-54)
(3) After Islam Shah's death, his successor Adil Shah appointed Himu as his Chief Minister in 1555.
Adil Shah faced rebellions from multiple provinces. The 1st rebel to rise was the Governor at Bayana, Junaid Khan. Himu was sent with 4000 horses & 4 elephants to deal with him.
(4) Himu defeated Junaid Khan two times, while killing rebel commander Daulat Khan. These were the 1st two victories out of the 22-win streak.
Abu Fazl, in Akbarnama, describes Himu's successes thus 👇
(5) Taj Khan Karrani, ruling Odisha & Bengal, claimed the Delhi throne and marched towards Delhi. However, he was defeated two times by Himu - at Chibramau, & Chunar (both in UP).
(6) Ibrahim Suri, Agra Governor, also claimed the throne. However, he was defeated by Himu at Khanwa & Kalpi. Ibrahim Suri was besieged at Bayana Fort after these battles.
At Bayana, two battles were again fought wherein Himu again emerged victorious.
(7) Muhammad Khan Sur, Bengal Governor, claimed the throne as well, and marched towards Delhi. When he reached near Kalpi after plundering Jaunpur, Himu's army annihilated Muhammad Khan Sur's army.
Badauni’s Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh describes it thus 👇
(8) Jul 1555: Meanwhile, Tardi Beg was appointed Mughal Delhi Governor by Humayun after conquest.
Himu marched via Gwalior, Agra to Tughlaqabad (nr. Delhi) to face Tardi Beg. This was the 1st battle of Himu against Mughals, in which Himu emerged victorious over Mughals.
(9) 7 Oct 1556: After the Victory of Tughlaqabad, Himu entered Delhi with his troops. He crowned himself Maharaja, and adopted the title 'Vikramaditya'. He also got coins struck in his name to mark his ascendance!
(10) This news reached Akbar at Jalandhar and met with Himu's forces at Panipat on 5 Nov 1556.
Himu's elephants & cavalry charged at Mughal lines. When they were on the defensive, a Mughal detachment out-flanked Himu. In the ensuing chaos in his army, an arrow struck Himu's eye.
(11) An almost-victorious army of Himu's then fled the field. Himu was half-unconscious by the eye-wound, but was b3headed by Bairam Khan in Mughal camp.
After Akbar became emperor, he conquered Alwar and got Himu’s father beheaded after refusal to convert to Islam.
(12) Such was the noble end of the family of Hemchandra Vikramaditya, a great #HinduHero who was born in humble background, and made his way to the Delhi Throne on account of sheer ability & excellent military skills!