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ViewsMaharaja Chhatra Singh RanaFrom Jatland Wiki(Redirected from Rana Chhatar Singh)
Maharaja Chhatar Singh Rana (1757-1785) (महाराजा छत्रसिंह राणा) was the ruler of Gohad Jat state in Madhya Pradesh, India. He became the ruler of Gohad after the fall of Maharaja Bhim Singh Rana. Rana Bhim Singh had no son. Girdhar Pratap Singh became his successor in 1755. Girdhar Pratap Singh was son of Samant Rao Balju, a family friend of Rana Bhim Singh. Girdhar Pratap Singh could not rule Gohad for long as he died in 1757. His successor was his younger brother Rana Chhatar Singh (1757-1785). He was from Bamraulia gotra of Jats. He ruled Gohad state till 1785. [1] Brief historyMaharaja Chhatar Singh Rana 1757 - 1785 H.H. Rais ud-Daula, Sipahdar ul-Mulk, Maharajadhiraja Sri Sawai Maharaj Rana Shri Chhatrapat Singh [Chatrajit], Lokendra Bahadur, Diler Jang, Jai Deo, Maharaj Rana of Gohad, third son of Samant Rao Balju, of Nimrol, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his younger brother, 1757. Advanced a large sum of money to Emperor Shah Alam II on his return to Delhi in 1771. Granted the titles of Maharaj Rana, Rais ud-Daula, Sipahdar ul-Mulk, and Diler Jung, as his reward. Entered into treaty relations with the HEIC, 2nd December 1779. Recovered Gwalior 4th August 1780, but lost the fort to Maharaja Madhoji Rao Scindia, after a prolonged siege lasting nearly five months, 21st July 1783. Expelled from Gohad 23rd February 1784. Concluded a Treaty of Alliance with the HEIC, which restored Gwalior to him. Lost Gwalior and Gohad to Scindia in 1785. Fled to Karauli but was captured and kept as a prisoner at Gwalior fort. m. H.H. Maharani …Sahiba (blew herself up with her followers during the taking of Gwalior, 1783). He d.s.p. (poisoned) at Gwalior, 19th April 1788 (succ. by his cousin).[2] Greatest ruler of GohadHe is considered to be the greatest and the most powerful ruler of Gohad. During his rule he occupied many neighbouring forts. His rule is considered to be the golden period of Rana rulers by historians. He was brave, tactful, visionary and strong administrator. The Marathas were strong enemies of Gohad rulers but Mahadji Sindhia always desired to have friendship with Chhatar Singh.[3] The English Government made him the ally of the British. His biggest success was occupation of the the most impregnable Gwalior Fort.[4] Captured Gwalior fort in 1761With a wise prescience he held aloof from the struggle for empire between the Marathas and warriors from the north and when the fatal day of Panipat 1761 had completely overwhelmed the former, he showed his sense of the importance of defeat by proclaiming Rana of Gohad and seizing the fortress of Gwalior. That independence remained unquestioned for six years. But in 1767 Raghunath Rao, afterwards Peshwa, being then in Hindustan thought to teach a lesson to Rana of Gohad. Accordingly he marched with the army to attack Gohad. But the Rana had in the meanwhile strengthened his defence; he had drilled his troops; and being a hardy man himself, with an especial dislike to be ridden over roughshod, he gave the assailants some very hard and unpleasant work. He defended himself so valiantly that Raghunath Rao proposed at last to treat. An accommodation was agreed upon, by which, for a consideration of Rs 3 lakhs, the Marathas agreed to retire, and to recognize the independence, under their suzerainty, of the Rana Lokindar Singh. [5] At the third Battle of Panipat in 1761, the growing power of the Maratha confederacy received a crushing defeat at the hands of the massive invading Afghan army of Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durrani) and his Indian, mostly Pathan allies. Shortly “after Panipat, Chhatra Singh Rana [threw off allegiance to the Marathas,] proclaimed himself ‘Rana of Gohad’ and seized Gwalior Fort in 1761 AD.” This conquest, though undoubtedly spectacular, proved relatively short-lived, and the fortress was retaken in 1767 AD, (AH. 1181) by Mahadji Sindhia, after his general, Raghunath Rao, a man of ability - both soldier and statesman, who would later become the Maratha Peshwa - had failed in the attempt [6][7] [8] [9] For six years he remained the undisputed master of the fortification till when in 1767 Marathas, regaining their lost supremacy directed their troops under the command of Raghunath Rao who was on his way to Delhi, towards Gohad with a view to put an end to any further aggrandizement on the part of Lokender Singh.[10] Raghunath Rao attacks Gohad in 1766After the capturing Jhansi by Marathas, Holkar became engaged in planning war against Gohad ruler Rana Chhatra Singh, in January 1766, and his army started preparations for the war against Gohad. [11] [12] But in March 1766 he moved to Bharatpur and started war against Bharatpur Jat rulers on 13-14 March 1766. At the same time on 13-14 March 1766, Raghunath Rao attacked Gohad. [13] [14] Bharatpur Jat ruler Jawahar Singh sent an army of Sikhs against this war on Gohad. On 13-14 March 1766, there was a severe battle between Raghunath Rao and Rana Chattra Singh in Jatwara. Initially the Maratha army appeared to be victorious but meanwhile the Jat army became alert and counter attacked Maratha Army. Maratha Army could not resist this attack of the Jat army and was defeated very badly. This war proved to be another Panipat for Marathas. [15] [16] [17] Thus the dream of Raghunath Rao to occupy Gohad was shattered. The Marathas had to get defeat from Jat armies simultaneously at two places: Bharatpur and Gohad. [18] Mahadji Sindhia and Raghunath Rao re-attack Gohad 1766After the first defeat at Gohad, Raghunath Rao was bent upon to re-attack Gohad. This time the Marathas attacked Gohad, in October-November 1766, under the leadership of Mahadji Sindhia. They bomb-shelled gates and outer walls of the Gohad Fort. Rana Chhatra Singh lost his sister’s husband in this war. There became a shortage of food grains in the fort, [19] which forced the Rana Chhatra Singh to think for a treaty with Marathas. [20] He sent his deewan to Raghunath Rao on 26 October 1766 for discussion on the treaty proposals. The proposals included 1. Rana would pay Rs. 25 lakhs to Marathas 2. Rana would not demand for the loss caused to the crops from Marathas during the war 3. Marathas would excuse the Rana and would go back from this area. [21] Raghunath Rao replied that even after return of Marathas from this area, Marathas would keep a sainik chauki in Gohad. The Rana of Gohad did not agree on this proposal. Hence there was no compromise. [22] Thus after the failure of the treaty proposals, Raghunath Rao took again position for the war. Raghunath Rao attacked Gohad on 2 November 1766 with full force. The Maratha army reached up to the outer wall of the fort along with the cannons and started climbing the wall through upstairs. Meanwhile the Jats started heavy cannoning which killed hundreds of Maratha soldiers and forced Raghunath Rao to return to his camp. The Jat army fought this war with bravery and killed hundreds of soldiers and wounded 1000 soldiers. [23] [24] [25] [26] Rana-Maratha treaty 2 November 1766Though Rana Chhatra Singh defeated Marathas at Gohad on 2 November 1766, he still wished for treaty with Marathas for peace. Peace talks were started by Mahadji Sindhia and Nari Shankar from the side of Marathas with Chhatra Singh. Rana of Gohad agreed to pay Rs 11 lakh under the treaty out of which Rs. 2 lakh were to be paid in cash and rest in installments. [27] [28] The 2 November 1766 defeat of Marathas by Jats enraged Raghunath Rao, who was always in search of opportunities to insult Rana of Gohad. The soldiers of Raghunath Rao seized the small fort of Bhilsa under Jats. After a fight for 2-3 days the Jat sardars in the 'Bhilsa garhi' surrendered before the Maratha soldiers. On 10 December 1766 the Maratha soldiers killed 300 Jat soldiers present in the garhi. In addition to this the Maratha soldiers also started destroying other garhis (forts) under Jats. [29] [30] [31] The campaign of Marathas to occupy the Jat garhis compelled Rana Chhatra Singh to suppress Marathas. The Rana of Gohad re-occupied the garhis near Gohad, which were under Marathas. These include the forts at Badera, Bilhati, and Bahadurpura. He then moved to the ‘Padawli ki garhi’. [32] [33] These counter activities worried Raghunath Rao. He then requested Mahadji Sindhia to have a treaty of peace with Rana of Gohad. Mahadji Sindhia mediated for the implementation of treaty proposed after war of 2 November 1766. It got implemented on 2 January 1767. Under this treaty The Rana of Gohad paid Rs. 15 lakh to the Marathas. [34] [35] After this treaty Raghunath Rao moved towards Karauli. [36] Occupation of Bhind by Rana 1768The Jawahar Singh of Bharatpur and Rana of Gohad had an agreement in May 1768, under which Rana of Gohad asked for help in the matters of Bhind. After that Rana of Gohad attacked Bhind and occupied it. [37] [38] Due to the bravery of Rana Chhatra Singh, all people inside the fort came out. The joint Bharatpur-Gohad army were led by sardar Danshah and Mohkam Singh. The Jats also occupied Kaitha and Amayan forts. The Jats divided their army into three parts to retake their forts from Maratha occupation. One battalion was kept each at Umri, Indurakhi and Nandurakhi. The Sikh senapati of Jawahar Singh, Danshah after taking occupation of Bhind went to Ater across the Kunwari River. On the other side Jawahar Singh’s brother Ratan Singh came to meat Rana Chhatra Singh. In this war there were 1000 foot soldiers and 300 sawars in the army of Gohad led by senapati Madho Ram. [39] Rana Chhatra Singh’s policies after 1768Some unknown person killed Jawahar Singh, the ruler of Bharatpur, in 1768 while he was out on hunting. The Rana of Gohad was at great loss after death of Jawahar Singh. He was in search of a strong ally to oppose Marathas. He contacted the Mugal ruler, who was a titular head only. The Mugal ruler awarded various titles to him in 1771. [40] But Mugals were not of much use to Rana of Gohad. He later contacted with Mir Kasim, the Nawab of Bengal, and invited him to Gohad. [41] Mir Kasim along with his followers came to Gohad on 22 April 1770 and met Rana Chhatra Singh. [42] [43] The changing circumstances in north India led to think Rana Chhatra Singh to change his policies also. The Marathas, who lost Panipat in 1761, had regained power within 10 years. Marathas had started demanding chauth tax from Rajputs and Jats and areas west of Yamuna were in occupation of Mahadji Sindhia. [44]Marathas were enemies of both Jats and English. Looking to this situation Rana Chhatra Singh wrote to Warren Hastings on 5 April 1774 for help through his advocate Lala Kishan Chandra. [45] Regular correspondence by Rana of Gohad with the Governor-General resulted in formation of a combined front. In fact Rana wanted to repel Marathas beyond Narmada River. With this objective a treaty between Rana of Gohad and English took place in December 1779. [46] Anglo-Rana treaty 2 December 1779Note - the content of this section is based on The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 09 (of 12) eBook [47] under the heading XIV.—Ranna of Gohud. That on the 2d of December, 1779, the Governor-General and Council of Fort William, at the special recommendation and instance of Warren Hastings, Esquire, then Governor-General, and contrary to the declared opinion and protest of three of the members of the Council, viz., Philip Francis and Edward Wheler, Esquires, who were present, and of Sir Eyre Coote, who was absent, (by whose absence the casting voice of the said Warren Hastings, Esquire, prevailed,) did conclude a treaty of perpetual friendship and alliance, offensive and defensive, with a Hindoo prince, called the Ranna of Gohud, for the express purpose of using the forces of the said Ranna in opposition to the Mahrattas. That, among other articles, it was stipulated with the said Ranna by the said Warren Hastings,
That, in the late war against the Mahrattas, the said Ranna of Gohud did actually join the British army under the command of Colonel Muir with two battalions of infantry and twelve hundred cavalry, and did then serve in person against the Mahrattas, thereby affording material assistance, and rendering essential service to the Company. That, in conformity to the above-mentioned treaty, in the fourth article of the treaty of peace concluded on the 13th of October, 1781, between Colonel Muir, on the part of the English Company, and Mahdajee Sindia, the Mahratta general, the said Ranna of Gohud was expressly included. That, notwithstanding the said express provision and agreement, Mahdajee Sindia proceeded to attack the forts and lay waste the territories of the said Ranna, and did undertake and prosecute a war against him for the space of two years, in the course of which the Ranna and his family were reduced to extreme distress, and in the end he was deprived of his forts, and the whole not only of his acquired possessions, but of his original dominions, so specially guarantied to him by the British government in both the above-mentioned treaties. That the said Warren Hastings was duly and regularly informed of the progress of the war against the Ranna, and of every event thereof; notwithstanding which, he not only neglected in any manner to interfere therein in favor of the said Ranna, or to use any endeavors to prevent the infraction of the treaty, but gave considerable countenance and encouragement to Mahdajee Sindia in his violation of it, both by the residence of the British minister in the Mahratta camp, and by the approbation shown by the said Warren Hastings to the promises made by his agent of observing the strictest neutrality, notwithstanding he was in justice bound, and stood pledged by the most solemn and sacred engagements, to protect and preserve the said Ranna from those enemies, whose resentment he had provoked only by his adherence to the interests of the British nation. That, in the only attempt made to sound the disposition of Mahdajee Sindia relative to a pacification between him and the Ranna of Gohud, on the 14th of May, 1783, Mr. Anderson, in obedience to the orders he had received, did clearly and explicitly declare to Bhow Bucksey, the minister of Mahdajee Sindia, the sentiments of the said Warren Hastings in the words following:
That it afterwards appeared, in a minute of the said Hastings in Council at Fort William, on the 22d of September, 1783, that he promised, at the instance of a member of the Council, to write to Lieutenant James Anderson in favor of the Ranna of Gohud, and lay his letter before the board. That, nevertheless, the said Hastings, professing not to recollect his said promise, did neglect to write a formal letter to Lieutenant Anderson in favor of the said Ranna of Gohud, and that the private letter, the extract of which the said Hastings did lay before the board on the 21st of October, 1783, so far from directing any effectual interference in favor of the said Ranna, or commanding his agent, the said James Anderson, to interpose the mediation of the British government to procure “honorable terms” for the said Ranna, or even “safety to his person and family,” contains the bitterest invectives against him, and is expressive of the satisfaction which the said Hastings acknowledges himself to have enjoyed in the distresses of the said Ranna, the ally of the Company. That the measures therein recommended appear rather to have been designed to satisfy Mahdajee Sindia, and to justify the conduct of the British government in not having taken a more active and a more hostile part against the said Ranna, than an intercession on his behalf. That, though no consideration of good faith or observance of treaties could induce the said Hastings to incur the hazard of any hostile exertion of the British force for the defence or the relief of the allies of the Company, yet in the said private letter he directed, that, in case his mediation should be accepted, it should be made a specific condition, that, if the said Ranna should take advantage of Sindia’s absence to renew his hostilities, we ought, in that case, on requisition, to invade the dominions of the Ranna. That no beneficial effects could have been procured to the said Ranna by an offer of mediation delayed till Sindia no longer wanted “our assistance to crush so fallen an enemy,” at the same time that no reason was given to Sindia to apprehend the danger of drawing upon himself the resentment of the British government by a disregard of their proposal and the destruction of their ally. That it was a gross and scandalous mockery in the said Hastings to defer an application to obtain honorable terms for the Ranna, and safety for his person and family, till he had been deprived of his principal fort, in defence of which his uncle lost his life, and on the capture of which, his wife, to avoid the dishonor consequent upon falling into the hands of her enemies, had destroyed herself by an explosion of gunpowder. That, however, it does not appear that any offer of mediation was ever actually made, or any influence exerted, either for the safety of the Ranna’s person and family or in mitigation of the rigorous intentions supposed by Lieutenant Anderson[4] to have been entertained against him by Mahdajee Sindia after his surrender. That the said Hastings, in the instructions[5] given by him to Mr. David Anderson for his conduct in negotiating the treaty of peace with the Mahrattas, expressed his determination to desert the Ranna of Gohud in the following words.
That the said Anderson appears very assiduously to have sought for grounds to justify the execution of this part of his instructions, to which, however, he was at all events obliged to conform. That, even after his application for that purpose to the Mahrattas, whose testimony was much to be suspected, because it was their interest to accuse and their determined object to destroy the said Ranna, no satisfactory proof was obtained of his defection from the engagements he had entered into with the Company. That, moreover, if all the charges which have been pretended against the Ranna, and have been alleged by the said Hastings in justification of his conduct, had been well founded and proved to be true, the subject-matter of those accusations and the proofs by which they wore to be supported were known to Colonel Muir before the conclusion of the treaty he entered into with Mahdajee Sindia; and therefore, whatever suspicions may have been entertained or whatever degree of criminality may have been proved against the said Ranna previous to the said treaty, from the time he was so provided for and included in the said treaty he was fully and justly entitled to the security stipulated for him by the Company, and had a right to demand and receive the protection of the British government. That these considerations were urged by Mr. Anderson to the said Warren Hastings, in his letter of the 24th of June, 1781, and were enforced by this additional argument,—
That the said Warren Hastings was highly culpable in abandoning the said Ranna to the fury of his enemies, thereby forfeiting the honor and injuring the credit of the British nation in India, notwithstanding the said Hastings was fully convinced, and had professed, “that the most sacred observance of treaties, justice, and good faith were necessary to the existence of the national interests in that country,” and though the said Hastings has complained of the insufficiency of the laws of this kingdom to enforce this doctrine “by the punishment of persons in the possession of power, who may be impelled by the provocation of ambition, avarice, or vengeance, stronger than the restrictions of integrity and honor, to the violation of this just and wise maxim.” That the said Hastings, in thus departing from these his own principles, with a full and just sense of the guilt he would thereby incur, and in sacrificing the allies of this country “to the provocations of ambition, avarice, or vengeance,” in violation of the national faith and justice, did commit a gross and wilful breach of his duty, and was thereby guilty of an high crime and misdemeanor. Third attack by Marathas on Gohad in 1780After the unsuccessful attack by Faujdar of Melsa Rao Appa on Gohad in 1778, Marathas again planned to attack Gohad in early 1780, and started occupying the garhis under Ranas of Gohad. The attack was led by Ambaji Inglai and Khande Rao Hari. Marathas had not directly attacked Gohad but had occupied some of their garhis. Rana Chhatra Singh, in order to stop the movement of Marathas, reached Gwalior and camped at a place about 10 km away from Gwalior. [48] The war started between Marathas and Jats here. Initially Marathas seemed more powerful but later they had to suffer a great loss. On 24 February 1780 Rana wrote a letter to Governor-General stating that he would be waiting for British army though he had sufficient force to fight with Marathas, but even then his orders are awaited. [49] [50] Under the instructions of Governor-general, A detachment of the company’s army had been prepared in that quarter, under the command of Captain Popham, for the purpose of augmenting the forces of Goddard; but from the consideration, partly that they could not arrive in time on the Bombay coast, partly that they might contribute to the success of his operations by an attack upon the part which was nearest of the Mahratta frontier, they had not been commanded to proceed; and in the beginning of February, 1780, they were sent to the assistance of the Rana of Gohud. Captain Popham found means in this service of distinguishing his enterprise and talents. [51] To assist Captain Popham four battalions were sent to Itawa. When this information reached Rana of Gohad, he sent Bakshi Madho Ram with cavalry of 3000 in advance to help cross Yamuna and Bring Captain Popham to Gohad. After the arrival of Captain Popham Rana Chhatra Singh became more strong. [52] [53] On 4 March 1780 Rana Chhatra Singh moved from Gohad along with English Army to a place 18 kos away from Gohad. When the army of Marathas saw Rana Chhatra Singh with the English army they were scared and left for Datia. Rana of Gohad wanted to eliminate Marathas. On 24 May 1780 The Governor-General informed Rana of Gohad through a letter that they were sending a very competent senapati Major Camac who would reach Gohad within a few days. [54] [55] Lahar expedition 1780Captain Popham came to Gohad to assist Rana of Gohad in Lahar expedition in the middle of 1780. The joint Anglo-Rana army attacked Kachhwahas of Lahar and defeated them. After the fall of Lahar Fort there developed a controversy. The army of Rana had left the fort of Lahar after its fall as per the instructions of English officer. Rana was surprised to know that the English army had later on looted the fort and burnt a part of it. Rana of Gohad complained to the Governor General about this incidence and requested him that in future the place won by the joint forces should not be looted. [56] [57] The Governor General intervened and removed the confusions between captain Popham and Rana of Gohad especially concerning the future expedition of Gwalior fort and its occupation. [58] [59] Recapture the Gwalior fort 1780Chhatar Singh planned to recapture the Gwalior fort. He sent his trusted strap Brajraj Singh to attack Gwalior fort. There was a war between Brajraj Singh and Maratha army under the leadership of Raghunath Rao on the banks of Swarn Rekha River. Brajraj Singh was killed in the war but Chhatar Singh succeded in recapturing the Gwalior fort on 4 August 1780 after defeating Marathas. [60][61]After winning over the Gwalior fort he performed Yajna and gifted 4000 cows. He took number of steps of welfare of people. He constructed Chhatri of Bhim Singh in his memory near Bhim-tal on the Gwalior fort.[62] He handed over the administration of Gwalior fort to his younger queen and came back to Gohad. Mahadji Sindhia was planning to attack Gwalior fort. He did number of attempts to capture fortresses under Gohad rule. He seized the Gwalior fort and war continued for about 8 months. He saw no hope to win back the Gwalior fort. Later he planned a conspiracy. He bribed one of the most trusted guards of the Maharani and prepared him to depart from Jat ruler along with 2000 soldiers. The Maharani continued war along with 600 soldiers in the fort. When there was no scope left the Mahrani took Jauhar on 27 February 1783 and Marathas occupied the fort. This place is still known as Jauhar-kund on Gwalior fort.[63] DeathMahadji Sindhia attacked the Gohad fort in the end of 1784. After a war of 2 months Mahadji occupied the Gohad fort on 27 February 1785. Rana chhatar Singh escaped to Karauli where his friend Nihal Singh Rana was a ruler. The elder brother of Nihal Singh Manikpal’s conspiracy lead to the arrest of Chhatar Singh. He was brought to Gwalior and killed here through poisoning 19th April 1788 (succ. by his cousin). [64] .[65] Assessment by Maratha historianThe Maratha Historian Balwantrao Bhaiya Saheb Sindhia has written about Chhatar Singh in his book “History of Gwalior fort” as under:
His successorSuccessor of Maharaja Chhatra Singh Rana was Kirat Singh Rana. After the death of Chhatar Singh in 1785 entire Gohad area became a symbol of anarchy, plundering and killing for 18 years. The revolutionary Jats unanimously declared Kirat Singh Rana son of samant Tarachand of village Neerpura in 1803. Samant Tarachand was cousin brother of Rana Chhatar Singh. The coronation ceremony of Kirat Singh took place at ‘Bagathara fortress’, situated at a distance of 12 miles from Gohad, as Gohad and Gwalior were in possession of Sindhias.[67] सुजस प्रबंध में राजा छत्र सिंह का वर्णनRaja Chhatra Singh as described in Sujas Prabandh सुजस प्रबंध काव्य के छंद 69 से 108 में कवि नथन ने महराजा छत्र सिंह का वर्णन किया है. छत्र सिंह राजा का राजतिलक बचपन में हो गया था. राजगद्दी पर शोभित थे और सब राजकाज चलता था. [68] राजा ने सुचारू शासन किया. उनके राज में कोई दुखी नहीं रहता था. [69] राजा छत्र सिंह के मष्तिस्क में सुमति, भुजाओं में असीम बल और मुख में ईश आराधना है, ऐसा कवि का विचार है. उनका प्रत्येक पग पृथ्वी पर धर्म को धारण करता है और वह बलवान राजा वेणु की तरह राज करते हैं. वह अजानबाहू (घुटनों तक लम्बी बाँहों वाला) नर है. कई गढ़ों के प्रबल बलशाली मालिक शत्रुता का परित्याग करके राजा छतरसिंह के चरणों में झुकते हैं. [70] कवि की धारणा है कि जिस दिन राजा छत्र सिंह घोड़े पर सवार होते थे, तो उनके शत्रु भय से काँप उठते थे. युद्ध में अत्यन्त जुझारू और क्रूर योद्धा भी उनके सामने मुख दिखाने में संकुचित होते हैं. कवि कहते हैं कि उनकी कविता को इस प्रकार पढ़ा जाएगा कि वह यदुकुल में पैदा हुए हैं और अत्यन्त बलशाली हैं उनके बल को पृथ्वी पर सब पढेंगे. [71] जिस प्रकार ग्वालियर दुर्ग में भीमसिंह से ईठल ने खून-खराबा किया था उसी प्रकार स्यामराय सूबेदार ने पूरी तैयारी करके छत्र सिंह से युद्ध ठान लिया.[72] कवि यह भी कहता है कि जिस तरह लंका में हनुमान ने विनाश की होली खेली थी, उसी तरह छत्र सिंह ने सूबेदार श्यामराय के दल में संहार का अभिनय किया था. [73] स्यामराय सूवा ने राजा छतरसिंह से पूरी तैयारी के साथ युद्ध किया था, लेकिन उनकी सारी तैयारियां असमर्थ रहीं. जीत यदुकुल नरेश की हुई. उनकी विजय ने राणा वंश को संसार में यश दिया, एक नया गौरव प्रदान किया.[74] कवि के अनुसार महादजी सिंधिया की सेना भी छत्र सिंह के भय से कांपती थी. [75] शत्रु के खेमे में इस तथ्य से भय छा गया कि छतरसिंह अपनी अजेय शक्ति लिए हुए हैं. अतः उसने सोचा कि इस से लड़कर बैर क्यों किया जाए. यह सोचकर उसने देश को प्रस्थान किया. [76] 81 वें छंद में छत्र सिंह और रघुनाथराव के युद्ध का वर्णन करते हुए कवि का कथन है कि पेशवा ने उत्तेजित स्वर में बातें कहीं, जिनको सुनकर सूवा सरदार बुरी तरह लज्जित हुए. पेशवा ने दिल्ली पर राज्य पाने के लिए रघुनाथराव को सेनापति बनाया. उसको बहुत सा धन भी दिया. पेशवा ने रघुनाथराव को कई हजार श्रेष्ठ घोडे दिए थे, और अनगिनत तोपें भी दीं थीं. उनकी मारक क्षमता इतनी थी कि एक साथ तीन किलों को तोड़ा जा सकता था. उनके सम्मुख एक पठान आया था. उस पठान को कुर्बान होना पड़ा था. उसके बाद पेशवा की सेना ने मालवा पर कब्जा कर लिया. अब कोई अन्य राजा उनसे संग्राम करने का सहस नहीं कर पा रहा था. रघुनाथराव के आने पर वे दंड के रूप में धन देते थे और उसके साथ अपनी सेना को लेकर चल देते थे. चंदेरी का एक राजा बहुत चतुर था. उसने कुछ धन नजर में दिया और राज्य का एक भाग भी पेश कर दिया. ओरछा का राजा प्रमुख था उसका किला भी प्रमुख था. वहां के शासक वीर सिंह ने एक माह तक उनको आगे बढ़ने से रोका. रघुनाथराव ने दतिया के राजा से दुश्मनी मोल ली. उससे कुछ धन लिया और भूमि भी छीन ली. सिमथर के राजा के पास अकूत धन था. और अच्छे सैनिक भी. उनके बल पर रघुनाथ राव से युद्ध कर बैठा. लेकिन मल्हारराव होलकर के बीच में आने से वह बच गया. नरवर के राजा ने मराठों से युद्ध नहीं किया. उसने अपने किले को तो रख लिया, पर समूचे राज्य को उनको सौंप दिया. करौली के राजा ने अपना खजाना मराठों को सौंप दिया. राजा नवल सिंह के राज्य को नष्ट करके मराठों का सैनिक दल नदी की तरह उमड़ कर चल दिया. गोहद के राजा छत्र सिंह धन्य हैं, जिन्होंने संपूर्ण भार को सहन किया. उसके आक्रमण को रोकने के लिए गोहद के राजा छत्र सिंह युद्ध किया था. उनके सहस और प्रयत्न के लिए कवि कहते हैं कि राजा ने नीले आकाश तक उमड़ते सागर अर्थार्त रघुनाथराव के सैन्यदल को सीमित कर दिया था. कवि रघुनाथराव को तूफानी सागर के पानी के समान और छात्र सिंह को संत के समान बताता है. [77] गोहद नरेश छत्र सिंह को इस बात का बहुत बड़ा श्रेय प्राप्त है कि उन्होंने मराठा सेनापति महादजी सिंधिया के विशाल दल को उसी प्रकार रोक लिया था, जिस प्रकार सागर के तूफ़ान को बढ़वानल सोख लेता है. यदुकुल में अवतार लेकर पैदा हुए छत्र सिंह धन्य हैं कि अनेक राजाओं को पराजित करके गोहद की शान रखी. [78] गोहद नरेश ने मराठा सेनापति के साथ युद्ध के लिए अपने समस्त सहयोगियों और राजभक्त लोगों को बुलाकर मंत्रणा की और उनको अपने साथ जोड़ लिया. इन लोगों में हरनाथ, राजधर जैसे विशुद्ध युद्ध और सौपुर नामक सुभट योद्धा मंत्री थे. एक चतुर माधव नामक मंत्री थे, जो अवसर के अनुरूप राजकाज करते थे. राजाने अपने मर्यादित, शूरवीर तथा युद्ध के मैदान में प्रचंड संघर्ष करने वाले भाइयों को भी अपने साथ खड़ा किया. इसके अलावा युद्ध में विकट साहस करने वाले, बलवान भुजाओं को रखने वाले अपने सेनापति तथा फौजदारों को संघर्ष करने की योजना में शामिल कर लिया. नरश्रेष्ठ अपने काका कन्हराम को भी राजा ने अपने साथ ले लिया. इसके अतिरिक्त अनेक राजाओं को भी मराठा आक्रमण का सामना करने के लिए खड़ा किया. इन राजाओं में एक अत्यन्त भयंकर तथा घोर युद्ध में पारंगत अर्जुन सिंह थे, जो मर्यादा की रक्षा करने वाले एवं प्राण के साथ गहरे से जुड़े थे. चारों और रहने वाले सेवक तथा सिपाही जो गोहद की मान मर्यादा की रक्षा कर रहे थे, राजा के साथ थे. [79] राजा छत्र सिंह ने समस्त दलों से कहा कि महादजी सिंधिया के दलों के साथ उत्साहपूर्वक उलझ जाओ, बलपूर्वक और क्रोद्ध में भर कर शत्रु को मार गिराओ और उनके सिरों को झुकादो.[80] गोहद नरेश का दल जब सिंधिया की सेना से मिला तो दोनों के बीच विकराल युद्ध होने लगा. शत्रु सेना का प्रमुख भाग टूटने लगा. सब से पहले युद्ध राजा छत्र सिंह ने किया था, जिसके कारण सिंधिया का दल पीठ दिखा गया था. कवि के अनुसार गोहद के मैदान में, रघुनाथराव को हराकर राजा ग्वालियर दुर्ग पर भी अधिकार कर लेता है.[81] रघुनाथराव तथा छत्र सिंह के व्यक्तित्वों की तुलना करते हुए कवि कहते हैं कि रघुनाथ राव समुद्र के तूफानी पानी की तरह हैं और मुनि के समान धैर्य वाले राजा छत्र सिंह हैं. मराठा सरदार दुर्योधन के समान हैं तो राजा छत्र सिंह अर्जुन के समान हैं.[82] रघुनाथराव गोहद के राजा से रपमंडिनी (मराठों द्वारा लिया जाने वाला कर) मांग रहा है.[83] कवि मराठा सरदार रघुनाथराव और यदुवंशी जाट राजा छत्र सिंह के युद्ध की तुलना कलियुग के महाभारत से करते हैं.[84] गोहद के मैदान में मराठा सेना के पराजय के बाद, रघुनाथराव अपने दल-बल का विनाश करके, छत्र सिंह राजा के सामने से हट गया. मराठा शक्ति की पराजय से यदुवंशी गोहद नरेश छत्र सिंह की वीरता का यश सारे संसार में व्याप्त हो गया. [85] मराठा सरदार रघुनाथराव को गोहद राज्य की भूमि पर हराकर दक्षिण की दिशा में भगा देने के बाद, गोहद नरेश राजा छत्र सिंह ने ग्वालियर पर भी अधिकार कर लिया. दस बीस राज्यों को अपने अधिकार में और कर लिया उसने समस्त अपने विरोधियों को दबाकर बस में कर लिया था. कई राजा ऐसे थे जो अपनी रक्षा के लिए राजा छत्र सिंह की भुजाओं का सहारा चाहते थे. इसे राजाओं में कई कछवाहा, वैस, तोमर तथा पंवार गोत्र के थे.[86] कवि नथन लिखते हैं कि एक छत्रसाल नामक राजा बुंदेलखंड का था, जिसने दिल्ली के शासक की सेना को नियंत्रित किया था. दूसरा छत्रसाल (छत्रपति शिवाजी) थे जिन्होंने मुस्लिम शासकों का वध किया था. तीसरा छत्र सिंह गोहद का स्वामी है, जिसने महादजी सिंधिया की समस्त सेना का संहार कर दिया था. कलियुग में ये तीन छत्रपति हुए हैं, जिन्होंने अपने छत्र की छांह में भूमि को सुरक्षित रखा है. [87] गोहद के राजा छत्र सिंह ने आक्रमणकारी ईठल के अभिमान को नष्ट किया. उसने ग्वालियर को बार-बार छीन कर उसके गर्व को चूर-चूर किया. उसके अनेक योद्धाओं को रणभूमि में ठेलकर मार डाला. उसने एक वर्षभर मराठा सरदार रघुनाथराव से संघर्ष किया. और वह गोहद में अपने पराजय के अपमान को छोड़ गया. राजा छत्र सिंह ने अपनी विशाल तीनों पणों कि रक्षा शान के साथ की. तात्पर्य यह है की उसने तीन प्रबल सेनापतियों को हराया. वह ईठल को भी हराता है और सतारा के सुल्तान के साथ भी दो-दो हाथ करता है. कवि के अनुसार, रघुनाथराव, महादजी सिंधिया और ईठल को पराजित करने का श्रेय छत्र सिंह को प्राप्त है. [88] गोहद की जनता को शान्ति से रहते केवल कुछ वर्ष ही व्यतीत हुए थे कि एक सरदार बड़ी विशाल तथा शक्तिशाली सेना लेकर, जो युद्ध में अड़ने तथा जमने वाली थी, फ़िर आ गया. [89] उस पटेल सरदार से राजा छत्र सिंह ने सात वर्ष तक संघर्ष जरी रखा. वह राजा अन्य लोगों से कितने वर्षों तक अपने राज्य की रक्षा में लड़ता रहा, इसकी कोई गणना नहीं है. [90] एक वर्ष आधे युग का समय, उस राजा को आक्रमणकारी शत्रुओं से लड़ते-लड़ते बीत गया था, तब उसके यहाँ अन्न की कमी पड़ गई थी. उसके निवारण के लिए क्या उपाय किया जाय? इस और राजा का ध्यान गया. [91] खाद्दान्न का आभाव और उसके कारण सैनिकों की दुर्बलता देखकर गोहद नरेश ने श्रेष्ठ विचार बनाकर निर्णय लिया कि इस भूमि को (संभवतः गोपाचल की भूमि) शत्रुओं के पेट फाड़कर फ़िर ले लूंगा. ऐसा विचार करके युद्ध रोक दिया. उस भूमि को छोड़ दिया गया. [92] Reference
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