Kanhadde Prabandh Aur Uska Aetihasik Mahattva

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Kanhadde Prabandh aur Uska Aetihasik Mahattva" by Dr. Satyaprakash:

The article discusses the "Kanhadde Prabandh," a significant literary and historical work attributed to the poet Padmanath. The text was edited by the renowned Gujarati scholar Shri Kantilal Baldevram Vyas and published in 1955.

The author, Dr. Satyaprakash, highlights the immense importance of the "Kanhadde Prabandh" from multiple perspectives. He notes that the colophon, which indicates the date of composition, has two slightly different versions, but both consistently point to the year 1512 (Vikram Samvat). Another manuscript copy is dated to 1598 (Vikram Samvat). Thus, it is considered established that the work was likely written around 1512.

From a historical standpoint, the "Kanhadde Prabandh" is invaluable because the author was likely connected to the dynasty that the narrative celebrates. It's also probable that the author drew extensively from the written and oral histories of this dynasty. The book is described as an unparalleled repository of knowledge for understanding the history of that era, particularly the history of Marwar and specifically Jalore.

Beyond its historical value, the work is lauded for its poetic merit and its portrayal of life dedicated to ideals, ensuring its eternal place in literary history. The article then delves into the narrative of the "Kanhadde Prabandh" to illuminate the history of Marwar and Jalore during the 16th century.

The story centers on the Sonigara Chauhan dynasty ruling Jalore. Kanhardeva was a talented ruler of this dynasty and the brother of the famous Maldev. His son was Viramde. The narrative begins with an incident involving the king of Gujarat, Sardeva, who insulted a Brahmin named Madhav. Humiliated, Madhav vowed to eat only after bringing the Turks to Gujarat.

Madhav traveled to Delhi and met the Khilji Sultan Alauddin. He recounted his tale and urged the Sultan to invade Gujarat. Alauddin, finding merit in his plea, ordered an invasion. However, the most direct route to Gujarat passed through Jalore. Alauddin sent an envoy to Kanhardeva requesting passage for his army. Kanhardeva refused, and consequently, Alauddin's army marched through Mewar, where Rawal Samar granted them passage.

The Sultan's vast army overwhelmed the Gujarati ruler, and Padman became subject to Alauddin's dominion. The Sultan's forces continued their advance, conquering various places in Gujarat and Saurashtra. Despite valiant efforts by the Rajputs to defend Somnath, they were ultimately unsuccessful, sacrificing their lives in the process.

After securing Gujarat and Saurashtra, Alauddin's army turned towards Marwar. Kanhardeva prepared his forces to confront the Sultan's army, and a fierce battle ensued. This time, the Sultan's army was defeated. Alauddin then planned another assault on Jalore, but instead of directly attacking the city, he targeted Simiyaana, a nearby fort ruled by Kanhardeva's nephew, Seetal Singh. Kanhardeva went to his nephew's aid, and the Sultan's army suffered another defeat.

These setbacks greatly distressed Alauddin, who was determined to retaliate. Previously, his generals had led the campaigns. This time, Alauddin personally took command and laid siege to Simiyaana. Despite a massive offensive, he failed to capture the fort. Unable to conquer Simiyaana by force, Alauddin resorted to a despicable tactic. He decided to defile the fort's reservoir, the sole water source for the inhabitants. He ordered a large number of cows to be slaughtered, tied in sacks, and thrown into the reservoir overnight.

Upon discovering this sacrilege, the people of Simiyaana were faced with a grim choice: consume the contaminated, undrinkable water or sacrifice their lives. True to the warrior spirit of Rajasthan, they chose the latter. The brave women of the fort also performed Jauhar (self-immolation). Hearing this news, Alauddin was stunned. He sent a message to Seetal Singh, offering to lift the siege if he acknowledged his suzerainty. Seetal Singh refused. Consequently, the Rajput army was invigorated, and they engaged the Sultan's forces in open combat, with each warrior fighting valiantly until death.

After conquering Simiyaana, Alauddin sent a message to Kanhardeva demanding his submission. Kanhardeva refused, and Alauddin launched an attack on Jalore. During this campaign, Alauddin's daughter, Firoza, accompanied him. Having heard of Prince Viramde's valor, she had become infatuated with him. Alauddin, aware of his daughter's desire to marry Viramde, proposed a marriage alliance to Kanhardeva. However, Kanhardeva, mindful of his lineage and honor, rejected Alauddin's proposal.

This rejection infuriated Alauddin, who decided to lay siege to Jalore. However, this siege also proved unsuccessful. Alauddin was compelled to retreat towards his capital. But Princess Firoza, eager to meet Viramde, decided to enter the fort with a contingent of soldiers. She managed to reach Jalore with a small detachment. Kanhardeva welcomed her, and Viramde also met her. Princess Firoza proposed marriage to Viramde, but he, prioritizing his family's honor, declined. Firoza then expressed her desire to see Jalore, and Kanhardeva facilitated her tour, providing her with all amenities. After her visit, Kanhardeva bade her farewell with gifts and respect. Alauddin and his daughter, impressed by Kanhardeva's hospitality, returned to their capital.

Years later, eight years after the previous events, Alauddin's army, acting on his orders, attacked Jalore again. This time, Princess Firoza did not come personally but sent her nurse with an army. She instructed her nurse to bring Viramde to her alive if he was captured in battle, or his head if he died fighting.

As planned, Jalore was besieged. The war lasted for four years. The people of Jalore, led by Maldev and Viramde, fought valiantly against the besieging army for four years. They inflicted heavy losses on the Sultan's forces, but the royal treasury was depleted. The merchants of Jalore contributed their entire stock to support the defense, boosting the morale of the warriors. The people of Jalore faced the enemy for eight long years. For over twelve years, they also faced the threat of water scarcity, which was miraculously replenished by divine grace. However, treachery could not be overcome.

Through bribery, soldiers of Alauddin's army learned of a secret passage into the fort from a merchant named Sejwaj Vikram. Utilizing this passage, the entire army infiltrated Jalore. However, Sejwaj's wife, Hiradevi, upon learning that her husband had betrayed his king and country, killed him herself, demonstrating the same valor as the women of Rajasthan, and then informed the king of the enemy's infiltration. By this time, the enemy army had already entered the fort. The king and his Rajput warriors were disheartened by the enemy's numbers, as their own forces had been significantly depleted over the twelve years of the siege. They faced a choice between submission or sacrifice. True Rajputs, as always, chose the latter. They fought fiercely, and Kanhardeva was killed in battle. Prince Viramde continued to fight for sixty days. During this time, the queens performed Jauhar. Seeing that further resistance was futile and capture was inevitable, Viramde bravely took his own life by plunging a dagger into his abdomen, after killing several enemy commanders. Firoza's nurse took Viramde's head to Delhi and presented it to Firoza. Princess Firoza, deeply moved by Viramde's valor, adherence to Kshatriya tradition, and sacrifice, decided to take his head herself to the banks of the Yamuna. Upon reaching the Yamuna, she embraced his head and then jumped into the river. Thus, Firoza proved her deep, hidden love for Viramde through her ultimate sacrifice.

The article concludes by stating that these fascinating and historical accounts are known in detail primarily through the "Kanhadde Prabandh." While there might be some exaggeration in the narrative, the corroboration of Firoza and Viramde's love story in other texts strengthens the historical authenticity of "Kanhadde Prabandh." It is deemed a unique historical text that vividly portrays the true love and sacrifice of a Muslim princess for a Rajput prince. In essence, "Kanhadde Prabandh" is an unparalleled source of information about Jalore and Alauddin's invasions of the region.