Kanhadde Prabandh Aur Uska Aetihasik Mahattva

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

The article "Kanhadde Prabandh aur uska Aetihasik Mahattva" (Kanhadde Prabandh and its Historical Significance) by Dr. Satyaprakash, published in the Z_Nahta_Bandhu_Abhinandan_Granth_012007.pdf, discusses the epic poem 'Kanhadde Prabandh' and its profound historical importance. The poem is attributed to the poet Padmanath and was edited and published in 1955 by the renowned Gujarati scholar Shri Kantilal Baldev Ram Vyas.

Date of Composition: The article notes that the poem's composition date is indicated in a couplet, with two slightly different readings pointing to the year Samvat 1512. Another manuscript of the work is dated Samvat 1598. Therefore, it is generally accepted that the work was written around Samvat 1512 (1455 CE).

Historical Significance: The 'Kanhadde Prabandh' holds immense historical value for several reasons:

• Author's Connection: The author was connected to the very dynasty whose history is depicted in the work. This suggests that the poet likely had access to both written and oral historical accounts of the dynasty, making the poem a rich source of information for understanding the history of that era.
• Source for Marwar and Jalore History: The poem is an exceptional source for understanding the history of Marwar, particularly the region of Jalore. It provides detailed accounts of events from that period.

Narrative and Historical Events:

The article then delves into the narrative of the 'Kanhadde Prabandh', outlining the historical events it describes:

• The Chauhan Dynasty of Jalore: In the 16th century, the Sonigara Chauhan dynasty ruled Jalore. Kanhadde was the capable ruler, and his son was Viramde.
• The Provocation and First Invasion: The conflict began when the king of Gujarat, Sardha, insulted a Brahmin named Madhav. Madhav vowed to bring the Turks to Gujarat if he was not avenged. He approached Alauddin Khilji in Delhi, who was persuaded to invade Gujarat.
• Jalore's Refusal and the Route to Gujarat: Alauddin's planned route to Gujarat was blocked by Jalore. Kanhadde refused to grant safe passage to Alauddin's army. Consequently, Alauddin's forces marched through Mewar, with the permission of Rawal Samar of Mewar, to conquer Gujarat. They defeated the Gurjar king and captured Patan, subsequently conquering the rest of Gujarat and Saurashtra, despite valiant resistance from the Rajputs at Somnath.
• Kanhadde's Resistance: After conquering Gujarat, Alauddin's army advanced towards Marwar. Kanhadde prepared his army to face them, and the Sonigara Chauhan army bravely fought Alauddin's forces, repelling them.
• The Battle of Samiyana: Alauddin then targeted Samiyana, a nearby place ruled by Kanhadde's nephew, Seetal Singh. Kanhadde came to his nephew's aid, and Alauddin's army was defeated once again.
• Alauddin's Personal Intervention and the Seven-Year Siege: Humiliated by these defeats, Alauddin decided to personally lead his army. He besieged Samiyana for seven years but couldn't conquer it through force.
• The Desecration of the Reservoir and Jauhar: Unable to conquer Samiyana, Alauddin resorted to a heinous act. He ordered cows to be slaughtered and their bodies thrown into the reservoir, the sole source of water for the inhabitants of Samiyana. Faced with this desecration, the people of Samiyana, choosing honor over impure water, performed Jauhar (mass self-immolation) along with their women.
• Further Resistance and the Attempted Marriage: After conquering Samiyana, Alauddin sent a message to Kanhadde demanding his submission. Kanhadde refused, and Alauddin attacked Jalore. Alauddin's daughter, Firoza, was enamored with Kanhadde's son, Viramde, and Alauddin proposed a marriage alliance. Kanhadde, upholding his lineage's honor, rejected the proposal.
• The Siege of Jalore and Firoza's Visit: Alauddin laid siege to Jalore, but his efforts were unsuccessful. As Alauddin prepared to withdraw, Firoza, eager to meet Viramde, took a detachment of soldiers and entered Jalore. Kanhadde welcomed her, and Viramde also met her. Firoza proposed marriage to Viramde, which he again declined due to his lineage. Firoza then expressed a desire to see Jalore, which Kanhadde granted, providing her with facilities and a respectful departure with gifts. Alauddin and Firoza returned to Delhi, impressed by Kanhadde's hospitality.
• The Final Siege and the Betrayal: Eight years later, Alauddin's army again attacked Jalore, this time led by Firoza's forces. Firoza instructed her commanders to bring Viramde to her alive if he was captured, or his head if he died in battle. The siege lasted for four years, with Viramde and Maldev leading the defense. Despite the long resistance and sacrifices of the people and merchants, the kingdom's resources dwindled. A traitor, Sejwal Vikram, revealed a secret passage to the enemy army, allowing them to infiltrate Jalore. However, Sejwal's wife, Heeradevi, upon learning of her husband's betrayal, killed him and informed Kanhadde of the enemy's entry.
• The Fall of Jalore and the Tragic End: The Rajput warriors, depleted in numbers after twelve years of siege, were faced with the choice of surrender or death. They chose to fight valiantly. Kanhadde was killed in battle. Viramde fought for sixty days. The queens performed Jauhar. Finally, seeing no hope of continuing the fight and facing capture, Viramde committed suicide by stabbing himself, killing many enemy chieftains in the process.
• Firoza's Love and Sacrifice: Firoza's nurse brought Viramde's head to Delhi and presented it to her. Moved by Viramde's bravery and the pride of his Rajput lineage, Firoza took his head to the banks of the Yamuna, performed his rites, and then plunged into the river with his head, thus proving her deep love.

Conclusion: The article concludes by emphasizing that the 'Kanhadde Prabandh' provides a detailed and vivid account of these events. While there might be some embellishments, the description of Firoza and Viramde's love is corroborated by other texts, validating the historical nature of the 'Kanhadde Prabandh'. It stands as a singular historical text that vividly portrays the true love and sacrifice of a Muslim princess for a Rajput prince. Ultimately, the 'Kanhadde Prabandh' is an invaluable work for understanding Jalore and the invasions it faced from Alauddin.