Indian Antiquary Vol 62

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 40

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ FEBRUARY, 1933
odds, thought it inadvisable to remain in the open field and retired to the nearest hills in 1637 v.s. (1580 A.D.=988 A.H.).
Shortly after this the Râo again collected men and money, invaded Sojat and took possession of it on the 11th day of the dark half of Śrâvana 1637 v.s. (7th July 1580 A.D.). He then established his residence in the hill fortress of Saran close by, but he did not enjoy the rest for long as he died on the 7th day of the bright half of Magha 1637 v.s. (11th January 1581 A.D.) at Sachiyaya. Thus ended the chequered but brilliant career of this unyielding hero of Marwâr.30 On the spot where he was cremated there stands a marble tablet to this day,31
Rao Chandrasen was a ruler of very inflexible and independent disposition. He took upon himself the hardships of a wandering life in the mountains after being deprived of his paternal state (Mârwâr). He continued to fight for 16 long years with the armies of an emperor like Akbar, and never thought of ending his miseries by yielding to the supremacy of the great Mughal. Even from the Akbarnámá it is evident that it was the ardent desire of the emperor to bring the Râo under his allegiance like other rulers of Rajpûtânâ; he, therefore, used to give special instructions to all the nobles sent against him to try their best to subjugate the Râo by offering imperial favours. But this desire of the emperor was never fulfilled. Rao Chandrasen had three sons,-Ugrasen, Rayasingh, and Åskaran.33
At that time the Mahârânâ (Pratap) and the Rao (Chandrasen) were the two sharpest. thorns in Akbar's side. A contemporary poet has very well expressed this fact in the follow. ing couplet :
चवदगिया तुरी कमला असमर, चाकर रहब न डिगियोचीत ।
सारे हिंदुस्थान सबै सिर, पातल ने इसे प्रयीत ॥
i.e., at that time there were only two renowned rulers throughout India, viz., Rânâ Pratap and Rao Chandrasen, whose horses could not be enslaved by the imperial brand, who could never be tempted by imperial service, and whose arms ever remained drawn against the imperial armies.
Probable Reasons for the Obscurity of Rão Chandrasen.
The chief reason why the name and history of such a character have been forgotten seems to be that, unlike the case of Maharana Pratap of Mewar, the throne of Marwar was lost to the descendants of our hero-Rao Chandrasen. Some time after his death, his younger brother Udaisingh (alias Môtâ Râja) got possession of the throne in 1640 v.s. (1583 A.D.) The new ruler had not been on good terms with his brother. The poets and historians of the time probably thought, therefore, that the recital and narration of Chandrasen's heroic deeds would not only be fruitless, but even a cause of displeasure to the contemporary ruler.
We hope true Indians, and especially the Râthor Rajpûts, will cherish in their hearts the memory of the magnanimous Râo like that of Maharana Pratap.
30 It is stated in the chronicles of Marwar that when Rão Chandrasen had taken possession of Sojat a large number of Råthor sardars from far and near had flocked to his banner. But Râthor Bairsâl and Kumpavat Udaisingh, out of pride, paid no heed to him. Rao Chandrasen, therefore, marched upon Dudor, the jager of Bairsål. On the way, as Askaran, son of Rathor Devidas, promised to negotiate with Bairsâl and induce him to enter the service of the Rão, the latter gave up the idea of invasion. When, however, Askaran saw Bairsål for the purpose, the latter, feigning terror, requested Askaran' to assure him of the favour of the Rão by bringing him (the Rão) to his house for dinner. This was arranged. But soon after his return the Rão suddenly expired; hence treachery on the part of Bairsål is generally suspected.
81 In this tablet there is an image of Rao Chandrasen on horseback along with five ladies standing in front of him, to show that five of his wives became satt. This fact is also borne out by the inscrip. tion. below the iannge, which runs as follows: श्रीगणेशायनमः । संवत् १६३७ शाके १५[०]२ माघमासे सू (शु) पते सतिव (सप्तमी ) दिने राव श्री चंद्र से राजी हैबीकुला सती पंच हुई.
31 Rão Chandrasen made a charitable grant of village Arathnadi to a Brahman named Sanga.