________________
NRTYARATNAKOSA
( 21
Ātapatra-royal umbrella. This indicates some early encounters with Delhi and Ahmedabad, in which the Sultans must have made peace with him by recognizing him as an equal, giving him the title of 'Hindu Suratrāņa'-'Hindu Sultan.'
In these six years, Kumbhā was foresighted enough to repair old fortresses, build new ones and generally strengthen the defences of his kingdom (p. 57). This foresight served him well. Even though he had subdued the chiefs of Sirohi and Bundi, they remained more or less turbulent. But the real danger to his authority and security was from Mahmud Khalji of Malwa who was too ambitious and powerful a man to forget his first defeat and detention in Chitor.
There was a rebellion in Haravati in A.D. 1443 and Kumbhā had to go there to punish the rebels. When he was thus engaged Mahmud of Malwa attacked Mewar and came as far as Kumbhalgarh. There was a fortified temple of Bān Mātâ in the village of Kailwara at the foot of the hill. Mahmud attacked this place which was valiantly defended by Thakur Dipsingh for seven days. On the seventh day Dipsingh was killed and Mahmud destroyed the temple. From there he proceeded to Chitor. But he was intercepted at Mandalgarh by Kumbhā who had run post-haste from Hārāvati on hearing news of Mahmud's expedition. The result of the first meeting of the armies was not decisive, but a few days later, in a night attack by Kumbha, Mahmud was defeated and obliged to return to Mandu (pp. 85-87).
According to Ferishta, in the first battle which took place on the 26th April 1443, Mahārāna Kumbhā day Mahmud returned to Mandu with some loot (p. 87 f. n.).
After more than three years, Mahmud of Malwa led another expedition against Mewar. According to Ferishta, on the 11th of October, 1446 A.D. Mahmud went towards Mandalgarh with a large army. While he was crossing the river Banas, Kumbha's armv attacked his and after a fierce fight Mahmud was again defeated and compelled to return to Mandu. According to Ferishta, however, the Sultan returned after taking Najarānā and soon after sent Tajkhan with eight thousand cavalry and twenty clephants to attack Chitor (p. 88)
In A. D. 1454, Mahmud of Malwa again attacked Chitor and, according to Hindu sources, was defeated by Kumbhā before he could come near Chitor and was obliged to retreat. According to Ferishta, however, Mahmud of Malwa attacked Chitor, threatened Kumbhā with appointing his own governor, founded a town named Khaljipur, subdued Kumbhā and at the approach of rainy season 1. Ferishta, Vol. IV, p. 215.
