________________
22]
INTRODUCTION
returned to Mandu with some gold (pp. 88-89).
In the same year Mahmud of Malwa, at the invitation of the Mussalman residents of Ajmer who complained of religious persecution, invaded the place. Ajmer, the ancient heritage of the Chauhans, was added to the domains of Mewar by Rannall Rathod with the aid of the forces of Mewar in the time of Maharana Mokal (p. 90). Gajadhar Singh the governor of the fort of Ajmer valiantly defended it for four days, then came ou open. He was, however, killed in the action and Mahmud got the possession of the fort. But while going to Mandalgarh Kumbha's army attacked him as he came near the river Banas. He sustained a heavy defeat and had to fly to Mandu (pp. 91-92). According to Ferishta, however, the retreat was mutually sounded'. The remark of Mr. Briggs on this point Ts : "The drawn battle mentioned by the Malwa historians must be deemed a defeat” (p. 93).
Idar and Nagor involved Kumbh a in a war with the Sultans of Gujarat.
Leaving alone the semi-legendary account of the connection of Idar with Bāpā Rāval, the founder of Guhelot dynasty of Mewar, the geographical position of Idar in relation to Gujarat and Mewar. made it a sort of buffer state between these kingdoms. In fact 'Idar was the Portico of Mewar'.3 In spite of the fact that the Rathods of Idar were matrimonially related to the Sisodias of Mewar, there were frequent feuds between the two for supremacy.
Rana Hammir (A.D 1326-1364) defeated Jaitrakarņa of Idar. According to the inscription of A. D. 1400 on the Kirtista mbha of Chitor Kshetrasimgha or Khetā (A. D. 1364-1382), the great grand father of Kumbhā (p. 4), conquered Idar and imprisoned its ruler Rājā Ran Mal (A D. 1346-1404) who was supposed to have defeated Jafar Khan-the first Sultan of Gujarat, The inscription of A.D. 1485 at Ekalingji informs us that he later on placed Ran Mal's son on the the throne of Idar (p. 7). Mokal (A.D. 1420-33) (p. 26) the father of Kumbhā, was aided by Sanwaldas--the Raja of Idar in his expedition against the Sultan of Gujarat (p. 31).
1. Ibid, Vol. IV, p. 222. 2. C.H.I., Vol. III, p. 523. 3. See the Letter from Raja Jai Singh of Amber to Rana Sangram of Mewar regarding
Idar written in S. 1784 (A.D. 1728), published as appendix in Todd's Rajasthan,
Vol. III, P 1825. 4. Rajputane-ka-Itihasa (Hindi), p. 550. 5. Idar räjya no Itihāsa (Guj.). Part I, by Jogidas Ambalal Joshi, (pp. 97-104). 6. Jemal alias Punjaji A.D. 1404.1428, ibid. pp. 104-109. 7. Sanwaldas was another name of Rao Bhana. He was the younger brother of Rao
Punja to whom he succeeded in A.D. 1482 (Ibid p. 111). So in the reign of Mokal he was not the ruler, but must have been sent by his brother Narandas.
