Page 4 - ch 8

Module - II Rise and fall of the Mughal Empire

Military History of
in the cavalry of Mughals. Akbar and Bairam Khan stayed in the rear of their
Medieval India
forces, 8 miles from the battleground. Panipat witnessed another fierce battle
which echoes the maxim that 'numerical superiority no guarantee to attain victory
in wars', rather it is battlefield tactics that matters.
Aftermath

In the battle Hemu was wounded by a stray arrow and captured. Later, Akbar's
Note
regent, Bairam Khan beheaded Hemu. After the Second Battle of Panipat, the victors
occupied Delhi and Agra and the sovereignty of Akbar over Delhi was confirmed.

Do you know?

The word Sovereignty is derived from the Latin word 'superanus' which means su-
preme. It therefore means supreme power or authority to govern.

Intext Questions 8.1

1. How were the Mansabs honoured?
2. When was the second battle of Panipat fought?
3. Who were the opposing forces?

8.3 The Battle of Haldighati

The battle of Haldighati was another historic battle fought during the rule of Akbar in
June 1576. It was fought between the ruler of Mewar in Rajasthan, Rana Pratap Singh
and Raja Man Singh of Amber who was a great military general of Akbar. Soon after
the second battle of Panipat, one by one, all the Rajput kings acknowledged Akbar's
supremacy except Rana Udai Singh of Mewar who refused to accept Akbar's
supremacy and decided to defend Chittor, his main fortress and capital. Akbar attacked
Chittor with a huge army of 40,000 which had guns and muskets while Chittor was
defended by 8,000 Rajputs who were ill equipped.

There were large numbers of civilians also in the fort. The fortress fell after a heroic
battle in which the Rajputs fought to the last man while their women folk performed
collective self-immolation. With the loss of Chittor, Mewar had lost the fertile part of
its kingdom to the Mughals. Besides, the unsuccessful battle at Chittor led to loss of
the treasury crippling its resource and also demoralizing the fighting ranks. But the next
ruler of Mewar, Rana Pratap Singh fought again with Akbar at Haldighati.

a) Maharana Rana Pratap Singh : Rana Pratap Singh was born in 1540 and
was given military training and became an excellent rider and expert swordsman.
He ascended the throne of Mewar in 1572. Rana Pratap stood alone and was in
no position to challenge the might of Mughal Empire under a capable king like
Akbar. Akbar tried to win over Rana Pratap by offering him a position in his

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MILITARY HISTORY