You must know about Amir Khusro (1253-1325). He was a
courtier of Jalaluddin Khilji - founder of Khilji dynasty. Amir Khusro had
written a book 'Miftah al-Futuh' in 1291 to commemorate the victories of his
king Jalaluddin Khilji. Amir Khushrau is known as a Sufi musician, poet and
scholar. His real name was Abul Hasan Yaminuddin Khusro.
Jalaluddin Khilji was murdered by his nephew Ali Gurshasp on
19th July, 1296. Ali Gurshasp took the name of Allauddin Khilji after taking
the throne; this name rhymed well with his late predecessor's name and his legacy.
Amir Khusro became a courtier of his new ruler Allauddin
Khilji and wrote "Khazain ul-Futuh" recording Allauddin's work.
Allauddin Khilji destroyed several Hindu kingdoms in his
life, ending several Hindu dynasties. He raided Gujarat (1299), Ranthambore
(1301), Chittor (1303), Malwa (1305), Siwana (1308), and Jalore (1311); ending
Hindu dynasties of Paramaras, Vaghelas, Chahamanas, and the Rawal branch of the
Guhilas. Ratnasimha was the king of Guhila dynasty of Medapata (Mewar), when
Allauddin launched an attacked on his kingdom.
Guhila dynasty had ruled the Mewar region of Rajasthan for
centuries. After Rawal Ratnasimha’s defeat, who was said to be the 42nd
ruler from the dynasty, the Rawal branch of Guhila dynasty ended.
In 1302, Rawal Ratnasimha had succeeded his father Samarasimha
as the Guhila ruler of Medapata (Mewar). He ruled from Chitrakuta fort (now
known as Chittorgarh). In a temple in Dariba, a town in Rajsamand district in
Rajasthan, his name is inscribed; which mentions that he had gifted 16 coins to
the temple. The inscription mentions his title as Maharajakula (Maharawal).
In 1303, very soon after Ratnasimha had become king, Delhi's
Alauddin Khilji invaded Chittor (Mewar). Allauddin’s army kept attacking
Ratnasimha's Chittor fort but could not break in for 8 months. Finally, on 26th
of August, 1303, the invaders managed to enter the fort.
Amir Khusro accompanied Allauddin Khilji during the raid on
Rana Ratnasimha's fort and has given several details in his book "Khaza'in
ul-Futuh". He does not mention any specific queen called Padmavati or
Padmini anywhere.
The fact that Allauddin Khilji's relatively stronger army
took 8 months to win over Chittor talks about the Rajput valor.
Inside the fort, thousands of Rajput women were said to have committed
'jauhar' - self-immolation to avoid
capture and dishonor in the enemy's hands.
After winning, Allauddin renamed the city as Khizrabad after
his eldest son Khizr Khan.
According to Amir Khusro, 30000 Hindus were killed in cold
blood after defeat of Chittor. Amir Khusro mentions "He (Allauddin Khilji)
ordered that wherever a green Hindu was found, he was to be cut down like dry
grass. Owing to this stern order, thirty thousand Hindus were slain in one day.
It seemed that the meadows of Khizrabad had grown men instead of grass."
Amir Khusro mentions that Allauddin Khilji had pardoned and
let Rawal Ratnasimha go alive. A lot of historians have corroborated the Muslim
chroniclers which mention that Allauddin Khilji had spared Rawal Ratnasimha's
life. In several Hindu legends afterwards, Ratnasimha is shown as dying while
fighting Khilji. Whatever be the truth, it seems valid that Rawal Ratnasimha and
the Rajputs had put up a very brave resistance. Otherwise Allauddin Khilji's
army won't have taken 7-8 months to enter their fort. Allauddin’s army was
known to be larger and better prepared, but the Rajputs chose death over
dishonor.
And if Amir Khusro mentions that 30000 Hindus were killed in Chittor at the order of Allauddin Khilji; it tells how devastating the defeat
was. Certainly, if Rawal Ratnasimha lived after losing at Chittor, his life
would have been worse than a glorious death.
Actor Shahid Kapoor, son of Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem,
plays the character of Rawal Ratnasimha in the upcoming movie
"Padmavati". Shahid Kapoor is married to Mira Rajput. Mira's parents are
Vikramaditya Rajput and Bela Rajput. Certainly, some 'Rajput' connection.
- Rahul Tiwary
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