Mewar: History of tradition

Introduction

As with nearly all ancient dynasties, the story of the Mewar kingdom is rooted in mythology. This historical dynasty was founded by Bappa Rawal in the later half of the 6th Century A.D. He was a descendant of the Guhilot Clan, originally from Anandpur Badanager in Gujarat.

The kingdom of Mewar lies in what is now Rajasthan in Northern India; it was bestowed on Bappa Rawal in 734 A.D. by the great devotee of Lord Shiva (Shri Eklingji), Sage Harit Rashi of the Lakulish Cult.

For the service to the state Harit Rashi declared four cardinal duties as guiding principles for Bappa Rawal and his successors :

1. To follow the eternal principles of 'Manav Dharma' (Religion of Man) and preserve and perpetuate "Vedic Culture".
2. As a service to God, the Creator of all life, to serve all his creations.
3. Constantly to endeavour to keep the human soul awakened and alive, in order that 'Dignity of Man' is held to be of supreme importance.
4. To help to recognise special status of the human being in the hierarchy of God's creations - the eternal principles underlying cosmic creation.

There shall be no distinction nor any discrimination in the service of the people and it shall not be limited by either space or time.

All things belong to God. The State of Mewar should be considered as belonging to Shri Eklingji. The Maharanas were to hold the State as a sacred Trust and the 'Diwan' (Representative) of Shri Eklingji perform all duties and obligations.

Thus came into existence in the 6th century:

1. the state of Mewar,
2. the Institution of Maharana,
3. the duties and obligations assigned to Maharana, and
4. the concept of 'Kingship' as a 'Trusteeship'.


Mewar History: The State of Mewar and concept of Kingship, Trusteeship

The State of Mewar and the family of the Maharana and the concept of 'Kingship' as a 'Trusteeship' are institutions that have survived the vicissitudes of time. By the blessings of Shri Eklingji, the Institutions of the 'Maharana ' have been successfully prepetuating the tradition and fulfilling the obligations to a lesser or greater degree, since the time of its founding.

Between the 10th and the 14th century A.D. members of the family established the following dynasties : in Rajasthan, in Kathiawar and Saurashtra (Modern Gujarat), in Central India and Maharashtra: Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh, Bhavnagar, Lathi, Rajpipla, Bharwani, Rampura, Sawantwadi, and Kolhapur (Family of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) and the Rana Dynasty of Nepal.

Mewar is the land from where the deities and men jointly spread 'Manav Dharma' and the principles of self reliance and self-respect to the people of India as a whole.

There exists in the sacred land of Mewar, the abodes of the four major deities belonging to the different sects of the Hindus, along with Mosques and Churches, because equal protection, assistance and respect of all religions, and their followers, has been their principle.

Mewar's great Scholar-Saint, Maharaj Chatur Singhji Bavji describes the sacredness of the land in the following memorable couplet.

Mewar History: Maharana

Maharana is not a title or position given by a central power or external agency. It is acquired by the Rulers of Mewar by service and sacrifices, recognised and respected all over the country.

The Maharana has many titles given to him by the people and the country for the preservation of independence and self-respect, the most honorific being "Sun of Hindus" (Hindua Surya - The life and light of the people).

So far, seventy-five successive generations of Maharanas have strictly adhered to the directions given by Harit Rashi to Bappa Rawal.

In the true concept of 'Rulership' as expounded by the ancient shastra (Manu), the Ruler, the Maharana, was both the temporal and spiritual leader of the people.

Mewar had a unique pattern of administative and feudal relationship with people, which bound the Ruler, the nobles and the people in a unique bond, uniting them without disinction of caste, creed or religion, as one family, even in times of war.

When repeated invasions and internal onslaughts threatended to destory the freedom and culture of Mewar and its Rulers and her proud people - who continuously and ceaselessly fought for the preservation of independence and self-respect.

All along, Mewar, remained the source of inspiration for the forces of resistance from all over the country. Great heroes like Maharana Sanga and Maharana Pratap are looked upon as protectors of Indian culture, heritage and independence.

There is a general impression that the battles and wars fought by the Maharanas were communal but in fact religious harmony transcended these considerations as is proven by these examples.

1. Emperor Humayun came to assist Maharani Karnavati at Chittor as a result of the sacred bond of 'Rakhi' (535 A.D.)
2. Hakim Khan Sur, General of Maharana Pratap's army, fought in the Battle of haldi Ghati against the forces of Emperor Akbar led by Raja Man Singh of Jaipur, (1576 A.D.)
3. The Begums of Khan Khana, captured during war, were safely escorted back to Delhi with all dignity, (1580 A.D.)
4. Sultan Mahmud Khilji II of Malwa, taken prisoner by Maharana Sanga, was restored back to the Sultanate with honour, (1518 - 19 A.D.)
5. Prince Khurram, later Emperor Shah Jehan, was given shelter by Maharana Karan Singh in 1623 A.D.
6. During the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the wives and children of British officers and soldiers were brought from Neemuch to Udaipur and were given full hospitality and protection during the entire period of disturbances.


Mewar History: The history of the Maharana dynasty

The history of the Maharana dynasty has been one of ceaseless efforts to preserve and protect independence, and to perpetuate "Manav Dharma", self-reliance and the dignity of man.

The Maharanas have never stooped before temptation for peace and personal gain, or in the time of danger of extinction.

When physical wars became obsolete for subjugation, even in the times of psychological war of nerves, they never gave up or deviated from their principles.

During the time of Maharana Sajjan Singhji, an occasion arose when he was expected to present himself as a feudatory at the Durbar of Prince Edward Albert (later King Emperor Edward VII). He tactfully managed to avoid the meeting.

Another such situation arose when Maharana Fateh Singhji, was expected to present himself :

1. On the occasion of the Delhi Durbar by the then Viceroy, Lord Curzon, in 1903 to celebrate the accession of King Edward VII.
2. On the occasion of Durbar in Delhi on the visit of King George V in 1911.

Mewar History: after 1947

When India become independent in 1947, His late Highness Maharana Bhupal Singhji pioneered the move for the consolidation and unification of the country, thereby avoiding the possibility of a third split, or even the total fragmentation of India. He merged his sacred State of Mewar with the Indian Union with these words: "Today is a day to be greatly proud of, India is independent. It brings to fulfillment the 1400 years' struggle and endeavor of my forefathers. It becomes my holy duty on behalf of my ancestors to hand over to the leaders of free India, this cherished and sacred Flame of Freedom to the country as a whole. May this flame give inspiration to maintain the dignity of man, and perpetuate throughout the country the principles of self-reliance and self-respect with the same spirit and in the same form in which my forefathers have preserved them for centuries with blood; with the blessings of Shri Eklingji; and with the devotion of the freedom-loving people of Mewar. Today with great pride, devotion and humility, I pass on this Sacred Flame to India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, as an offering at the altar of Bharat Mata."