Durgadas Rathore: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by FrescoBot
Last edited December 11, 2025
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
m robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.
m Content refined for better accuracy
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Rajput General Of Marwar Kingdom (1638-1718)}}
{{Short description|Rajput General of the Kingdom of Marwar (1638–1718)}}
{{Redirect|Durgadas|the novel|Durgadas (novel)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Redirect|Durgadas|the novel|Durgadas (novel)}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = ''[[Sardar]]''
| honorific_prefix = ''[[Sardar]]''
| name = Durgadas Rathore  
| name         = Durgadas Rathore
| honorific_suffix = Rajya Sanghrakshak
| honorific_suffix = Rajya Sanghrakshak
| image = Durgadas Rathore painting.jpg
| image         = Durgadas Rathore painting.jpg
| caption = Painting of Durgadas Rathore by [[Archibald Herman Müller|A.H. Müller]] in [[Mehrangarh Fort]] museum
| image_size    = 300px
| birth_date = 13 August 1638
| caption       = Painting of Veer Durgadas Rathore by [[Archibald Herman Müller]] in the [[Mehrangarh Fort]] Museum, Jodhpur.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1718|11|22|1638|8|13|df=yes}}
| birth_date   = 13 August 1638
| birth_place =  
| death_date   = {{Death date and age|1718|11|22|1638|8|13|df=yes}}
| death_place =  
| birth_place   = Selva village, [[Kingdom of Marwar]]
| nickname =  
| death_place   = [[Ujjain]]
| allegiance = [[File:Flag of Jodhpur.svg|20px]] [[Jodhpur State]]
| nickname     = [[Garibaldi]] of [[Rajputana]]
| branch =  
| allegiance   = [[File:Flag of Jodhpur.svg|20px]] [[Kingdom of Marwar]]
| serviceyears =  
| branch       = [[Marwar]] Army
| rank =  
| serviceyears =  
| unit =  
| rank         = General
| commands =  
| unit         =  
| battles =  
| commands     =  
| awards =  
| battles       = *[[Rathore rebellion (1679–1707)]]<br/>
| spouse =  
*[[Rajput Rebellion (1708–1710)]]
| relations =  
| awards       =  
| spouse       =  
| relations     =  
}}
}}
'''Durgadas Rathore''' (13 August 1638&nbsp;– 22 November 1718) was the [[Rathore]] [[Rajput]] General of [[Jodhpur State| Kingdom of Marwar]]. He is credited with having preserved the rule of the [[Rathor Dynasty|Rathore dynasty]] over [[Marwar]], India, following the death of Maharaja [[Jaswant Singh of Marwar|Jaswant Singh]] in the 17th century. In doing so he had to defy [[Aurangzeb]], a [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperor. He commanded the Rathore forces during the [[Rajput War (1679–1707)]] and played a major role in the [[Rajput Rebellion (1708–1710)]] which became one of the main reason of decline of [[Mughal Empire]]. He was elected as the leader of the revolt along with Raja [[Jai Singh II]] of Jaipur.<ref name=RZ>{{Cite book|first=Jadunath|last=Sarkar|title=A History of Jaipur: C.1503-1938|publisher=Orient Blackswan|year=1994|pages=162|isbn=9788125003335|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O0oPIo9TXKcC&q=bahadur+shah+was+absent}}</ref> He won a number of victories against the Mughals<ref name=SC>{{Cite book|first=Satish|last=Chandra|title=Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II|publisher=Har Anand Publications|year=2005|pages=312|isbn=9788124110669|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Rm9MC4DDrcC&q=satish+chandra+medieval+india|quote=With the return of Durgadas to Marwar in 1686 and with the appearance of [[Ajit Singh of Marwar|Ajit Singh]] in person to head the resistance, the Rathores gained a number of victories.}}</ref> and forced many Mughal officers to pay tribute to him in the form of [[chauth]].<ref name=RC>{{Cite book|first=R.C.|last=Majumdar|title=An Advanced History of India|publisher=Trinity Press|year=2020|pages=494–497|url=|quote=Under the able leadership of Durgadas, the Rathors ceaselessly carried on a guerrilla warfare and harassed the Mughal outposts so that the Mughal officers were compelled to pay chauth}}</ref>
'''Durgadas Rathore''' (13 August 1638&nbsp;– 22 November 1718) was a [[Rathore dynasty|Rathore]] [[Rajput]] general and statesman of the [[Kingdom of Marwar]], in present-day [[Rajasthan]], [[India]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rima Hooja |url=http://archive.org/details/a-history-of-rajasthan |title=A History Of Rajasthan |pages=895}}</ref> He is remembered for safeguarding the infant [[Ajit Singh of Marwar]] following the death of [[Maharaja Jaswant Singh]] in 1678 and for leading a prolonged resistance against Mughal emperor [[Aurangzeb]] during the [[Rathore rebellion (1679–1707)]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Naravane |first=M. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lF0FvjG3GWEC&q=durgadas |title=The Rajputs of Rajputana: A Glimpse of Medieval Rajasthan |date=1999 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-7648-118-2 |language=en}}</ref> Combining [[guerrilla warfare]] with diplomatic alliances, he preserved Marwar’s independence until Ajit Singh was restored to the throne after Aurangzeb’s death in 1707.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/sir-jadunath-sarkar-raghubir-sinh-a-history-of-jaipur-c.-1503-1938 |title=A History Of Jaipur, C. 1503-1938 |pages=161}}</ref>
 
Durgadas also played a significant role in the [[Rajput Rebellion (1708–1710)]], collaborating with leaders such as Raja [[Jai Singh II]] of [[Jaipur State|Jaipur]], and supported the Maratha ruler [[Sambhaji]] during the [[Siege of Janjira]] against the Siddis. He was elected as the leader of the revolt along with Raja [[Jai Singh II]] of Jaipur.<ref name=RZ>{{Cite book|first=Jadunath|last=Sarkar|title=A History of Jaipur: C.1503-1938|publisher=Orient Blackswan|year=1994|pages=162|isbn=9788125003335|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O0oPIo9TXKcC&q=bahadur+shah+was+absent}}</ref> He won several victories against the Mughals<ref name=SC>{{Cite book|first=Satish|last=Chandra|title=Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II|publisher=Har Anand Publications|year=2005|pages=312|isbn=9788124110669|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Rm9MC4DDrcC&q=satish+chandra+medieval+india|quote=With the return of Durgadas to Marwar in 1686 and with the appearance of [[Ajit Singh of Marwar|Ajit Singh]] in person to head the resistance, the Rathores gained a number of victories.}}</ref> and compelled many Mughal officers to pay tribute in the form of [[chauth]].<ref name=RC>{{Cite book|first=R.C.|last=Majumdar|title=An Advanced History of India|publisher=Trinity Press|year=2020|pages=494–497|url=|quote=Under the able leadership of Durgadas, the Rathors ceaselessly carried on a guerrilla warfare and harassed the Mughal outposts so that the Mughal officers were compelled to pay chauth}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Durgadas was the son of Askaran Rathore, a [[Rajput]] minister of [[Jaswant Singh of Marwar|Jaswant Singh]], the ruler of [[Marwar]].<ref name=CHIp247 /> He was a distant relative of the royal family, being a descendant of Karana, a son of Rao [[Ranmal]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Singh |first=Rajvi Amar |title=Mediaeval History of Rajasthan: Western Rajasthan |year=1992 |page=156 }}</ref>
Durgadas was the son of Askaran Rathore, a [[jagirdar]] (feudal lord) of Drunera and a [[Rajput]] minister under [[Jaswant Singh of Marwar|Jaswant Singh]], the ruler of [[Kingdom of Marwar|Marwar]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sarkar Jadunath Sir |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.242801 |title=History Of Aurangzib Vol Iii |date=1928 |pages=232}}</ref> He was a distant relative of the royal family, being a descendant of Karana, a son of Rao [[Ranmal]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Singh |first=Rajvi Amar |title=Mediaeval History of Rajasthan: Western Rajasthan |year=1992 |page=156 }}</ref>
 
== Support for Ajit Singh ==
[[File:DurgadasAndAjitSingh.jpg|thumb|Durgadas Rathore and Ajit Singh]]
Jaswant Singh was campaigning in Afghanistan when he died in December 1678, leaving no heir. Aurangzeb took the opportunity to intervene by imposing Muslim rule over Marwar.<ref name=CHIp247>{{cite book|author=Henry Herbert Dodwell|title=The Cambridge History of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yoI8AAAAIAAJ|year=1928|publisher=CUP Archive|page=247}}</ref>
 
Soon after Jaswant Singh's death two of his ranis (queens) each gave birth to male children. One of these sons died soon after his birth, leaving the other – [[Ajit Singh of Marwar|Ajit Singh]] – as sole heir.<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-93-80607-34-4 |page=189}}</ref> This news reached Aurangzeb by February 1679 but he chose not to recognise the child as the legitimate heir. He imposed [[jizya]], a tax on non-Muslims, and soon after sold the kingdom to another chieftain, Indra Singh. Aurangzeb had moved his base from [[Delhi]] to [[Ajmer]] to oversee the subjugation but in April 1679 returned to his capital, leaving administrative and military support in Marwar for the unpopular new ruler.<ref name=CHIp247 />
 
Prominent grandees of Marwar, including Durgadas& Rajguru Akheraj Singh, went to Delhi to plead the recognition of Ajit Singh as heir. Aurangzeb refused their request, although he did offer to bestow a title and a grant when the child attained the age of majority. Aurangzeb required that the child be raised in the imperial [[harem]] and that the ranis live there also. According to one contemporary source, Aurangzeb also offered to give Ajit Singh the throne of Jodhpur in the future if it was agreed that the child was raised in the Muslim faith.<ref name=CHIp247 />
 
The attitude of Aurangzeb was not acceptable to the Rathore delegation, who resolved upon rescuing Ajit Singh and the ranis from Delhi. They were aware that many of them were likely to die in the process and this proved to be the case: as they retreated from the city on 25 June 1679 they were pursued by Mughal guards and fought several desperate and deadly rearguard actions in order to protect Durgadas, who had the ranis and child with him. The pursuit continued till the evening, when the Mughals finally tired.<ref name=CHIp248>{{cite book|author=Henry Herbert Dodwell|title=The Cambridge History of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yoI8AAAAIAAJ|year=1928|publisher=CUP Archive|page=248}}</ref>
 
The infant Ajit Singh was taken to safety in Balunda, where the wife of one of the delegation kept the child for almost a year. Later, he was moved to the safety of the [[Aravalli Hills]] near [[Mount Abu|Abu Sirohi]], a remote town on the southern fringes of Marwar. There Ajit Singh grew up in anonymity.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Hooja|first=Rima|title=A History of Rajasthan|publisher=Rupa Publication|year=2006|pages=705}}</ref>


== Opposition to the Mughals ==
==Military career==
[[File:Veer Durgadas Rathore.jpg |250px|thumb|Durgadas Rathore's painting by [[Har Bilas Sarda|H.B. Sarda]]]]


Aurangzeb reacted to these events by deposing the incompetent puppet ruler of Marwar, Indra Singh, and placing it under direct Mughal rule. His forces moved in to occupy the region and "anarchy and slaughter were let loose on the doomed state; all the great towns in the plain were pillaged; the temples were thrown down." He also substituted the son of a milkman for Ajit Singh, raised the child as if he was the rightful heir to Jaswant Singh and denounced the real heir as an imposter.<ref name=CHIp248 />
===Safeguarding Ajit Singh (1679–1681)===
Jaswant Singh was campaigning in Afghanistan when he died in December 1678, leaving no heir. Aurangzeb took the opportunity to intervene by imposing his direct rule over Marwar. Soon after Jaswant Singh's death two of his ranis (queens) each gave birth to male children. One of these sons died soon after his birth, leaving the other – [[Ajit Singh of Marwar|Ajit Singh]] – as sole heir.<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-93-80607-34-4 |page=189}}</ref>


During the period that followed, when the Mughals controlled Marwar, Durgadas and Akheraj were among those who carried out a relentless struggle against the occupying forces. The capabilities of the Mughal forces were over-extended when Aurangzeb decided to attempt the over-running of [[Mewar]] also, and this provided opportunities for Rajputs of various communities, including the Rathores and the [[Sisodia]]s, to use [[guerrilla]] tactics. The Rajput successes were, however, limited in Marwar: the campaign in Mewar was abandoned by the Mughals but Marwar remained in a state of war for nearly three decades.<ref name=CHIp248-252>{{cite book|author=Henry Herbert Dodwell|title=The Cambridge History of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yoI8AAAAIAAJ|year=1928|publisher=CUP Archive|pages=248–252}}</ref>
[[File:Durga Das before Maharaja Ajit Singh of Marwar.jpg|thumb|200px|Durgadas Rathore (left) with Maharaja [[Ajit Singh of Marwar]] (right)]]


The cause of the Mughal withdrawal from Mewar had been a rebellion by a son of Aurangzeb, [[Sultan Muhammad Akbar|Akbar]], who had proved to be incompetent when placed in charge of various forces in Mewar and Marwar. He eventually rebelled against his father and allied himself with the Rajputs. In June 1681 Durgadas assisted Akbar as the rebellion collapsed in disarray, aiding his flight to the court of the recently installed [[Maratha]] king [[Sambhaji]]. The rebellion diverted resources and Aurangzeb was forced to make peace in Mewar when on the cusp of winning his campaign.<ref>{{cite book|author=Henry Herbert Dodwell|title=The Cambridge History of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yoI8AAAAIAAJ|year=1928|publisher=CUP Archive|pages=248–252, 281}}</ref>
Aurangzeb ordered the infant, Ajit Singh, to be brought to Delhi where he was kept in Noorgarh under house arrest. Durgadas Rathore and other nobles of Jodhpur made a daring attack on the Mughal contingent of Delhi and rescued Ajit Singh and the widowed ranis of Jaswant Singh. Aurangzeb ordered Tahir Beg and Inder Singh Rathore to capture Durgadas, but they both failed, resulting in a long struggle between Durgadas and Aurangzeb. Fatuhat-i-Alamgiri noted that "all the Rajput households of Marwar had made preparations to challenge the imperial writ". Durgdas thus had the support of the Rajput clans of Marwar.<ref name=RH>{{Cite book |first=Rima |last=Hooja |title=A History of Rajasthan|publisher=Rupa |year=2006 |pages=595–610, 709 |isbn=9788129115010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qqd1RAAACAAJ&q=history%20of%20rajasthan%20hooja |quote=On July 15, 1679 AD, Aurangzeb ordered that the infant Ajit Singh and entourage be shifted to Noorgarh, virtually as prisoners.  At this Durgadas Rathore and a select band of Marwars warriors including Ranchordas Rathore and Raghunath Bhati took action. These Marwar loyalists contrived the daring rescue of the closely guarded infant Ajit singh and the widowed ranis of Jaswant Singh from imperial hands. Aurangzeb commanded Tahir Beg Khan and Inder Singh to capture the figitive party...both men were unsuccessful in this...thereafter began a long struggle against Emperor Aurangzeb by Durgadas and other loyal supporters...recorded in his contemporaneous Fatuhat-i-Alamgiri that all the Rajput households of Marwar had made preparations to challenge the imperial writ.....Durgadas did not flail in his loyalty. It was for this loyalty, as well as his personal valour and chivalrous deeds that Durgadas was to become part of popular lore during his lifetime....Ajit Singh was brought away from the territory of Sirohi to Nandlai, three miles north-west of Desuri in Mewar. Raj Singh's action enraged Aurangzeb.....Durga Das features in the official records of the Mughal court till c . AD 1716....Emperor Jahandar Shah gave him the title of 'Rao', and a mansab of 4,000...Marwar chronicles however do not mention Durgadas after the Rathore victory at Sambhar.}}</ref>


Durgadas was absent from Marwar during the period 1681–1687, during which time he was in the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]].<ref>{{cite book |title=History & Culture of The Indian People, Vol 7, The Mughal Empire |page=[https://archive.org/details/mughulempire00bhar/page/355 355] |url=https://archive.org/details/mughulempire00bhar}}</ref> He returned to join with the young Ajit Singh, who now came out of hiding, in taking command of Rathore forces opposing Aurangzeb. There was a change from the earlier guerrilla tactics to a more direct opposition but still they were unable to wrest control of Marwar from the Mughals, although they caused much disruption.<ref name=CHIp303>{{cite book|author=Henry Herbert Dodwell|title=The Cambridge History of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yoI8AAAAIAAJ|year=1928|publisher=CUP Archive|page=303}}</ref>
The infant Ajit Singh was taken to safety in Balunda, where the wife of one of the delegation kept the child for almost a year. Later, he was moved to the safety of the [[Aravalli Hills]] near [[Mount Abu|Abu Sirohi]], a remote town on the southern fringes of Marwar. There Ajit Singh grew up in anonymity.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Hooja|first=Rima|title=A History of Rajasthan|publisher=Rupa Publication|year=2006|pages=705}}</ref> Rana [[Raj Singh I]] also offered refuge to Ajit Singh after which he was hidden in Nandlai, a village in Mewar.<ref name=RH/>


Akbar, who was to die in exile in 1704,<ref>{{cite book|author=Henry Herbert Dodwell|title=The Cambridge History of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yoI8AAAAIAAJ|year=1928|publisher=CUP Archive|page=302}}</ref> had left his children in the custody of the Rathores following his failed rebellion.<ref name=CHIp303 /> Aurangzeb had become anxious to have them with him and negotiated with Durgadas to this end. He gained custody of his granddaughter in 1694 and of his grandson in 1698. Aurangzeb was particularly grateful to find that Durgadas had arranged for his granddaughter to be schooled in the Muslim faith but he did not restore Marwar to Rathore rule; the agreement was limited to him pardoning and giving the lesser title of [[jagir]] to Ajit Singh and appointing Durgadas as a commandant in charge of an imperial force of 3000 men in [[Gujarat]].<ref name=CHIp304>{{cite book|author=Henry Herbert Dodwell|title=The Cambridge History of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yoI8AAAAIAAJ|year=1928|publisher=CUP Archive|page=304}}</ref>
===Conflict with the Mughal Empire (1681–1707)===
Durgadas, as the leader of the revolt, led his forces against the Mughals and through guerrilla warfare  harassed several outposts and compelled the Mughal officers to pay tribute.<ref name=RC/> Durgadas also instigated both [[Bahadur Shah I|Muazzam]] and [[Muhammad Akbar (Mughal prince)|Akbar]] against their father, Aurangzeb. During the war, Durgadas took care of Aurangzeb's granddaughter, Saif-un-nissa, who was in his custody and later returned her to Aurangzeb. The grateful Mughal Emperor bestowed upon Durgadas high ranks and jagirs of Merta and Dhandhuka, however, according to Mirat-i-Alamgiri, Durgadas continued to plead for Ajit Singh's cause instead of being placated by Aurangzeb.<ref name=RH/> Ajit Singh and Durgadas took advantage of the disturbances following the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 to seize Jodhpur and eventually evict the occupying Mughal force. Ajit Singh was proclaimed Maharaja of Jodhpur.<ref name=":0" />


Despite the outcome of the negotiations, the relationship between Aurangzeb on the one hand and Ajit Singh and Durgadas on the other remained tense. They viewed each other with mutual suspicion and, in 1702, Aurangzeb ordered the governor of Gujarat to neutralise Durgadas by either arrest or murder. Durgadas became aware of this and fled to Marwar, where he tried to raise a rebel group once more. Despite his reputation and the veneration in which he was held by his countrymen, he was not particularly successful in doing so: they were tired and poorly funded after so many years of war, and the now-adult Ajit Singh had become independent of mind and jealous of the reputation and influence possessed by Durgadas.<ref name=CHIp304 />
Durgadas was also one of the leaders of the [[Rajput Rebellion (1708–1710)]]. In July 1708 he routed Saiyid Hussain Khan Barha at Kaladera and forced him to retreat to Narnaul. Durgadas was also instrumental in securing the Rajput victory at Sambhar. Ajit Singh started becoming jealous of the fame and popularity that Durgadas had acquired. Durgadas also started disliking Ajit for his character. Ajit Singh had murdered Mukund Das, who was a loyal noble of Marwar, and this caused Durgadas to drift away from Ajit. After the battle of Sambhar, Durgadas chose to pitch his camp away from Ajit to show his dissatisfaction.<ref name=KS>{{Cite book|first=V.S.|last=Bhatnagar|title=Life and times of Sawai Jai Singh|publisher=Impex India|year=1974|pages=57, 69|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=plFuAAAAMAAJ|quote=The Saiyid returned to Kaladera where he was again routed by Durgadas. He then fled to Narnaul....After the victory at Sambhar, Durgadas who had played an important part in the encounter...}}</ref>


Durgadas took advantage of the disturbances following the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 to seize Jodhpur and eventually evict the occupying Mughal force. Ajit Singh was proclaimed Maharaja of Jodhpur<ref name=":0" /> and went on to rebuild all the temples that had been desecrated by the occupying Muslims.
The victory of Ajit Singh was the culmination of Durgadas and other loyal courtiers who chose to remain loyal throughout the [[Rajput War (1679–1707)|Rathore rebellion]], however Durgadas was soon exiled by Ajit Singh and his name was erased from the Marwari chronicles after the [[Rajput Rebellion (1708–1710)|Battle of Sambhar]], in which Durgadas and [[Jai Singh II]] won a notable victory against the Mughals.<ref name=RZ/> The Mughals, however, continued to woo Durgadas. The Mughal Emperor offered Durgadas the title of Rao and a rank of 4,000 in the Mughal court and official Mughal records continued to write about him till his death. Durgadas was also invited by the Maharana [[Amar Singh II]] of Mewar who gave him the jagirs of Rampura and Vijaypur.<ref name=RH/>


== Death ==
== Death ==
Durgadas after completing his duties successfully and fulfilled the promise which he had given to Jaswant Singh,{{clarify|reason=what promise? the article appears never to have explained this|date=September 2011}} left Jodhpur and live in [[Sadri]], [[Udaipur]], Rampura, Bhanpura for some time and then left to worship [[Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga|Mahakaal]] at Ujjain.
[[File:DURGADAS CHHATRI.jpg|thumb|Canopy of Durgadas at Chakratirth, [[Ujjain]]]]
[[File:DURGADAS CHHATRI.jpg|thumb|Canopy of Durgadas at Chakratirth, [[Ujjain]]]]
On 22 November 1718, on the banks of the [[Shipra River|Shipra]] at [[Ujjain]], Durgadas died at the age of 81 years,<ref name=":0" /> his canopy in red stone is still at the Chakratirtha, Ujjain, which is pilgrimage for all freedom fighters and Rajputs.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}}
Durgadas left [[Kingdom of Marwar|Marwar]] and lived in [[Kingdom of Mewar|Mewar]] for some time, and then went to [[Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga|Mahakaal]] in [[Ujjain]]. On 22 November 1718, he died at the age of 81 on the banks of the [[Shipra River]] in Ujjain.<ref name=":0" />


== Recognition ==
== Legacy and Honors ==
* Historian [[Jadunath Sarkar]] sums up his legacy by commenting:
* Historian [[Jadunath Sarkar]] sums up his legacy by commenting:


<Blockquote>'' A soul of honour, he kept the deserted daughter of Akbar free from every stain and provided her with every facility for Islamic religious training in the wilderness of Marwar. Fighting against terrible odds and a host of enemies on every side, with distrust and wavering among his own country-men, he kept the cause of his chieftain triumphant. Mughal gold could not seduce, Mughal arms could not daunt that constant heart. Almost alone among the Rathors he displayed the rare combination of the dash and reckless valour of a Rajput soldier with the tact, diplomacy and organizing power of a Mughal minister of State. No wonder that the Rathor bard should pray that every Rajput mother should have a son like Durgadas.<ref>{{Citation|work=History of Aurangzeb Vol 3|publisher=Orient Longman Limited|year=1971|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.242801/page/n231/mode/1up?view=theater|page=|editor-last1=Sarkar|editor-first1=Jadunath|title=''Durgadas''}}</ref> </Blockquote>
<Blockquote>A soul of honour, he kept the deserted daughter of Akbar free from every stain and provided her with every facility for Islamic religious training in the wilderness of Marwar. Fighting against terrible odds and a host of enemies on every side, with distrust and wavering among his own country-men, he kept the cause of his chieftain triumphant. Mughal gold could not seduce, Mughal arms could not daunt that constant heart. Almost alone among the Rathors he displayed the rare combination of the dash and reckless valour of a Rajput soldier with the tact, diplomacy and organizing power of a Mughal minister of State. No wonder that the Rathor bard should pray that every Rajput mother should have a son like Durgadas.<ref>{{Citation|work=History of Aurangzeb Vol 3|publisher=Orient Longman Limited|year=1971|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.242801/page/n231/mode/1up?view=theater|page=|editor-last1=Sarkar|editor-first1=Jadunath|title=''Durgadas''}}</ref> </Blockquote>


* The government of India [[List of postage stamps of India|released a stamp]] (in 1988) and various coins (on 25 August 2003) in his honour.
* The government of India released a commemorative [[postage stamp]] for Durgadas Rathore in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web |title=INDIA 1988 DURGADAS RATHORE MNH SINGLE STAMP |url=https://www.indphila.com/product/india-1988-durgadas-rathore-mnh-single-stamp/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Largest Online Dealer & Portal for Stamps of India |language=en-US}}</ref>


[[File:Stamp of India - 1988 - Colnect 165262 - Durgadas Rathore.jpeg|200px|thumb|Durgadas Rathore dak ticket (stamps) of Rs. 0.60 also released on 16 August 1988]]
[[File:Stamp of India - 1988 - Colnect 165262 - Durgadas Rathore.jpeg|200px|thumb|Durgadas Rathore on a postage stamp of Rs. 0.60 released on 26 August 1988]]


*The government of India also introduced commemorative coins in 2003 in the name of Durgadas Rathore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1 Rupee, India |url=https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces15794.html |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=en.numista.com |language=en}}</ref>
*In 2003, the Government of India issued commemorative coins of ₹1, ₹10, and ₹100 in honor of Durgadas Rathore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1 Rupee, India |url=https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces15794.html |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=en.numista.com |language=en}}</ref>
* A road in [[Ujjain]] named after him (Veer Durgadas Marg).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Veer Durgadas Marg |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Veer+Durgadas+Marg,+Madhya+Pradesh/@23.1917347,75.7637597,604m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x3963743181c13607:0x2a9da5c375975eb7!8m2!3d23.1917298!4d75.7663346!16s%2Fg%2F1hjgw3wyl?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTIxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D |access-date=2024-12-22|website=Google Maps|language=en}}</ref>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
* Paintings of Durgadas by painter [[Archibald Herman Müller]] (1893) at [[Mehrangarh Museum]], Jodhpur and the [[Government Museum, Bikaner]].
* Paintings of Durgadas by painter [[Archibald Herman Müller]] (1893) at [[Mehrangarh Museum]], Jodhpur and the Government Museum, [[Bikaner]].
* ''[[Durgadas (novel)|Durgadas]]'' is a [[children's literature]] novel written by [[Premchand]] based on his struggle.
* ''[[Durgadas (novel)|Durgadas]]'' is a [[children's literature]] novel written by [[Premchand]] based on his struggle.
* A play depicting the life of Durgadas was conducted in Jodhpur in October 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/RAJ-JOD-HMU-MAT-latest-jodhpur-news-052004-258180-NOR.html|title=दुर्ग गाथा {{!}} 400 से अधिक कलाकारों ने 17वीं शताब्दी के दृश्यों को जीवंत किया|date=2017-10-13|work=dainikbhaskar|access-date=2017-10-15|language=hi}}</ref>
* A play depicting the life of Durgadas was conducted in Jodhpur in October 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/RAJ-JOD-HMU-MAT-latest-jodhpur-news-052004-258180-NOR.html|title=दुर्ग गाथा|date=2017-10-13|work=dainikbhaskar|access-date=2017-10-15|language=hi}}</ref>
*Indian films based on his life include the [[Indian silent film|silent feature]] ''Veer Durgadas'' (1924) by Bhagwati Prasad Mishra and the 1960 biographical film ''[[Veer Durgadas]]'' by Ramchandra Thakur, starring [[Paidi Jairaj]] in the titular role.<ref name="RajadhyakshaWillemen1999">{{cite book|last1=Rajadhyaksha|first1=Ashish|url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopaediaofi0000raja|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema|last2=Willemen|first2=Paul|publisher=British Film Institute|year=1999|access-date=12 August 2012|url-access=registration}}</ref>
*Indian films based on his life include the [[Indian silent film|silent feature]] ''Veer Durgadas'' (1924) by Bhagwati Prasad Mishra and the 1960 biographical film ''[[Veer Durgadas]]'' by Ramchandra Thakur, starring [[Paidi Jairaj]] in the titular role.<ref name="RajadhyakshaWillemen1999">{{cite book|last1=Rajadhyaksha|first1=Ashish|url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopaediaofi0000raja|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema|last2=Willemen|first2=Paul|publisher=British Film Institute|year=1999|isbn=978-0-85170-669-6 |access-date=12 August 2012|url-access=registration}}</ref>
* Amar Chitra Katha Comics have a great biographical comic on his name https://digital.amarchitrakatha.com/id005835307/Durgadas


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 92: Line 86:
[[Category:1638 births]]
[[Category:1638 births]]
[[Category:1718 deaths]]
[[Category:1718 deaths]]
[[Category:History of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:People from the Kingdom of Marwar]]
[[Category:People from Jodhpur]]
[[Category:People from Jodhpur]]
[[Category:Indian military personnel]]
[[Category:Indian military personnel]]
[[Category:Indian warriors]]
[[Category:Indian warriors]]
[[Category:Rathore (clan)]]
[[Category:17th-century Indian people]]
[[Category:17th-century Indian people]]
[[Category:18th-century Indian people]]
[[Category:18th-century Indian people]]

Latest revision as of 05:01, 11 December 2025


"Durgadas" redirects here. For the novel, see Durgadas (novel).
Sardar

Durgadas Rathore

Rajya Sanghrakshak
Painting of Veer Durgadas Rathore by Archibald Herman Müller in the Mehrangarh Fort Museum, Jodhpur.
Nickname(s)Garibaldi of Rajputana
Born13 August 1638
Selva village, Kingdom of Marwar
Died22 November 1718(1718-11-22) (aged 80)
Ujjain
Allegiance Kingdom of Marwar
Service/branchMarwar Army
RankGeneral
Battles/wars

Durgadas Rathore (13 August 1638 – 22 November 1718) was a Rathore Rajput general and statesman of the Kingdom of Marwar, in present-day Rajasthan, India.[1] He is remembered for safeguarding the infant Ajit Singh of Marwar following the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh in 1678 and for leading a prolonged resistance against Mughal emperor Aurangzeb during the Rathore rebellion (1679–1707).[2] Combining guerrilla warfare with diplomatic alliances, he preserved Marwar’s independence until Ajit Singh was restored to the throne after Aurangzeb’s death in 1707.[3]

Durgadas also played a significant role in the Rajput Rebellion (1708–1710), collaborating with leaders such as Raja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, and supported the Maratha ruler Sambhaji during the Siege of Janjira against the Siddis. He was elected as the leader of the revolt along with Raja Jai Singh II of Jaipur.[4] He won several victories against the Mughals[5] and compelled many Mughal officers to pay tribute in the form of chauth.[6]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Durgadas was the son of Askaran Rathore, a jagirdar (feudal lord) of Drunera and a Rajput minister under Jaswant Singh, the ruler of Marwar.[7] He was a distant relative of the royal family, being a descendant of Karana, a son of Rao Ranmal.[8]

Military career[edit | edit source]

Safeguarding Ajit Singh (1679–1681)[edit | edit source]

Jaswant Singh was campaigning in Afghanistan when he died in December 1678, leaving no heir. Aurangzeb took the opportunity to intervene by imposing his direct rule over Marwar. Soon after Jaswant Singh's death two of his ranis (queens) each gave birth to male children. One of these sons died soon after his birth, leaving the other – Ajit Singh – as sole heir.[9]

Durgadas Rathore (left) with Maharaja Ajit Singh of Marwar (right)

Aurangzeb ordered the infant, Ajit Singh, to be brought to Delhi where he was kept in Noorgarh under house arrest. Durgadas Rathore and other nobles of Jodhpur made a daring attack on the Mughal contingent of Delhi and rescued Ajit Singh and the widowed ranis of Jaswant Singh. Aurangzeb ordered Tahir Beg and Inder Singh Rathore to capture Durgadas, but they both failed, resulting in a long struggle between Durgadas and Aurangzeb. Fatuhat-i-Alamgiri noted that "all the Rajput households of Marwar had made preparations to challenge the imperial writ". Durgdas thus had the support of the Rajput clans of Marwar.[10]

The infant Ajit Singh was taken to safety in Balunda, where the wife of one of the delegation kept the child for almost a year. Later, he was moved to the safety of the Aravalli Hills near Abu Sirohi, a remote town on the southern fringes of Marwar. There Ajit Singh grew up in anonymity.[11] Rana Raj Singh I also offered refuge to Ajit Singh after which he was hidden in Nandlai, a village in Mewar.[10]

Conflict with the Mughal Empire (1681–1707)[edit | edit source]

Durgadas, as the leader of the revolt, led his forces against the Mughals and through guerrilla warfare harassed several outposts and compelled the Mughal officers to pay tribute.[6] Durgadas also instigated both Muazzam and Akbar against their father, Aurangzeb. During the war, Durgadas took care of Aurangzeb's granddaughter, Saif-un-nissa, who was in his custody and later returned her to Aurangzeb. The grateful Mughal Emperor bestowed upon Durgadas high ranks and jagirs of Merta and Dhandhuka, however, according to Mirat-i-Alamgiri, Durgadas continued to plead for Ajit Singh's cause instead of being placated by Aurangzeb.[10] Ajit Singh and Durgadas took advantage of the disturbances following the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 to seize Jodhpur and eventually evict the occupying Mughal force. Ajit Singh was proclaimed Maharaja of Jodhpur.[11]

Durgadas was also one of the leaders of the Rajput Rebellion (1708–1710). In July 1708 he routed Saiyid Hussain Khan Barha at Kaladera and forced him to retreat to Narnaul. Durgadas was also instrumental in securing the Rajput victory at Sambhar. Ajit Singh started becoming jealous of the fame and popularity that Durgadas had acquired. Durgadas also started disliking Ajit for his character. Ajit Singh had murdered Mukund Das, who was a loyal noble of Marwar, and this caused Durgadas to drift away from Ajit. After the battle of Sambhar, Durgadas chose to pitch his camp away from Ajit to show his dissatisfaction.[12]

The victory of Ajit Singh was the culmination of Durgadas and other loyal courtiers who chose to remain loyal throughout the Rathore rebellion, however Durgadas was soon exiled by Ajit Singh and his name was erased from the Marwari chronicles after the Battle of Sambhar, in which Durgadas and Jai Singh II won a notable victory against the Mughals.[4] The Mughals, however, continued to woo Durgadas. The Mughal Emperor offered Durgadas the title of Rao and a rank of 4,000 in the Mughal court and official Mughal records continued to write about him till his death. Durgadas was also invited by the Maharana Amar Singh II of Mewar who gave him the jagirs of Rampura and Vijaypur.[10]

Death[edit | edit source]

Canopy of Durgadas at Chakratirth, Ujjain

Durgadas left Marwar and lived in Mewar for some time, and then went to Mahakaal in Ujjain. On 22 November 1718, he died at the age of 81 on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain.[11]

Legacy and Honors[edit | edit source]

A soul of honour, he kept the deserted daughter of Akbar free from every stain and provided her with every facility for Islamic religious training in the wilderness of Marwar. Fighting against terrible odds and a host of enemies on every side, with distrust and wavering among his own country-men, he kept the cause of his chieftain triumphant. Mughal gold could not seduce, Mughal arms could not daunt that constant heart. Almost alone among the Rathors he displayed the rare combination of the dash and reckless valour of a Rajput soldier with the tact, diplomacy and organizing power of a Mughal minister of State. No wonder that the Rathor bard should pray that every Rajput mother should have a son like Durgadas.[13]

  • The government of India released a commemorative postage stamp for Durgadas Rathore in 1988.[14]
Durgadas Rathore on a postage stamp of Rs. 0.60 released on 26 August 1988
  • In 2003, the Government of India issued commemorative coins of ₹1, ₹10, and ₹100 in honor of Durgadas Rathore.[15]
  • A road in Ujjain named after him (Veer Durgadas Marg).[16]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Rima Hooja. A History Of Rajasthan. p. 895.
  2. ↑ Naravane, M. S. (1999). The Rajputs of Rajputana: A Glimpse of Medieval Rajasthan. APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7648-118-2.
  3. ↑ A History Of Jaipur, C. 1503-1938. p. 161.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sarkar, Jadunath (1994). A History of Jaipur: C.1503-1938. Orient Blackswan. p. 162. ISBN 9788125003335.
  5. ↑ Chandra, Satish (2005). Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II. Har Anand Publications. p. 312. ISBN 9788124110669. With the return of Durgadas to Marwar in 1686 and with the appearance of Ajit Singh in person to head the resistance, the Rathores gained a number of victories.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Majumdar, R.C. (2020). An Advanced History of India. Trinity Press. pp. 494–497. Under the able leadership of Durgadas, the Rathors ceaselessly carried on a guerrilla warfare and harassed the Mughal outposts so that the Mughal officers were compelled to pay chauth
  7. ↑ Sarkar Jadunath Sir (1928). History Of Aurangzib Vol Iii. p. 232.
  8. ↑ Singh, Rajvi Amar (1992). Mediaeval History of Rajasthan: Western Rajasthan. p. 156.
  9. ↑ Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. p. 189. ISBN 978-93-80607-34-4.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa. pp. 595–610, 709. ISBN 9788129115010. On July 15, 1679 AD, Aurangzeb ordered that the infant Ajit Singh and entourage be shifted to Noorgarh, virtually as prisoners. At this Durgadas Rathore and a select band of Marwars warriors including Ranchordas Rathore and Raghunath Bhati took action. These Marwar loyalists contrived the daring rescue of the closely guarded infant Ajit singh and the widowed ranis of Jaswant Singh from imperial hands. Aurangzeb commanded Tahir Beg Khan and Inder Singh to capture the figitive party...both men were unsuccessful in this...thereafter began a long struggle against Emperor Aurangzeb by Durgadas and other loyal supporters...recorded in his contemporaneous Fatuhat-i-Alamgiri that all the Rajput households of Marwar had made preparations to challenge the imperial writ.....Durgadas did not flail in his loyalty. It was for this loyalty, as well as his personal valour and chivalrous deeds that Durgadas was to become part of popular lore during his lifetime....Ajit Singh was brought away from the territory of Sirohi to Nandlai, three miles north-west of Desuri in Mewar. Raj Singh's action enraged Aurangzeb.....Durga Das features in the official records of the Mughal court till c . AD 1716....Emperor Jahandar Shah gave him the title of 'Rao', and a mansab of 4,000...Marwar chronicles however do not mention Durgadas after the Rathore victory at Sambhar.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa Publication. p. 705.
  12. ↑ Bhatnagar, V.S. (1974). Life and times of Sawai Jai Singh. Impex India. pp. 57, 69. The Saiyid returned to Kaladera where he was again routed by Durgadas. He then fled to Narnaul....After the victory at Sambhar, Durgadas who had played an important part in the encounter...
  13. ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath, ed. (1971), "Durgadas", History of Aurangzeb Vol 3, Orient Longman Limited
  14. ↑ "INDIA 1988 DURGADAS RATHORE MNH SINGLE STAMP". Largest Online Dealer & Portal for Stamps of India. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  15. ↑ "1 Rupee, India". en.numista.com. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  16. ↑ "Veer Durgadas Marg". Google Maps. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  17. ↑ "दुर्ग गाथा". dainikbhaskar (in हिन्दी). 13 October 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  18. ↑ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1999). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. British Film Institute. ISBN 978-0-85170-669-6. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Durgadas_Rathore&oldid=452177"
Discover more