Udai Singh II: Difference between revisions

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It can be either 'Sisodiya Dynasty' or 'Mewar Kingdom', "Mewar Dynasty" is nothing
 
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{{short description|Indian king of Mewar and the founder of the city of Udaipur}}
{{Short description|Founder of Udaipur and Maharana of Mewar from 1540 to 1572}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{multiple issues|
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2024}}
{{original research|date=March 2014}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2014}}
{{cleanup|reason=Inconsistency in number of wives and children|date=September 2013}}
}}
{{Infobox royalty
{{Infobox royalty
| title         = [[Maharana]]
| title       = [[Maharana]]
| image         = Rana-udai-singh-ii.jpg
| image       = Rana-udai-singh-ii.jpg
| caption       = Rana Udai Singh II
| caption     = Rana Udai Singh II
| succession     = [[Rana (title)|Rana]] of [[Mewar]]
| succession   = [[Rana (title)|Rana]] of [[Mewar]]
| reign         = 1540 – 28 February 1572
| reign       = 1540 – 28 February 1572
| coronation     = 1540, [[Kumbalgarh]]
| coronation   = 1540, [[Kumbalgarh]]
| predecessor   = [[Vanvir Singh]]
| predecessor = [[Vanvir Singh]]
| successor     = [[Pratap Singh I]]  
| successor   = [[Pratap Singh I]]
| birth_date     = 4 August 1522
| birth_date   = {{Birth date|1522|8|4|df=yes}}
| birth_place   = [[Chittor Fort]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Mewar]]
| birth_place = [[Chittor Fort]], [[Kingdom of Mewar]] (present-day Chittor Fort, [[Chittorgarh District]], Rajasthan, India)
| death_date     = {{Death date and age|1572|02|28|1522|08|04|df=y}}
| death_date   = {{Death date and age|1572|02|28|1522|08|04|df=y}}
| death_place   = [[Gogunda]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Mewar]]
| death_place = [[Gogunda]], [[Kingdom of Mewar]] (present-day Gogunda, [[Udaipur District]], Rajasthan, India)
| queen         = [[Jaivanta Bai]]<ref name= jijabai>{{cite book|last=Rana|first=Bhawan Singh|title=Maharana Pratap|year=2004|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books|isbn=9788128808258|pages=28, 105}}</ref>
| queen       = [[Jaiwanta Bai]]<ref name= jijabai>{{cite book|last=Rana|first=Bhawan Singh|title=Maharana Pratap|year=2004|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books|isbn=9788128808258|pages=28, 105}}</ref>
| spouse         = 18 or 20 queens including:
| spouse       = 18 queens<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rana |first=Bhawan Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6YlAwAAQBAJ&q=Ranawat,+P.+S.+(2016).+Wah!Udaipur+Wah!!. |title=Maharana Pratap|date=24 March 2014 |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books|isbn=978-93-5083-869-3 }}</ref><br/> including: Maharani Jaiwanta Bai Songara of [[Jalore]]<br/>Rani Sajja Bai Solankini of Toda<br/> Rani Dheer Bai Bhattiyani of [[Jaisalmer State|Jaisalmer]]<br/>Rani Jaivanta Bai Madrechi<br/>(Rani Lalabai) Rani Laccha Bai Balechi (Chauhan)<br/>Rani Veer Bai Jhala of [[Dhrangadhra State|Jhalawad]]<br/>Rani Lakha Bai Jhala<ref name="Rana 2004">[https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6YlAwAAQBAJ Rana 2004], p. 17</ref> <br/>Rani Karamti Bai of [[Marwar]]<ref>Mertiyo Rathors of Merta Rajasthan volume II: p. 38</ref>
Maharani Jaivanta Bai Sonigara (Chauhan)<br/>Rani Sajjabai Solankini<br />Rani Dheer Bai Bhattiyani<br/>Rani Jaivantabai Madrechi<br/>(Rani Lalabai) Rani Lacchabai Balechi (Chouhan) <br/>Rani Veerbai Jhala<br/>Lakhabai Jhala<ref name="Rana 2004">[https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6YlAwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false Rana 2004], p. 17</ref> <br>Rani Karamti Bai of [[Marwar]]<ref>Mertiyo Rathors of Merta Rajasthan volume II: p. 38</ref>
| issue       = 24 sons including:<br/>[[Maharana Pratap|Pratap Singh I]]<br/>[[Shakti Singh (16th century Indian noble)|Shakti Singh]]<br/>Vikram Singh<br/>[[Jagmal Singh]]<br/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rana |first=Bhawan Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6YlAwAAQBAJ&q=Ranawat,+P.+S.+(2016).+Wah!Udaipur+Wah!!. |title=Maharana Pratap|date=24 March 2014 |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books|isbn=978-93-5083-869-3 }}</ref><br/>Sisodia Likhmi (wife of [[Maldev Rathore|Rao Maldeo]])<br/> Chanda Bai (wife of [[Chandrasen Rathore]])<ref> Mertiyo Rathors of Merta Volume II: p. 35 & 38  </ref>
| issue         = Several including:<br/>[[Maharana Pratap|Pratap Singh I]]<br/>[[Shakti Singh (16th century Indian noble)|Shakti Singh]]<br/>Vikramdev Singh<br/>[[Jagmal Singh]]<br/>Sagar Singh<br/>Rai Singh<br/>Shardul Singh<br/><ref name="Rana 2004">[https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6YlAwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false Rana 2004], p. 17</ref><br>Sisodiya Likhmi(wife of [[Maldev Rathore|Rao Maldeo]])<br> Chanda Bai (wife of [[Chandrasen Rathore]])<ref> Mertiyo Rathors of Merta Volume II: p. 35 & 38  </ref>
| dynasty     = [[Sisodias of Mewar|Sisodia]]
| dynasty       = [[Sisodia]]
| father       = [[Rana Sanga]]
| father         = [[Rana Sanga]]
| mother       = [[Rani Karnavati|Maharani Karmavati Hada (Chauhan)]] daughter of Rao Nirbudh of [[Bundi]].
| mother         = [[Rani Karnavati|Maharani Karmavati Hada (Chauhan)]] daughter of Rao Nirbudh of [[Bundi]].
| religion     = [[Hinduism]]
| religion       = [[Hinduism]]
}}
}}
{{Mewari Rana}}
'''Udai Singh II''' (4 August 1522 – 28 February 1572)<ref>{{cite book |title=Proceedings - Indian History Congress, Volume 35 |date=1974 |page=142 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vgpDAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Udai+Singh%22+1522 |access-date=19 March 2019|last1=Congress |first1=Indian History }}</ref> was the [[Maharana]] of [[Mewar]] and the founder of the city of [[Udaipur]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Wah!Udaipur Wah!!|author=Ranawat, P. S.|date=2016|isbn=978-81-929881-1-5}}</ref> in the present-day [[Rajasthan]] state of India. He was the 12th ruler of the [[Mewar kingdom]]. He was the fourth son of [[Rana Sanga]]<ref name="tod">Tod, James (1829, reprint 2002). ''Annals & Antiquities of Rajasthan'', Vol.I, Rupa, New Delhi, {{ISBN|81-7167-366-X}}, p.240-52</ref> and [[Rani Karnavati]], a princess of [[Bundi]].


==Early life, marriage, and parenthood==
'''Udai Singh II''' ({{IPA|mtr|ʊ.d̪əj sɪŋʱ}}; 4 August 1522 – 28 February 1572)<ref>{{cite book |title=Proceedings - Indian History Congress, Volume 35 |date=1974 |page=142 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vgpDAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Udai+Singh%22+1522 |access-date=19 March 2019|last1=Congress |first1=Indian History }}</ref> was the [[List of Ranas of Mewar|12th Maharana]] of the [[Kingdom of Mewar]] from 1540 until his death in 1572. He was also the founder of the city of [[Udaipur]] in the present-day state of [[Rajasthan]], [[India]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Williams |first1=Joanna |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TfnpAAAAMAAJ&q=Kingdom+of+mewar |title=Kingdom of the Sun: Indian Court and Village Art from the Princely State of Mewar |last2=Williams |first2=Joanna Gottfried |date=10 January 2007 |publisher=Asian Art Museum |isbn=978-0-939117-39-0 |language=en}}</ref> He was the fourth son of [[Rana Sanga]]<ref name="tod">Tod, James (1829, reprint 2002). ''Annals & Antiquities of Rajasthan'', Vol.I, Rupa, New Delhi, {{ISBN|81-7167-366-X}}, p.240-52</ref> and [[Rani Karnavati]], a princess of [[Bundi]].
Udai Singh was born in [[Chittor Fort|Chittor]] in August 1522. After the death of his father, [[Rana Sanga]],<ref>Mahajan V.D. (1991, reprint 2007) ''History of Medieval India'', Part II, S. Chand, New Delhi, {{ISBN|81-219-0364-5}}, p.11</ref> [[Ratan Singh II]] was crowned King. Ratan Singh II was assassinated in 1531. He was succeeded by his brother Maharana [[Vikramaditya Singh (Maharana)|Vikramaditya Singh]]. During the reign of Vikramaditya, when the [[Muzaffarids (Gujarat)|Muzaffarid]] [[Sultanate of Gujarat|Sultan of Gujarat]] [[Bahadur Shah of Gujarat|Bahadur Shah]] sacked [[Siege of Chittorgarh (1535)|Chittor in 1535]], Udai Singh was sent to [[Bundi]] for safety.<ref name="tod"/> In 1537, Banbir killed Vikramaditya and usurped the throne. He tried to kill Udai Singh as well, but Udai's nurse [[Panna Dai]] sacrificed her own son Chandan to save him from his uncle Banbir and took him to [[Kumbhalgarh]]. She started living in Bundi and did not allow Udai Singh to come and meet her. He lived secretly in Kumbhalgarh for two years, disguised as a nephew of the governor Asha Shah Depura (Maheshwari).


In 1540, he was crowned in Kumbhalgarh by the nobles of Mewar. His eldest son [[Maharana Pratap]] from his first wife, [[Jaivanta Bai|Maharani Jaivantabai Songara]] (daughter of Akhey Raj Songara of Jalore), was born in the same year.<ref name="tod1">Tod, James (1829, reprint 2002). ''Annals & Antiquities of Rajasthan'', Vol.I, Rupa, New Delhi, {{ISBN|81-7167-366-X}}, p.252-64</ref> He had 24 sons. His second wife, Sajjabai Solankini gave birth to his son [[Shakti Singh (16th century Indian noble)|Shakti Singh]], Sagar Singh and Vikram Dev. Dheerbai Bhattiyani was his favourite wife and was the mother of his son [[Jagmal Singh]]. His fourth wife was Rani Veerbai Jhaala.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6YlAwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false Rana 2004, p. 28]</ref>
==Early life==
Udai Singh was born in [[Chittor Fort|Chittor]] in August 1522. After the death of his father, [[Rana Sanga]],<ref>Mahajan V.D. (1991, reprint 2007) ''History of Medieval India'', Part II, S. Chand, New Delhi, {{ISBN|81-219-0364-5}}, p.11</ref> [[Ratan Singh II]] was crowned King. Ratan Singh II was assassinated in 1531. He was succeeded by his brother Maharana [[Vikramaditya Singh (Maharana)|Vikramaditya Singh]]. During the reign of Vikramaditya, when the [[Muzaffarids (Gujarat)|Muzaffarid]] [[Sultanate of Gujarat|Sultan of Gujarat]] [[Bahadur Shah of Gujarat|Bahadur Shah]] sacked [[Siege of Chittorgarh (1535)|Chittor in 1535]], Udai Singh was sent to [[Bundi]] for safety.<ref name="tod"/> In 1537, [[Vanvir Singh|Banvir]] killed Vikramaditya and usurped the throne. He tried to kill Udai Singh as well, but Udai's nurse [[Panna Dai]] sacrificed her own son Chandan to save him from his uncle Banvir and took him to [[Kumbhalgarh]]. He lived secretly in Kumbhalgarh for two years, disguised as a nephew of the governor Asha Shah Depura (Maheshwari Majahan).
 
==Personal life==
Udai Singh had 24 sons. His first wife, Maharani Jaivanta Bai Songara, a Chauhan princess of [[Jalore]], gave birth to his eldest son, [[Maharana Pratap]]. His second wife, Sajja Bai Solankini, a daughter of Rao Prithvi Singh Solanki of Toda,{{cn|date=December 2023}} gave birth to his sons [[Shakti Singh (16th century Indian noble)|Shakti Singh]] and Vikram Dev Singh. Dheer Bai Bhattiyani, a princess of [[Jaisalmer]], daughter of Rawal Lunkaran Bhatti and sister of [[Umade Bhattiyani]],<ref name=Kothiyal>{{cite book|last1=Kothiyal|first1=Tanuja|title=Nomadic Narratives: A History of Mobility and Identity in the Great Indian Desert|date=2016|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781107080317|page=85, 87|language=en}}</ref> was his favourite wife and was the mother of his sons, [[Jagmal Singh]], Kunwar Agar Singh and Kunwar Pachyad Singh. Dheerbai also bore him two daughters. Rani Veer Bai Jhala was the mother of Kunwar Sagar Singh and Kunwar Rai Singh.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6YlAwAAQBAJ Rana 2004, p. 28]</ref>


==Reign==
==Reign==
In 1544 [[Sher Shah Suri]] invaded Marwar after defeating Maldev at [[Battle of Sammel|Sammel]]. Udai Singh had just dealt with the civil war in Mewar and did not have the resources to fight the Sur Empire, he thus surrendered Chittor to [[Sher Shah Suri]] on the terms that Sher Shah does not harm the people of [[Mewar]]. Sher Shah also accepted the terms as he knew that the siege would be long and costly.<ref name=UD>{{Cite book|first=Rima|last=Hooja|title=A History of Rajasthan, Section:The State of Mewar, AD 1500- AD 1600|publisher=Rupa & Company|year=2006|isbn=9788129108906|pages=462–463|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tosMAQAAMAAJ&q=jahazpur|accessdate=2021-05-01}}</ref><ref>History of Medieval India: From 1000 A.D. to 1707 A.D.
[[File:20191207 City Palace, Udaipur 1701 7325.jpg|thumb|The [[City Palace, Udaipur]] built by Udai Singh II ]]
In 1540, he was crowned in Kumbhalgarh by the nobles of Mewar. His eldest son [[Maharana Pratap]] from his first wife, [[Jaivanta Bai|Maharani Jaivantabai Songara]] (daughter of Akheiraj Songara of Jalore), was born in the same year.<ref name="tod1">Tod, James (1829, reprint 2002). ''Annals & Antiquities of Rajasthan'', Vol.I, Rupa, New Delhi, {{ISBN|81-7167-366-X}}, p.252-64</ref>
 
In 1544 [[Sher Shah Suri]] invaded Marwar after defeating Maldev at [[Battle of Sammel|Sammel]]. Udai Singh had just dealt with the civil war in Mewar and did not have the resources to fight the Sur Empire, he thus surrendered Chittor to [[Sher Shah Suri]] on the terms that Sher Shah does not harm the people of [[Mewar]]. Sher Shah also accepted the terms as he knew that the siege would be long and costly.<ref name=UD>{{Cite book|first=Rima|last=Hooja|title=A History of Rajasthan, Section:The State of Mewar, AD 1500- AD 1600|publisher=Rupa & Company|year=2006|isbn=9788129108906|pages=462–463|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tosMAQAAMAAJ&q=jahazpur}}</ref><ref>History of Medieval India: From 1000 A.D. to 1707 A.D.
By Radhey Shyam Chaurasia pg.181</ref><ref>The Cambridge History of India pg.55</ref>
By Radhey Shyam Chaurasia pg.181</ref><ref>The Cambridge History of India pg.55</ref>


Udai Singh and his council felt that [[Chittor]] was too vulnerable and thus planned to shift Mewar's capital to a safer location. In 1559 work started in the Girwa portion of Mewar and in the same year a man made lake was made to promote cultivation. The lake was completed in 1562 and the new capital soon came to be known as [[Udaipur]].<ref name=UD/>
Udai Singh and his council felt that [[Chittor]] was too vulnerable and thus planned to shift Mewar's capital to a safer location. In 1559 work started in the Girwa portion of Mewar and in the same year a man-made lake was made to promote cultivation. The lake was completed in 1562 and the new capital soon came to be known as [[Udaipur]].<ref name=UD/>


In 1557, Udai was defeated by [[Maldev Rathore]] at the [[Battle of Harmada]] and lost [[Merta City|Merta]] to him.<ref name=UD/>
In 1557, Udai was defeated by [[Maldev Rathore]] at the Battle of Harmada and lost [[Merta City|Merta]] to him.<ref name=UD/>


In 1562, Udai gave refuge to [[Baz Bahadur]]. the last ruler of the [[Malwa Sultanate]], whose kingdom had been annexed into the Mughal Empire.  
In 1562, Udai gave refuge to [[Baz Bahadur]], the last ruler of the [[Malwa Sultanate]], whose kingdom had been annexed by [[Akbar]] into the [[Mughal Empire]].  


In September 1567, his son Shakti Singh came to him from Dhaulpur and told him of Akbar's plan to capture Chittor.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6YlAwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false Rana 2004], p.31</ref> According to [[Kaviraj Shyamaldas]], Udai Singh called a council of war. The nobles advised him to take refuge along with the princes in the hills, leaving a garrison at Chittor. On 23 October 1567 [[Akbar]] formed his camp near Chittor. Udai Singh retired to [[Gogunda]] (which later became his temporary capital) leaving Chittor in the hands of his loyal chieftains [[Jaimal Rathore|Rao Jaimal]] and [[Patta Sisodia|Patta]]. Akbar captured Chittor after a [[Siege of Chittorgarh (1567–1568)|four-month-long siege]] on 23 February 1568; the siege culminated in a brutal sacking of the city, leaving Chittor's garrison and 25-40,000 civilians dead.<ref>[[John F. Richards|Richards, John F.]] (1995) [1993]. ''The Mughal empire''. New Cambridge history of India. '''5'''. Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|9780521566032}}. pg. 26</ref><ref>Chandra, Satish (2001). ''Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part I''. Har-Anand Publications. [[ISBN (identifier)|ISBN]] <bdi>81-241-0522-7. p. 107.</bdi></ref> With Chittor lost to the Mughals, Udai would later shift his capital to Udaipur.  
In September 1567, his son Shakti Singh came to him from Dhaulpur and told him of Akbar's plan to capture Chittor.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6YlAwAAQBAJ Rana 2004], p.31</ref> According to [[Kaviraj Shyamaldas]], Udai Singh called a council of war. The nobles advised him to take refuge along with the princes in the hills, leaving a garrison at Chittor. On 23 October 1567 [[Akbar]] formed his camp near Chittor. Udai Singh retired to [[Gogunda]] (which later became his temporary capital) leaving Chittor in the hands of his loyal chieftains [[Jaimal Rathore|Rao Jaimal]] and [[Patta Sisodia|Patta]]. Akbar captured Chittor after a [[Siege of Chittorgarh (1567–1568)|four-month-long siege]] on 23 February 1568; the siege culminated in a brutal sacking of the city, leaving Chittor's garrison and 25-40,000 civilians dead.<ref>[[John F. Richards|Richards, John F.]] (1995) [1993]. ''The Mughal empire''. New Cambridge history of India. '''5'''. Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|9780521566032}}. pg. 26</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Chandra | first=Satish | title=Medieval India : from Sultanat to the Mughals | publisher=Har-Anand Publications | publication-place=New Delhi | date=1997 | isbn=81-241-0522-7 | oclc=36806798}} page 107</ref> With Chittor lost to the Mughals, Udai would later shift his capital to Udaipur.  


He died in 1572 in [[Gogunda]]. Before his death, Jagmal tried to seize the throne but the nobles of Mewar prevented Jagmal from succeeding and placed [[Pratap Singh of Mewar|Maharana Pratap]] Singh on the throne on 1 March 1572.<ref name="tod1" />
He died in 1572 in [[Gogunda]]. After his death, Jagmal tried to seize the throne but the nobles of Mewar prevented Jagmal from succeeding and placed [[Pratap Singh of Mewar|Maharana Pratap]] Singh on the throne on 1 March 1572.<ref name="tod1" />


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
* In the 2008 romance drama film [[Jodhaa Akbar]], a partly fictionalized version of Udai Singh II is portrayed by actor [[Surendra Pal]].
* In the 2008 romance drama film [[Jodhaa Akbar]], a partly fictionalised version of Udai Singh II is portrayed by actor [[Surendra Pal]].
* In the 2013 television serial, [[Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap]], Udai Singh II was portrayed by [[Shakti Anand]].
* In the 2013 television serial, [[Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap]], Udai Singh II was portrayed by [[Shakti Anand]].


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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.eternalmewar.in/research/encyclopedia/index.aspx Mewar Encyclopedia]
*[http://www.eternalmewar.in/research/encyclopedia/index.aspx Mewar Encyclopedia]{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}, eternalmewar.in. Accessed 30 November 2022.


{{S-start}}
{{S-start}}
{{S-hou|[[Sisodia|Sisodia Rajput Clan]]||4 August 1522||28 February 1572}}
{{S-hou|[[Sisodia Dynasty|Sisodia Rajput Clan]]||4 August 1522||28 February 1572}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Vikramaditya Singh (Maharana)|Vikramaditya Singh]]}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Vikramaditya Singh (Maharana)|Vikramaditya Singh]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Sisodia|Sisodia Rajput Ruler]]
{{S-ttl|title=[[Sisodia Dynasty|Sisodia Rajput Ruler]]
|years=1540–1572}}
|years=1540–1572}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Pratap Singh I]]}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Pratap Singh I]]}}
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{{Udaipur}}
{{Udaipur}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Maharana Udai}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh II, Udai}}
[[Category:Mewar dynasty]]
[[Category:Monarchs of Mewar]]
[[Category:Maharana Pratap]]
[[Category:Maharana Pratap]]
[[Category:1522 births]]
[[Category:1522 births]]

Latest revision as of 17:51, 18 February 2026


Udai Singh II
Maharana
Rana Udai Singh II
Rana of Mewar
Reign1540 – 28 February 1572
Coronation1540, Kumbalgarh
PredecessorVanvir Singh
SuccessorPratap Singh I
Born(1522-08-04)4 August 1522
Chittor Fort, Kingdom of Mewar (present-day Chittor Fort, Chittorgarh District, Rajasthan, India)
Died28 February 1572(1572-02-28) (aged 49)
Gogunda, Kingdom of Mewar (present-day Gogunda, Udaipur District, Rajasthan, India)
ConsortJaiwanta Bai[1]
Spouse18 queens[2]
including: Maharani Jaiwanta Bai Songara of Jalore
Rani Sajja Bai Solankini of Toda
Rani Dheer Bai Bhattiyani of Jaisalmer
Rani Jaivanta Bai Madrechi
(Rani Lalabai) Rani Laccha Bai Balechi (Chauhan)
Rani Veer Bai Jhala of Jhalawad
Rani Lakha Bai Jhala[3]
Rani Karamti Bai of Marwar[4]
Issue24 sons including:
Pratap Singh I
Shakti Singh
Vikram Singh
Jagmal Singh
[5]
Sisodia Likhmi (wife of Rao Maldeo)
Chanda Bai (wife of Chandrasen Rathore)[6]
DynastySisodia
FatherRana Sanga
MotherMaharani Karmavati Hada (Chauhan) daughter of Rao Nirbudh of Bundi.
ReligionHinduism

Udai Singh II (mtr; 4 August 1522 – 28 February 1572)[7] was the 12th Maharana of the Kingdom of Mewar from 1540 until his death in 1572. He was also the founder of the city of Udaipur in the present-day state of Rajasthan, India.[8] He was the fourth son of Rana Sanga[9] and Rani Karnavati, a princess of Bundi.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Udai Singh was born in Chittor in August 1522. After the death of his father, Rana Sanga,[10] Ratan Singh II was crowned King. Ratan Singh II was assassinated in 1531. He was succeeded by his brother Maharana Vikramaditya Singh. During the reign of Vikramaditya, when the Muzaffarid Sultan of Gujarat Bahadur Shah sacked Chittor in 1535, Udai Singh was sent to Bundi for safety.[9] In 1537, Banvir killed Vikramaditya and usurped the throne. He tried to kill Udai Singh as well, but Udai's nurse Panna Dai sacrificed her own son Chandan to save him from his uncle Banvir and took him to Kumbhalgarh. He lived secretly in Kumbhalgarh for two years, disguised as a nephew of the governor Asha Shah Depura (Maheshwari Majahan).

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Udai Singh had 24 sons. His first wife, Maharani Jaivanta Bai Songara, a Chauhan princess of Jalore, gave birth to his eldest son, Maharana Pratap. His second wife, Sajja Bai Solankini, a daughter of Rao Prithvi Singh Solanki of Toda,[citation needed] gave birth to his sons Shakti Singh and Vikram Dev Singh. Dheer Bai Bhattiyani, a princess of Jaisalmer, daughter of Rawal Lunkaran Bhatti and sister of Umade Bhattiyani,[11] was his favourite wife and was the mother of his sons, Jagmal Singh, Kunwar Agar Singh and Kunwar Pachyad Singh. Dheerbai also bore him two daughters. Rani Veer Bai Jhala was the mother of Kunwar Sagar Singh and Kunwar Rai Singh.[12]

Reign[edit | edit source]

The City Palace, Udaipur built by Udai Singh II

In 1540, he was crowned in Kumbhalgarh by the nobles of Mewar. His eldest son Maharana Pratap from his first wife, Maharani Jaivantabai Songara (daughter of Akheiraj Songara of Jalore), was born in the same year.[13]

In 1544 Sher Shah Suri invaded Marwar after defeating Maldev at Sammel. Udai Singh had just dealt with the civil war in Mewar and did not have the resources to fight the Sur Empire, he thus surrendered Chittor to Sher Shah Suri on the terms that Sher Shah does not harm the people of Mewar. Sher Shah also accepted the terms as he knew that the siege would be long and costly.[14][15][16]

Udai Singh and his council felt that Chittor was too vulnerable and thus planned to shift Mewar's capital to a safer location. In 1559 work started in the Girwa portion of Mewar and in the same year a man-made lake was made to promote cultivation. The lake was completed in 1562 and the new capital soon came to be known as Udaipur.[14]

In 1557, Udai was defeated by Maldev Rathore at the Battle of Harmada and lost Merta to him.[14]

In 1562, Udai gave refuge to Baz Bahadur, the last ruler of the Malwa Sultanate, whose kingdom had been annexed by Akbar into the Mughal Empire.

In September 1567, his son Shakti Singh came to him from Dhaulpur and told him of Akbar's plan to capture Chittor.[17] According to Kaviraj Shyamaldas, Udai Singh called a council of war. The nobles advised him to take refuge along with the princes in the hills, leaving a garrison at Chittor. On 23 October 1567 Akbar formed his camp near Chittor. Udai Singh retired to Gogunda (which later became his temporary capital) leaving Chittor in the hands of his loyal chieftains Rao Jaimal and Patta. Akbar captured Chittor after a four-month-long siege on 23 February 1568; the siege culminated in a brutal sacking of the city, leaving Chittor's garrison and 25-40,000 civilians dead.[18][19] With Chittor lost to the Mughals, Udai would later shift his capital to Udaipur.

He died in 1572 in Gogunda. After his death, Jagmal tried to seize the throne but the nobles of Mewar prevented Jagmal from succeeding and placed Maharana Pratap Singh on the throne on 1 March 1572.[13]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Rana, Bhawan Singh (2004). Maharana Pratap. Diamond Pocket Books. pp. 28, 105. ISBN 9788128808258.
  2. ↑ Rana, Bhawan Singh (24 March 2014). Maharana Pratap. Diamond Pocket Books. ISBN 978-93-5083-869-3.
  3. ↑ Rana 2004, p. 17
  4. ↑ Mertiyo Rathors of Merta Rajasthan volume II: p. 38
  5. ↑ Rana, Bhawan Singh (24 March 2014). Maharana Pratap. Diamond Pocket Books. ISBN 978-93-5083-869-3.
  6. ↑ Mertiyo Rathors of Merta Volume II: p. 35 & 38
  7. ↑ Congress, Indian History (1974). Proceedings - Indian History Congress, Volume 35. p. 142. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  8. ↑ Williams, Joanna; Williams, Joanna Gottfried (10 January 2007). Kingdom of the Sun: Indian Court and Village Art from the Princely State of Mewar. Asian Art Museum. ISBN 978-0-939117-39-0.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Tod, James (1829, reprint 2002). Annals & Antiquities of Rajasthan, Vol.I, Rupa, New Delhi, ISBN 81-7167-366-X, p.240-52
  10. ↑ Mahajan V.D. (1991, reprint 2007) History of Medieval India, Part II, S. Chand, New Delhi, ISBN 81-219-0364-5, p.11
  11. ↑ Kothiyal, Tanuja (2016). Nomadic Narratives: A History of Mobility and Identity in the Great Indian Desert. Cambridge University Press. p. 85, 87. ISBN 9781107080317.
  12. ↑ Rana 2004, p. 28
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Tod, James (1829, reprint 2002). Annals & Antiquities of Rajasthan, Vol.I, Rupa, New Delhi, ISBN 81-7167-366-X, p.252-64
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan, Section:The State of Mewar, AD 1500- AD 1600. Rupa & Company. pp. 462–463. ISBN 9788129108906.
  15. ↑ History of Medieval India: From 1000 A.D. to 1707 A.D. By Radhey Shyam Chaurasia pg.181
  16. ↑ The Cambridge History of India pg.55
  17. ↑ Rana 2004, p.31
  18. ↑ Richards, John F. (1995) [1993]. The Mughal empire. New Cambridge history of India. 5. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521566032. pg. 26
  19. ↑ Chandra, Satish (1997). Medieval India : from Sultanat to the Mughals. New Delhi: Har-Anand Publications. ISBN 81-241-0522-7. OCLC 36806798. page 107

External links[edit | edit source]

Udai Singh II
Born: 4 August 1522 Died: 28 February 1572
Preceded by
Vikramaditya Singh 		Sisodia Rajput Ruler
1540–1572 		Succeeded by
Pratap Singh I
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