Bhamashah
Bhama Shah (1547–1600)[1] was a noted general, minister and close aide of Maharana Pratap. Bhama Shah is well known for providing his wealth to Maharana Pratap, when Maharana had become financially weak.[2] The funds provided by Bhama Shah allowed him to restore his army and much of his territory.
| Bhamashah | |
|---|---|
 Bhamashah | |
| Successor | Jiwashah |
| Born | 1547 |
| Died | 1600 (aged 52–53) |
| Religion | Jainism |
Biography
Bhamashah was born on 28th June 1547 in Oswal Bania Jain family. His father Bharmal Kawedia was Qiledar of Ranthambore Fort appointed by Rana Sanga and was later prime minister under Rana Udai Singh II.
Bhama Shah was a great general, adviser, minister of Mewar, who was later promoted to post of Prime Minister of Mewar by Rana Pratap, to whom he served as close aide and confidante.[3] He along with his younger brother Tarachand fought in several battles for Mewar. Tarachand who was four years younger to Bhamashah was also an able administrator, valiant fighter and commanded the forces of Mewar on several occasions like his elder brother Bhamashah.[3]
Both of them were noted for their statesmanship, war skills, patriotism and generosity.
Bhamashah was the nagar seth of Chittor. After the their defeat in the costly Battle of Haldighati, Rana Pratap had no funds at all to carry on the fight, and his family was close to starvation. At this point, Bhamashah and his brother Tarachand,[3] presented their wealth consisting of 2,00,00,000 gold coins and 25,00,00,000 silver rupees[3] to maharana Pratap, who was overwhelmed. They, being skilled in gurilla warfare, attacked Mughal army camps and won a lot of wealth from Mughals; from which they partially financed Rana. With this help, Pratap could organize an army and carried on his further conflicts against the Mughals.
Bhamashah was promoted to the post of the Prime Minister by Pratap and Tarachand was appointed as a Governor of 'Godwad' region after the Battle of Haldighati in which he also fought bravely side by side of Bhamashah.
Tarachand governed the region of 'Godwad' very ably up to the time of his death. He was given an independent charge of this region and hence was bestowed the title of 'Thakur'. 'Sadri' was founded by Tarachand where he had constructed many buildings. 'Sadri' is considered as gate way of Mewar to Marwar.[3]
Bhamashah died in 1600 and at the time of his death he was in-charge of Mewar's treasury under Amar Singh I. Descendants of Bhamashah also served as prime ministers of the Ranas of Udaipur for a few generations. His son Jiwashah was the chief during the rule of Rana Amar Singh, and grandson Akshayraj was the prime minister during the rule of Rana Karan Singh and his descendant Rana Jagat Singh. His descendants still live in Udaipur.
Legacy
Bhamashah's birth anniversary or Bhamashah Jayanti is celebrated on 29 June every year.[4]
There is a memorial in Udaipur in honour of the great patriot. Government of India has issued a postage stamp in his honor in year 2000.[5]
The Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation has instituted the "Bhama Shah Award". This award was instituted to honour Rajasthan students achieving the top position by securing the highest percentage in select facilities from amongst all the universities of Rajasthan, in recognition of selfless sacrifice, astute financial management, and devotion to duty. The Annual State Award consists of a cash award of ₹2,001 (US$23), a commemorative medal and a Merit certificate.[6]
A Bhamashah Yojana bas been started on his name by government of Rajasthan.[7]
The 1926 Indian silent film Diwan Bhamansha by Mohan Dayaram Bhavnani was based on Bhamashah's life;[8] another Indian film about the general, titled Bhamashah, was released in 2017.
References
- ↑ Maharana Pratap & his times by Gopi Nath Sharma, M. N. Mathur, Maharana Pratap Smarak Samiti - 1989 - Page 62
- ↑ James Tod (1920). Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, v. 1 of 3. 407: Oxford University Press. p. 588.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Rana, Bhawan Singh (2005). Maharana Pratap By Bhawan Singh Rana. p. 80. ISBN 9788128808258.
- ↑ "I am a proud descendent of Bhamashah: Raj Mahajan". CityAirNews. 27 June 2019.
- ↑ "Postage stamp of Bhamashah".
- ↑ "Bhamashah Award estd. 1984". Archived from the original on 11 March 2013.
- ↑ "भामाशा योजना (Bhamashah Yojana ) | राजस्थान सरकार योजना". पीएम योजना,केंद्रीय और राज्य सरकार योजनाओं, केंद्रीय मंत्रालयों और सरकारी विभागों पर समाचार प्राप्त करें (in हिन्दी). 8 October 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ↑ Sanjit Narwekar (1994). Directory of Indian Film-makers and Films. Flicks Books. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-948911-40-8.
Further reading
- DeshGaurav BhamaShah - Late Shri Harilal Upadhyay, 1976
- The tribes and Cates of the Central Provinces of India, 1916, by Robert Vane Russell, See p. 111-161, history and origins of the Shrimal Oswal Jain and other bania castes.