Chhatrasal Bundela (4 May 1649 – 20 December 1731) was the Raja of Panna from 1675 to 1731. He is well known for his resistance against the Mughal Empire.[1]
Early life
Chhatrasal was born at Kachar Kachnai in Tikamgarh, in a Bundela Rajput family on 4 May 1649, to Champat Rai and Sarandha. He was a descendant of Rudra Pratap Singh of Orchha.[2]
Power Struggle against the Mughals
Chhatrasal was 12 when his father Champat Rai of Mahoba was killed by the Mughals during the reign of Aurangzeb. Chhatrasal raised the banner of revolt against the Mughals in Bundelkhand at the age of 22, with an army of 5 horsemen and 25 swordsmen, in 1671.[3]
Chhatrasal declared independence from Mughals in the 1720s and was able to resist the Mughals until he was attacked by Muhammad Khan Bangash in December 1728. Chhatrasal was 79 years old when he led his army against Bangash, after a severe battle Chhatrasal was defeated and was forced to retreat to his fort at Jaitpur. The Mughals besieged him and conquered most of his territories. Chhatrasal made several attempts to ask Baji Rao I, the Peshwa of Maratha Empire, for help. However, the Peshwa was busy and could not help Chhatrasal until March 1729. In a letter sent to Baji rao, Chhatrasal wrote: "Know you Bajirao! That I am in the same plight in which the famous elephant was when caught by the crocodile. My valiant race is on the point of extinction. Come and save my honour".[4] Peshwa Baji Rao I personally led his army towards Bundelkhand and attacked several Mughal outposts, the Mughal supplies were completely cut off by the swift cavalry of the Peshwa in the Battle of Malwa. Bangash, who was surprised by the sudden involvement of the Marathas, sent several letters to the Mughal emperor for aid, however upon being denied any help he started negotiations with Chhatrasal and Bajirao. Bangash was allowed to retreat on the condition that he never returns or shows aggression towards Bundelkhand. Chhatrasal rewarded the Peshwa with large tracts of lands and diamond mines in Bundelkhand which helped the Marathas to gain access to Central and North India. He also defeated Aurangzeb[5][6]
Relations with Bajirao I
Mastani, the wife of the Peshwa Baji Rao I was Chhatrasal's daughter
Chhatrasal was a patron of literature, and his court housed several noted poets. His eulogies written by Kavi Bhushan, Lal Kavi, Bakhshi Hansaraj and other court poets helped him gain lasting fame.[8]
He also contributed in construction of Jain temples of Kundalpur, an ancient jain pilgrim site in Madhya Pradesh.
Death and Succession
Chatrasal was able to carve out a big kingdom for himself. Before his death, he divided his kingdom into three parts. Bajirao was given one third of his territory worth 30 lakhs of revenue, Chatrasal's eldest son Harde Sah of Panna was given territory worth 38 lakhs of revenue and his second son, Jagat Raj of Banda, was given territory worth 30 lakhs. The younger sons were also given lands to support their lifestyle.[9]
^Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813 pg.106
^Advance Study in the History of Modern India (Volume-1: 1707-1803) By G.S.Chhabra pg.24
^Jaswant Lal Mehta (1 January 2005). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 108. ISBN978-1-932705-54-6. Of his own sweet will The Rajput king bestowed a large number of Personal Jagir to Bajirao near Jhansi and further offer hand of her daughter Mastani born from his Concubine In his book Mastani, the historian D. G. Godse states that the relationship between Chhatrasal and Baji Rao I was like that of father and son.
^Sarkar, Jadunath (2023). Fall of the Mughal Empire 1789-1803 (Volume-4). Balaji Publications. p. 319. Chattrasal, the son of Champat Rai Bundela, had carved out for himself a large kingdom in eastern Bundelkhand during a long life of strenuous warfare. His crowning success was the final expulsion of the imperial viceroy, in alliance with the Marathas in 1729. As the price of this decisive aid, he ceded to his patron the Peshwa, one third of his realm with a revenue of 30 lakhs of rupees. The aged and war-worn chief died on 14th December 1731, leaving the remaining two-thirds of his dominions to his two elder sons, Harde Sah of Panna (revenue: thirty-eight lakhs) and Jagat raj of Banda (revenue: thirty lakhs). The younger sons... received small appanages for their support.
