Bundelkhand Rajputs and the Protection of Saints During Aurangzeb’s Attacks on Mathura – FAQ

Introduction

The Bundelkhand Rajputs occupy a heroic place in Indian history, especially during the 17th century when Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor, unleashed campaigns against Hindu temples, saints, and centers of bhakti devotion. Mathura, the sacred birthplace of Lord Krishna, bore the brunt of his zeal, with the grand Keshav Dev temple destroyed in 1670. At that moment of cultural and spiritual crisis, the Bundela Rajputs, under Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundela and other local chiefs, played a decisive role in safeguarding saints, priests, and spiritual lineages. Their efforts ensured that traditions like the Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, Vallabhacharya’s Pushtimarg, and other Vaishnav sects survived the persecution.

This FAQ-style article explores their contribution and sacrifice.

Q1: Who were the Bundelkhand Rajputs?

The Bundelkhand Rajputs were a warrior clan based in the rugged plateau of Bundelkhand, spanning modern-day Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Known for their bravery, independence, and resistance against Mughal domination, they traced their lineage to the Chandela and Bundela dynasties. By the 17th century, leaders like Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundela had transformed Bundelkhand into a bastion of Hindu pride, providing refuge to saints, poets, and spiritual communities fleeing Mughal attacks.

Q2: What was Aurangzeb’s policy towards Mathura?

Aurangzeb, unlike his predecessors, was intolerant toward non-Islamic faiths. In 1670, he ordered the destruction of Mathura’s Keshav Dev temple and replaced it with the Shahi Idgah mosque. Priests and devotees were persecuted, idols were desecrated, and Mathura was renamed Islamabad. The religious elite, Goswamis, Acharyas, and Vaishnav saints had to flee for survival. This was when Bundelkhand became their natural shelter.

Q3: How did Bundelkhand Rajputs protect saints and priests from Mathura?

The Bundelkhand Rajputs offered:

  1. Military Escort: Priests and sacred idols were transported under Rajput protection to safe regions.
  2. Shelter in Forts & Villages: Temples and mathas were rebuilt in secluded Bundelkhand valleys.
  3. Patronage: Rajput rulers donated land, wealth, and protection to keep bhakti traditions alive.
  4. Safe Migration Routes: Escapees from Mathura were guided toward Orchha, Chhatarpur, Sagar, and Panna, under Bundela control.

This ensured sects like the Radhavallabh Goswamis survived and continued their worship practices even outside Mathura.

Q4: What role did Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundela play?

Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundela (1649–1731) is the most celebrated figure in this saga. Inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji, he waged guerrilla warfare against the Mughals. His kingdom stretched across Bundelkhand and became a refuge for Vaishnav saints. Many Goswamis and Acharyas displaced from Mathura were given jagirs (land grants) and royal support. Oral traditions and temple records confirm that several Mathura lineages survived only because of his intervention.

Q5: Did saints settle permanently in Bundelkhand?

Yes. While some saints returned to Mathura after Aurangzeb’s death, others stayed permanently in Bundelkhand. Villages like Chilod in Sagar district, Orchha, and Chhatarpur became centers of Vaishnav devotion. Even today, old temple documents and family records of Goswamis trace their lineage back to migrations during Aurangzeb’s persecution.

Q6: How did Bundelkhand Rajputs balance warfare and religious protection?

Rajputs viewed themselves not only as warriors but also as Dharma Rakshaks (protectors of faith). For them, safeguarding saints was as important as fighting on the battlefield. Bundela forts doubled as sanctuaries for holy men, and Rajput soldiers often escorted processions of sacred idols away from Mughal eyes. This dual role gave Bundelkhand a spiritual-political identity unmatched in the Mughal era.

Q7: Were only Bundela Rajputs involved, or other clans too?

While Bundelas were the main protectors, allied Rajput clans of the region—such as Chandelas, Khangars, and Pawars—also provided refuge. The collective Rajput resistance made Bundelkhand a difficult terrain for Mughals to penetrate, thereby naturally becoming a stronghold for persecuted saints.

Q8: Did Bundelkhand Rajputs face Mughal retaliation for this?

Yes. The Mughals frequently attempted to crush Chhatrasal’s forces. Bundela resistance led to several bloody battles. However, the rugged geography of Bundelkhand and the guerrilla tactics of Rajputs frustrated Mughal generals. Despite losses, the Rajputs never betrayed the saints under their care. This defiance became part of their legendary identity.

Q9: How did this protection influence Bhakti culture?

By safeguarding saints and temples, Bundelkhand Rajputs ensured:

  • The continuity of Krishna bhakti in northern India.
  • The preservation of temple rituals, sampradayas, and manuscripts.
  • The spread of Vaishnav traditions into Central India.

Had these communities been destroyed in Aurangzeb’s time, India’s devotional heritage might have suffered irreversible damage.

Q10: What is the legacy of this protection today?

The legacy of Bundelkhand Rajputs lives on in:

  • Temples of Bundelkhand that still house deities and rituals brought from Mathura.
  • Folk ballads and oral history glorifying Chhatrasal and his protection of dharma.
  • The survival of Vaishnav sects like Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, Vallabhacharya’s followers, and Nimbarkis who owe gratitude to Rajput protection.

Even today, Goswami families acknowledge Bundela patronage as a turning point in their survival.

Conclusion

The Bundelkhand Rajputs, especially under Maharaja Chhatrasal, played an extraordinary role in preserving India’s spiritual heritage during one of its darkest chapters. While Aurangzeb’s armies sought to erase Mathura’s bhakti identity, the Rajput sword and shield stood as guardians of faith. Their courage ensured that saints, priests, and devotees could continue their traditions, leaving behind a legacy of resistance, protection, and devotion.

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