Was Akbar Truly Great? The Untold Story of Chittorgarh’s Fall

The Siege of Chittorgarh (1567-1568): A Tale of Valor and Sacrifice

The Siege of Chittorgarh (1567-1568) remains one of the most significant and tragic battles in Indian history. It was a battle between the mighty Mughal Emperor Akbar and the indomitable Rajput warriors of Mewar, led by Jaimal Rathore and Patta Chundawat. This confrontation was not just about territorial expansion but also about the unyielding Rajput spirit, their resistance against foreign rule, and the immense sacrifices made in the name of honor.

Background of the Siege

By the mid-16th century, Akbar had embarked on a mission to expand the Mughal Empire, and one of his major objectives was to bring the Rajput states under his control. Many Rajput rulers had either accepted his sovereignty or formed alliances through matrimonial ties. However, Mewar, ruled by Rana Udai Singh II, remained one of the last bastions of resistance. Chittorgarh, the capital of Mewar, was a symbol of Rajput valor and an obstacle to Mughal dominance in Rajasthan.

Anticipating an imminent attack, Rana Udai Singh II left Chittorgarh and retreated to the Aravalli hills, leaving the defense of the fort in the hands of two of his most trusted commanders, Jaimal Rathore of Merta and Patta Chundawat. With approximately 8,000 Rajput soldiers and a significant number of civilians within the fort, they prepared for a prolonged and arduous siege.

The Beginning of the Siege

In September 1567, Akbar marched towards Chittorgarh with a massive army, reportedly numbering over 50,000 soldiers, equipped with cannons, matchlocks, and war elephants. The Mughals, knowing the formidable strength of the fort, decided against a direct assault and instead opted for a prolonged siege warfare strategy.

Mughal Strategy and Rajput Resistance

Akbar’s forces built sabats (covered trenches) to advance towards the fort’s walls while being protected from Rajput archers and musketeers. They also deployed miners to dig tunnels beneath the walls and plant explosives to create breaches. The Rajputs, despite being vastly outnumbered, mounted a fierce defense, repelling repeated Mughal advances with sword fights, arrows, and cannon fire.

The Rajputs’ valor and resilience in this battle were legendary.They kept launching surprise raids on Mughal camps, inflicting heavy casualties. The defenders displayed remarkable ingenuity by using boiling oil, molten lead, and even flaming boulders to counter the enemy’s siege engines. However, the overwhelming numbers and superior artillery of the Mughal forces made it increasingly difficult to sustain the defense.

The Turning Point: The Death of Jaimal Rathore

After months of stalemate, a crucial event took place on February 22, 1568. Jaimal Rathore, the commander of the fort, was overseeing repairs on a section of the wall when Akbar personally fired a musket from his position. The bullet fatally wounded Jaimal, which proved to be a devastating blow to the Rajput morale. Despite his injury, Jaimal continued to fight before succumbing to his wounds. His death triggered a final decision among the Rajputs—they chose jauhar and saka, the ultimate Rajput traditions of honor.

The Tragic Jauhar and Saka

Upon realizing that defeat was imminent, the Rajput women of Chittorgarh, led by the wives and daughters of the warriors, performed jauhar—mass self-immolation in huge pyres—to avoid enslavement and dishonor at the hands of the invaders. It is estimated that around 13,000 Rajput women perished in this act of supreme sacrifice.

The next morning, the remaining Rajput warriors, including Patta Chundawat, dressed in saffron robes, signifying their readiness to embrace death, charged into the Mughal forces in a last-ditch effort to die as martyrs. This act, known as saka, was a display of unparalleled bravery, where Rajput warriors fought till their last breath, refusing to surrender.

Massacre and Enslavement

After overpowering the last of the Rajput warriors, Akbar’s forces stormed into the fort. What followed was one of the most gruesome massacres in Indian history. The Mughals slaughtered around 30,000 civilians, including men, women, and children, in an act of revenge and to instill fear in other Rajput states.

Thousands of survivors, mostly women and children, were enslaved and taken to Mughal harems and slave markets. The exact number of those enslaved remains unknown, but historical accounts suggest that a significant portion of the surviving population was captured and taken to Agra and Delhi.

Akbar’s Brutality

The mass killing of 30,000 civilians after the fall of Chittorgarh highlights the sheer brutality of Akbar’s campaign. This massacre was not a result of battle but a deliberate act of retribution. The slaughtered included not just Rajput warriors but also defenseless women, children, and elderly people. If we compare the 30,000 killed then to today’s population equivalent, considering India’s current population growth, this would amount to millions of people in today’s terms. Such an atrocity remains one of the most ruthless actions in Mughal history, challenging the common portrayal of Akbar as a benevolent ruler.

For context:

• The estimated population of India in 1568 was around 30-40 million. Killing 30,000 people at that time would be roughly 0.075% of India’s population.
• Today, India’s population is over 1.4 billion, meaning 0.075% of today’s population would be around 1.05 million people—a staggering figure.

Thus, in relative terms, the massacre at Chittorgarh was a far greater proportional loss of life than the casualties seen in modern conflicts. This further highlights Akbar’s brutality, which is often overlooked in historical narratives that portray him as a “tolerant” ruler.

It is worth noting that Akbar did respect martyrdom of Jaimal Rathore and Patta Chundawat . As a mark of respect, he ordered the construction of statues of Jaimal and Patta at the entrance of the Agra Fort. These statues, depicting the warriors on their elephants, stood as a testament to their valor. In comparision to previous Sultante standards this was indeed notable act but respecting enemies in context of Indian civilization is as old as veda . Bhagwan Ram after death of Ravan even did penance . Ashoka did kalinga war which had devastaging impact and in comparision to chittorgarh it was much more destructive but that turned Ashoka into pacifist. He regretted that death and that transformed him . Although Commanding the biggest army in the world of that time he didnt expand further unlike Akbar who continued his war machine .

Excluding Chittorgarh (30,000 killed), the total number of people killed in Akbar’s post-Chittorgarh campaigns is estimated to be in the range of 200,000 to 500,000.

Here’s a rough breakdown:

1. Siege of Ranthambore (1568) – 10,000 to 20,000 killed
2. Gujarat Campaign (1572-1573) – 20,000 to 30,000 killed
3. Bengal & Bihar Wars (1574-1576) – 50,000 to 100,000 killed (includes civilians)
4. Battle of Haldighati (1576) – 5,000 to 10,000 killed
5. Kabul Campaign (1581) – 10,000 to 20,000 killed
6. Kashmir Conquest (1586) – 10,000 to 30,000 killed (many were executed)
7. Sindh Campaign (1591) – 5,000 to 15,000 killed
8. Deccan Campaigns (1591-1601) – 50,000 to 200,000 killed (includes Ahmednagar, Khandesh, Berar)

Total Estimated Killed (Excluding Chittorgarh):

🛑 Approx. 200,000 to 500,000 people

This includes both Rajput, Afghan, and Deccan warriors as well as civilians, enslaved people, and forced converts.

Aftermath of the Siege

The fall of Chittorgarh was a significant military and psychological victory for Akbar. It marked the submission of many other Rajput states, with several rulers opting for alliances with the Mughal court. However, Mewar did not surrender entirely. Rana Pratap Singh, the son of Udai Singh II, later took up the mantle of Rajput resistance, leading to the historic Battle of Haldighati in 1576.

Although Akbar successfully conquered Chittorgarh, the siege became a symbol of Rajput defiance rather than submission. The tales of Jaimal, Patta, and the brave Rajput women who chose self-sacrifice over dishonor continue to inspire generations. The Mughal victory came at the cost of massive bloodshed, and the spirit of the Rajputs remained unbroken despite their loss.

Legacy and Remembering the Martyrs

The Siege of Chittorgarh remains an integral part of Rajput folklore and Rajasthani history. Even today, the ruins of Chittorgarh Fort stand as a testament to the courage and resilience of the Rajputs.

The jauhar of Chittorgarh is remembered as one of the most heart-wrenching episodes in Indian history, symbolizing the Rajput ethos of choosing death over dishonor. During the festival of Holi, Rajputs in some parts of Rajasthan pay homage to the fallen warriors by smearing red color, signifying their blood and sacrifice.

Conclusion

The Siege of Chittorgarh (1567-1568) was not merely a military conquest; it was a defining moment that highlighted the Rajput spirit, their unwavering commitment to honor, and their fierce resistance against foreign domination. Despite the overwhelming odds, the Rajput warriors fought with unmatched bravery, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire even today. Chittorgarh did not fall in spirit, even when it fell in battle.

Their sacrifice serves as a reminder of the price of freedom and the courage it takes to stand against tyranny, making the siege one of the most heroic yet tragic events in India’s history.