2018-05-04 Fri

Maharaja Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand was known as the just ruler, who not merely ruled his subjects but served them. Today on, 4th May of 1649, in the forest of the Maur hill of Kakar kachnaye village king Chhatrasal was born. Chhatrasal’s father Champatrai lived the life of rebelled nomadic, due to his conflict with emperor Shahjahan. Therefore, Chhtrasal never received the formal royal education.

At the age of twelve, Chhatrasal’s parents were killed and with his brother, Chhatrasal joined the Mughal army of Raja Jai Singh. His courage at the battle of Bijapur and Purandar became legends. He also developed great skill at arms and developed a keen interest in the religious book under his mentor Sahabrai Ghanghere.

Later on, Chhatrasal had a great influence of Maratha king Shivaji, from him Chhatrasal learnt the art of military organisation. At the age of 22, Chhatrasal formed an army and took command of it by established a headquarters at Mhow. He uprooted the Mughal forces from the region of Bundelkhand and established it as an independent and powerful kingdom of the Bundelas.

In between 1728 to 29 when the combined forces of Nawab of Farrukhabad and Subedar of Allahabad march on Jaitpur fort, the capital of Chhatrasal Kingdom. King Chhatrasal sought the help of the Maratha Peshwa, Baji Rao I and came out victorious. After two years of this battle in 1731, Maharaja Chhtrasal of Bundelkhand took his last breath.

India Post has issued an commemorative stamp in 1987 to celebrate the life and legends of this great Bundela ruler famously also known as the Maharajah Bundeli Kesari Chhatrasal.

Image Courtesy: Mintage World