HEMCHANDRA "VIKRAMADITYA" BHARGAVA

 

HEMU: The Great

 

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There are many names worthy of note among the galaxy of personalities that graced the political stage of North India in the 16th century, but among them, few if any parallel the meteoric rise of the character we study today. Raja Hemchandra Bhargava, known in history as "Hemu", saw a rise to power seen rarely in the history of the subcontinent. A man of exceptional talent and raw willpower, driven, determined and gifted in the art of war, administration and commerce, this remarkable talent would have been held back from the centre stage of North Indian politics, owing to his common birth and lack of connections or claim to any noble or aristocratic origins. Born in a Gaur Brahmin family in Deoti in Rewari, Hemchandra began his career as a shopkeeper, dealing in saltpetre. Yet he was not to live this life of ignominy for long. He was first recognised for his talent and raised to the office of Shahna or Superintendent of the Delhi Market by Islam Shah, then ruler of the Sur dynasty. The latter (born Jalal Khan) had succeeded his father and most remarkable ruler of the Sur dynasty, Sher Khan "Shah" Sur, in 1545, after a brief tussle with his brother, the later styled Adil Shah.

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From this office, Hemu rose through sheer dint of talent and perseverance to the office of Head of the Departments of Intelligence and Posts or Daroga-i-Dak-Chauki, and afterwards saw experience in high military command. In 1554, this patron of Hemu passed away and was replaced in quick succession by his son Firuz Shah Suri, who was then replaced by his uncle Adil Shah Suri. Under Adil Shah, Hemu, being one of the most steadfast and successful officers of the realm and as a Hindu, bearing no ambitions of pretensions for the throne, was raised to the office of Wazir. During this time, with the powers and responsibilities bestowed upon him by this high office, Hemu would embark on supposedly 22 campaigns and would emerge victorious in each one. Hemchandra stands, in the words of Qanungo (1923), pp. 418 "Unique among the characters of medieval history, who were to prove... In wielding the sword better than the Rajputs and Turks, and possessing much more intelligence than the average administrators of these martial races". But, the rise of such characters is seldom followed by a life of peace and prosperity. For that would be the rarest of rarities in history. Hemu, for all his talents, would not adorn on his cap of accomplishments the crowning jewel of crushing Mughal power and defeating the Mughal forces at the Second Battle of Panipat, 1556. Instead, he would meet an untimely end at the hands of Bairam Khan, Akbar's regent on the field of his defeat and undoing.

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Military Career

Upon the ascension of Adil Shah in 1554, the Sur Empire faced immense tension and upheaval from within and without. Ibrahim Khan Sur, governor of Agra, Muhammad Khan Sur, governor of Bengal and Sikandar Sur, governor of Lahore among other nobles and chiefs declared rebellion and the former three declared sovereignty and assumed royal titles.

Battle of Chunar 1554

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Among the first major actions which Hemchandra engaged in as Wazir of Adil Shah Sur, was against the rebel Taj Khan Karani. Having conducted operations against him personally, Adil Shah blundered in following his victory against the rebel at Chhibramau by a march to Gwalior, instead of crushing and ending the rebel once and for all. Taj Khan, marched towards Chunar, joining hands with his brother Imad, Suleiman and Khwaja Illyas then governor of Khwaja Tanda among other Parganas. They raided territory along the banks of the Ganga and Adil Shah was forced to march to Chunar in response. The two armies faced one another across the Ganga, and Adil was forced to trust Hemchandra with command of the troops, given his proven ineptitude in military matters. Commanding a force consisting of 100 elephants, Hemchandra crossed the river and put the rebels to rout, the latter fleeing to Bengal.

But this was merely the beginning of the chaos that ensued Adil Shah's ascension. Ibrahim Khan Sur was Adil's brother-in-law, had won over several of Adil's nobles and captured Delhi and Agra. Adil was thus restricted to Chunar, Ibrahim claiming the title of Sultan and having coins and khutba of his name. Sultan Ibrahim thus controlled Agra, "Sultan" Sikandar held Punjab and "Sultan" Muhammad held Bengal. 1555, saw the re-entry of the Mughals on the scene, Sultans Sikandar and Ibrahim clashing at Farrah the latter losing Delhi, and Sikandar facing successive defeats Machhiwara and Sirhind in 1555. 

Battle of Kalpi and Khanwa 1555

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Sensing an opening, Adil Shah judiciously despatched Hemchandra at the head of his troops. Hemu first met Ibrahim Sur at Kalpi and crushed his force of brave 3,000 fighters. Next at Khanwa, the routed Ibrahim raised forces amongst the Lohanis (Afghan farmers) but again, was defeated by Hemu, ultimately taking refuge in the fortress of Bayana.

Siege of Bayana 1555

Having surrounded Ibrahim, Hemchandra began erecting batteries and pounded the fortress with his guns. Meanwhile, he reduced the countryside surrounding the fortress, in an attempt to starve out the defenders. Hemchandra, being full of vigour and ambition, made repeated assaults against the defenders, from time to time. For 3 months this continued, Ghazni Khan Sur, Ibrahim's father, managed to supply the latter during this time. But Hemchandra, so long absent from Chunar would have to rush to Adil Shah's defence, as the newly crowned Shamsuddin Muhammad Shah, Sultan in Bengal, marched to take Delhi with his forces.

Battle of Mundagar and Alwar 1555

The fire of ambition burned in the stomachs of nobles high and low in this time, and the Afghan nobility utterly failed the cause of their nation and their families. No other example suits this description better than Ibrahim Khan Sur. As Hemchandra raised his siege, Ibrahim emerged and raised forces anew at Mundagar. Hearing of this, Hemu returned to once again crush Ibrahim. Dismayed at repeated reverses Ibrahim acquired reinforcements from Haji Khan, the ruler of Alwar and attempted a reversal, only to be defeated again by Naharpal (Hemu's nephew). Sometime later Ibrahim found himself in Orissa, assassinated in 1555. 

Battle of Tughlaqabad 1556

As Hemchandra traversed the terrain of the turbulent North Indian landscape, so did the Mughals regain lost ground and march against the Afghan power in North India from the west. By the beginning of 1556, Humayun had regained Delhi, and his generals now tussled with the local Afghan resistance. Hemu realised that now was as good a time as ever. He had already delayed his plans by six months, watching closely the movements of Khizr Khan and Suleiman in Bengal and Bihar. At the head of 50,000 horses, 1,000 elephants, 51 artillery pieces and five hundred falconets, Hemchandra proceeded towards Delhi, the might of his host melting all opposition before him. On the 6th of October, Mughal governors at Kalpi and Agra, Abdullah Uzbek Khan and Sikandar Khan Uzbek fled at the sight of Hemchandra's host.

Pursuing these foes Hemchandra arrived at Tughlaqabad, five miles east of Qutb Minar. Here, the Governor of Delhi, Tardi Beg Khan, having consulted with neighbouring chiefs and nobles, who argued in favour of awaiting reinforcements, decided to give battle on the 7th of October, 1556. The Mughal army drew up on the field of battle as thus: Abdullah Uzbek commanded the centre, Iskandar Beg the left, Haidar Muhammad the right, and Tardi Beg the centre. The battle opened with the Mughal's Turki cavalry engaging the Hindu-Afghan van, slaying 3,000 men and capturing 400 elephants. These men pursued the retreating elements of Hemu's van to their camp. This folly of the impetuous cavalry left Tardi Beg undefended in the centre. Abul Fazl himself lauds Hemchandra as a king without equal in his era. His officers, his soldiers, veterans of many wars, hardened men of great ability. And his artillery, knowing no equal except the ones made in Turkey itself. 

Hemu who had been holding back his reserves in the centre, now sent forth his horse and 300 elephants, before the advance of these troops, the Mughal force melted. The previously victorious Turkis returned to see the field firmly in enemy hands, their generals and comrades slain and routed and followed suit.

Having taken control of Delhi, Hemchandra Bhargava crowned himself "Vikramaditya" meaning "Sun of Valour" or "Vikramjit" meaning "Valourous Conqueror" and "Samrat" meaning "Emperor" (according to Marc Jason Gilbert, 2017) or "Raja" meaning "King".

Battle of Panipat

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The city of Panipat bears the testimony of the phrase " History repeats itself ". After three decades the blood-stained ground of Panipat which decided the fate of the Lodhi rulers of Delhi, now lured the opposing sides vying for dominance and possession of the land of Hindustan. It is here that the future of an Empire will be forged. The stage of the battle was set. Panipat was ready to quench the thirst for blood. The opposing forces were ready and after the battle, the new history in the realms of Hindustan eagerly awaited a new era of a new Empire. 

Background of the Battle

For Akbar, Hemu (Himu) posed the immediate problem. After successfully defeating the Mughal Governor, Tardi Beg Khan, Hemu`s confidence and zeal for power quadrupled. The rising power of Hemu was haunting the young Akbar. Hemu after winning the soil assumed the title of Vikramjit. Akbar was in a desperate position now. Tardi Beg as discussed added to the fears of his followers. In the middle of a severe famine in Delhi, the forces were against each other, the conquest was conducive, and the battle was inevitable. According to Sir Jadunath Sarkar," Himu was the best military genius on the Afghan side after Sher Shah's death, he was far-sighted in his strategic plans, keen-eyed and quick in his tactical decisions, cool in holding his strength in reserve and fearless of danger in encouraging his troops by his example". [ Military History of India, Jadunath Sarkar, pp. 77]. Additionally, Hemu had already fought 22 battles against the domestic enemies and remained undisputed [ notes Abul Fazl]. Hemu defeated Sultan Muhammed, the ruler of Bengal and then he crushed the ambitious Ibrahim Suri. Hemu was indeed an able military commander and a force to reckon with. When the royal city of Delhi and Agra was lost to Humayun after his long return in 1555, Hemu marched with a large army and regained the lost territories. The sudden demise of Humayun in 1556 added a new problem in the house of the foreigners. Consequently, Hemu defeated Tardi Beg and mounted a heap of worries in the camp of the foreign forces leaving Akbar with no choice but to battle. 

Hemu's Brilliance

One of the most important things which are worthy of praise is the brilliance of Hemu in managing the resources. During the year 1556-57, as the Mughals and Afghans were heading against each other, the region of Delhi and its surrounding was facing severe famine. The region was deprived of rains, and on top of it, the conditions were worsened by the unending warfare. Malnutrition was spreading into a plague. In the words of Abul Fazl "at this time there was a great scarcity in the cities and the villages of India, and there was a terrible famine. Men took to eating one another. Some would join together and carry off a solitary man, and make him their food. There was no trace of single corn". With the brilliance and great managerial skills that Hemu possessed. He overcame this situation. Hemu managed his grain market efficiently. At the time when people were facing difficulties in garnering food. Hemu was able to feed his elephants. While camped at Bayana, which was miles away he was able to feed his five hundred war elephants rice, sugar and butter. [ India's Historic Battles, Kaushik Roy, pp. 70]. Badauni writes " the people died with the word " bread" upon their lips, and yet Hemu fed his elephants upon rice, sugar and butter". [ Badauni, Elliot and Dawson, vol I, pp. 549-51]. Notably, Badauni has shown the brutality of Hemu but he ignores his management skills. Such statements regarding the brutal and disgusting nature of Hemu have not been shown by any other historian except Badauni. 

The Battle

In the words of Abul Fazl who has commented on the clash of Mughals and Hemu. He says :

" Two armies so collided,

 that they struck fire out of water; 

You'd say the air was all crimsoned daggers,

 their steel had all become solid rubies".

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At this juncture, the counsellors of the Mughals were infected with the terrible fear of the military brilliance of Hemu and suggested a retreat to Kabul rather than facing the battle. But Bairam Khan insisted on fighting and eliminated their advice. Akbar certainly agreed with him. The fear of Hemu was so instilling that Bairam Khan gave an inspiring speech to his officers, to fight the army of Hemu. The second battle of Panipat was fought on 5th November 1556, between the king of Delhi Raja Hemachandra or Bikramjit or Vikramaditya and the Mughal prince Akbar with his protectorate Bairam Khan. Hemu had consolidated his position after the victory at Delhi and Agra. He distributed the wealth acquired among his soldiers and prepared to counter the Mughals. 

Both the armies were deployed in three divisions. Both the forces relied upon Ottomon-type artillery. Both the armies were at the same tactical level. In terms of numbers, Hemu's forces had superiority, with 50,000 cavalries, 1000 elephants, 51 canons, and 50 falconets. [ India's Historic Battles, Kaushik Roy]. A large chunk of his army was composed of Afghans, Rajputs and Brahmins from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Hemu's army consisted of 30000 Rajputs and Afghan cavalry and 500 war elephants. [Military History of India, JN Sarkar, pp.79]. The figures regarding the troops provided by Kaushik Roy seem exaggerated. On the other hand, Sir Jadunath Sarkar's figure is plausible.  He had, however, no guns.[ AL Srivastav, The Mughal Empire pp 150]. On the contrary, Mughals had only a small contingent comprising 20,000 men under the command of Ali Quli Khan and their matchlocks. 

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Hemu sent his advance guard of artillery to tackle the Mughal forces which were led by Ali Quli Khan Shaibani. Under Ali Quli Khan Shaibani the lucky Mughal army successfully countered the advance guard and captured the Raja's artillery. Hemu made brave counterattacks and fought fiercely but unfortunately, a stray arrow struck Hemu in the eye and made him unconscious. This caused chaos in the army of Hemu. The leaderless army assumed that their king is dead and started running and scattered throughout the battlefield. They made no effort to resist the Mughals. Unfortunately, this was a watershed moment in the battle. The day proved fatal for the Hemu's army and the Mughals won the day. The elephant carrying injured Hemu fled into the jungle. It was brought by Shah Kulf Khan Mahram to the prince and his protectorate. According to V A Smith, Akbar smote Hemu with his scimitar. The victory at battle gifted Akbar the possession of Delhi as well as Agra. The immense treasure was taken with the family of Hemu and Hemu's old father was also slain. The brilliant leadership, genius tactics, efficient use of resources and great military career, indubitably makes Raja Hemachandra one the greatest yet most unpopular hero in the annals of India.

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Conclusion

History is a divisive subject. Different historians and scholars have varied opinions. Sometimes some issues remain hidden beneath the floors of the timeline. There may be rulers who are presented profoundly based on the evidence found. Largely these rulers tend to shadow, the other prominent personalities. Presenting such personalities and research works remain negligible. This results in the glorification of a handful of personalities. There exists a modern approach which emerged in the 19th century which focused on great or influential men in history and talked about their achievements. This theory came to be known as the Great Man theory. The same happened with Indian history where few men were put to centerpiece and the rest remained completely bereft of the scope of their study.

Hemchandra Vikramaditya is a shining example of such a personality. Known by many names such as Hemu/Himu/ Bikramjit/ Samrat Vikramaditya, the Hindu Raja embodied far more superior qualities as a leader of men, a monarch, an administrator, and a soldier, than his contemporary counterparts. Yet Hemu remains hidden and obscure. Hemu was a brilliant strategist and military leader who won twenty two battles, yet few know of his exploits at Kalpi, Bayana, Chunar or Tughlaqabad, where he humbled the pride of until then seemingly invincible Afghan and Mughal forces. Since the rise of the Delhi Sultanate, he was the first and the last Hindu king to crown himself, in the city of Delhi itself. He also held the title "Vikramjit" / "Vikramaditya", a legendary moniker, hearkening back to the Guptas themselves, who had once driven "Mlechha" armies before them. He was a gifted leader, in that he held together the loyalty of his men, a great number of whom were of the very same Afghan stock that once terrorised Hemu's co-religionists in North India committing loot and rapine at the edge of the sword. Hemu earned their loyalty and trust as a general by leading with example. He was in the true sense, to use Sir Jadunath Sarkar's words, a "heavenly born general", who knew no defeat in 22 battles. The goddess of fortune left his side in the tragic battle of his undoing, yet even in the midst of the terrible Second Battle of Panipat, he inspired courage and rallied his men, until he was shot through his eye by a Turki arrow. Few soldier kings bore as many wounds to their being as Hemu, other than perhaps Maharana Sanga himself. Hemchandra was and still remains an important character in the story of the 16th century. To read and present his incredible story is both inspiring and almost an obligation to the past.

References: Roy Bhushan, Nirad, "The Successors of Sher Shah", 1934, pp. 63-94

Majumdar, R.C, "History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume VII, The Mughul Empire", 1974, pp. 97-106

Lalla, N.N, "The Foundation Of The Mughal Empire", 1923, pp. 448-449 Beveridge, H, "The Akbarnama Vol II", 1907, pp. 62-70 Sources: Chandra, Satish (2004). Medieval India: From Sultanate To The Mughals, Part II: Mughal Empire 

Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra (1984). "Hemu: A forgotten Hindu Hero". The History and Culture of the Indian People. Vol. Volume 7
Qanungo, Kalika Ranjan (1965). Sher Shah and his Times
Richards, John F. (1995). The Mughal Empire (The New Cambridge History of India) Roy, Kaushik (2004). India's historic battles : from Alexander the Great to Kargil
Sarkar, Jadunath (1960). Military History of India
Tripathi, Ram Prasad (1960). Rise and Fall of the Mughal Empire
Smith, Vincent Arthur (1917). Akbar the Great Mogul, 1542–1605

Gulcharan Singh,The Battles of Panipat