THE BATTLE OF BHUCHAR MORI
RAHUL A THAKER
Author’s Note
All the events, incidents mentioned in the story is accurate and authentic.
The historical records are also stats the date August 1591.
The Wikipedia reference link,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bhuchar_Mori
Prologue - The bad omens
April 1591
“Aappa .. Aappa.. You need to come to the ' Timbo ' immediately”
Bhuchar Mori was the head of the ' Rajput Maldhari ' community. He saw his deputy rushing towards him. ‘Aappa ' was an adjective used to address the seniors in the native language.
Bhuchar Mori was the head of the community so he was referred as the ' Aappa ' among his community.
He was such a Nobel man that his workplace a large plateau or ' Timbo ' has been named after him. That place was now known as ' Bhuchar Mori’
His deputy had gone to ' Timbo ' to feed the grass to their cattle. He came back much early to his schedule and demanded his head man to visit the site.
“What had happened Bhikha? Why you looked worried? Bhuchar Mori asked his deputy.
" Aappa.. The birds.. The strange kind of birds are crying very loudly at the ' Timbo ' " Bhikha said to his head man.
" What ? The strange birds are crying ? Let me check " The head man seemed tense.
They reached at the ' Timbo ' and indeed saw some Nocturnal birds were crying. The bird’s noise was making atmosphere fighting.
“Summoned the ' Panditji ' immediately " The Bhuchar Mori ordered to his deputy.
His deputy rushed to the village.
Bhuchar Mori was looking at his land. The Plateau which was named after him and where animals are were finding the grass.
After some time he saw ' Panditji ' and Bhikha were approaching towards him.
Pandit Ramshankar was the priest at the Shiva temple in the village. He was scholar in Hindu rituals and also in the astrology.
" Pranam.. Panditji " Bhuchar Mori folded his hands and greeted an old man.
" Pranam.. Aappa.. " In reply Panditji also folded his hands and greeted the head man of ' Rajput Maldhari ' community.
" Please hear the loud noises of the birds. Tell us why they are crying and what they are trying to communicate us ? " The Bhuchar Mori requested to the Priest.
Panditji asked Bhikha to open his bag which he had taken from the temple.
Bhikha handed him the bag. Panditji took out an ancient book from his bag. He flipped few pages and stopped at one page. He read from the page and closed his eyes.
The head man and his deputy was watching the Priest and waiting for his reply.
The Panditji opened his eyes and said " The Bad Omens "
" Please clarify. " Bhuchar Mori asked him.
" A deadly battle will be fought in this land. Thousands of people will dye and the land will become red by the blood of martyrs"
Bhuchar Mori was stunned to hear the prediction from the wise man.
" The Bad Omens " He remembered the words.
August - 1591
Chapter - 1 The Beginning
" Rana Ji , the Mughal army led by Mirza Aziz Kok is coming nearer and nearer " Jasa Vajir informerd the Jam Sataji.
Jasa Vajir saw the tense face of his king Jam Sataji , the king of the Nawanagar State.
" How far ? " Jam Sataji asked to his Vajir.
" Near to the Dhrol " Jasa Vajir updated the situation.
" The Thakore Saheb of Dhrol are not with us , correct ? "
" Yes Rana ji , he has denied to support us in this situation "
Now the situation was beyond the control of any side. Now it was the matter of pride and the most important ' The Dharma '
Jam Sataji the king of Nawanagar state was following his ' Kshatriya Dharma ' to provide the asylum to its seekers. To give the protection to those who comes to take asylum to ' Kshatriya King '
Jam Sataji has given aslyum to Sultan Muzaffar Shah - 3 the sulatn of Gujarat who is on the run from the Mughal Emperor Akbar the great.
The Mughal Emperor Akbar has asked the Jam Sataji to hand of the Muzaffar Shah to the Mughals but Jam Sataji has polietly refused to deliver him the Sulatn because Sultan had taken his aslyum and beigng the ' Kshatriya ' he had to protect those who asks for the protection.
Hence for to capture the Sultan Muzaafar Shah , the Mughal Emperor has sent his foster brother Mirza Aziz Koka with his large army. The Mughal army was having approx 9000 soldiers. The army on its way to the Nawanagar state.
The Mughal army led by Mirza Aziz Koka had reached at the ' Dhrol ' which was around 25 kms from the Nawanagar state.
" We need to fight the battle at ' Dhrol ' and away from the Nawanagar " The Jam Sataji asked to Jasa Vajir
" Yes Rana Ji , our army had already reached at large pleatue near Dhrol where we would challange the Mughals " Jasa Vajir replied to his king.
" Who are with us ? " The king asked.
" The Nawab Dolautkhan Ghori of Junagadh state is with us. He is supported by his deputy Ra- Khengar , the Jamindar of Junagadh State "
" Nice , and what about Kutch region ? "
" Ohh , we are lucky enough that we have got the support from Loma Khuman of Kundla state along with warriors sent by the Rao of Cutch state. In addition we also received the support from Mehraman of Bhadreshwar State. He and his fourteen sons has arrived at battlefield. " The Jasa Vajir informed.
" Good , are there any other help is available ? " The Jam Sataji asked
" Yes Rana Ji , we also get support from Sanghanji Vadher from Okha and Vasaji Parmar from Muli state "
While the Jasa Vajir was updating the situation to the king Jam Sataji , suddenly one informer interrupted their discussion.
" What happned ? What are the updates ? " The Jasa Vajir asked to the informer.
" Rana Ji the Jamat of Naked Saints aka Naga Bavas also arrived at battle field to support us " Informed said with happy tone and left.
" So we also gets the divine support from the Naked Saints " Jasa Vajir said.
The Jam Sataji , the King of Nawanagar state rose from his throne and declared the war.
" To protect my asylum seeker Muzzaffar Shah from the Mughal Emperor , I the Jam Sataji , the King of Nawanagar state here by declares the war against the Mirza Aziz Koka abd his army "
The King Paused and resumed,
" The battle will be fought at the large plateau near Dhrol which is known the plateau of Bhuchar Mori and the battle will also address as ' The Battle of Bhuchar Mori ' "
Chapter -2 The Hint of the Victory
The atmosphere filled with roar of ' Har Har Mahadev'
The army of Jam Sataji was having around 20000 warriors.
The army camp of Nawanagar state was looked energized.
" We would attack with warriors sent by Rao Ji of cutch state first " The Jam Sataji composed the initial strategy.
In this strategy meeting all the important individuals were present.
" The rainy season is also would be on our favor as our soldiers very well know how to fight in between the rains " Jam Sataji added.
" In addition , this is our home ground
They heard the official sirens signaling the beginning of the war.
The army of Jam Sataji attacked first with the help of forces of Kutch state. The troopers sent by Rao Ji fought very well.
" The first two days of the war belonged to us " The Jasa Vajir said joyfully.
" Yes Jasa Vajir and we hope that we would win the battle " The Jam Sataji looked determine.
It was the ongoing battle for the next three months. Due to the rainy season, the battle was fought not in the regular intervals. The battle
The rainy season was also turning out to be the added advantage to the Jam Sataji.
The days are passed rapidly and very soon the three months are passed.
In this period, The army of the Jam Sataji was on upper hand. The Mughal camp was looked tired and less motivated.
The Jam Sataji has sensed the victory.
Chapter -3 The Betrayal
Mirza Aziz Koka the leader of the Mughal army was looked anxious and wandering here and there in his army camp.
One soldier came and informed him " Huzur , someone named Chandra Sinh is here to see you "
“Send him in with respect " Mirza Aziz Koka ordered.
Chandra Sinh was subedar of Halvad state.
" Yes , Huzur what can I do for you ? " Chandrasinh asked to the Aziz Koka
Mirza Aziz Koka took a long breathe and said " I want you to be the mediator between me and Jam Sataji for the peace talk "
Chandra Sinh was looked stunned " So you wanted to end the war , appreciated your gesture "
" I am willing to pay the sum of two lacs ruppes to Jam Sataji for the peace contract " Mirza Aziz Koka said
" Sounds good " Chandra Sinh answered
" For you Chandra Sinh the sum of one lacs if the peace talk succeeded " Mirza Aziz Koka offered the fortune to Chandra Sinh.
“Excellent , Huzur. I will do my best for this peace talk " Chandra Sinh said and left the Mughal camp.
The camp of Jam Sataji was filled with joy and celebration. The news of peace talk bring by Chandra Sinh made the atmosphere electric.
Each and every on the side of Jam Sataji were extremely happy except the two people.
One was Loma Khuman of Kundla state and other was Nawab Daulatkhan Ghori of Junagadh state.
They both talked to each other in private.
" This peace talks means the victory of Jam Sataji over the mighty Mughal Emperor " Loma Khuman said
" Yes and in the future Jam Sataji would be in the position of the King of entire west region " Nawab Daulat khan expressed his worries.
" Now what to do? " Loma Khuman asked
" Let’s meet the Mirza Aziz Koka secretly " Nawab Daulat Khan said
They both met with the Mirza Aziz Koka
" Huzur , stopped this peace talk and we with our strong army will support to your side from tomorrow morning " Nawab Daulat Khan advised to the Mirza Aziz Koka
Mirza Aziz Koka thinks for some time and agreed with advice of Nawab Daulat Khan.
He cancelled the process of the peace talk and declared the war again.
Next Morning Jam Sataji saw the absence of Nawab Daulat Khan Ghori and Loma Khuman and their soldiers.
It was the un bearable Betrayal to the Jam Sataji as now the half of his army has now joined the Mughal army.
Chapter -4 Prince Ajaji - The martyr warrior
The betrayal costs the Jam Sataji as the entire situation of the battle has been turned.
" Rana Ji you have to go the state to protect the state and the royal family " The Jasa Vajir asked to Jam Sataji
" No I would not leave my army " Jam Sataji replied immediately
“Try to understand Rana Ji , your presence is required in the state. You need to protect the state. " Jasa Vajir forced him.
The Jam Sataji left the battle ground. He directly went to his palace and greeted by his son prince Ajaji who married recently.
" I am going to the battle field " Prince Ajaji determined.
" Go prince and may our army wins " Jam Sataji gave blessings to his son.
The prince Ajaji and his five hundred members of the wedding party reached to the Bhuchar Mori.
Next day Prince Ajaji directly finds the Mirza Aziz Koka in the battle ground.
Prince Ajaji was mounted on horse while Mirza Aziz Koka was mounted on elephant.
Prince Ajaji fired the sphere on the Mirza Aziz Koka but it he was unharmed.
But prince Ajaji was surrounded by the Mughal Army. It was situation exact the same like Abhimanyu is surrounded by the Kauravas.
The Prince Ajaji fougt very bravely but he died eventually.
The news of death of the prince reached to the palace.
The Surajkunvarba , the wife of martyr prince Ajaji reached to battlefield under the protection of Thakore of Dhrol.
She committed SATI on the funeral pyre of prince Ajaji.
It was the victory of Mughal Army.
Epilogue
The Mughal army reached to Nawanagar state to capture the Muzzaffar Shah but he had flew to Junagadh.
The Jam Sataji also gone to Junagadh to save his asylum seeker.
The Mughal army captured the state of Nawanagar.
