Rana Raimal


Rana Raimal was a Rajput ruler of Mewar. Maharana Raimal was the son of Rana Kumbha. He came to power by defeating his patricide predecessor, Udai Singh I in battles at Jawar, Darimpur and Pangarh. Early in Raimal's reign, Ghiyas Shah of Malwa attacked Chittor unsuccessfully. Soon after, Ghiyas Shah's general, Zafar Khan attacked Mewar and was defeated at Mandalgarh and Khairabad. By marrying Sringardevi, Raimal ended the conflict with the Rathores. During Raimals' reign, Raisingh Toda and Ajmer were recaptured. Raimal also strengthened the state of Mewar and repaired the temple of Eklingji in Chittor. The last years of Raimal's rule were marked by conflict between his sons with Prince Sanga having to flee Chittor. The sons, Prithviraj and Jaimal were both killed. At this difficult juncture, the Rana was informed that Sanga was still alive and in hiding. Raimal summoned Sanga back to Chittor and died soon afterwards.

Ascent to the throne

Raimal was not the heir-apparent, he was younger to Udai Singh I. But as fate would have it, Udai Singh I killed his father, the legendary Rana Kumbha, while he was praying to Lord Eklingji and ruled for five years. He was a weak ruler and under his reign Mewar lost Abu and Ajmer, both states were made independent by the weak ruler of Mewar. After being defeated by his brother Raimal, he fled to Malwa in order to please the Sultan, however Udai Singh was struck by lightning and died on the spot. The Sultan promised help to Udai's sons Surajmal and Sahasmal in exchange for their fealty.

Raimal fights the sultan and his nephews

Sultan of Malwa, Ghiyath Shah fought against Rana Raimal of Mewar, allying with Surajmal & Sahasmal in which Sultan was defeated. Surajmall survived and was pardoned by Rana Raimal.
After defeating the Sultan, Rana Raimal caused much disruption in Malwa. Raimal also defeated an army under Ghiyat Shahs general Zaffar khan sent to avenge sultan's previous defeat. He also defeated Ghiyat Shahs successor, Nasir Shah in 1503-04,who had a particularly ineffective venture in Mewar

Fight at Sadri

Surajmall and Raimal's armies met at Sadri, a town that Surajmall had captured. Raimal's son Prithviraj joined his father at a crucial time in the war and directly attacked his cousin Surajmall. Their conversation in the evening after day's war was epic, representing the true character of a Rajput warrior. Many such skirmishes occurred till Surajmall finally left mewar and settled at Pratapgarh where his descendants still flourish and keep up the name of Sisodia clan. Prithviraj was later killed by poisoning by the Abu Deora chief and thus made way for Sanga's return when Jaimal died.