Rana Sanga

Rana Sanga, also known as Maharana Sangram Singh I (reigned 1508–1528 CE), was one of the most powerful Rajput rulers of north-western India and the ruler of Mewar in present-day Rajasthan. He is remembered for his valour, resistance to foreign invasion, and his efforts to forge a united Rajput confederacy against the advancing Mughal and Afghan powers during the early sixteenth century. His reign symbolised the height of Rajput military strength and chivalric tradition before the rise of the Mughal Empire in India.

Early Life and Ascension

Rana Sanga was born into the Sisodia clan of Rajputs, the ruling dynasty of Mewar, with its capital at Chittorgarh. He was the son of Rana Raimal, a notable ruler who maintained Mewar’s independence amid conflicts with the Delhi Sultanate and neighbouring Rajput states. Sanga’s youth was marked by internal family rivalries and succession struggles.
After a period of exile caused by disputes with his brothers, Sanga returned to Mewar and secured his position as ruler following the death of his father around 1508 CE. His accession restored stability to Mewar and initiated a period of aggressive expansion and political consolidation across Rajputana and beyond.

Expansion of Mewar’s Power

Rana Sanga emerged as the pre-eminent Rajput ruler of his time, expanding Mewar’s influence across western and central India. He united several Rajput clans under his leadership through diplomacy and military alliances. Under his command, Mewar extended its authority over regions such as Malwa, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, challenging both Afghan governors of the Delhi Sultanate and other local powers.
Sanga’s military campaigns were marked by exceptional bravery and strategic skill. He defeated the Lodi rulers of Delhi, the Sultans of Malwa, and the Sultans of Gujarat in a series of conflicts, thereby asserting Rajput dominance across northern India. His victories included the defeat of Mahmud Khilji II of Malwa at the Battle of Gagron (1519), which cemented his reputation as the strongest Rajput monarch of his generation.

Relations with Other Powers

Rana Sanga’s political ambitions brought him into both cooperation and conflict with various regional forces. He maintained alliances with other Rajput states such as Marwar, Amber, and Bundi, and sought to establish a confederation of Rajput rulers to resist external domination.
In his dealings with the Afghan rulers of Delhi, Sanga initially engaged in warfare against Ibrahim Lodi, the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty. When Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, invaded India in 1526 and defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat, Sanga perceived an opportunity to drive out the Mughals and restore Indian sovereignty under Rajput leadership.

The Battle of Khanwa (1527)

The most significant and defining event of Rana Sanga’s reign was the Battle of Khanwa, fought near Agra in March 1527 CE. Sanga led a massive confederation of Rajput rulers and Afghan chiefs to confront Babur, whose forces, though smaller in number, were well-organised and equipped with gunpowder artillery, a new military technology in India at the time.
Despite initial success in the early stages of battle, the Rajput army was ultimately defeated due to Babur’s superior tactics, disciplined troops, and effective use of field artillery. According to historical accounts, Rana Sanga was seriously wounded during the battle but was carried off the field by his followers. The defeat at Khanwa marked a decisive moment in Indian history, signalling the decline of Rajput political ascendancy and the consolidation of Mughal power in northern India.

Later Years and Death

After his defeat at Khanwa, Rana Sanga sought to regroup and revive the Rajput resistance. He continued his efforts to challenge Mughal authority and planned another campaign against Babur. However, before he could renew hostilities, he died in 1528 CE, under circumstances that remain uncertain. Some sources suggest he was poisoned by his own nobles, who feared the futility of continuing the war against the Mughals.

Personality and Leadership

Rana Sanga was celebrated in both Rajput and Persian chronicles for his courage, integrity, and adherence to the warrior code of honour. Contemporary and later writers describe him as a “man of unparalleled bravery”, known for his resilience despite being grievously wounded in battle on multiple occasions. Tradition holds that he lost an arm, one eye, and was left with numerous scars from earlier conflicts, yet continued to lead his armies in person.
He exemplified the Rajput ideals of valour, loyalty, and sacrifice, and became a symbol of resistance to foreign domination. His court at Chittorgarh was known for its patronage of art, literature, and chivalric culture.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Rana Sanga’s reign represents the zenith of Rajput power in pre-Mughal India. His ambition to unite the Rajputs under a single banner and to establish a native empire across northern India reflected a vision of political unity and cultural pride. Though defeated at Khanwa, his legacy endured as a rallying point for later Rajput resistance to Mughal expansion.
Under his successors, particularly Rani Karnavati and Rana Udai Singh II, the rulers of Mewar continued to uphold his spirit of defiance, which later culminated in the heroic struggles of Maharana Pratap, Sanga’s grandson.
In Rajput folklore and regional tradition, Rana Sanga remains a legendary hero—a ruler who epitomised bravery, sacrifice, and the unyielding defence of honour and independence. His life and campaigns are celebrated in numerous ballads and chronicles that portray him as one of the last great warrior-kings of medieval India.