The brutal legacy of Akbar's Chittorgarh siege referenced by NCERT
The Sisodias, a Suryavanshi Rajput clan, ruled Mewar from Chittorgarh and later Udaipur. Renowned for their fierce independence, they resisted Mughal domination longer than most, notably under Rana Udai Singh II and his son Rana Pratap Singh.Chittorgarh, located in present-day Rajasthan, was a formidable hill fortress and the heart of Mewar. Sprawling over 700 acres atop a 180-meter-high hill, the fortress had a history of resistance, having faced sieges by Alauddin Khalji in 1303 and Bahadur Shah of Gujarat in 1535. Its core structure - walls, gates, and key monuments - dates back to the pre-Mughal era, with contributions from the 7th to 16th centuries.The Siege of ChittorgarhBy 1567, Akbar had consolidated power over much of northern India, including Malwa and parts of Rajputana. Unlike other Rajput rulers, such as those of Amber and Bikaner, who allied with Akbar through diplomacy and marriage, Rana Udai Singh II refused to recognise Mughal overlordship. His support for rebellious Mughal vassals, like Baz Bahadur of Malwa, further provoked the emperor.In October 1567, Akbar marched from Agra with 40,000 men with the objective of bringing the Rana to his knees. His large army was equipped with cannons, muskets, and siege equipment. The army set up camp at the base of the Chittorgarh hill, choking off supplies.Inside the Chittorgarh fort, a stronghold of Rajput pride, 8,000 warriors led by Jaimal Rathore braced for the storm. Mewar's ruler Rana Udai Singh II had retreated into the Aravalli hills, leaving his trusted commander to hold the Sisodia capital against an unstoppable force.Soon, cannons began to roar, hurling iron at the 30-foot-thick walls of the fort. But the fort's height and defences repelled the Mughal army's efforts. Jaimal's men answered from the ramparts, targeting the Mughals with arrows, musket fire, and stones hurled from catapults. Night after night, the Rajputs struck with quick raids on Mughal trenches.advertisementFrustrated by the army's failure and the Rajput resistance, Akbar asked his men to creep toward the fort in covered trenches (sabat). The Mughals burrowed beneath the fort, packing gunpowder to rip the foundations apart. But the Rajputs were watching. They dug counter-mines and fought underground.Fall of ChittorgarhWeeks turned into months, but the defenders stood firm. Akbar, sleepless, prowled his camp, watching the army lose patience and hope. But in February 1568, Jaimal Rathore was killed, possibly by a Mughal marksman or during a sortie (though Mughal chronicles say he was shot by Akbar himself). His death was a turning point, as it demoralised the defenders and signaled the fort's imminent fall.With defeat inevitable, the Rajput women inside the fort performed jauhar on or around February 23, 1568, to avoid capture. The men donned saffron robes and launched a final sortie against the Mughal army.On February 23-24, 1568, after nearly four months of siege, the Mughals breached the fort's defences through a collapsed wall section. Mughal sources claim that the defenders were almost entirely killed, with estimates of 8,000-10,000 Rajput deaths. Akbar, enraged by the prolonged resistance, ordered a general massacre of the fort's non-combatant population, with estimates of civilian deaths ranging from 20,000 to 30,000. The fort, scarred and silent, stood as a hollow prize.advertisementThe AftermathThe fall of Chittorgarh marked a significant victory for Akbar, weakening Mewar's resistance and sending a message to other Rajput states. The fortress was briefly occupied by Mughal forces but was not permanently garrisoned due to its remote location and the high cost of maintenance. Akbar appointed a governor to oversee the region, but Mewar's resistance continued under Rana Udai Singh's son, Pratap Singh, who later waged a guerrilla campaign against the Mughals.For the Rajputs, the siege became a symbol of sacrifice and defiance. The jauhar and Rajput bravery at Chittorgarh were immortalised in Rajput ballads and chronicles, celebrating the heroism of Jaimal, Patta Sisodia (another commander), and the women who performed jauhar. Rana Pratap's refusal to submit to Akbar further cemented Mewar's reputation as a bastion of Rajput resistance.The fort still exists and retains significant elements of its pre-1568 structure, such as its gates, towers, and major palaces, reminding visitors of the siege, the massacre, and the unyielding spirit of the Ranas of Mewar.- EndsMust Watch
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Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
It's all about how you show your goodwill: When love feels like pressure to your child
Across Indian cities, particularly in families with children studying in private schools, a silent emotional drift is becoming more common. Parents, despite having the best of intentions, are finding themselves at odds with their children—especially their teenagers. The painful irony is this: these are not neglectful parents. They are loving, responsible adults doing everything 'right.' Yet their children are pulling away emotionally—retreating into silence, or often, into the online world. Let me share the story of one such family—a story from my practice that I carry with heaviness and hope. A 15-year-old boy, academically average and generally well-behaved, withdrawn from his mother. He didn't rebel or act out. He simply stopped talking. No conversations. No smiles. His door stayed closed, and his eyes remained glued to his screen. Though he was attending school and turning in work, emotionally, he had vanished. His mother, a single parent, was devastated. She had sacrificed everything to give him the best life—juggling work, finances, and parenting without a partner. 'I've done everything I could,' she told me during our first session, her voice breaking. 'Why won't he even look at me?' As we peeled back the layers of their relationship, it became clear that the problem wasn't a lack of love. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cyprus investments might be cheaper than you think Investments Cyprus | search ads Get Info Undo In fact, it was an overflow of love—one that came wrapped in constant reminders, daily corrections, edifications and stories of personal sacrifice. Her intent was to guide and support. But to the boy, it all felt like pressure, criticism, and emotional suffocation. Every interaction seemed to whisper, "You're not doing enough—and look how much I do for you." This isn't a story of failure. It's a story of misunderstood love. From Pressure to Presence: A Mother's Journey We didn't focus on 'fixing' the boy. We worked with the mother on understanding how her care and concern could be expressed differently. Love, when it comes wrapped in instruction, worry, or disappointment, doesn't always land the way it's meant to. So, she stopped explaining her sacrifices. She paused the lectures. She began to practice what I call silent companionship. She would leave a plate of food quietly beside him while he played. She began saying things like, 'Hope you slept well' or 'It's chilly' – and keeping socks by his side, not expecting a response—just offering presence. She folded his clothes and left them on his chair. She held emotional space for him, even when he gave nothing in return. It wasn't easy. There were nights when she would call me in tears, whispering, 'Will he ever talk to me again?' And then, it happened. One morning, he walked into the kitchen and asked, 'I got bread for breakfast on the way.' One sentence. That's all. But it was everything. It meant he was beginning to feel safe again in her presence. The emotional door, once locked, had started to creak open. Image credits: Getty Images Why Love Needs a Softer Voice Many parents—especially mothers parenting alone—believe that working harder, guiding more strictly, and correcting more frequently is the path to raising good children. And often, it does lead to outward success. But in the process, emotional connection may erode. Children don't remember every instruction. But they do remember how they felt when they came home after failing a test, or being excluded by friends. They remember whether they were comforted or corrected. Our intent to help must be matched by our ability to connect. The Quiet Ways Goodwill Is Felt When a child begins to emotionally shut down, it's not always a sign of neglect. Sometimes, it's because love has started to feel like pressure—like a performance they're constantly failing to meet. In those moments, goodwill must be felt, not declared. And it's most deeply felt through quiet, consistent gestures that say: 'I care, without demanding anything in return.' Here are some powerful yet simple ways your goodwill can be seen—even when your child isn't ready to respond: A plate of food placed beside them while they game or study. (It says: 'I see you. You matter.') A glass of water or cup of chai at the right moment, without saying a word. (It says: 'You're cared for.') Folded clothes left neatly on their chair, with no reminders or remarks. (It says: 'I'm here to support, not scold.') A short message on a sticky note: 'Hope today feels better' or 'You've got this.' (It says: 'I'm still cheering for you.') Low-pressure check-ins like 'Want tea?' or 'Hope you slept okay,' that don't demand replies. (It says: 'Your comfort matters.') Sitting nearby with your own book or work, offering quiet presence. (It says: 'I'm available, without intruding.') Sending a meme, a reel, or a music link they might enjoy. (It says: 'I remember what makes you smile.') Fixing something they use—a charger, a zipper, a drawer. (It says: 'I care about your world.') Not filling the silence with lectures, but instead allowing quiet moments to be just that— quiet. (It says: 'I trust you. I'll wait.') These are not grand gestures. They don't demand eye contact or conversation. But theyoffer emotional oxygen. They quietly whisper: 'I'm not here to fix you. I'm here to love you—gently, steadily, and without condition.' What Can Parents Do Differently? If you're a parent feeling distanced from your child—especially a teen—pause. Reflect on how your love is being received, not just how it's being given. Here are small but powerful shifts you can make: Replace instruction with curiosity. Instead of 'You should...', try 'What do you think about...?' This invites conversation rather than resistance. Create low-pressure bonding moments. 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Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
Rare albino turtle spotted in freshwater lake in Vadodara; probably seen for the first time in Gujarat, says forest officer
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Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Registered post ‘retires': Bygone postal era ends silently in bylanes
1 2 3 Bhopal:Among the first post-offices in city, the one at Jumerati was built at the end of the 19th century. If you were to visit this mundanely historical site today, you would have to first cross congested by-lanes where there are no cops to regulate traffic and only good samaritans in the area redirect the flow as vehicles drive on the wrong side. Even when you reach the Jumerati post-office, you might pass by and miss it. But when you do end up at the premises, a nearly deserted office with two employees would greet you. The reason: Postal services that once brought joy and a feeling of being seen by people or institutions, a letter of trust or your passport in a registered post, are fading away; assured and tangible acknowledgement being replaced by instant messages on mobiles and a cold distance in real time. The Indian govt has now decided to merge registered post with speedpost. The decline of physical spaces, letters and posts is evident from the state of the oldest post-office, which could've been a heritage site had things been more offline. The end of this era is pronounced more now with the iconic registered post and its physical acknowledgment increasingly becoming a thing of the past. And when it was announced a few days ago that registered post service will be merged with speedpost, the escalation went up a notch. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Substance Found in Pink Salt has Bariatric Effects on Women Over 50 Health & Family Click Here Undo Geeta Gupta, who was a postmaster 35 years ago at a post office in Datia district, and now lives in Bhopal, toldTOI, "The person sending the registered post received an acknowledgment, which is called AD, from the postman like a postcard, that their post has been delivered. I do not know how much of the practice is still adhered to by post offices now but at our time, the person got the AD without fail," While the hallmark of registered post was once reliability, security and accountability, the process of transitioning the speedpost to online servers in the last few days has ironically been marked by a bumpy start: People in the city stood in long and unending queues for the last few days, with some quarrelling with the staff, as the server fluctuated for hours on end. The situation improved a bit on Wednesdayn at TT Nagar post-office but people could be heard complaining about the server delaying their wait time at the post-office GPO near Gandhi Medical College. A staffer at the GPO said, wishing anonymity, "The timing for this server shift could've been chosen at a better time like April when there are no consumers at the post-office. In the Hindi-belt, the festival of Rakhi is celebrated more so that really created issues at the post-offices in Bhopal," And the registered post didn't only hold sentimental value as it is widely used for legal and official purposes, just ask any experienced lawyer in Bhopal, "I've been using registered post for 28 years now and it used to be a reliable way of presenting the acknowledgement of posts in court as it was also admissible, but for the last 10 years or so, the acknowledgements either do not arrive or the postman doesn't deliver them. This move to merge registered post with speedpost may help practically if there's a provision made to incorporate admissibility because registered post as it is wasn't working that well. Right now, we have to do rounds of the post-office to get confirmation from the postmaster while in an earlier era, acknowledgement from a registered post could be submitted in court directly." said CS Tiwari, a lawyer in Bhopal. Mayank Vijaywergiya, a financial consultant, also uses registered post, "There is uncertainty right now about how it'll be merged and how it'll work but the move could speedily send posts," he said. A local shopkeeper, wishing anonymity, said that registered post is cheaper than speedpost at times so he is concerned if higher costs would have to be paid now.
