THE GREAT RANA SANGA

battle of Gagron

Following the death of the Sultan of Malwa, Nasir-ud-din-khilji, a succession struggle erupted amongst his sons. Mahmud Khalji II emerged victorious, primarily with the aid of the Rajput chief Medini Rai. The latter amassed considerable influence, resulting in the enmity of the Muslim nobles, with even the new sultan finding it necessary to appeal to Muzaffar Shah II of Gujarat. A Gujarati army was dispatched to Mandu, held by Medini Rai's son, and besieged it. The Rajput chief, in turn, appealed to Rana Sanga for aid, who then marched his army into Malwa, reaching Sarangpur. However, Mandu was captured by the Gujaratis, prompting Sanga to return to Mewar alongside Medini Rai, who was then employed in his service,

In retribution for them entering his territory, Mahmud marshaled an army against the Mewaris and marched it through Gagron. Sanga advanced with a large army from Chittor reinforced by the Rathors of Merta under Rao Viramdeva and met Mahmud, accompanied by the Gujarat auxiliaries under Asaf Khan. The Mewari cavalry made a charge through that of the Gujarati, with the surviving men scattering. They subsequently did the same to the Malwa army, resulting in a decisive victory. Mahmud was wounded and taken prisoner, with most of his officers had died and his army decimated. Asaf Khan's son was killed, though he himself managed to escape

Sanga subsequently took control of Gagron, as well as the regions of Bhilsa, Raisen, Sarangpur, Chanderi, and Ranthambore. Mahmud was kept captive at Chittor for 6 months, though the Rana himself is said to have personally tended to his wounds. He was subsequently allowed an "honorable" return to his own lands, though one of his sons remained at Mewar as a hostage. The Sultan later sent Sanga a jeweled belt and crown as gifts.