Dogra warrior Rattan Dev and Chandan Dev
In 18th century, Jammu dominated all the hill kingdoms in the surrounding. It was sovereign state under the suzeranity of Maharaja Ranjit Dev. Mughal reign of the Delhi asked Dogra Feudal lord to accept the vitality of Mughals which was refused resulted in conflict and Ranjit Dev was treacherously imprisoned by Mughal Commander Aslam Beg when he was gone to Dina Nagar to meet him. With the imprisonment of their Feudal Lord, the political set up of all the hill state was under turmoil. Younger Brother of Ranjit Dev, Ghansar Dev took reins of kingdom his hands and after meeting with the courtiers he ordered his two committed soldiers, Rattan Dev and Chandan Dev to go to Mughal Court and watch the condition. The warriors were told to act cunningly and whatever possible make pact with Mughals. Chandan Dev and Rattan Dev reached Dina Nagar next day; approached Subedar Aslam Khan and asked him to release their king.
Aslam Khan was politician of calibre and wanted to exploit the talent of Dogra warriors in his favour, hence he told them that Dogras are being told to be men of steel, and that he wanted to see some great deeds done through them. Mughals have attacked Mandi Suchetgarh many times but everytime they were defeated by chivalrous soldiers of Raja Bhoop Chand. He told that if they want to have their king set free then Raja Bhoop Chand should be defeated by them. The great warriors didn't take decision immediately as they knew with whom they were to fight were also Dogras and it was not easy to defeat the great army of Raja Bhoop Chand with few soldiers that they have brought with them from Jammu. Moreover, his soldiers have defeated Mughals several times.
They were in divided mind. On the one side there was their loyalty and on the other side their respect and valour. They couldn't decide anything. When they reached Royal Durbar next morning, they met with a challenge. A sword and a Pan were kept before them to choose one of them. They well knew their meaning. To accept pan meant the acceptance of dominance of Mughal Durbar on Jammu Raj for ever and to accept sword meant an equal status but with valour. All the courtiers were waiting their response. Rattan Dev came forward with a bit thoughtful gesture picked up the sword. This was great applause by the courtiers in favour of two great dogras.
The next day with their cavaliers, they left Dina Nagar for Mandi Suchetgarh.
When Mandi Suchetgarh was still 27 miles away, Bhoop Chand came to know about the invaders and he collected his men and reached the other side of river Satluj in the evening. At night Bhoop Chand alongwith his valiant brothers Ludhar Singh, Bahadur Singh, Devi Singh and his wazeers Dhan Shah and Ram Shah, with their soldiers crossed the river and attacked the invader forces. The first attack was on Aslam Beg 's camp, he was so frightened that he at once left the camp on his horse. His men also followed him.
Rattan Singh was sitting on the asana to worship his deity then Ludhar Singh attacked him but Chandan Dev stopped him with his sword and cut down his fingers. Rattan Dev left both of them fighting in camp and followed the Aslam Beg, he catched him and told him to return back otherwise he will be killed by Rattan Dev himself. Therefore, no alternative left for him and he came back.
Meanwhile, all the three brothers of Raja Bhoop Chand get killed in fierce in battle by Chandan Dev, Rattan Dev and Roop Singh( nephew of Rattan Dev). Then, Raja Bhoop Chand alongwith his two wazeers came in field with fierce elephants instigated by toxins. But Dogra soldiers not only killed the two wazeers but also made the elephants to bow to their wishes. Bhoop Chand was left with no choice but surrender. He was asked to accept the Mandi Suchetgarh Kingdom under the suzeranity of Mughal Durbar but he refused by saying he would accept the dominance of Jammu Kingdom as it was annexed by Jammu forces. Rattan Dev made him to understand that they did this for Mughals to get their king be freed and at right time they will help him to end the suzeranity of Mughals over his Kingdom.
When Jharia Khan, the Mughal Governor of Punjab came to know this victory, he freed Ranjit Dev and he was safely brought to Jammu; Chandan Dev and Rattan Dev was then honoured by Maharajah Ranjit Dev for their great deed.
#D565
Aslam Khan was politician of calibre and wanted to exploit the talent of Dogra warriors in his favour, hence he told them that Dogras are being told to be men of steel, and that he wanted to see some great deeds done through them. Mughals have attacked Mandi Suchetgarh many times but everytime they were defeated by chivalrous soldiers of Raja Bhoop Chand. He told that if they want to have their king set free then Raja Bhoop Chand should be defeated by them. The great warriors didn't take decision immediately as they knew with whom they were to fight were also Dogras and it was not easy to defeat the great army of Raja Bhoop Chand with few soldiers that they have brought with them from Jammu. Moreover, his soldiers have defeated Mughals several times.
They were in divided mind. On the one side there was their loyalty and on the other side their respect and valour. They couldn't decide anything. When they reached Royal Durbar next morning, they met with a challenge. A sword and a Pan were kept before them to choose one of them. They well knew their meaning. To accept pan meant the acceptance of dominance of Mughal Durbar on Jammu Raj for ever and to accept sword meant an equal status but with valour. All the courtiers were waiting their response. Rattan Dev came forward with a bit thoughtful gesture picked up the sword. This was great applause by the courtiers in favour of two great dogras.
The next day with their cavaliers, they left Dina Nagar for Mandi Suchetgarh.
When Mandi Suchetgarh was still 27 miles away, Bhoop Chand came to know about the invaders and he collected his men and reached the other side of river Satluj in the evening. At night Bhoop Chand alongwith his valiant brothers Ludhar Singh, Bahadur Singh, Devi Singh and his wazeers Dhan Shah and Ram Shah, with their soldiers crossed the river and attacked the invader forces. The first attack was on Aslam Beg 's camp, he was so frightened that he at once left the camp on his horse. His men also followed him.
Rattan Singh was sitting on the asana to worship his deity then Ludhar Singh attacked him but Chandan Dev stopped him with his sword and cut down his fingers. Rattan Dev left both of them fighting in camp and followed the Aslam Beg, he catched him and told him to return back otherwise he will be killed by Rattan Dev himself. Therefore, no alternative left for him and he came back.
Meanwhile, all the three brothers of Raja Bhoop Chand get killed in fierce in battle by Chandan Dev, Rattan Dev and Roop Singh( nephew of Rattan Dev). Then, Raja Bhoop Chand alongwith his two wazeers came in field with fierce elephants instigated by toxins. But Dogra soldiers not only killed the two wazeers but also made the elephants to bow to their wishes. Bhoop Chand was left with no choice but surrender. He was asked to accept the Mandi Suchetgarh Kingdom under the suzeranity of Mughal Durbar but he refused by saying he would accept the dominance of Jammu Kingdom as it was annexed by Jammu forces. Rattan Dev made him to understand that they did this for Mughals to get their king be freed and at right time they will help him to end the suzeranity of Mughals over his Kingdom.
When Jharia Khan, the Mughal Governor of Punjab came to know this victory, he freed Ranjit Dev and he was safely brought to Jammu; Chandan Dev and Rattan Dev was then honoured by Maharajah Ranjit Dev for their great deed.
#D565
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