Udaybhan Rathore

Udaybhan Singh Rathore was a Rajput military officer of the Bhinai Thikana (comprising 84 villages) in Ajmer, Rajasthan. He was a direct descendant of Rao Chandrasen Rathore, the last independent ruler of Marwar, who famously resisted Mughal emperor Akbar throughout his life without forming any alliance, unlike several other contemporary Rajput rulers.

In recognition of their military services, the Bhinai family was granted the hereditary title of Raja by the Maharaja of Jodhpur in 1783. The family continues to reside in Ajmer, with Raja Sh. Mayuraj Singh as a present-day descendant.

Historical Context: Battle of Kondhana (1670)

The Battle of Kondhana, fought in 1670, is widely remembered for the death of Tanaji Malusare, a close associate of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. However, the Rajput commander opposing him, Udaybhan Rathore, has become a figure of controversy and historical distortion.

After the Treaty of Purandar (1665), the Mughal general Jai Singh I of Amber gained possession of several hill forts previously held by the Marathas. Lacking sufficient manpower to garrison all the forts due to his upcoming Bijapur campaign, Jai Singh personally took over key locations such as Purandar and Kondhana. Udaybhan Rathore was appointed by Jai Singh as the fort commander of Kondhana.

In 1670, Tanaji Malusare launched a surprise night assault on the fort. A fierce battle ensued, during which both Tanaji and Udaybhan were killed. The Marathas ultimately captured the fort.

Evolution of Myth: From History to Folklore

The earliest account of the battle appears in the Sabhasad Bakhar, a Maratha chronicle written nearly 30 years after the battle. Udaybhan is mentioned respectfully as a brave commander, and no demonization of his character is found.

Later works like the Chitnis Bakhar (c. 130 years after) and Grant Duff’s History of the Mahrattas (1826) echoed the same narrative, portraying Udaybhan as a loyal warrior of the fort with no negative traits.

However, during the British colonial period, fictional elements began to creep into the story. A Powada (folk ballad) attributed to Tulsidas Shahir depicted Udaybhan in an exaggerated and negative light—claiming he:

Ate enormous quantities in one sitting,
Had 18 wives and 12 sons,
Converted to Islam,
Cried “Allah” on his deathbed,
Was perennially drunk and cruel.

None of these claims are corroborated by any historical source.

Literary and Cinematic Expansion

The Powada laid the groundwork for even more fictionalizations:

Hari Narayan Apte, in his 1903 novel Gad Aala Pan Sinh Gela, introduced Kamal Kumari, a Rajput widow whom Udaybhan allegedly kidnapped.
Apte further concocted that Udaybhan was an illegitimate son of the Rana of Mewar and adopted the Rathore surname, a baseless claim unsupported by any genealogical or historical evidence.
Acharya Chatursen followed this version in his Hindi novel Sahyadri ki Chattane.
Several Marathi films made before Indian independence adopted similar storylines.
The 2020 Hindi film Tanhaji, directed by Om Raut, heavily drew from this fictional narrative. The censor board removed the most offensive depictions, including a scene where Udaybhan allegedly kills his mother and references to his Rajput identity.

Historical Reevaluation

Despite popular portrayals, the historical reality remains that Udaybhan Rathore was a Rajput commander appointed by Jai Singh, carrying out his duty in a politically complex time. Just as Shivaji, Shahaji (Shivaji's father), and Sambhaji (his son) had previously allied with the Mughals, so too did Udaybhan serve under a Mughal general.

The vilification of Udaybhan represents a broader trend of mythologizing historical narratives for regional or political ends. It reflects a selective memory where Rajput figures are sometimes demonized, despite historical nuance.

Legacy and Appeal

There is growing concern among historians and descendants of the Bhinai and Badanwara branches of the Rathore family about the distortion of Udaybhan's legacy. Calls have been made to correct the narrative and honor Udaybhan Rathore as a duty-bound warrior, rather than a fictional villain crafted through layers of folklore and popular media.