Battle of Mandalgarh and Banas - Destruction of Bana Mata Temple

Battle of Mandalgarh and Banas was a duel engagement between the Rajput army and Sultanate army in 1442 and 1446. Rajput army was led by Rana Kumbha and Sultanate army was led by Sultan Mahmud Khilji. Battle of Mandalgarh was fought in 1442 AD at Mandalgarh and battle of Banas was fought in 1446 AD at Banas River.

Background

In 1440 AD a battle was fought between Rana Kumbha and Sultan Mahmud Khilji (Battle of Mandavgad). After a severe engagement, the Sultan Khilji’s army was utterly routed. Rana Kumbha captured Sultan Khilji and returned to Chittorgarh. Sultan Mahmud Khilji remained a prisoner in Chittorgarh for a period of six months, after which he was liberated without ransom, by Rana Kumbha.

Sultan Mahmud Khilji, burned with a desire to take revenge on Rana Kumbha and wipe off his disgrace of his defeat in Battle of Mandavgad. Later In A.D. 1442 to invade Haraoti Rana Kumbha left Chittorgarh (Mewar). Finding Mewar unprotected, the Sultan of Malwa (Mahmud Khilji), invaded Mewar.

Destruction of Bana Mata Temple

The Sultan Mahmud Khilji started to Mewar. He arrived at Kumbalmer and prepared to destroy the Bana Mata temple in Kelwara. Deep Singh a Rajput chieftain collected his warriors and opposed the Sultan to protect the temple. Deep Singh repulsed all attempts of the Sultans army to take possession of the temple for seven days. On the seventh day, Deep Singh was killed and the temple fell into the hands of the Sultan. Sultan Mahmud Khilji demolished the Bana Mata Temple to ground and burned the stone image that was kept in the temple. After demolishing the temple, Sultan left a part of his army to take the fortress of Chittorgarh, and advanced to attack Rana Kumbha.

Battle of Mandalgarh

Rana Kumbha heard of these events and left Haraoti. He started to Chittorgarh to fight Sultan, and came upon the Sultam's army near Mandalgarh. A battle was fought here with no conclusive outcome and Sultan returned to Mandu.  A few days later Sultan attacked again, capturing Gagraun and adjoining forts but failed to capture Chittorgarh. The Sultan then fought and lost in the Battle of Mandalgarh. The Sultan was completely crushed and fled towards Mandu.

Battle of Banas

To recover from this disaster, Mahmud started setting up another armed force, and after four years, in October 1446 A.D he ran towards Mandalgarh with a large armed force. Rana Kumbha attacked Sultan while he was crossing the Banas River. Later Rana Kumbha drove Sultan back to Mandu after defeating him in the battle of Banas.

After the Battle

Sultan Mahmud Khilji suffered continuous defeats at the hands of Rana Kumbha. For around 10 years after these defeats, Sultan Mahmud Khilji did not dare to take hostile against Rana Kumbha.