How Giasuddin Khilji Used Cows to Defeat Bir Singh of Bengal; Jauhar of Bengali Women in 1226

How Giasuddin Khilji Used Cows to Defeat Bir Singh of Bengal; Jauhar of Bengali Women in 1226

Bir Singh

Islamic invasion of Bharat is not only a horrible story of bloodshed and mayhem, but also a saga of many chivalrous men and women who chose death over dishonour. After consolidating their position in Northern India the slave Sultans of Delhi concentrated over territorial expansion and gathered an army of marauders and freebooters from across Middle East and central Asia, under the leadership of Muhammad Bahkhtyiar Khilji. Thus inflicting a brutal onslaught upon the eastern part of the country.

The North Western frontier of Bengal was then ruled by a local Hindu chieftain named Bir Singh. He was a minor when Bakhtiyar Khilji’s army attacked. He along with his two siblings and mother accompanied by a faithful servant of their royal house escaped the pillage committed by the victorious Islamic army after capturing their kingdom. They settled in a remote part of Bengal. On attaining adolescence, Bir Singh established a vast kingdom.

A fortified city was constructed in Birsinghpur near the town of Suri (which is now the administrative headquarters of Birbhum district in West Bengal). The newly built capital city was adorned with palaces and temples (the temple of Goddess Kali still exists).

temple of Goddess Kali visited by Bir Singh

Shrine of Goddess Kali visited by Bir Singh; the temple premise has been renovated and constructed over the years, but the shrine existed since Bir Singh’s kingship

Bir Singh gained popularity among his subjects and his fame spread far and wide. Within few years of his reign, Birsinghpur turned into a prosperous city.

Bir Singh successfully repulsed a Turkish invasion, led by Muhammad Sehran Khilji in 1205 and preserved his sovereignty. He badly defeated the Turkish army. In 1226, once again the cloud of misfortune loomed over the skies of Birsinghapur as the Turkish Sultan of Gaur, Giasuddin Iwaz Khilji launched an expedition against Raja Bir Singh.

Giasuddin Iwaz Khilji became Sultan of Bengal in 1208 during the infighting of the Khilji Maliks. He was dethroned by Ali Mardan Khilji in 1210. Giasuddin Iwaz resumed power as Sultan after the death of Ali Mardan Khilji after two years, i.e. in 1212. He shifted his capital from Devkot to Gaur and ruled till 1227.

Excerpt from ‘Birbhum Rajbangsha’ in Bengali by Mahimaniranjan Chakravarti

The first wave of attack was repulsed by the army of Bir Singh and the Turks realized that through conventional warfare tactics, it was impossible to vanquish the chivalrous King of Birbhum and his men. Hence they hatched a nefarious plan to capture the fortified city of Birsinghpur the second time.

On a fateful night of 1226, cattle were gathered in field around the citadel of Birsinghpur by the Turks. The invading Turkish army under Giasuddin Iwaz Khilji placed themselves in the middle of the bovine congregation. Each horn of those ill-fated animals were wrapped with a piece of cloth soaked in flamable liquid. The horns were lit up as the battle was about to begin. The cattle started charging towards the defending army of the Hindus.

Excerpt from ‘Birbhum Rajbangsha’ in Bengali by Mahimaniranjan Chakravarti

Cow is sacred to the Hindus, so Bir Singh and his men stood idle, anticipating that any kind of defensive measure could harm the “Gaumata”. The Turks slaughtered each and everyone. The king sacrificed his life and kingdom to preserve his religious notions.

The victorious Turkish marauders vandalized the city. The queen and the other women observed the ritual of self immolation following the rich, chivalrous traditions of Rajput women.

We know about Jauhar committed by Rajput women. Rani Padmavati and several thousand Rajputinis committed Jauhar in 1303 after the city fell in the hands of invader Alauddin Khilji; Jalore Rajput women committed Jauhar in 1311 after the city fell in the same Khilji’s hands. Rani Karnavati of Chittor, the widow of Rana Sanga self immolated with other brave Rajputinis in 1535 after the city was conquered by Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat. In 1568 princesses and Rajputinis of Chittor committed Jauhar after Akbar laid siege of the city.

The brave women of Birsinghpur including the queen of Bir Singh chose death by self immolation rather than being disgraced in the hands of the Muslim enemies who were renowned for their barbarism. It was the year 1226, one of the earliest records of Jauhar in India. The large tank where the Bengali women self immolated, still exists, bearing the testimony of the death defying valour of our ancestors.

Featured image courtesy: The Quint and YouTube.

Ref:

1. Birbhum Rajbangsha, Mahimaniranjan Chakravarti

2. Oral tales from village elders in Birbhum.

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