CLASH OF ARMIES, CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS
MUGHAL INFLUENCES ON RAJAS OF UDAIPUR

The history of Mewar is an armed struggle between the Muslim and the Hindu armies. Various stories are there of ancient times. The conquest of Chitor by Sultan Allauddin Khilji in 1296 AD, was the first step of Muslim rule there. Rana Sanga’s defeat at the hands of Emperor Babur is phenomenal in history of the region. Maharana Udai Singh ruled from 1537 AD to 1572 AD. He founded the city of Udaipur in a strategic location. Maharana Pratap refused to succumb to offers of joining hands with the Mughals, not by any alliance or matrimonial relation. It was at the battle of Haldi Ghat in 1576 AD, that finally Maharana Pratap was defeated by Emperor Akbar, and there ended the Hindu dream of containing the Muslim armies.

But this is not about the clash of armies. It is about clash of civilizations in which culture criss-crossed frontiers and both sides started acquiring habits of the other side. In a painting in Govardhan vilas palace, even Rana Sanga is shown n the dress of a Mughal courtier. Mughal Architecture and costumes invaded Udaipur. But with an equation of their own. The ratios different from geometrical equations of Euclid. A detailed analysis can be made of this cultural interaction.

The iconography of Lord Krishna also took place here. In all traditional icons, Krishna is always depicted as black in colour. The change to JAMAN (purple) colour took place and finally to blue colour. This is a most interesting development and we will look into it as a particular research in itself. We here present Mewar miniature portion in which Lord Krishna is dressed as a Mughal Prince, in same Mughal pose as other miniatures, smelling a flower. Surprised. Wait for our next blog for more complete review of same.