SUHALDEV PASI

A ruler who gave a crushing defeat to the Ghaznavids, this article is about one of the greatest rulers in India 'Maharaja Suhaldev Pasi' of the kingdom of Shrawasti in modern day Uttar Pradesh.

BACKGROUND

India was attacked and looted by Muslim rulers such as Mahmud Ghazni in the 11th century. Mahmud Ghazni is known to have looted India over 17 times. It was difficult for Indian rulers to create a solution to protect India from foreign powers during such a turbulent time.

GHAZI MASUD

In the aftermath of Mahmud Ghazni's death, Ghazi Masud succeeded him as ruler of Ghazni. Masud was a skilled commander who had earned practical experience in warfare through his uncle. He was 11 when he accompanied his uncle to loot the temple of Somnath in Gujarat. In his wake, Masud wanted to follow the same path he had begun with Mahmud Ghazni. Having amassed a force of over 100,000 soldiers, Masud had set out to plunder and capture northern India

Masud began his plan by grabbing Delhi under his grasp. That time Delhi was ruled by Raja Mahipal Singh Tomar. Masud attacked Delhi but lost many of his men in the battleground. Luckily he got a backup army from Ghazni which led to his success in Delhi. It followed with a narrow victory in Meerut and a decisive win in Kannauj. His win in Kannauj fueled his army with massive amount of wealth. This allowed him to build a military camp for further expeditions. Later he followed with a successful expedition in Mahilabad. After Mahilabad, Ghazi Masud turned towards the pilgrimage town of Satrikh. Satrikh was an important town for Hindus. It is said that Guru Vashishtha had taught Ram and Laxman in the town of Satrikh. He successfully invaded Satrikh, and shifted his military base here. This helped him to further gain control of Bahraich, Mahina, Varanasi, Karra and Manikpur.

MAHARAJA SUHALDEV PASI AND THE BATTLE OF BAHRAICH

During this era of Turkic invasion, Shravasti was ruled by a Hindu ruler Maharaja Suhaldev Pasi. A brave yet intelligent ruler, he was aware of the blunder caused by the Muslim invaders in the Indian territory in past. Maharaja Suhaldev Pasi wanted to give an ultimatum to Salar Masud. It is said that once, Maharaja found a small Turkish army camp en route. He gave a surprise attack to the Turks and gained decisive victory. By this incident, he learnt that Turkish army cannot withstand surprise attacks. As Ghazi Masud was advancing further towards Shravasti, Maharaja Suhaldev Pasi was preparing to give him a lasting defeat.

Masud then turned towards Shravasti. Maharaja Suhaldev Pasi asked Masud to leave India several times, but he refused. Suhaldev now wanted play his own cards, he created a fresh alliance of armies of local chieftains of Shravasti and even Raja Bhoj of the kingdom of Malwa joined in for the same. Ghazi Masud started to march towards Ayodhya. He got a negative response from his commanders trying to prepare a siege at the Dhundgarh fort. Masud now even had to send his religious teacher to Dhundgarh hoping for a quick success. It was said that no non-Muslim could escape his religious teacher's sword until that person agreed to convert to Islam. But he was slain in Dhundgarh. Masud's army was not able to continue the campaign in Ayodhya and his commander was besieged in Bahraich. Masud turned towards Bahraich. Maharaja Suhaldev Pasi considered this as an opportunity to halt the Ghaznavid invasion in India, for once and for all. Both armies faced off in Bahraich. The strong army of 120,000 men of Shravasti army pounded on the right-wing of the Ghaznavid army and slayed important commanders like Mir Nasirullah. Salar Miya Rajab, a close relative of Salar Masud was slain by Suhaldev's army. Masud nearly escaped the first wave of men, but was caught by the reserved forces. Finally, Maharaja Suhaldev Pasi shot his arrow and beheaded Ghazi Salar Masud. Even after his death the Shravasti forces slayed every last enemy in the battlefield.

CONCLUSION

This battle led to a major halt for foreign invasion in India for over 150 years. It is said that after the battle the great Maharaja Suhaldev Pasi was killed by Miyan's commander Syed Ibrahim. But victory of Shravasti over the Ghaznavids proved the strength of Indian kingdoms as well. This tale is a forgotten truth, often considered as a myth by many.