Siege of Mandsaur

01Gujarat strikes back

Sultan Muzaffar Shah II sent Malik Ayaz, governor of Sorath and the founder of Diu’s defences, with a strong force and artillery against Mewar. Mahmud Khalji II of Malwa, who had once been Sanga’s prisoner, joined him. They chose Mandsaur, Sanga’s outpost in western Malwa, held by his officer Ashok Mal. The guns opened a breach in the wall, but the garrison held, and Rana Sanga came up to Nandsa, a few marches away.

02A siege abandoned

In the Gujarat camp Malik Ayaz and the noble Kiwam-ul-Mulk fell out over whether to storm the fort or fight the Rana. Ayaz opened talks instead. Peace was made, the siege was given up and the army went home, where the sultan was displeased with Ayaz. Mewar had held its ground against Gujarat and Malwa together, and Sanga’s reputation stood higher than ever. Mahmud Khalji went back to Mandu with nothing gained.

Place · Ancient Dashapura on the Shivna; Gupta-age inscriptions of 436 and 532 CEMandsaur (Dashapura)Old Dashapura of western Malwa, where a guild of silk weavers built a Sun temple in 436 CE, and where Yashodharman raised victory pillars after defeating the Huna Mihirakula. Today it is best known for its eight-faced Shivalinga of Pashupatinath, found in the Shivna river.Read →