Born in Rewari village near Delhi in an ordinary Hindu family and rose to challenge and defeat Afghan, Uzbek and Mughal, established his own Kingship. This is not a day dreaming folklore, but a truth which had been deliberately curtailed and hidden from the reach of History students.
Popularly named as Hemu, He was coronated as King of Delhi as Hemchandra Vikramaditya. Though a Brief Stay, yet outstanding warrior of his time.
Mughal Historian Badauni and Abul fazl were Akbar court poets. Akbar was defeated by King Hemchandra Vikramaditya in the famous battle of Delhi on 7th Oct 1556. Besides Akbar, even Humayun had lost the battle against Hemchandra Vikramaditya at Agra. So the Mughal memory and description about Hindu Hemu had been curtailed and distorted. It was natural given the animosity and hatred Mughal story writers carried for Hindu legends.
Unfortunately Indian left historians followed these story writers verbatim. They were convinced enough to ignore making a scientific analysis before narrating the true history of India. An unstated ideology which glorified Invader and condemned Hindu Kings was the reason behind these willful distortion.
Very little is known about the humble origin of King Hemchandra Vikramaditya, but he had a troubled childhood. At a very young age he joined a business of Trading and Merchandise Sales. Not very sure yet references are there about him engaged as a Saltpeter trader.
Accidental death of Sher Shah Suri in 1545 and subsequent fratricidal killing among his Afgani descendents brought prominence of one Adil Shah among the Afghani. Adil Shah being himself a debauched and drunken leader, hardly could he justify the state duty. Hemchandra Vikramadity has arisen from the status of a local trader to a warrior leader and then commander of army in no time. He was audacious and determined. His ability to make strategic martial decisions had catapulted his position. He quickly brought the control of the military under his disposal. All administrative duties related to the affairs of court in terms of appointment, assignment of duty, intelligence, revenue and military were brought under his command.
Hemchandra Vikramaditya was a legendary warrior. He undertook a total 22 military expedition leading from the front from Punjab to Bengal and soon the entire area was brought under his command.
His gallantry in 22 victories in those viciously fought war in such a short span of time was unheard. He spearheaded his military to defeat some of the notable Generals of his time.
Henu was now in absolute control of the territory between Punjab to Bengal. He defeated Mughal and brought in both Gwalior fort and Agra fort under his command. His military acumen had humbled all his contemporary rivals.
Beyond Agra, Hemu’s proceeded towards Delhi to challenge the Mughal head on. The famous battle was fought at Tuglaqabad in 1556. Tardi Beg Khan and Pir Muhammad Sharwani the two Mughal General of Mughal Akbar ramp up their preparation but were no match to the Hemchandra military ability. He ravaged the Mughal with his 1000 elephants, 50000 horses and 51 canon. The defeated Mughal hurriedly pulled back or decimated the battlefield.
The victory at Tuglaqabad in 1556 led to his coronation of the title of Vikramaditya. He issued an order to mint coins with his name inscription and title in his territory.
Historians have lots of conflict among themselves while narrating this incident, yet no one questioned the credibility of Hemchadra Victory over Mughal and his coronation with title of Vikramaditya.
It is no ordinary gallant that he fought against Afghan, Uzbek, and Mughal all through life. And defeated three Mughal Akbar, Humayun and Kamran in his military expedition.
Following the coronation of Title Vikramaditya Hemchandra and power at Delhi, the northern western frontier of Delhi came in direct conflict with Mughal invaders.
Defeated, Shocked and shaken in disbelief Bairam Khan the Guradian of Akbar decided to pull back all his soldiers and wage another battle. The battle ground was at Panipat. It is also known as the second battle of Panipat in 1556. The battle hardy military of Hemchadra Vikramaditya was strategically placed. Hemchandra himself was leading the battle from the central position. The Hemchadra army had advantage, it had overpowered the two wings of Mughal. The Bairam khan and Akbar had positioned himself in the rear overseeing the impending loss and destruction. The central flank where nearly 120 elephants were causing mayhem to Mughal army was bringing most damage to the adversary. Amidst this optimism of victory the ill luck stuck. A wayward arrow struck Hemchadra in his head causing him to slip into an unconscious state. Sensing the trouble of the King, the army lost the battle gear. The panicked army finally ran away to safety. The Elephant of Hemchandra Vikramaditya was chained and King himself was caught in unconscious stage. The Bairam Khan decapitated him.
An era of a sprouting Hindu elegance just finished. Hemchandra Vikramaditya who was successful in restoring the glorious Vedic civilizational Values at Delhi, could not pursue it to glorious height.
The legacy of Hemchandra Vikramaditya was erased. He was among those illustrious sons of soil who understood the cultural and civilizational ethos. He had belief in Sanatan institutions and Sanatan value. It is despite that he carried noble, large hearted Hindu morality and ethical value, he successfully fought with barbarian desert invaders.
He was a distinguished Warrior and King, who had not been given his due he deserved. It is unfortunate that modern India and Hindu Society had not responded and valued his great legacy. Recently a token memorial has been erected for him at Panipat now known as Hemu’s Samadhi Sthal. However, it is too little and too late.
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