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Achalpur: The Lost Capital Where Mughal Legend Raja Man Singh Breathed His Last

Achalpur: The Lost Capital Where Mughal Legend Raja Man Singh Breathed His Last
Achalpur: The Lost Capital Where Mughal Legend Raja Man Singh Breathed His Last

Located in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region, Achalpur stands as a remarkable testament to India's medieval past. This ancient city, formerly known as Ellichpur and Illychpur, carries within its boundaries the weight of centuries and the stories of numerous dynasties that shaped the Deccan's political landscape.


The most significant of these stories concerns the death of Raja Man Singh, the legendary Mughal general whose final chapter unfolded in this historic settlement.


The city's strategic importance has been recognised since the 8th century when it served as an early capital for a branch of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. Archaeological evidence suggests that Achalpur witnessed a significant battle between the Rashtrakutas and the Kalachuris in the 9th century, establishing its military importance in medieval India.


The earliest authentic historical reference to the city dates to the 13th century, when it was recognised as one of the prominent cities of the Deccan plateau.


Medieval Significance and Political Transformations


Achalpur's emergence as a major political centre began during the 13th century when it became entangled in the expanding ambitions of the Delhi Sultanate.


In 1294, the city found itself at the centre of a major military campaign when Alauddin Khilji, nephew of Sultan Jalaluddin Khilji, invaded the Deccan with the objective of subjugating Devagiri.

Khilji's forces halted at Ellichpur, establishing military camps that would serve as the launching point for his assault on the wealthy Yadava kingdom.


At that time, Ellichpur was under the control of Raja Ramchandra Dev of Devgiri, making it a strategic outpost of the Yadava kingdom positioned on the Maharashtra border.


The subsequent defeat of Devgiri led to a treaty whereby the annual income of Elichpur province was granted to Khilji to support his military presence in the region. This arrangement continued until 1307, when Ramchandra stopped sending the required taxes, prompting another military intervention.


Though tributary to the Delhi Sultanate after 1294, Achalpur remained under Hindu administration until 1318, when it came directly under Muslim rule.


The transformation of Achalpur into a major Islamic centre began in 1347 when the Berar region came under the control of the Bahmani Sultanate.

However, the most significant development occurred in 1490 when Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk proclaimed his independence from the declining Bahmani Sultanate and founded the Imad Shahi dynasty of the Berar Sultanate. He proceeded to establish his capital at Ellichpur, transforming the city into the seat of power for an independent kingdom.


The Berar Sultanate and Architectural Heritage


Under the Imad Shahi rulers, Achalpur flourished as a capital city, witnessing significant architectural and cultural development.


The capital of the Berar sultanate was fortified and developed with numerous palaces, mosques, and defensive structures.


Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk, originally a Kannadiga Hindu who had been captured as a boy by Bahmani forces and raised as a Muslim, proved to be an able administrator and builder.

He established the capital at Ellichpur and fortified important positions including Gavilgad and Narnala.


The city retained its status as the capital of the Berar Subah at various intervals until the Mughal occupation, when the seat of the provincial governor was eventually moved to Balapur.


Despite this administrative change, the town retained many architectural relics of the Sultans of Berar, with the ruined palace of Hauz Katora, located three kilometres west of Achalpur, constituting the only notable surviving Imad Shahi monument from this period.


The Berar Sultanate came to an end in 1574 when Murtaza Nizam Shah of Ahmadnagar invaded the kingdom.


The last ruler, Burhan Imad Shah, faced both internal rebellion and external aggression, ultimately leading to the annexation of Berar by the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. This political transformation brought Achalpur under new administrative control while maintaining its strategic importance in the region.


The Death of Raja Man Singh and Mughal Connections


The most significant event in Achalpur's later medieval history was the death of Raja Man Singh I, one of the most distinguished generals of the Mughal Empire.


Man Singh, born on 21 December 1550 in Amber (modern Jaipur), was the 24th Raja of Amber and served as one of Emperor Akbar's most trusted commanders.

He was among the famous Navaratnas, or nine gems, of Akbar's royal court and played a crucial role in expanding and consolidating the Mughal Empire across various regions.


Raja Man Singh's military career spanned over five decades, during which he fought important campaigns for Akbar, including the historic Battle of Haldighati against Maharana Pratap in 1576. He served as governor of several provinces, including Kabul, Bihar, Bengal, and Orissa, demonstrating his administrative capabilities alongside his military prowess. His achievements in conquering Bihar and Orissa were particularly noteworthy, as these campaigns brought significant territories under Mughal control.


During the Ahmadnagar campaign under Prince Khusro, son of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, Raja Man Singh was leading military operations in the Deccan region.


The campaign proved to be his final undertaking, as during their return journey from the military operations, Maharaja Man Singh died a natural death on 6 July 1614 at Ellichpur.

Historical accounts consistently record that his death was due to natural causes rather than battle injuries or other violent circumstances.


Following his death, the local rulers erected a cenotaph in Maharaja Man Singh's honour at Achalpur, positioned near the step well named Mandaleshwar well. This memorial structure served as a tribute to the distinguished general's service to the Mughal Empire.


The original cenotaph was later reconstructed by order of Maharaja Man Singh II of Jaipur in 1936, ensuring the preservation of this important historical monument for future generations.


Urban Structure and Fortifications


The medieval city of Achalpur was designed as a fortified settlement, surrounded by strong walls and defensive structures that reflected its strategic military importance.


The city's fortifications included six high gates, each decorated with intricate carvings that demonstrated the architectural skills of medieval craftsmen.


These gates, known by specific names including Dulha Darwaza, Khidki Darwaza, Jeevanpura Darwaza, Malipura Darwaza, Bundelpura Darwaza, and Hirapura Darwaza, served both defensive and ceremonial purposes.

The Dulha Darwaza, built approximately 300 years ago, bears an inscription indicating it was constructed by Ismail Khan.


The gate derives its name from the path it provides to the Dargah of Dulha Rahman, demonstrating the integration of religious and civic architecture within the city's design. The fortifications outside the main city include another gate with an inscription stating it was built by Sultan Khan's son Nawab Ismail Khan, indicating the continuing investment in the city's defensive infrastructure over multiple generations.


The engineering sophistication of medieval Achalpur is evident in its water management systems. Walking around the fort reveals sewage channels constructed under the ramparts and water channels designed to supply the city from external sources.


During the Bahamani period, water was systematically supplied to seven different locations within the city through an engineered distribution system, demonstrating advanced urban planning capabilities for the medieval period.


Economic Foundations and Trade Networks


Achalpur's prosperity during the medieval period was built on its strategic location and agricultural wealth.


The city served as a major trading centre for cotton and forest produce, taking advantage of its position on important trade routes connecting various regions of the Deccan.

The surrounding area's rich black cotton soil provided abundant agricultural output, while the proximity to the Melghat forest region supplied valuable timber resources.


The modern administrative structure of Achalpur reflects its continued importance within Vidarbha. As of the 2011 census, the Achalpur Municipal Council governs a population of 112,311, making it the second most populous city in Amravati District after Amravati itself, and the seventh most populous city in Vidarbha. The broader Achalpur Taluka encompasses 279,479 people across urban and rural areas, with a sex ratio of 943 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 88.99 percent.


The demographic composition shows Hinduism as the majority religion at 54.55 percent, followed by Islam at 39.51 percent, Buddhism at 4.86 percent, and other religions comprising smaller percentages. The substantial Muslim population reflects the city's historical significance as a centre of Islamic rule during the sultanate period. Schedule Castes constitute 16.8 percent of the population while Schedule Tribes account for 9.8 percent, indicating the diverse social composition of the region.

Contemporary economic activities in Achalpur continue to reflect its historical foundations in agriculture and trade. The city remains an important centre for cotton ginning and pressing, taking advantage of the region's continued cotton production. The proximity to the Melghat Tiger Reserve has created opportunities for eco-tourism development, while the area's agricultural produce includes fruits such as oranges, mosambi, guava, lime, and bananas, contributing to the local economy.


The historical significance of Achalpur extends far beyond its role as the place where Raja Man Singh died.


The city represents a crucial link in understanding the political evolution of medieval India, from its early importance under Hindu dynasties through its transformation into an Islamic capital and eventual integration into the Mughal administrative system.

The architectural remnants, including the fortified gates, the cenotaph of Raja Man Singh, and the ruins of medieval palaces, provide tangible connections to this remarkable past while the continued urban development reflects the ongoing vitality of this ancient settlement in modern Maharashtra.


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The NewsDirt is a trusted source for authentic, ground-level journalism, highlighting the daily struggles, public issues, history, and local stories from Vidarbha’s cities, towns, and villages. Committed to amplifying voices often ignored by mainstream media, we bring you reliable, factual, and impactful reporting from Vidarbha’s grassroots.

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