Man Singh Jhala (c. 15 May 1542 – 18 June 1576), popularly known as Jhala Manna and Jhala Bida was the Rajrana of Badi Sadri in Mewar during the reign of Maharana Pratap and a military general his army who fought against Mughals and pretended to be Maharana Pratap during the Battle of Haldighati.[1][2] In Mewari folk tales he is also called as Jhala Sardar.[1][3]

Man Singh Jhala
Rajrana
Jhala Sardar
Stamp portraying Jhala Manna, published by govt of India
Rajrana of Bari Sadri
Reign1568-1576
Coronation1568
PredecessorRajrana Surtan Singh
SuccessorRajrana Deda Singh
Born15th May, 1542
Kingdom of Mewar
Died18 June 1576
Haldighati  
Names
Man Singh Jhala
Jhala Manna
Jhala Bida
DynastyJhala dynasty
FatherRajrana Surtan Singh
MotherRani Sem kunwar
ReligionHinduism
Military career
Allegiance Kingdom of Mewar
Battles / warsBattle of Haldighati  

Biography

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Jhala Manna was born into a Hindu Jhala Rajput family of Bari Sadri to Rajrana Surtan Singh Jhala and Rani Sem kunwar on 15 May 1542.[4] He learned battle tactics in the same Gurukul as Maharana Pratap. After the death of Surtan Singh during Akbar's Siege of Chittorgarh in 1568, Manna was coronated as the Rajrana of Bari Sadri.[5][6]

Role in Battle of Haldighati

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Manna was one of the leading commanders in the Battle of Haldighati. Manna along with his 400 men joined Maharana Pratap at Gogunda and led the left wing of Mewari army.[7] During the battle Manna charged upon the right wing of Mughal army, composed of Sayyids of Barha under Sayyid Hashim. A large number of Sayyids were slaughtered by the Jhalas, and Sayyid Hashim was severely wounded.[8][7][1]

When Maharana Pratap got severely wounded, Jhala Manna snatched the Royal insignia and Umbrella and donned it. Manna pretended to be Maharana in the entire battle and sent Maharana Pratap outside the battle field with the help of Hakim Khan Sur.[9][7] Jhala Manna along with his 150 soldiers martyred in the final battle at Rakt-talai. This act of bravery saved Maharana Pratap as well as the future of Mewar.[9]

Legacy

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Chhatri of Man Singh Jhala

The place where Jhala Manna died was named as Bidarana by Maharana Pratap and a Chhatri was built in remembrance of Manna.[10]

Seven generations of Jhala dynasty of Bari Sadri including Jhala Manna sacrificed their lives for the Maharanas of Mewar, they were given 1st position in the Udaipur Durbar.[11]

 
Stamp displaying Jhala Manna, published in 2017 by Govt of India

Govt of India released a Stamp displaying Jhala Manna on it in 2017[12]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa & Company. ISBN 978-81-291-0890-6.
  2. ^ Tod, James; Payne, C. H. (2022-10-27). Tod's Annals of Rajasthan; the Annals of the Mewar. Creative Media Partners, LLC. ISBN 978-1-01-589206-4.
  3. ^ Srivastava, Pramendra (2023-01-05). Sacred Mysteries: Shedding Illusions off Religions. Notion Press. ISBN 979-8-88883-650-7.
  4. ^ Mahiyāriyā, Nāthūsiṃha (1976). Jhālā Māna. Pratāpa Śodha Pratishṭhāna.
  5. ^ Somani, Ram Vallabh (1976). History of Mewar from Earliest Times to 1751 A.D. Ranka.
  6. ^ Paliwal, D. L. (2004). Jhālā rājavaṃsa: Baṛīsādaṛī Ṭhikāne kā itihāsa. Rājasthānī Granthāgāra.
  7. ^ a b c Mathur, M. N. (1981). Battle of Haldighati (in Hindi). Rajasthani Granthagar.
  8. ^ Mankekar, D. R. (1976). Mewar Saga: The Sisodias' Role in Indian History. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 978-0-7069-0416-1.
  9. ^ a b Sharma, Gopi Nath (1954). Mewar & the Mughal Emperors (1526-1707 A.D.). S.L. Agarwala.
  10. ^ Hooja, Rima (2018). Maharana Pratap: The Invincible Warrior. Juggernaut. ISBN 978-93-86228-96-3.
  11. ^ Bayley, C. S. (2004). Chiefs and Leading Families in Rajputana. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-81-206-1066-8.
  12. ^ "18-6-2017: Jhala Manna A commemorative postage stamp - Buy Indian Stamps - Philacy". Retrieved 2024-09-14.