A lot many people haven't heard of Samrat Hemchandra Vikramditya popularly called Hemu. However for Hindus he is a beacon, the man who shook the Moslems and was the last crowned King of North India at Delhi.
The Second battle of Panipat
This battle in 1556 is in effect the the last stand of the Hindus against the Moslems. It was fought between s between Akbar the Mughul ruler and Samrat Hemu, the Hindu King at Delhi.
The Hindu General Hemu had won a succession of victories against the Muslims and he entered Delhi and had himself crowned as King in the Purana Quila –the fort built by Sher Shah Suri. It was the first time a Hindu ruler had worn a crown at Delhi in 350 years. This was a poignant moment in Indian history as Hemu ascended the throne in the Purana Quila. Prior to this the great Hemu had shown his prowess on the battlefield and had won 22 successive victories against the Moslems. This is unprecedented in Military History and for the first time the Moslems were scared to face Hemu. This it places Hemu on the pedestal of the great warriors among the Hindus.
Conduct of the Battle
Hemu straight away went on the offensive. Repeated charges by the elephant corps of Hemu soon had the Mughul army in disarray. Despondency set in and the Mughul were thinking of breaking battle and retreating.
Hemu proved he was an able commander as he directed the battle from the vantage point of his elephant skillfully. There is no doubt that Hemu was heading for victory. But then providence took a hand and a stray arrow hit the eye of Hemu and he was rendered unconscious. This had a deleterious effect on his army as the army seeing their commander incapacitated lost heart and frittered away their advantage.
Last Word
The Mughul thus converted a lost battle into victory. After the battle a semi conscious Hemu was brought before Akbar who beheaded him. Some historians claim that Akbar himself did not behead Hemu, but that is inconsequential as he was present there at that time. Akbar and the Mughus thus re-entered Delhi, but the exploits of Hemu earlier on proved that the Hindus were as brave as anybody. Let us salute Hemu !
Hemu or Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya is a forgotten Hindu king in independent India. He needs more attention and importance in education curriculam so that Indians can get more information about him. He was a commoner warrior with great achievements and can be a source of inspiration for youngesters.
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