Halla Pol (Gate of Disturbance), Kumbhalgarh, the fort's second gateway. It received its name after the Mughal armies led by Emperor AKBAR reached this far into the fort after sacking Chittor (1567/68). See also GATES (POLS) IN UDAIPUR.

Hameer Singh: see HAMIR SINGH.

Hameergarh: see HAMIRGARH.

Hamir Sank (Chauhan) of Ceylon, another name (in fiction) for the father of the legendary Rani PADMINI.

Hamir Singh. Apart from Maharanas Hamir Singh I and II, there were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Bambora (Choondawat); Bambori (Paramara); Banera (Sisodia); Bansra (Ranawat); Bhadesar (Choondawat); Bhindar (Saktawat); Gurlan (Chauhan); Karoi (Ranawat); Kunthawas (Saktawat); Mahua (Ranawat); Meja (Choondawat); Nimri (Machecha Rathore); Sihar (Saktawat), and Tana (Jhala). There was also Kunwar Hamir Singh of JHALAWAR, a descendant of Maharana SANGRAM SINGH I through his son, Prithvi Singh.

Hamir Singh I, Maharana (b. ca 1291, Sisoda-d. 1364, Chittor, aged 73); forty-third ruler of the Mewar Dynasty (r. 1326-1364); succeeded Rawal RATAN SINGH I who died defending the Mewar capital in 1303. Hamir eventually ruled from Chittor. He was of the SISODIA royalty, directly related to the Guhilot family ruler of Mewar, Ratan Singh I. He was the son of Prince ARI SINGH, heir of chieftain Rana LAKSHA SINGH; his mother was the daughter of a poor Chauhan family, whose beauty had attracted Ari Singh. However, he married her secretly and kept her at her father's residence, where Hamir was born and brought up. The boy was little noticed living a rustic life at this maternal abode. Notwithstanding, he must have attracted the attention of grandfather Laksha, as the chief was very fond of Hamir. When Delhi sultan, ALA-UD-DIN KHILJI attacked Chittor (1303), the call went out for all Mewar chiefs to help defend the fort. As was the custom, when a chief replied to such a call, he took his family and retainers along with him on the expedition. Thus Rana Laksha attended Chittor with all of his sons, including his first son and heir, Ari Singh (and his son, Hamir, then aged about 12). Also in the contingent were Laksha's second son AJAI (and his two sons, Ajam and Sajjan). It was evident that every man would be needed to defend the capital; it was also imperative that the royal line be continued whatever the outcome of the imminent battle. The decision was made to send Laksha's second son, Ajai (and his two sons) to safety at Kelwara on Mewar's western border. They also took young Hamir with them with strict instructions from the king and Rana Laksha that, should the worst happen (that not only the king, but also those next in line to the throne, Laksha and his heir, Ari be killed) his beloved grandson, Hamir would be crowned the next ruler of Mewar upon reaching his majority.

Ala-ud-Din Khilji conquered the fort (see CHITTOR 3^RD SACK); Rawal Ratan Singh, Rana Laksha and Ari Singh were among the thousands who were slaughtered. The Mewar kingdom, without an immediate ruler, was in the hands of the new chief of Sisodia, Rana Ajai Singh who gathered together the remnants of Mewar's nobility to form a caretaker government. In their makeshift capital at Kelwara, Ajai Singh and his loyal followers mourned the death of so many family members and the loss of their five hundred-year-old kingdom. Thinking he had destroyed Mewar, Khilji left his young son, Khizra Khan in charge at Chittor, and returned to Delhi. Over the next few years at Kelwara, the Mewari Rajputs managed to mount a small fighting force and began to strike back. Their increasing guerilla sorties against travelling contingents of the Imperial force at Chittor surprised Ala-ud-Din. Ajai had further problems. Isolated in their security and still trying to build up an army, they were considered fair game by marauding Rajput gangs of mountain dacoits (bandits), which infested the Aravallis. Kelwara's camps were constant victims of hit-and-run raids of rape and pillage in which many women lost their honour, and the families lost crops, cattle, money, and often lives. The most formidable of these dacoits was Munja Balicha who had already wounded Ajai in the head with a lance during one encounter. During these counter-attack raids on the dacoits, Hamir learned the tactics of guerilla warfare, and about Rajput chivalry, fairness, and endeavour. He showed an aptitude for bravery and leadership that was far superior to his years that led to Munja's downfall (see MUNJA AND THE ROYAL LADIES).

In subsequent forays against Muslim garrisons, Hamir continued to prove he was a formidable warrior. Some sources say his battle tactics earned him the reputation of being the father of guerilla warfare. Yet another source states that he was the sole Hindu prince of power now left in North India. Ala-ud-Din Khilji was apprehensive of the damage Hamir was doing, especially when a force of the still-existent kingdom began attacking Chittor. He replaced his son, Khizra Khan, with Rao Maldeo of Jalore, a Rajput who had become a vassal of the Delhi Sultanate. Determined to prevent the exiles from raising money and re-forming a more powerful army, Ala-ud-Din ordered Maldeo to impose heavy taxes throughout the state. In 1326, when Ajai was killed in a battle, the Mewar nobles at Kelwara crowned Hamir king of Mewar. After seven centuries, the ruling family's name changed from Guhilot to Sisodia, and Hamir retained his family's title of Rana, enhancing it to Maharana.

Being crowned ruler of this noble family was not a joyous occasion: his was a dynasty in exile, without a capital and without a country. Hamir promised his people he would regain both. The attacks upon Chittor continued and Maldeo, tired of the pillage, gave his daughter in marriage-and eight districts of Mewar that were then in Muslim hands-in the dowry to Hamir. Despite the possibility of it being a trick to assassinate Hamir, the young Maharana married the woman and, with her assistance, regained Chittor (see HAMIR I TAKES A FORTUNATE BRIDE). During his successful 50-year reign, Hamir became a favourite subject of the bards, who virtually attributed him with supernatural powers (see HAMIR I AND THE LEGENDS). Mewar was now the only Hindu kingdom left unfettered in North India; all other Rajput states had succumbed to the Muslim sultans. Hamir continued this honour, and extended his realm by defeating the next Delhi ruler, Mohammed Tughluq when he invaded Mewar. The sultan was imprisoned at Chittor and was released after giving as a ransom the districts of Ajmer, Ranthambhor, and Nagaur, plus fifty million rupees along with five hundred elephants. To resist subsequent Muslim invasions, the Maharana built the steep, zigzag western road into Chittor fort. For the next two hundred years, the glory of ancient Mewar was revived and sustained. The brave lion of Mewar having thus strengthened the foundation of his kingdom, died in 1364, greatly honoured in the annals of the Mewar Dynasty, and leaving a name that is still honoured and loved. His son, KSHETRA SINGH, succeeded him.

Hamir I and the Legends. After recapturing Chittor, Maharana HAMIR SINGH I (1326-1364) became a legend in his own time, the hero, in fact, of several bardic legends. Two of them, investing the Maharana with supernatural powers to make him appear greater than any ordinary man, are recounted here.

1. Hamir and the Sword of Bappa. The first told by contemporary bards concerns the legendary sword of Bappa Rawal, given to the founder of the Mewar Dynasty by the Goddess Durga. When Maldeo offered Hamir the hand of his daughter in marriage, he also sent the young Rana a 'courtesy sword', a traditional mark of respect. Perhaps this was the inspiration of the legend. After Hamir reclaimed Chittor, he found that its former occupants had devastated it. He had occasion to wonder what had happened to the famous sword of Bappa (despite the fact that it had received neither historical nor supernatural mention since those early days.) During his musing, Hamir was summoned by the Goddess Durga to come alone to her cave in the mountains. There, the Goddess informed him to look for what he desired in the vaults below the ruins of the fort. Hamir returned to Chittor and, taking a burning torch, descended the stones steps into the underground chambers. The air was foul, and the floor writhing with snakes. Undaunted, he pressed on into the inner reaches of the chamber, where he came upon the terrifying spectacle of demon females gathered around a steaming cauldron. Some of them had the torso of a woman and the body of a serpent; others were hideous old hags with wild hair and long fingernails that resembled claws. When asked why he was there, Hamir demanded the sword of his ancestor Bappa Rawal that had (supposedly) been left in their trust. Addressing him as "the great son of Mewar", one of the hags dutifully handed him the famous sword of antiquity. Possession of the fabled weapon added to the Maharana's celebrated reputation for strength, wisdom, and authority.

2. Hamir and the Holy Man. The other legend emphasises the high respect in which Hamir was held. Moreover, it made him appear to be a saint. So much so, a mystical liquid was said to emanate from his head so profusely that he slept with a cup beneath his head at night to collect the sacred fluid. A holy man of the time, a saint who had the power to resurrect the dead, visited the town of Chittor below the fort to perform his miracle. This Hamir had to witness for himself. "Don't let the gates to the town be opened until I arrive," he ordered. The following morning, he rode down to where four or five corpses were laid out ready for cremation, and the visiting saint duly brought one of the dead to life. "But there are others," said Hamir. "Why not help them as well?" The saint replied he had the power to resurrect only one corpse. Hamir asked, "If you permit me, may I try?" The permission was given, and Hamir resurrected the others. Suddenly, for a brief moment, the saint saw Shiva, the Hindu god of life and death, standing within Hamir's image; the saintly Maharana and the god were one. Then Hamir warned the holy man, "We are not supposed to indulge in practices that upset nature." Heeding these words of wisdom, the saint immediately abandoned his dangerous powers.

Hamir I takes a fortunate bride. When Maharana HAMIR SINGH I, in exile at Kelwara, was crowned (1326) he became the ruler of a kingdom without a capital, Chittor being in Muslim hands at the time. Unfortunately, he had neither the money nor the horses necessary to enable him to recapture Chittor. Seeking advice, he made a pilgrimage to Dwarka where he consulted Barbari Devi, a lady from the Charan caste (said to possess clairvoyant powers). Barbari told Hamir that her son, Baru would give the Maharana five hundred horses and a similar number of golden coins provided that Hamir accept the first offer of a bride he received. After Hamir returned from Dwarka, Maldeo the chief of Jalore, whom Delhi had appointed as Governor at Chittor, communicated with the Maharana in exile. He courteously offered the hand of his daughter, Rani Songari, in marriage as a peace offering. The Mewar chiefs suspected it was a trick to capture Hamir when he went to Chittor. Nevertheless, the young Maharana was anxious to inspect how Chittor was faring. He had to see if Maldeo was bluffing, otherwise he would never win back his family's historic capital. If it were not a bluff, then the marriage would give him a decided advantage. Either way, once inside the fort, he would know how to mount an attack. Should Maldeo try to hold him, his guards would cut their way to freedom, or they would all die in the attempt. But the attempt had to be dared.

Hamir reached the plain below Chittor with his small force and camped there overnight. He sent word to Maldeo: "The bridegroom has arrived." The following day, he rode up to the fort and was received without ceremony, almost, it seemed, without respect. The marriage ritual was simple and brief, the bride being veiled throughout. Maldeo gave not only his daughter as Hamir's bride, in the dowry he also included eight districts of Mewar that were then in Mughal hands. The newlyweds returned to the camp below, where Songari removed her head covering for the first time. She was not young, and far from being what one might call 'a beautiful, blushing bride'. In tears, she told Hamir that she was a widow ... and not a virgin. (It is interesting to note that widow marriage was unthinkable among the higher caste Rajputs of this period. Perhaps the story uses this unlikely ploy [of marrying off his allegedly widowed daughter] to paint Rao Maldeo in the worst light possible?) She hated her father for his having gone over to the Muslims, and wanted revenge as much as did Hamir. She would help him. On her advice, the Maharana persuaded Maldeo that a clever Rajput court official, Kamdar Moji Ram Mehta (or Jal Mehta), be included in Songari's dowry as an adviser. Maldeo agreed and instructed Moji Ram to give Hamir his complete loyalty and obedience, little realising Moji Ram also hated the traitorous Rao. On reaching the Maharana's camp Moji Ram told Hamir, "If you want to take in hand the work for which you have demanded me, the time is now ripe." The trio began to plot the recapture of Chittor.

Some months passed, then Hamir's wife gave birth to a son, and the plan was set in motion. One morning Hamir and a band of his warriors set out from their camp, ostensibly on a hunting expedition in the hills beyond Chittor. Maharani Songari returned to the fort, with Moji Ram, officially to visit her dear father for a few days and show him his new grandson. While the family reunion was in progress, Moji Ram bribed the fort's guards. The following evening around midnight, Hamir and his force arrived at the fortress. At a given signal, the gates were opened. Maldeo was taken prisoner; any of his men who offered resistance were cut down. By the following morning, the banner of the Mewar Dynasty graced the ancient capital once again, and Moji Ram's name has entered the annals as yet another hero of Mewar. Hamir's recapturing of Chittor from the control of the mighty Muslim Sultanate was an important inspiration for all Indians who suddenly realised that "the sword of the Turks" (the Muslim invaders) was not invincible.

Hamir Singh II, Maharana (b. 1762─d. January 6, 1778, Udaipur), sixty-sixth ruler of the Mewar Dynasty (r. 1773-1778); son and successor, at age 11, of Maharana ARI SINGH II; he ruled for five years from Udaipur. Ari Singh left behind two sons, Hamir and Bhim. Both were minors when they came to the throne: Hamir was aged 11 and died at the age of 16; Maharana BHIM SINGH (1778-1828) was only 10. Hamir being a minor, Maharaj Bagh Singh and Maharaj Arjun Singh looked after the kingdom's administration for a while. Then the Rajmata (Queen Mother), Sardar Kunwar Jhali, took over and acted as Regent for Hamir (and, subsequently his successor, his younger brother, Bhim Singh) and held sway in a Court rife with complicated intrigue and scandal. However, Hamir Singh was well advised; Mewar regained Chittor from invaders and enjoyed a relatively peaceful period during which the State's prosperity was rebuilt. The other states bowed to the young Maharana-he was the only true Hindu king left in India, all others having affiliated with the Mughals. Nevertheless, Hamir's brief reign was far from being uneventful. The old DIWAN (Prime Minister), AMAR CHAND supported a large contingent of mercenaries, the SINDIS (from Sind in western India) who had been installed at Udaipur to help repulse further attacks by the MARATHAS. However, the Sindis began taking possession of the city and exacting their own exorbitant tributes. So Hamir brought in a Maratha leader, HOLKAR who rid Udaipur of the western opportunists, then plundered the city. Conflict developed between the Rajmata and Amar Chand until the latter was poisoned. Elders of the CHOONDAWAT clan, who held the balance of power at Court, continued a civil war with their main rivals, the SAKTAWATS. Hamir Singh II died in 1778, an inexperienced, mother-controlled and quite dispirited 16-year-old. His younger brother, Bhim Singh, succeeded him. By then, with the Rajmata still acting as Regent, Mewar was totally demoralised ... and broke.

Hamirgarh (Hameergarh) (Choondawat), a town 130 km. north of Udaipur in Bhilwara District near the thikana of MANGROP. The estate (jagir) of the descendants of Veeramdeo, a son of Maharana Udai Singh II (1537-1572), their title being 'Rawat'. Bhoj, who succeeded Veeramdeo, also received the jagirs of Gosunda and Athana. Bhoj's second son, Raghunath, also received Langach. At the time of Maharana Ari Singh II (1761-1773), when a majority of the nobles (especially Choondawats) were against the Maharana, Raghunath's great-grandson, Dheerat Singh showed his loyalty and fought in Ari's force against the Maratha Peshwa, Madhav Rao Sindhia. In appreciation of this loyalty, Maharana Ari Singh granted him the jagir of Hamigarh (Bakrol). Dheerat Singh was the right-hand man of Bhim Singh of SALUMBAR. To woo the Choondawats to the Maharana's side to fight the Marathas, Pradhan Somchand and Mokham Singh of BHINDAR summoned Dheerat to Udaipur. The times being unstable and treacherous, Dheerat feared foul play and took along with him to the capital Rawat Pratap Singh of AMET, Arjun Singh of KURABER and other Choondawats. In retaliation, the Maharana advised Jhala Jalim Singh and Ambaji Inglia to attack Hamirgarh. After six months of resistance, Dheerat escaped to join Bhim Singh of Salumbar at Chittor. Hamirgarh was occupied by the Marathas (those fighting for Ari Singh, sent by Jhala Zalim Singh and Ambaji Inglia). After Dheerat's death, his grandson Veeramdeo II succeed him.

Genealogy: Veeramdeo I; Bhoj; Raghunath Singh; Devi Singh; Umaid Singh; Dheerat Singh; Veeramdeo II; Sardul Singh; Nahar Singh; Madan Singh.