I want to make a realistic Rajput empire TL. What is the single most best date for the divergence .

mad orc

Banned
Greetings fellow alt historians,

I wish to write a TL where the Rajputs become powerful. Not necessarily the most powerful, but at least they make the list of top 5 powers in India.

For that I need your help.

Here are some questions that I need answered .

1)What are some good divergence points between Rana Kumbha and Rana Sanga's rule?
2)What are some realistic weaknesses of the Rajputs and how to overcome them ?


My TL would be as detailed as I can make it while not compromising on fun.
It will also include music for you to get in the mood.

So please answer this two questions.

If you have something else to contribute, then also you are most welcome.

Thanks.
Have a nice day .
 
There are three major PODs at which the Rajputs could have created a Pan-Indian Empire.

1) 12th Century: The Chauhan Dynasty, based out of Delhi, was easily the most powerful Rajput state that ever existed. Prithviraj III Chauhan is your best bet at creating a lasting Rajput state, he just has to win the Battle of Tarain and kill Mohammed Ghuri.

2) 16th Century: By the time of Ibrahim Lodi's rule in the 1520s, Maharana Sangram Singh of Mewar is another solid candidate. He beat the Gujarat Sultanate, and had a real chance at beating Babur. In fact, it seems likely that he would likely have toppled the Lodis in a few years if the Mughals had not invaded. Rana Sangha's coalition had every major Rajput state except Gwalior in it. Heck he even had Muslim Rajputs of Mewat and Afghans join under his banner.

3) Also 16th Century: The famous and probably doomed cause of Maharana Pratap, facing off against Akbar. Alhough he was outgunned by the Mughals in most respects, he was stil a more dangerous and potent foe then he often gets credit for. In fact, if the Battle of Haldighati was avoided and he had conducted a guerrilla war from the beginning, he may well have kicked the Mughals out of Mewar-Marwar-Malwa Region (the Rajputana highlands). A Rajput Shivaji, if he had been dealt a more favourable hand.
 

mad orc

Banned
There are three major PODs at which the Rajputs could have created a Pan-Indian Empire.

1) 12th Century: The Chauhan Dynasty, based out of Delhi, was easily the most powerful Rajput state that ever existed. Prithviraj III Chauhan is your best bet at creating a lasting Rajput state, he just has to win the Battle of Tarain and kill Mohammed Ghuri.

2) 16th Century: By the time of Ibrahim Lodi's rule in the 1520s, Maharana Sangram Singh of Mewar is another solid candidate. He beat the Gujarat Sultanate, and had a real chance at beating Babur. In fact, it seems likely that he would likely have toppled the Lodis in a few years if the Mughals had not invaded. Rana Sangha's coalition had every major Rajput state except Gwalior in it. Heck he even had Muslim Rajputs of Mewat and Afghans join under his banner.

3) Also 16th Century: The famous and probably doomed cause of Maharana Pratap, facing off against Akbar. Alhough he was outgunned by the Mughals in most respects, he was stil a more dangerous and potent foe then he often gets credit for. In fact, if the Battle of Haldighati was avoided and he had conducted a guerrilla war from the beginning, he may well have kicked the Mughals out of Mewar-Marwar-Malwa Region (the Rajputana highlands). A Rajput Shivaji, if he had been dealt a more favourable hand.


Please elaborate on Rana Sanga.

Supposing he wins at Khanwa, what does he do ?

Does he claim Delhi as his own or install a puppet Lodi government?

Also. Would he use the title of Maharajah or Maharana?
 
His response is dependent on two factors:

1) How competent is Mahmud Lodi?
My belief is that the Lodi state was a rotten door waiting to be kicked down. Ibrahim Lodi was an incompetent imbecile and his next of kin were somehow even more degenerate, basically non-entities. Any Lodi puppet on the throne would not be long for the world. Rana Sangha would crowned himself Samrat Vikramaditya II within a few years.

2) How stable is his coalition?
I would say pretty stable except the Purbia Rajputs. Marwar had been reconciled through marriage and the rest of Rajputana was fully in line, including the Muslim Rajputs of Mewat, except for the Raja of Gwalior who would certainly have paid for his treason by having Gwalior annexed into the Sisodiya royal demesne. The primary challenge to his rule came from the Purbia Rajputs under Raja Silhadi, whose defection had turned the tide at the Battle of Khanwa by giving Babur a numerical majority. Next he would have to face the Suri Afghans under the formidable Sher Khan of Bengal, who OTL toppled Humayun and wiped the Mughals from India (till his death at least).

The rest; Malwa and Gujarat Sultanates were weak and had already been subdued by him with just his Mewari army. He is probably the POD you can find the most amount of information on. IMO your most realistic candidate as well.
 
Top