Who was the only Hindu king who ever ruled the Delhi throne?
VerifiedAnswer: Hemu
Explanation:
Hemu, also known as Hemchandra Vikramaditya, holds the unique distinction of being the only Hindu king to ever rule from the Delhi throne. His reign, though brief, marked a significant moment in Indian history when Hindu rule was restored to Delhi after centuries of Muslim dominance.
Born around 1501 CE in Rewari (present-day Haryana), Hemu came from a humble background. His father was a food supplier, and Hemu initially worked in the spice and saltpeter trade. Despite his modest origins, he possessed exceptional military and administrative skills that would eventually lead him to the throne of Delhi.
Hemu's rise to power began when he entered the service of Islam Shah Suri, the son of Sher Shah Suri. He quickly proved himself as a capable administrator and military commander. After Islam Shah's death in 1554, Hemu became the chief advisor and general under the young ruler Adil Shah Suri. During this period, he demonstrated remarkable military prowess by winning 22 consecutive battles across northern India.
The opportunity for Hemu to claim the Delhi throne arose in 1556, following the death of Humayun. The Mughal Empire was in a state of uncertainty, with the young Akbar barely 13 years old and the empire's control weakening. Hemu seized this moment and launched a campaign to capture Delhi. On October 7, 1556, he successfully defeated the Mughal forces at the Battle of Tughlaqabad and entered Delhi as a conqueror.
Upon capturing Delhi, Hemu was crowned as Vikramaditya, reviving the ancient Hindu title that symbolized the restoration of Hindu rule. His coronation was celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Hindu population, who saw him as a liberator who had freed them from foreign rule. For a brief period, it seemed that Hindu sovereignty had been restored to the heart of northern India.
However, Hemu's reign was tragically short-lived. The Second Battle of Panipat on November 5, 1556, proved to be the decisive encounter. Hemu led his forces against the Mughal army commanded by Bairam Khan, who was acting as regent for the young Akbar. The battle was closely contested, and Hemu's forces initially had the upper hand. Unfortunately, during the height of the battle, Hemu was struck in the eye by an arrow and fell unconscious. This turned the tide of the battle, and his demoralized troops fled the battlefield.
The wounded Hemu was captured and later executed, bringing an end to his remarkable but brief reign of approximately one month. His death marked the end of the last Hindu rule over Delhi until India's independence in 1947. Despite the brevity of his reign, Hemu's achievement remains historically significant as he represents the courage and determination of Hindu resistance against foreign rule during medieval times.
