Siege of Bhatner

Siege of Bhatner in 1398 was a military event where Timurid forces, led by Amir Timur, besieged the Bhatner fort which was held by a Bhati Rajput chief, Rai Dul Dhand. Dul chand offered submission and fort was taken by Timur.^[1]

Siege of Bhatner
Bhatner fort
Date 1398 AD Location Bhatner fort, Rajasthan 29.5863°N 74.3254°E / 29.5863; 74.3254 Result Timurid victory
Belligerents
Timurid empire	Bhati Rajput
Commanders and leaders
Timur	Rai Dul Chand
Strength
10,000 cavalry	outnumbered by the Timurids
Casualties and losses
unknown	10,000 killed

Siege

Timur advanced towards the fortified settlement of Bhatner, with a force of 10,000 cavalry to capture the stronghold.^[2] Upon reaching Bhatner, Timur strategically deployed his forces, appointing Prince Khalil Sultan and Shaikh Muhammad to command the left wing for an assault on the fort, while he positioned himself at the center of the army. The Timurid forces launched a coordinated attack from all sides, successfully breaching the defensive walls and overpowering the Rajput defenders, resulting in significant casualties among the Rajputs. Rai Dul Chand, the Rajput leader, organized his forces at the fort’s gate to resist the Timurid onslaught. In response, Timur ordered Prince Shah Rukh, Jahan Malik, and Amir Sulaiman to attack Dul Chand’s forces.^[3]

The ensuing battle saw fierce combat, the Timurids ultimately prevailed, inflicting heavy losses on the Rajput defenders. Perceiving the imminent loss of the fort, Rai Dul Chand submitted to Timur.^[4][5] The following morning, Dul Chand was expected to pay homage to Timur which he didn't do, prompting Timur to renew the attack. A second, intense confrontation ensued within the fort, during which the Timurids decisively defeated the Rajputs. Dul Chand, facing overwhelming defeat, sought mercy from Timur.^[6]

Subsequently, tensions arose when several Rajput leaders and local Rais failed to meet the terms of ransom payments, leading to further conflict with Timur’s collectors. Upon receiving reports of this defiance, Timur marched to punish those Rajputs.^[7][8] In a desperate act of resistance, some Rajputs shut their own houses, set fire and immolated themselves. The Rajputs then launched a bold but ultimately futile assault against the Timurid forces. The Timurids repelled the attack, killing approximately 10,000 Rajputs and seizing substantial spoils, including valuable goods and treasures.^[9][10]

Aftermath

After achieving victory over Bhatner, Timur arrived in Sarsuti. He sent his forces against the people of Sarsuti but they fled away and Timurids chased them and slaughtered them, women and children taken as prisoners^[11][12]