The Great & Brave Right Hand Of Right Hand Of Maharana Pratap of Mewar.
Bhama Shah (1542-1600) was a noted general, minister and close aide of Maharana Pratap.
Bhama Shah was born in 1542 -was a Jain of Kavdia Gotra in Oswal caste. His father Bharmal Kavdia was Qilledar of Ranthambore Fort appointed by Rana Sanga and was later Prime Minister under Maharana Udai Singh.
Bhama Shah was a great general, adviser, minister of Mewar, who was later promoted to post of Prime Minister of Mewar by Maharana Pratap, to whom he served as close aide and confidant. He along with his younger brother Tarachand fought in several battles for Mewar. Tarachand who was four years younger to Bhama Shah was also an able administrator, valiant fighter and commanded the forces of Mewar on several occasions like his elder brother Bhamashah.
Both of them were noted for their statesmanship, war skills, patriotism, and generosity. After Battle of Haldighati, when Maharana Pratap had no resources at all to carry on the fight. At this point of time, Bhama Shah and his brother Tarachand presented their wealth consisting of 20,000 gold coins and 2,500,000 rupees to Pratap, who was overwhelmed. They, being skilled in war skills and patriotism, attacked Mughal army camps and won a lot of wealth from Mughals; from which they partially financed Pratapjee. With this help, Pratap could organize an army and carry on his further fights against Mughals.
Bhama Shah was promoted to the post- Prime Minister, by Maharana Pratap. Whereas, Tarachand was appointed as a Governor of 'Godwad' after the battle of Haldighati in which he also fought bravely side by side of BhamaShah.
Tarachand governed the region of 'Godwad' very ably up to the time of his death. He was given an independent charge of this region and hence was bestowed the title of 'Thakur'. 'Sadri' was founded by Tarachand where he had constructed many buildings. 'Sadri' is considered as the gateway of Mewar to Marwar.
Bhama Shah died in 1600 at the time of his death he was in-charge of Mewar's treasury under Amar Singh I. Descendants of Bhamashah also served as prime ministers of the Maharanas of Udaipur for a few generations. His son Jiwashah was the chief during the rule of Maharana Amar Singh, and grandson Akshayraj was the prime minister during the rule of Maharana Karan Singh and his descendant Rana Jagat Singh. His descendants still live in Udaipur.
