Born in Sixteenth century in Merpur (Rajasthan), Punja Bheel is remembered as a great protector of Bhartiya culture. Initially a chieftain of Bheel tribal community, Rana Punja Bheel later got elevated as the king of Bhomat principality owing to his organizational skills and helpful nature. In 1576 Mewar region faced the threat of Mughal invasion. Maharana Pratap sought the help from Rana Punja and the latter decided to stand by the side of Mewar, giving firm assurance that entire Bheel community was ready to fight for safeguarding the sovereignty of the region.
In the Battle of Haldi Ghati of 1576 Rana Punja invested all his strength and resources for the protection of the country. The Guerilla -warfare that he adopted forced the Mughals to retreat, thereby leaving the battle indecisive. As a tribute the Mewar royal insignia displayed the Bheel symbol on one side and that of the Rajputs on the other. Furthermore, Maharana Pratap bestowed upon Rana Punja Bheel the highest honour of bravery and prowess on the battlefield, that is the title of Rana. He came to be known Rana Punja thereafter!
Maharana Pratap possessed many qualities beyond his prowess on the battlefield that endeared him to his subjects. Besides the confidence of his common subjects, he enjoyed the faith of the rich like Bhama Shah of Jain community and the unstinted loyalty of fierce fighters of a high rank like tribal community of Bheels, the brave bowmen of Bharat.
Inspired by Jain Acharya Muni Ratanasoori, the Kshatriyas of Mewad (Rajasthan) relinquished meat-wine and adopted Jain dharma. They were called Oswal henceforth. Bhama Shah was born in the same Oswal clan to Kawadia Oswal Bharmal, Fort-commander of Ranthambhor fort. When Udaysingh rose to be the Maharana of Mewad, Bharmal was appointed as treasurer of kingdom. From this point, the friendship between Uday Singh’s son Maharana Pratap, and Bharmal’s son Bhama Shah began to take shape.
Bharmal laid down his life fighting for Uday Singh in 1567. Bhama Shah also displayed highest degree of bravery and prowess. For raising the fund for Mewad, Bhama Shah and his brother Tarachand, invaded Mughal territories and acquired over 25 lacs rupees and offered them to Maharana Pratap. The amount given by Bhama Shah helped Maharana Pratap in raising an army consisting of 50,000 Bheel soldiers and other Hindu Rajput soldiers.
Maharana Pratap initiated the battle against Mughals at Diver. His son Amar Singh killed the commander Shahbaz Khan, Akbar’s uncle, and Mughals were driven out of Mewad ultimately. Thereafter Mughals could not win Mewad till Rana Pratap lived. Meanwhile, Bhama shah was promoted to the post of Mahamantri of Mewar. Today in the Royal graveyard of Udaipur lies the sepulcher of Bhama shah.
