UDAIPUR: Governor Haribhau Bagde has ignited controversy by claiming Mughal emperor Akbar married a palace maid from Amer, not a princess, challenging centuries of historical consensus and accusing British historians of distorting India's past.
Speaking at Pratap Gaurav Kendra on the eve of Maharana Pratap's birth anniversary Wednesday evening, Bagde said: "It is said that Jodha and Akbar got married and a film was also made on this story. History books also say the same thing but it is a lie."
Bagde said Akbar's wife was not a royal but the daughter of a maid, and while king Bharmal of Amer arranged the marriage, it did not involve a princess. He cited the absence of any reference to Jodha Bai in Akbarnama, the official record of Akbar's reign, to support his claim.
Amer, near current-day Jaipur, was ruled by Kachwaha Rajputs during Akbar's time. The emperor is historically believed to have married Bharmal's daughter in 1569 as part of a strategic alliance. Historians commonly refer to her as Harka Bai or Mariam-uz-Zamani, though popular culture often names her Jodha Bai.
Bagde blamed British historians for reshaping Indian history to diminish native heroes. "The British changed the history of our heroes. They did not write it properly and their version of history was initially accepted," he said, adding that Indian historians later followed suit without scrutiny.
Challenging another long-standing belief, Bagde rejected claims that Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap had ever written a treaty letter to Akbar. "This is completely misleading," he said. "Maharana Pratap never compromised his self-respect."
He criticised disproportionate attention given to Akbar over Indian figures like Maharana Pratap in school textbooks. Bagde praised recent changes in NEP aimed at reclaiming cultural narratives and fostering patriotic values.
Citing improved recognition of Indian warriors, Bagde highlighted the installation of a Maharana Pratap equestrian statue in Sambhajinagar of Maharashtra as a tribute to Rajput valour. He described both Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji as icons of resistance, suggesting they could have reshaped India's destiny.