• Early in 1576, Akbar moved to Ajmer and deputed Raja Man Singh with a force of 5000 to lead a campaign against the Rana.

• In anticipation of this move, the Rana had devastated the entire territory up to Chittor, so that the Mughal forces might get no food or fodder. He had also fortified all the passes in the hills.

• A furious battle between the two sides was waged at Haldighati below a narrow defile, leading to Kumbhalgarh, which was then the Rana’s capital. Apart from select Rajput forces, the Rana’s van consisted of the Afghan contingent, led by Hakim Khan Sur. Thus the battle of Haldighati was not a struggle between the Hindus and the Muslims, or between the Indians and the foreigners. A small force of the Bhils, whom the Rana had befriended, was also present. The Rana’s forces are put at 3000. The onslaught by the Rajputs and the Afghans threw the Mughal forces into disarray. But the rumours that Akbar had arrived in person rallied them. With fresh Mughal reinforcements, the tide of battle began to turn against the Rajputs. Seeing this, the Rana escaped. The Mughal forces were too tired to pursue him but, after some time, they advanced through the Pass and occupied Gogunda, a strong point which had been evacuated by the Rana earlier.