Kumbhkaran Singh (1417–1468), popularly known as Maharana Kumbha, was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mewar in medieval India. He belonged to the Sisodia clan of Rajputs. It was during his reign that Mewar became one of the most powerful political powers in northern India. He is considered to be one of the most powerful ruler of his time in South Asia.

Rana Kumbha was born at Madariya, in a Hindu Rajput family of Sisodia clan. Kumbha was a son of Rana Mokal Singh of Mewar by his wife, Sobhagya Devi, a daughter of Jaitmal Sankhla, the Paramara fief-holder of Runkot in the state of Marwar. He was the 48th Rana of Mewar and succeeded Rana Mokal Singh in the year 1433 CE as the ruler of Mewar. During his minority his regents were his Grandmother, Dowager Queen Hansa and his Great Uncle, Ridmal. Hansa was known to have been the primary educator of Kumbha during his youth and had considerable influence over him during his reign.

When Kumbha ascended the throne he had inherited whole of Mewar which consisted of Chittorgarh, Kumbhalmer, Rajsamand, Mandalgarh, Ajmer, Mandsaur, Idar, Badnore, Jalore, Hadoti, Dungarpur and Banswara. Kumbha then increased the possessions of Mewar by fighting 56 battles in his whole life in which he was said to have lost none. His conquest included Jangladesha, Sapdalpaksha, Marwar, Sarangpur, Narwar, Haravati, Ranthambore, Visalpur, Abu, Sirohi, Gagraun and the Muslim sultanate of Nagore. He also humbled the Sultans of Malwa and Gujarat many times in Battles of Sarangpur, Nagore, Mandalgarh and Banas.

War against Malwa Sultanate

As one of the assassins of Mokal, Mahpa Panwar, was sheltered by the Sultan of Mandu, a demand for his person was made by the Maharana, but Mahmud Khilji refused to surrender the refugee. The Maharana prepared for hostilities and advanced to attack Mandu. The Sultan advanced with a powerful army to meet Kumbha. Both armies met at Sarangpur and the battle commenced is known as battle of Sarangpur. After a severe engagement the sultan's army was defeated and sultan was forced to flee to the fort of Mandu, following the victory Rana Kumbha laid siege to the fort of Mandu and captured the sultan, who was later freed. Rana captured the areas of Gagron, Ranthambore, Sarangpur, and Narwar from the Malwa Sultanate. He also annexed region of Hadoti. In the coming years Sultan made several attempts to revenge his defeats in the battle of Mandalgarh and Banas but every time he was defeated.

War Against Marwar

Kumbha's father was assassinated of his own kins named Chacha and Maira. However, with the help of King of Marwar Rao Ranmal Rathore who was Kumbha's father Mokal's uncle and his guardian, he was able to defeat the murderers of his father and secure the throne of Mewar for himself. Due to the growing powers of Rathores in Mewari court which was detested by his courtiers and subjects alike, and Ranmal's bad influence, Kumbha had Ranmal assassinated. With the assassination of Ranmal, Kingdom of Marwar too fell into the hands of Kumbha. It took Jodha, son of Ranmal, several years to re-conqueror Marwar from Kumbha. The Delhi sultanate also took advantage and captured Nagaur, Jalore and Siwana. Jodha eventually captured Merta, Phalodi, Pokran, Bhadrajun, Sojat, Jaitaran, Siwana, parts of Nagaur and Godwar from the Delhi Sultanate and Mewar. In 1453 AD, he was able to capture his ancestral capital of Mandore from Mewar. After the capture of Mandore, Marwar and Mewar signed a treaty through which peace was restored. Rao Jodha's daughter was also married to Rana Kumbha's son Raimal. According to Mewari accounts it was rani Hansa Bai of Mewar who arranged for peace between her grandson Kumbha and nephew Jodha.

Conquest of the Nagore Sultanate