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Overview
Alha and Udal, the two fearless and brave Rajput warriors, were brothers and generals in Maharaja Paramal court who ruled Mahoba during the Rajaputana period of 12th century. During that period and after, and in today's modern time, there have been various contributions in print or visual content depicting the bravery of the two Rajput brothers. This page documents some of the contributions in both print and visual format.

Mahoba - Alha Udal ki Mahagatha
This book, Mahoba: Alha Udal ki Mahagatha was published in 2017. The author of this book is Dr. Sudha Chauhan 'Raj' who, as per the book is a resides in Mahoba. Dr Sudha had completed her M. A. in History. In her introductory chapter, she called this priceless book a shodh-poorna granth (research based book). Before authoring this book, she spent 7 years researching, collecting information and had read a number of books (you can find all the details in the book).

Mahoba ke Raajvansh
The book documents how the Chandela dynasty originated from Chandra Brahma, from its first ruler Nannuk to the first state of Mahoba in 800 AD to the last Chandela ruler Kirtivarman II (the father of Queen Durgavati in 1545 AD). The neighbouring states of Mahoba have been discussed in detail about the relations of Mahoba State with those states etc. In various chapters throughout in her book, Dr Sudha presented very detailed and research based references on Alha Udal.

As per the author, this readers, especially the students who are doing research work on Mahoba or Bundelkhand could use it for reference. This is the first book to give a detailed.

Madhya Kalin Mahoba
The book, 'Madhya Kalin Mahoba' mentions in detail the political, religious, economic and architecture of medieval Mahoba. The buildings of which temples and monasteries were built during that period have been described along with their kings. In various chapters throughout in her book, Dr Sudha presented very detailed and research based references on Alha Udal.

The Lay of Alha, a Saga of Rajput Chivalry
During the British reign in India, an english officer, Sir George Abraham Grierson authored 'The Lay of Alha, a Saga of Rajput Chivalry' which was published in 1923 England by the Oxford University Press, the largest university press in the world and the second oldest after Cambridge University Press. The work for this book was initiated first by Sir Charles Elliott and then by Mr. William Waterfield. Finally Sir George Abraham Grierson was the one who dedicated himself to bring it to its final publication state.

About Sir Charles Elliott
Sir Charles Elliott, a diplomat in Farrukhabad during the British raj formed a team of minstrels during the 17th century. He mana the role of employing 3 - 4 minstrels, one of whom compiled a complete set of the entire cycles of Alha’s veer gatha from their joint memories. Prior to it, the veer gatha was passed on from one generation to another by their predecessors.

Sir William Waterfield
The work done by Sir Charles Elliott and his team was later on partly translated by Mr. into english by Mr. William Waterfield

About Mr Waterfield - he was born in 1832, raised in England and highly educated and proficient in in Persian, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, and Bengali, and was awarded medals for Urdu, Bengali, Hindi, Persian, and Arabic, and Degrees of Honour in Bengali, Sanskrit, and Hindi. He retired from a very high post - Comptroller General of India.

He was the author of ‘Indian Ballads and other Poems’ and ‘Hymns for Holy Days and Seasons’ as well as other poems that have not been printed.

Sir William Waterfield also authored “The Nine Lakh Chains” periodical which was featured in the Calcutta Review press.

Sir George Grierson (The Author)
Sir George Grierson (worked in Indian Civil Service) is the original author of “The Lay of Alha”. He had sent a letter to Mr. Waterfield obtained a copy of “The Nine Lakh Chain” periodical published in the Calcutta Review. Unfortunately Mr. William Waterfield had already passed. All the veer gatha translated compilation work done by Mr. William Waterfield was handed over by his son, Peter Waterfield to Sir George Grierson which helped him to complete the translation and make it ready for Oxford Press University for publishing. The title of the book was “The Lay of Alha”, which in hindi means, “Alhakhand”. This book was the third volume of “Studies in Rajasthani Folk Legends”.

Handbook on Rajputs
A book on Rajputs origin, history, geographical distribution, their religion, custom and festivals was authored by a British office, A. H. Bingley. It was first published in the year 1899. In the book, the background of Banafar Rajput, their association to Mahoba during Maharaja Parmal Chandel rule and their final battle with Prithviraj Chauhan is documented.

Sabse bade ladiyaa
In 2013, Doordarshan, India's national public broadcasting aired a serial called 'Sabse bade Ladiya'.

Naulakha haar
A feature film, titled 'Naulakha haar' was released in 1953. This film was co-directed by B. Shukla and H. Bhatt under the banner of Ratnadeep Pictures. Meena Kumari, Nirupa Roy, Jeevan, Durga Khote, were the main cast in the movie. The plot of the movie is around the 'Naulakha haar' (Nau - 9, Lakha - lakhs, haar - necklace).

Jagnik (Alhakhand)
Every king used to have its own poet, called as raajkavi in their court. The raajkavis used to describe the bravery and goodness of their king in the form of poetry, verses, couplets. This used to be the history of that king. All these raajkavis were brave and skilled in the art of warfare. They used to fight with the king when needed. The rajkavi greatest quality was their devotion and loyalty to his king.

Jagnik was raajkavi in Maharaja Parmal Chandel's court and a prominent poet among the contemporary 12 century poets when it comes Alhakhand composition. He was also Alha's trusted friend. Alhakhand contains descriptions of 52 battles fought by Alha Udal. It total, there are 68 chapters in Alhakhand.

Chandrabardaai (Prithiviraj Raso)
Similarly, raajkavi Chandbardai lived in the court of Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan. He was his friend in gurukul from the age of seven and also his loyal. Raajkavi Chandbardai has composed a poem called Prithiviraj Raso. It has 2500 pages and 69 chapters.