Rao Maldeo Rathore (The Lion of Marwar)

Rao Maldeo Rathore (r. 1532–1562 CE) was the formidable sovereign ruler of Marwar described by Mughal and Persian historians as the "Most Potent King of Hindustan" (Badaunji and Nizamuddin). Expanding Jodhpur’s authority over 58 parganas from Nagaur to Merta, Maldeo challenged the Afghan empire of Sher Shah Suri at the Battle of Sammel (1544 CE), causing Sher Shah to utter his famous confession: "For a handful of millet, I had almost lost the empire of Hindustan."