Maharana Pratap of Mewar | Digav Aaditya Singh Rajput
Maharana Pratap or Pratap Singh (May 9, 1540 – January 19, 1597) was a Hindu Rajput ruler of Mewar, a region in north-western India in the present day state of Rajasthan. He belonged to the Sisodiya sept of Rajputs. In popular Indian culture, Pratap is considered to exemplify the qualities like bravery and chivalry to which Rajputs aspire, especially in context of his opposition to the Mughal emperor Akbar. The struggle between Rajput confederacy led by Pratap Singh, and the Mughal Empire under Akbar, has often been characterised as a struggle between Hindus and the invading Muslims.
"When your intention is noble and strong, you can’t be defeated." - Maharana Pratap
Maharana Pratap protected Mewar from repeated attacks by the Mughals. He never compromised for his pride and glory. Never gave up even in adverse circumstances. This is the reason why no one's story can stand before the bravery of Maharana Pratap.
Height: 7 feet 5 inches; weight: 110 kg. Heavy spear of 81 kg and armour weighing 72 kg on the chest. Even the enemies were convinced of their fighting skills. Who also shattered the pride of Mughal ruler Akbar. Even after continuous efforts for 30 years, Akbar could not make him a prisoner. May 9 is the birth anniversary of such a brave warrior as Maharana Pratap.
When Maharana hid in the forest
Maharana Pratap went and hid in the forest with some companions and kept fighting here by eating roots and tubers of the forest. Maharana again started collecting the army from here. However, by then, according to one estimate, the number of killed soldiers of Mewar had reached 1,600, while the Mughal army lost 3500-7800 soldiers in addition to 350 wounded soldiers. Even after 30 years of continuous efforts, Akbar could not make Maharana Pratap a prisoner. Eventually, Akbar had to give up the idea of capturing the Maharana.
It is said that Maharana Pratap always had two swords weighing 104 kg. Maharan used to keep two swords with him so that if he met an unarmed enemy, he could give one sword to him, because he did not attack the unarmed.
Chetak crossed a 26 feet drain carrying Maharana on his back
Maharana Pratap's horse Chetak was also as brave as him. His horse is always remembered with Maharana. When the Mughal army was following Maharana Pratap, then Chetak carrying Maharana on his back crossed that 26 feet drain, which the Mughals could not cross. Chetak was so powerful that an elephant's trunk was placed in front of his mouth. Chetak gave up his life to save Maharana.
Pratap was the eldest son of Udai Singh II and Maharani Jaywanta Bai. He was a great warrior and expert in war strategy skills. Maharana Pratap protected Mewar from repeated attacks by the Mughals. He never compromised for his Aan, Baan and Shaan. Even in the face of adverse circumstances, she never gave up. This is the reason why no one's story can stand before the bravery of Maharana Pratap.
The chiefs of Mewar proclaimed Maharana Pratap as the ruler of Mewar at 1572 A.D. Pratap, for a long period of 25 years, maintained the independence of his country, single-minded. His path was beset with thorns and he had to undergo many obstacles and tribulations. His two brothers had already joined the Mughals and most of the Rajput rajas had fallen in line with the prince of Amber. In the last sack of Chittorgarh, many Rajput warriors had been killed and the fertile plains of Mewar had been devastated or seized. There was a dearth of both men and money and safer courses for Pratap would have been to succumb to the foreign rule and live in peace and plenty. But Pratap disdained this sort of life and preferred that of hardships and hazards. With his a few faithful followers, his warhorse Chetak, strong and sturdy Bills, and in the later period of his life, his generous minister Bhama Shah, he could turn the tide in his favor and pushed back a colossal army of the Mughals.
The Maharana of Mewar denied any kind of submission to the Mughal Empire. Emperor Akbar desired to expand his empire all over India but failed in his pursuit as he could not conquer Mewar, one of the most important states of Rajput kingdom. Mewar was a connecting link between the territories of Akbar and the trading territories in Gujarat. Akbar managed to bring all other Rajput states and provinces under his ascendancy however; Pratap remained firm and did not compromise his independence.
As Akbar was aware of the valor and prowess of Mewar, he restrained from direct military action, but tightened his hold on the already seized territories. The Rajput princes of Marwar, Amber, Bikaner and Bundi allied with Akbar, sealing the boundaries of Pratap's domain on the north, east and west.
From the year 1572 to 1576, Akbar sent four diplomatic missions to the Maharana and asked him to surrender to the Mughal supremacy. The very first peaceful mission was dispatched under one of Akbar‟s beloved courtiers, Korchi Jalal Khan. He returned to Akbar in November 1572 at Ahmedabad, reporting his incapability to impress the Maharana despite all efforts. Akbar then sent other envoy of distinguished eminence, Man Singh, Prince of Amber. Though he was received with great hospitality, he too failed to convince Pratap to concede to Mughal suzerainty. Not only this, Pratap did not accept the invitation for the feast sent by Man Singh; instead sent his son Amar Singh explaining his absence due to indigestion. Though the event infuriated the emperor, he decided to send yet other mission. The third mission was sent under the father of Man Singh, Raja Bhagwan Dass of Amber who too returned disappointed. The last peaceful mission was dispatched under Raja Todar Mal in winter. However this too proved futile.
On April 3, 1576 Raja Man Singh departed from Ajmer with the able assistance of Asaf Khan, Paymaster General, Sayyad Hashim, Barha, Sayyad Ahmad, Raja Jagan Nath Kachhwaha, Mehtar Khan, commander of Ranthombore and Rai Lun Karan Kachhwaha. The forces pushed on to Mandal Garh to garner chiefs and army along with the organization of the line of Communication.
The Maharana discovered about Man Singh’s preparations and began with his. Pratap had the support of staunch men comprising of Raja Ram Shah of Gwalior along with his sons, Salivahan Bhawani Singh and Pratap; Jhala Man Sajjawat of Delwara, Jhala Bida alias Mana Sultanot of Sadri, Dodiya Bheem of Sardargarh, Rawat Krishna Dass Choondawat of Saloombar, Rawat Sanga of Deogarh, Rwat Netsi Sarangdevot of Kanod, Rathor Ram Dass of Badnor, Barhats Jaisa and Keshav of Soniyana, Sandoo Ram, Sonigarha Man Singh, Bhama Shah and Tara Chand, Purohits Gopinath and Jagannath, Parihar kalian, Mehtas Jaimull, Ratan Chand Khetawat, Rathor Shankar Dass, Rana Poonja, the Bhil Cheifatin of Merpur; and the Afghan, Hakim Soor.
Since, Maharana Pratap had left waste the plains, nothing germane could be extorted and the imperial armed forces had to depend on Udaipur which was already under their rule. In the mid June, Man Singh advanced to Gogunda. The best alternative available with Mewar was to tempt the imperial forces into the hilly terrain, considering the fact that Rana was the champion of Guerilla Warfare. Moreover, the cannon power of Mughals was also futile in the hilly terrains. However, with his astute Pratap gave up the advantage as they were not in a position to undergo the experimental risk. Man Singh’s strategy was to entice Pratap in the open plains also because it was very near to Akbar and he could reinforce any amount of army men as and when required, but all went in vain. Man Singh was left with no choice and had to advance at the foot of Haldi, Molela.
The Bhils always kept Rana Kika (Bhils affectionately referred Maharana Pratap as Rana Kika, Kika meaning son) well-informed about each movement of the rival power. The mughal army then pressed on to Loseeng, some 8 miles south-west of Haldighati. On the night preceding the battle, the Mughal army pushed north eastward to Balicha, separated merely by 6 miles from the rival.
Man Singh subsequently planned to head to Gogunda in a three-pronged movement.
1. The Central forces would take the direct route through Badshahi Bag and the tapered passage of Balicha, Sangath, Haldighati, Kaloda and Loseeng.
2. The Left Wing would proceed from a route running south of it via Unwas and Sembal which would amalgamate with the central forces near Kaloda.
3. The Right Wing would forge ahead from the right bank of river to Daboon and would merge with the central forces near Kaloda.
This three-pronged movement was not only beneficial to circumvent undue delay but also the possibility to run into forces of Pratap in the hilly track which could then be encompassed due to the narrow confines of the valley.
Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan was appointed as the Governor of Ajmer on June 16, 1580 also the commander of Akbar's Mewar campaign. He was sent by Akbar to capture the Maharana, abduct Hindu women and destroy temples. The Khan-i-Khanan leaving his family at Shcrpura led an expedition against the Rana. The Maharana withdrew to his hilly head-quarters of Dholan as the Mirza was proceeding further and fruther to capture him. In the meantime Kunwar Amar Singh by his daring efforts invaded Shernura to divert the attention of the Mughal general. He was also successful in capturing the Rahim's contingent and family inlcuding women. He brought the captured women before Maharana. But Maharana Pratap was very furious.
"Why did you capture these women. Do you not know that we fight Dharmayuddha? If we do this, what is the difference between us (Hindus) and them (Muslims)?"
Maharana ordered Amar Singh to set the women free and return them back to the Mirza's place with all the necessary honour and respect.
When Rahim heard of this, his entire attitude towards his enemy changed. He had a genuine change of heart. He praised the Maharana and Mewar. He also began exploring Hindu Dharma and India. He began writing poems in praise of Krishna. He became more Hindu than Muslim. All the Rahim's Dohas were penned by him. This was the impact of the Maharana.
The First Battle of Dewair, a forgotten war for freedom, was fought between Maharana Pratap and the Mughal in 1582. The Maharana attacked the Mughal stations camped at the village of Dewair. Behlol Khan, the Mughal Commander at Dewair, retaliated against the Mewari forces.
A fierce battle followed, and Behlol Khan was brutally killed by Pratap. His death caused commotion in the Mughal camp, and soon the Mughal soldiers started fleeing the battlefield. The Mewari forces brutally destroyed the Mughals and avenged the damages of Haldighati. The Maharana emerged as the glorious victor, while his son Kunwar Amar Singh also showed exemplary valour in the battlefield.
After victory was sought at Dewair, the Maharana with the vision of recovering and reestablishing his control over Kumbhalgarh, camped at the bamks of a bank near the fortress. The outcome of Dewair frightened the imperial Mughal army to such an extent that they also fled Kumbhalgarh without a fight. The mighty fortress of Kumbhalgarh was regained and restored to the pride of Mewar.
With his powerful army, Pratap led many battles and conquests. He managed to regain control over many forts including Pinsahra, Devair, Udaipur, Komalmir, etc. He relentlessly tried to regain control over Chittor for twenty years but he didn't manage to occupy the fort. And on 19th January 1597, the brave Rana Pratap took his last breath.
In one of his writings on Pratap, the famous British antiquarian Col. James Tod mentioned that, “There is not a pass in the Alpine Aravalli that is not sanctified by some deed of Maharana Pratap – some brilliant victory, or oftener, more glorious defeat.”
This project was the brainchild of Veteran Sangh Pracharak Shri Sohan Singh, who aspired Maharana Pratap to become the icon for the youth of the country. To materialise his vision, the Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Samiti was formed in 2002 and 25 bigha land for the project was purchased in 2007.
The first phase of the project was inaugurated by RSS Sarsangchalak Mohan ji Bhagwat on 28 November 2016. The then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje & Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria were present on the occasion.
Akbar's eyes were also moist on the death of Maharana Pratap
It is said that Maharana Pratap had 11 queens, out of which Ajbde Panwar was the main queen and among his 17 sons, Amar Singh became the successor of Maharana Pratap and the 14th Maharana of Mewar. Maharana Pratap died on 19 January 1597. It is said that even Akbar's eyes became moist on the death of this Maharana.
Whenever we hear or read about Maharana Pratap, the first thing that dawns upon our minds is courage and integrity. Maharana Pratap’s life is replete with countless life lessons for today’s generation and the lessons elucidated below, needless to say, will help youth to dream big and become something in their life-
An attitude of gratitude: Having an attitude of gratitude instils a sense of optimism and creates an urge in us to do something for our motherland. He served his motherland till his last breath and left no stone unturned in upholding the pride and honour of his motherland Mewar.
Dream Big: Rather than being concerned about setting aggressive goals out of fear of failure, our vision should be limitless in order to bring out the best in us and fulfil our big dreams. Success and glory lie in leaving our comfort zone.
Rectitude: He was always renowned for being ethical and righteous. The decision to not surrender to Akbar may not be rational considering his might and army size, but Maharana Pratap knew this well beforehand that morals and ethics lay the foundation of a satisfactory and fulfilling life.
Enthusiasm: Even after being severely wounded in the battle of Haldigathi, he didn’t let the wounds hamper his self-confidence and his wounds strengthened his vows to fight for the independence of Mewar and he ensured high morale of his soldiers.
(Credit and Sources - Wikipedia, history of Maharana Pratap, Rajputs of India, and history of India)
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