Maharana Pratap, one of the most celebrated Rajput warriors in history, is renowned for the honour, integrity and dignity he showed while dealing with the Mughals, especially Akbar. He died on 19th January, 1597 after sustaining an injury. This day is marked to remember the hero, who did not stoop to the Muslim rule and kept fighting for the rights of his land and kingdom.
Early Life
Maharana Pratap was born on May 9, 1540, in Kumbhalgarh Fort, Rajasthan. He was born as the eldest son of Udai Singh II and Maharani Jaiwanta Bai. His father was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mewar. His capital was at Chittor. He was born as the Crown Prince because he was the first son. In 1567, the capital, Chittor was surrounded by the Mughal forces of the emperor Akbar and Maharana Udai Singh left the capital and moved with his family to Gogunda. He wanted to stay back and fight but the elders of the family refused, and he was convinced that leaving Chittor was the best solution. His father set up a temporary government of the kingdom of Mewar in Gogunda.
Accession To Power And Reign
In 1572, Udai Singh died, and Prince Maharana Pratap ascended the throne as king and ruler because he was the crown prince. He ascended the throne as Maharana Pratap, the 54th ruler of Mewar in the line of the Sisodiya Rajputs. Before his father died, he had nominated his younger brother Jagmal Singh to become the Crown Prince, but he was weak, a drunkard and inefficient. The elders and seniors in the royal court preferred Pratap to become their king. Jagmal was mad, and so he swore that he would revenge and so he left for Ajmer to join the armies of Akbar. Jagmal obtained a jagir (the town of Jahazpur) in return for his assistance. The Mughals took control of Chittor after the Rajputs left.
Akbar wanted to rule all over Hindustan, and so he sent diplomatic missions to Maharana Pratap for an alliance. In 1573, Akbar sent six diplomatic missions to Mewar, but Maharana Pratap turned down all of the missions. He was not interested in an alliance with Akbar. Akbar’s efforts to negotiate a peace treaty angered him, and he resorted to war to take over Mewar. In 1576, he nominated Man Singh and Asaf Khan I to lead a force against Maharana Pratap
Maharana Pratap vs Akbar
In 1567, Mughal ruler Akbar surrounded Chittorgarh, but as long as Akbar’s army harmed Uday Singh and his family, they had fled. But the 27-year-old Kunwar Pratap wanted to face the enemies, but the family came to the foothills of the Aravalli Mountain with them.
Other examples of bravery and loyalty were shown by Pratap’s General Jhala, and his brother Shakti Singh. When Pratap had to escape, Jhala took his place and disguised himself like the Maharana, to prevent the Mughals from knowing that he had left the war. Jhala was eventually killed. On the other hand, Shakti Singh, even though fighting against the Rajputs, helped his brother Pratap by offering his horse, after Chetak died.
Maharana Pratap’s conviction and will are still spoken of with great pride. Even though, the battle did not win him Chittor, it did show Akbar the prowess of Maharana Pratap. The Mughals, in fact, lost more in the battle than Pratap did.
The Battle of Haldighati
The Battle of Haldighati, between Maharana Pratap and Akbar is remembered with great pride among the Rajputs (and Indians). This war not only displayed Pratap’s courage and integrity, but also showed the loyalty of his supporters, including his horse, Chetak. It all began in 1573, when Maharana Pratap was alienated by his “kith and kin” at the behest of Akbar. Mewar was isolated as well. Two of Pratap’s brothers were believed to have joined the opposite forces.
Maharana Pratap knew that he couldn’t get his freedom and kingdom without a fight. In order to prepare, he moved into the Kumbalgarh Fort with his warriors. He also instructed his subjects to relocate far away into the Aravalli Mountains. He even swore that he would not shave, or sleep on a bed, or even eat lavishly until Chittor was won. His biggest supporters were the Bhil tribes who lived in the Aravalli Mountains.
The exact date for the Battle of Haldighati is disputed, but the year was 1576. Maharana Pratap, with an army of 20,000, faced the more advanced and larger (80,000) army of the Mughals.
Despite the disadvantages, Pratap’s army fought fiercely, much to the Mughals’ bewilderment. However, towards the end, Pratap found himself surrounded by the Mughals. He had to leave the battlefield with his injured horse, Chetak. Legend has it that Chetak showed exemplary bravery in the war. He collapsed a few kilometers away from the war zone.
The battle of Haldighati was so intense that led to the whole of Mewar except some of the Aravallis to fall into the hands of Mughal. The Mughal’s however never captured Maharana Pratap who did not give up on his efforts to reclaim the kingdom. In July 1576, he recaptured Gogunda from the Mughals.
Maharana Pratap went ahead to make Kumbhalgarh his temporary capital. Akbar once again led a campaign against him and occupied Gogunda, Udaipur, and Kumbhalgarh. The Maharana was forced to retreat into the mountainous tracts of Southern Mewar. Maharana Pratap, however, did not give up on reclaiming his kingdom and so within few years, he had recovered many of his lost territories. The territories included Kumbhalgarh and some areas around Chittor. He, later on, gained back Gogunda, Ranthambore, Udaipur, and Kumbhalgarh.
Personal Life
Pratap was unable to win Chittor back from the Mughals, but he continued his struggle with a hope to win.
Maharana Pratap had eleven wives with his first wife, Maharaji Ajabde Punwar as his favourite. He had twenty two children, seventeen sons, and five daughters. He died on January 29, 1597, of injuries from a hunting incident. He died at the age of fifty seven. He was succeeded by his son Amar Singh, and in 1614 his son submitted to Emperor Jahangir, son of Akbar. He is recognised as a hero for fighting for his land and his people.
Maharana Pratap had the unsheltered love from his motherland that led to the grief of his enemy Akbar on his death. Down the years, many verses and paintings depict Maharana Pratap’s legends and stories with great respect.
