Maharana Pratap: Resilience and Heroism in Indian History

Apart From Himself And His Family, One Who Thinks About His Nation Is A True Citizen.

– Maharana Pratap

Who is Maharana Pratap?

Pratap Singh I popularly known as Maharana Pratap was a Hindu Rajput Custodian of Mewar, of region in north-western India in the present-day state of Rajasthan, belonged to the Sisodia Dynasty of Rajputs. In popular Indian culture, Pratap is seen as the epitome of the valour and chivalry that Rajputs strive for, particularly in light of his opposition to the Mughal emperor Akbar. It is common to portray the conflict between the Rajput Confederacy under Pratap Singh and the Mughal Empire under Akbar as one between Hindus and Muslim invaders.

Early Life and Family:

Pratap was born on 9th May 1940 to Maharana Udai Singh II and Maharani Jaiwanta Bai in Kumbhalgarh, Rajputana. Chittorgarh served as the Capital for Maharana Udai Singh II, who controlled the Mewar kingdom. The title of Baojiraj, or the Crown Prince, was granted to Kunwar Pratap since he was the oldest of Udai Singh’s twenty-five sons. He was meant to become the Mewar custodian number 54, continuing the noble dynasty of the valiant Sisodia Rajputs.

Accession:

Kunwar Pratap Singh, eldest son of the then custodian of Mewar, Maharana Udai Singh II was the rightful heir to succeed the throne and become the 54th custodian of the House of Mewar ( the Maharanas of Mewar aren’t rulers but custodians who rule on behalf of Shri Eklingji) upon the death of his father. Udai Singh passed away in the February of 1572 and Pratap was to rightfully ascend the throne at Gogunda on February 28 1572.

However, under the influence of his favourite queen, Rani Bhatiyani, Rana Udai Singh on his deathbed, disregarding completely the well-established rule of primogeniture proclaimed his son with Rani Bhatiyani – Jagmal, as his successor. When this came to light at the funeral of Udai Singh, Jaiwanti Bai’s brother and Kunwar Pratap’s uncle – Sonigara Man Singh of Pali, wishing to see his sister’s son and nephew have his just and lawful right beseeched Rawat Krishna Das of Saloombar, the scion of choond, to intervene in the matter and prevent the perpetration of this injustice and prevent the consequent ruin of Mewar, which, if internecine disaffection aggravated the deterioration of its already weakened condition, was inevitable.

It is important to remember that although the decision was against Pratap, he never resented his father for it and respected his decision like an obedient son. 

 Rawat Krishna Das along with Raja Ram Shah, the then Prince of Gwalior pledging their alliance to Kunwar Pratap proceeded to where Jagmal beseated himself on the ‘gaddi’ amidst some of the nobles of the realm took an arm of him each and with gentle violence removed him to a seat in front of the cushion stating that the throne belongs to his brother and hailed Kunwar Pratap as the Maharana of Mewar. 

Shortly after the coronation ceremony took place at Kumbhalgarh. Jagmal raged with his insult and swore vengeance left for the court of Akbar, who fascinated with this rift in the House of Mewar gave him an audience and bestowed him the jagir of the district of Jahajpur.

Battle of Haldighati:

The Battle of Haldighati took place on June 18, 1576, between Mewar forces headed by Maharana Pratap and Mughal forces led by Man Singh I of Amber. The Mughals won the day after inflicting considerable fatalities on Mewar forces, but they were unable to capture Pratap, who reluctantly retreated after being urged to do so by his fellow commanders.

The assault of Chittorgarh in 1568 resulted in the Mughals capturing the fertile eastern belt of Mewar. The rest of the wooded and hilly realm, however, remained under the dominion of the Sisodias. Akbar was determined to secure a stable route to Gujarat via Mewar; when Pratap Singh was crowned in 1572, Akbar dispatched several envoys imploring the Rana to become a vassal, as many other Rajput kings in the region had done. However, Pratap refused to sign a treaty, resulting in the war.

The battle took place in a narrow mountain pass near Gogunda, Rajasthan. According to several sources, the Mughals outnumbered the Mewar soldiers by a factor of four to one. Despite the Mewaris’ initial wins, the tide eventually turned against them, and Pratap found himself wounded and the day lost. In a rearguard struggle, a few of his troops under Jhala Man Singh covered his withdrawal. Man Singh did not pursue the retreating Mewar army, for which Akbar exiled him from the Mughal court for a period.

Despite the defeat at Haldighati, Pratap continued his battle against the Mughals through guerrilla warfare, and by the time of his death, he had reclaimed much of his ancestral realm.

Revival of Mewar:

Maharana Pratap fled to Chappan and began attacking Mughal strongholds. By 1583, he had successfully taken Dewar, Amet, Madariya, Zawar, and the fort of Kumbalgarh. He subsequently established Chavand as his capital and built the Chamunda Mata temple there. For a short while, the Maharana was able to live in peace and began to restore order in Mewar.

Maharana Pratap retreated to Chappan and began attacking Mughal fortifications. He had seized Dewar, Amet, Madariya, Zawar, and the fort of Kumbalgarh by 1583. He thereafter made Chavand his capital and constructed the Chamunda mata temple there. For a little period, the Maharana could live in peace and began to reestablish order in Mewar.

Death and Legacy: 

Colonel Tod, a well-known British antiquarian, bestowed the title ‘Leonidas of Rajasthan’ to Pratap. Tod wrote about Pratap in one of his books, “There is not a pass in the Alpine Aravalli that has not been sanctified by some deed of Maharana Pratap – some brilliant victory, or oftener, more glorious defeat.” Maharana Pratap is thought to have reached a breaking point during his exile. Prithviraj of Bikaner, a Rajput poet and warrior at Akbar’s court, wrote a letter to the Maharana encouraging him to continue his war efforts.

Maharana Pratap died of injuries sustained in a hunting accident. He died at Chavand, which served as his capital, on 29 January 1597, aged fifty-seven. A chhatri, commemorating Pratap Singh’s funeral, exists in Chavand and is an important tourist attraction today. It is said that as he lay dying, Pratap made his son and successor, Amar Singh, swear to maintain eternal conflict against the Mughals. Amar Singh fought 17 wars with the Mughals. After Mewar was depleted financially and in manpower he conditionally accepted them as rulers. The treaty between Amar Singh and Mughal King Jahangir had some obligations that the fort of Chittor would not be repaired and Mewar would have to keep a contingent of 1000 horses in the Mughal service. Besides Amar Singh would not have to be present at any of the Mughal Darbars.

Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar was a legendary Rajput warrior whose life exemplified unwavering courage, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to his kingdom’s independence. Despite facing the might of the Mughal Empire led by Emperor Akbar, Maharana Pratap fiercely resisted Mughal rule, fighting battles and leading a life of exile rather than surrender. His unwavering spirit and indomitable determination have made him an enduring symbol of heroism and a revered figure in Indian history. Maharana Pratap’s legacy serves as an inspiration for generations, reminding us of the power of valor and the pursuit of freedom.