Maharana Pratap: Life, Battles, and Lessons from a Rajput Warrior King

Maharana Pratap: Life, Battles, and Lessons from a Rajput Warrior King

Maharana Pratap was one of the greatest Rajput warriors and rulers of India. He was the 13th Maharana of Mewar, a region in north-western India in the present-day state of Rajasthan. He is best known for his courage and perseverance in resisting the attempts of the Mughal emperor Akbar to conquer his territory. He fought bravely against the mighty Mughal army in several battles, most notably the Battle of Haldighati in 1576. He is revered as a hero and a symbol of Rajput pride and honour in Rajasthan and beyond.

Early Life and Accession:

Maharana Pratap was born on May 9, 1540, in Kumbhalgarh Fort, the birthplace of his legendary grandfather Rana Kumbha. He was the eldest son of Udai Singh II, the king of Mewar, and Jaiwanta Bai, a princess of Jalore. He had three younger brothers and two stepsisters. He was given a good education and trained in martial arts, horse riding, and archery from a young age.

In 1567, when Pratap was 27 years old, the Mughal forces led by Akbar besieged the capital of Mewar, Chittor. Udai Singh decided to abandon the fort and move his family and court to Gogunda, a safer place in the Aravalli hills. Pratap was reluctant to leave Chittor, the symbol of Rajput glory and honour, but he obeyed his father's wishes. He vowed to return to Chittor and liberate it from the Mughals one day.

In 1572, Udai Singh passed away and Pratap succeeded him as the Maharana of Mewar. He faced a challenge from his younger brother Jagmal, who was supported by his stepmother Dheer Bai and the Mughals. However, the majority of the nobles and the people favoured Pratap as the rightful heir. Pratap was crowned as the Maharana of Mewar on February 28, 1572, at Gogunda.

Military Career:

As the Maharana of Mewar, Pratap had to deal with the constant threat of the Mughal invasion. Akbar, who had conquered most of northern India, wanted to bring Mewar under his control. He sent several envoys to Pratap, offering him generous terms and incentives to accept his suzerainty. However, Pratap refused to submit to Akbar and maintained his independence. He also refused to attend Akbar's court or join his imperial service, unlike many other Rajput rulers who had become Akbar's allies or vassals.

Battle of Haldighati:

Akbar, frustrated by Pratap's defiance, decided to use force to subdue him. He sent a large army of about 80,000 soldiers, commanded by his brother-in-law Raja Man Singh of Amber and his general Asaf Khan, to attack Mewar. Pratap, with a much smaller army of about 20,000 soldiers, faced them at Haldighati, a narrow mountain pass near Gogunda, on June 18, 1576.

The battle of Haldighati was one of the most fierce and famous battles in Indian history. Pratap, mounted on his loyal horse Chetak, charged at the enemy lines with great courage and skill. He targeted Man Singh, hoping to kill him and demoralize the Mughal army. However, he was intercepted by a Mughal soldier, who wounded him with a spear. Chetak, despite being injured, carried Pratap to safety, but died soon after.

The battle lasted for about four hours, and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. The Mughals claimed victory, as they were able to capture the battlefield and some of Pratap's forts. However, Pratap was able to escape and continue his resistance. He was not captured or killed, and did not surrender to Akbar. He was also able to recover most of his lost territory in the subsequent years.

Post-Haldighati Mughal Invasions:

After the battle of Haldighati, Akbar sent several more expeditions to Mewar, hoping to crush Pratap's rebellion. However, Pratap adopted a guerrilla warfare strategy, and avoided direct confrontation with the superior Mughal forces. He harassed and attacked the Mughal supply lines and camps, and retreated to the hills and forests. He also sought the support of other Rajput clans and rulers, who admired his courage and spirit.

Pratap faced many hardships and challenges during this period. He had to move from one place to another, often living in caves and jungles. He had to face the scarcity of food and resources, and the desertion of some of his nobles and allies. He also had to deal with the betrayal of his brother Shakti Singh, who joined the Mughals and revealed Pratap's whereabouts to them. However, Pratap did not lose hope or faith. He remained steadfast in his determination to free Mewar from the Mughal domination.

Reconquest of Mewar:

Pratap gradually regained his strength and confidence, and started to recapture his lost lands and forts from the Mughals. He was aided by his loyal generals and ministers, such as Hakim Khan Sur, Bhama Shah, and Ram Singh Tanwar. He also received financial and moral support from his mother Jaiwanta Bai and his wife Ajabde Bai. He was able to win back most of the regions of Mewar, except Chittor and Ajmer, which remained under the Mughal control.

Battle of Dewair (1582):

The battle of Dewair was the turning point in Pratap's struggle against the Mughals. It was fought in October 1582, near the village of Dewair in Mewar. Pratap, with an army of about 20,000 soldiers, faced a Mughal army of about 30,000 soldiers, led by Kunwar Sagar Singh and Sayyid Hashim. Pratap attacked the Mughal army with great vigour and valour, and inflicted a crushing defeat on them. He killed both the Mughal commanders, and captured their artillery and elephants. He also liberated the regions of Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur, and Gogunda from the Mughal occupation.

The battle of Dewair was a decisive victory for Pratap, and a major setback for Akbar. It established Pratap's supremacy in Mewar, and boosted his morale and prestige. It also inspired other Rajput rulers and clans to join Pratap's cause, and resist the Mughal expansion. Pratap was hailed as the champion of Rajput honour and freedom, and earned the title of "Hindu Suraj" (Sun of the Hindus).

Patronage of Art:

Pratap was not only a great warrior and ruler, but also a patron of art and culture. He encouraged the development of literature, music, painting, and architecture in his kingdom. He himself was well-versed in Sanskrit and Hindi, and composed some poems and songs. He also invited many poets, musicians, painters, and scholars to his court, and honoured them with gifts and titles. Some of the notable artists and intellectuals who flourished under his patronage were:

- Raghav Das, a poet and historian, who wrote the biography of Pratap, titled "Pratap Raso".

- Bhanu Bhakta, a poet and musician, who composed many devotional songs and hymns in praise of Pratap and his deeds.

- Chaturbhuj Das, a painter and sculptor, who created many portraits and statues of Pratap and his family members.

- Shyamaldas, a scholar and chronicler, who wrote the history of Mewar, titled "Vir Vinod".

Pratap also built and renovated many temples, forts, palaces, and gardens in his kingdom. He constructed the Jagdish Temple, the Ahar Cenotaphs, and the Moti Mahal in Udaipur. He also restored the Kumbhalgarh Fort, the Chavand Fort, and the Eklingji Temple. He also developed the city of Udaipur as his new capital, and made it a centre of art and culture.

Revival of Mewar:

Pratap was successful in reviving the glory and prosperity of Mewar, after years of war and turmoil. He established a stable and efficient administration, and ensured the welfare and security of his subjects. He also maintained cordial relations with his neighbouring states, such as Marwar, Gujarat, and Bundelkhand. He also tried to negotiate a peace treaty with Akbar, on the condition that he would retain his sovereignty and dignity.

Death and Legacy:

Pratap died on January 19, 1597, at the age of 56, in Chavand, his last capital. He was succeeded by his eldest son Amar Singh, who continued to fight against the Mughals. Pratap's death was mourned by his people and his allies, who regarded him as a great leader and a hero. He was also respected by his enemies, who acknowledged his bravery and honour.

Pratap's legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of the people of India, especially Rajasthan. He is remembered as a symbol of courage, patriotism, and resistance. He is celebrated in many folk songs, stories, poems, and paintings. He is also honoured by the government of India, which has issued stamps, coins, and awards in his name. He is also the subject of many books, films, and television shows, which depict his life and achievements. He is one of the most admired and inspiring figures in Indian history.