Who was Maharana Pratap and What did He do in His Life?

Once Upon a time, in the Heart of India, there lived a noble king whose Name was Maharana Pratap. He was the Embodiment of courage, valor, and chivalry, ruling over the kingdom of Mewar with an unwavering sense of justice and compassion. The story of him is etched in the annals of history as a saga of sacrifice, determination, and patriotism.

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Childhood time of Maharana Pratap

He was born on 9 May 1540 in the Fort of Kumbhalgarh, and this day is celebrated as “Maharana Pratap Jayanti“. He was the Eldest son of Maharana Udai Singh II, the ruler of Mewar. His mother’s name was Jaivanta Bai From a tender Period, he displayed outstanding qualities of Leadership and Bravery, traits that were to shape the destiny of a nation. As he grew Older, he became an exceptional warrior and an expert in the art of warfare, honing his skills on the training grounds of Mewar.

As a child, he displayed an insatiable curiosity about the art of warfare and the ways of ruling a kingdom. His father, Udai Singh II, recognized his son’s innate leadership grades and assured that, he received the best education and training. The young prince was trained in Martial arts, Archery, Swordsmanship, and Horse Riding, becoming adept in the skills required of a skilled warrior.

When he was born, his father was at war against Chittor. Hearing this good news, the whole army got more enthusiasm and strength and they captured Chittor.

He had more attachment to his religion and nation. He wanted that, his entire subjects should live well and be happy. From childhood, he had adapted himself to every situation. He did not have the slightest pride and even if he had, he was only proud of not bowing down to anyone.

How many wives Maharana Pratap had?

No one has clear information about this. Some say that he had 14 wives, while some people say that he had 12 or 11. Here are the names of his 11 wives.

• Rani Ajabvade Pawar
• Amarbai Rathore
• Shehmati Bai Hada
• Alamdebai Chauhan
• Ratnavati Bai Parmar
• Lakhabai
• Jasobai Chauhan
• Champabai Janthi
• Solankhinipur Bai
• Phoolbai Rathore
• Khichar Ashabai

Coronation

Seeing his thoughts and Power, everyone thought that Maha Rana would become the King of Mewar. Whereas, his stepmother Dheerbaisa wanted to make her son the Rana of Mewar, and so it happened. His father used to listen more to his wife Dhirbaisa, so on her advice, he declared his son Jagmal the king. But, not everyone was happy with his decision. But it did not make any difference to him.

Time passed and by 1572, his father Udai Singh died. People just attended his funeral. But, Rana Jagmal was busy with his coronation and did not come there. Angered by this, all the Sardars coronated him on the hills of Gomunda and declared him Rana. Sardar Rawat Krishnadas tied a Sword around his waist.

When Jagmal came to know about this, He left the throne and went to the shelter of Akbar. Then on February 28, 1572, Veer Siromani was formally enthroned. He was also called Hindua Suraj. He was a great Devotee of Lord Shiva.

When he came out wearing a 72 kg spear, 81 kg chest armor, and 10-10 kg shoes, all the enemies used to go away from the rate. His weight was 110 kg and Maharana Pratap’s height was 7.5 feet.

War with Akbar

After the coronation(Rajtilak), he said that he will not rest until he freed Mewar from the Mughals. He visited the villages of Bhils and attached them with him. Taught the policies of war to the Bhils. Along with this, he also went to the blacksmiths and gave them the work of making weapons. His news had started reaching Delhi.

Even the Mughal emperor Akbar used to tremble at his name. Akbar invited them to meet him several times without fighting. But he said that I can live in the Forests, but could not live as a Slave.

With this, Akbar sent Jalal Khan, the shrewd politician of his court, to him with a proposal of subordination. But he sent him back. About a year later, Akbar sent Raja Mansingh of Amber to him, At this time he was in Udaipur. he Welcomed him as a guest but did not sit down to Eat with him and sent his son. When Mansingh said this, he replied I cannot sit with the one who has mixed with the Mughals.

However, even Mansingh didn’t eat, he put some Rice in his Turban in the name of Annadevata and sat on the horse. While leaving he said, it is very Foolish to reject Akbar’s Proposal. He further said I will crush your Pride on the Battleground. He smiled and says “I will wait”.

Even after this, Akbar sent all his emissaries, But he did not accept his Submission.

Starting Of War

Then Akbar got furious and called a meeting in Ajmer. Here he gave Mansingh a Mughal army of 1 lakh people and sent him to war. On April 3, 1976, Mansingh ran away with the army. After about 2 months, Mansingh reached Khamnor Namak village. The Bhil soldiers sent this news to their King. But, when Maharana Pratap was waiting for the war with his sword. They knew that war would definitely happen. Then Mansingh camped in Molela village near the river of Banas. Pratap had camped at Losing Village about 6 miles away from this.

There were about 1 lakh soldiers in Mansingh’s army, which included the Mughals and other Rajputs. Whereas, in the army of Maha Rana, there were only about 20 thousand soldiers including Bhils and Rajputs. But the enemy’s army was strong, so Maharana’s chest was strong. He didn’t panic at all.

The battle of Haldi Ghati started on 18 June 1576. It is said that when the Mughal soldiers saw him, they were scared. Because he had only heard about him before he saw him for the first time. Within 3 hours, Maharana’s army had piled the dead bodies of the Mughals. Frightened by this, the Mughals started running away. Seeing this, Senapati Mehtar Khan said loudly that Akbar is coming to war with a huge army. Akbar’s soldiers got scared after hearing this, they thought that if they run back, Akbar will kill them.

Pratap remembered Mansingh’s words when he said to him, I will see you on the Battlefield. Remembering this, he started searching for Mansingh. When he saw Mansingh, he was sitting on the elephant.

Chetak

Now read a Chetak Horse Story, After Seeing Mansingh, he puts his horse’s feet on the elephant’s forehead and shot his spear at Mansingh, but he survives and his mahout was killed. But the sword hanging from the trunk of the elephant cut off the leg of his beloved horse Chetak. He was a very beautiful horse of light blue colour, whom Pratap loved like his own son. Along with this, Maharana Ji’s leg was also shot and there were many wounds.

Then someone told him that you and he needed treatment. Then he turned the war towards the hills and on the other side the Bhils took charge. And he left for the hills with his horse. Here Chetak despite being injured, made a legendary jump, crossing a ditch about 26 feet long. This feat is often referred to as the Chetak Horse longest jump and is a testament to its extraordinary courage and ability. But the injured Chetak fell unconscious in a village called Balicha.

Height and Breed

Chetak Horse Breed was Marvadi, While there may not be specific records of his exact height, some writers write that Chetak Horse Height was around 14 to 16 hands (56 to 64 inches), which is the highest point on the horse’s back, near the base of the neck.

Then his younger brother Shakti Singh also came there following him, who was fighting on behalf of the Mughal army.

After that, he said to his brother, “सीना खुला है मार भाला, तुम गोद गुलामी तिकण लगे| मै भारत माँ ते कह दूंगा, तेरे पूत दामण में बिकण लगे”|

Hearing this, Shakti started Crying and fell to his Feet.

In the end, when the Mughal army started losing, Mansingh asked the soldiers to go back to Ajmer. When he went there empty-handed, Akbar got very angry with him and Expelled him from the levee for 3 months.

Elephant of Maharana Pratap

Along with the Chetak horse, he also had an Elephant, named Ramprasad. Ramprasad had an important role in the Battle of Haldi Ghaati. He had killed about 5 Elephants and many Horses of the Mughal army.

When Akbar had heard all this since then his entire attention was on Ramprasad. He had caught Ramprasad by making a Chakravyuh of 12 elephants. Akbar changed the name of Ramprasad to Peer. Ramprasad was such a Faithful Elephant that after Akbar’s visit, He did not Eat or Drink anything for 28 days and left his body.

Akbar was stunned to see this and said that the elephant of Maharana Pratap who did not bow his head in front of me, How would bow his Head in front of me.

After the Battle of Haldighati

About 4 months after the Battle of Haldi Ghati, Akbar again Sent Shahabad Khan to attack Kumbhalgarh in 1577. It was not possible for his army to fight again in such a short time. So they abandoned the fort. But he was not the one to give up, he prepared the army again after a few months and captured the fort.

After this, he created a strategy to attack Akbar by creating a huge army. But he needed money. So they left for Gujarat for money. During this, he defeated Shahbaz Khan twice. After reaching Gujarat, he camped in Chulia Namak village. Here he met Mahadanveer Bhamashah. Bhamashah had given him the Assistance of 25 lakhs.

That’s Where the Real Struggle started, in 1582, with a heavy army, he broke into the Mughals’ Thanas in the passes of Divar. He ordered to surround the fort from all sides. Meanwhile, his son Amar Singh tore Akbar’s uncle Sultan Khan with a spear along with his horse. Here about 36 Thousand Mughals had surrendered in front of him. After the victory, the Saffron Flag was Hoisted on the Fort of Divar.

Akbar was shocked by this defeat. He sent Jagannath Kachwaha to Maharana Pratap in 1584 to be a prisoner. But he was defeated and returned after apologizing to them. After this, He Won the fort of Kamalveer.

Then he won Chavand in 1585 and declared it as his capital. Then he won 32 forts of Mughals one by one. This made Akbar sleepless. Akbar Accepted that He could not Defeat him.

After the War

After dealing with the wars, he ruled very well for about 12 years. And progressed His State. Then in 1597, he Died while Hunting.

5 facts about Maharana Pratap

1. He was a skilled warrior and tactician.
2. He was a devout Hindu.
3. A fierce nationalist.
4. He was a compassionate and benevolent ruler.
5. He is a symbol of Indian nationalism and resistance to foreign rule.