Biography of Maharana Pratap

Maharana Pratap Singh (Jyestha Shukla Tritiya Sunday, Vikram Samvat 1597, corresponding 9 May 1540–19 January 1597) was a king of the Shishodia dynasty in Udaipur, Mewar. His name is immortal in history for valor and determination. He fought with the Mughal Emperor Akbar for many years. Maharana Pratap Singh defeated the Mughals several times in battle as well. They have Born In rajsthan Kumbalgadh in home father maharana Udhay Singh and mother Jivat kanwar. In the Battle of Haldighati of 1576, Rana Pratap, along with 20,000 Rajputs, faced the Mughal chieftain Raja Mansingh’s army of 80,000.

Jhala Mansingh saved Maharana Pratap, who was surrounded by the enemy army, by giving his life and asked Maharana to leave the battlefield. Shakti Singh saved Maharana by giving his body. Dear Horse Chetak also died. This war lasted only one day but 17,000 people died in it. Akbar made all efforts to conquer Mewar. The condition of Maharana worried day by day. Bhama Shah also became immortal by giving 25,000 Rajputs a grant that lasted for 12 years.

Table of Contents

Early life:

Maharana Pratap was born in Kumbhalgarh fort. Maharana Pratap’s mother’s name was Jawantabai, who was the daughter of Sonagara Akhairaj of Pali. Maharana Pratap was called as Kika in his childhood. The coronation of Maharana Pratap took place in Gogunda. Since childhood, Maharana Pratap was courageous, brave, self-respecting and freedom-loving. As soon as he ascended the throne of Mewar in 1572, he had to face unprecedented difficulties, but with patience and courage he faced every adversity.

He fought a fierce battle with the mighty Mughal army in Haldi Ghati. The valor he showed there is unique in Indian history, he protected the honor and dignity of his ancestors and vowed that he would not enjoy the state’s happiness until his kingdom was liberated. Since then he started sleeping on the ground, he wandered in the forests of Aravalli, suffering suffering, but he did not accept the subordination of the Mughal emperor. He dedicated his life to protect his motherland.

Maharana Pratap was given training to wield shield and sword in his childhood because his father wanted him to be a skilled warrior like himself. The boy Pratap had shown his indomitable courage at an early age. When he went out to play with the children, he used to form a team in the matter. Along with all the children of the team, he also used to practice the shield sword, due to which he became proficient in wielding weapons. Time passed slowly. Days turned into months and months into years. Meanwhile, Pratap became proficient in running the weapon and seeing his confidence, Udai Singh Phule could not stop.

Prince Pratap got the title of Maharana with the 54th ruler of Mewar. During the time of Maharana Pratap, Akbar was ruling Delhi and Akbar’s policy was to use the power of Hindu kings to take another Hindu king under his control. In 1567, when Prince Pratap was made the successor, he was only 27 years old and the Mughal forces surrounded Chittor from all sides.

The ideal of valor presented by Maharana Pratap is unique. The circumstances in which he fought were really complicated, but he did not give up. If Rajputs could get a respectable place in Indian history, then the credit goes mainly to Rana Pratap. He neither allowed his motherland to be subjugated nor tarnished. He forced the huge Mughal armies to chew iron gram. The Mughal emperor Akbar wanted to conquer his kingdom and merge it into his empire, but Rana Pratap did not allow this to happen and struggled for life.

Apart from Maharani Jaiwanta, Rana Udai Singh had other wives, in which Rani Dhir Bai was the beloved wife of Udai Singh. Rani Dhir Bai’s intention was that her son Jagmal should become the successor of Rana Udai Singh. Apart from this, Rana Udai Singh also had two sons Shakti Singh and Sagar Singh. In this too there was an intention to take over the throne after Rana Udai Singh, but both Praja and Rana ji considered Pratap as the successor. That is why these three brothers hated Pratap.

Maharana Pratap’s height was seven and a half feet and his weight was 110 kg. The weight of his protective shield was 72 kg and the weight of the spear was 80 kg. Combining armor, spear, shield and sword etc., they used to fight in battle carrying more than 200 kg weight. Even today Maharana Pratap’s armor, sword etc. are kept safe in the museum of Udaipur royal family.

Battle of Haldighati:

The Battle of Haldighati is an important episode in the history of India. This war took place on 18 June 1576 for about 4 hours, in which there was a fierce battle between Mewar and the Mughals. The army of Maharana Pratap was led by the only Muslim Sardar Hakim Khan Suri and the Mughal army was led by Mansingh and Asaf Khan. In this war, a total of 20,000 Maharan Pratap’s Rajputs had to face with Akbar’s total 80000 Mughal army, which is a unique thing.

Even after facing many difficulties/crises, Maharan Pratap did not give up and showed his might, that is why today his name is shining on the pages of history. Some historians believe that there was no victory in the battle of Haldighati, but if we see, only Maharana Pratap has won. Not considering his small army as small, with his hard work and determination, Maharana Pratap’s army freed the sixes of Akbar’s huge army and forced them to retreat.

Horse Chetak:

Along with the valor of Maharana Pratap, the valor of his horse Chetak is also world famous. Chetak was a very intelligent and brave horse who had saved Maharana Pratap by jumping from a 26 feet deep river at the risk of his life. The temple of Chetak is still built in Haldighati.

Maharana Pratap’s time after the battle of Haldighati was spent in the hills and forests. He defeated Akbar many times through his mountain warfare policy. Although Maharana Pratap had to face many kinds of troubles while living in the forests and hills, but he did not give up his ideals. The strong intentions of Maharana Pratap thwarted all the efforts of Akbar’s generals.

It was the effect of his patience and courage that despite continuous efforts of 30 years, Akbar could not make Maharana Pratap a prisoner. Maharana Pratap’s favorite horse was Chetak, who supported his master till his last breath.

Eventually, Maharana Pratap ascended to heaven on 19 January 1597 in Chavand due to injuries sustained during hunting.