Thread by @InfoVedic

● Maharana Pratap -The Great Patriot

History is full with stories of courage and honour about leaders those who were rich of material resources,but it’s rare to find a leader like Maharana Pratap and his loyal followers who had only hardships to offer.The name “Maharana Pratap”

has always been held in great honour and respect. Maharana Pratap has always been projected as the premier of patriotism, freedom and independence.

Rana Pratap was born to father Maharana Udai Singh II and mother Maharani Javantha Bai Songara on 9th May 1540, (Jyestha Sudi),

third day of Vikram Era 1597 in Ardh Naksatra. Though born at Kumbhalgarh fort, some historians believe it to be “Juni Kacheri” near Pali District. His birth was considered auspicious and predictions were made about the Glory he will bring to the clan. His education was worthy of

a prince and early he mastered the warfare tactics and weaponry.

Maharana Pratap got married to Ajabade(daughter of Rao Ram Rakh Panwar), at the age of 17 and were soon blessed by a son named Amar Singh

- Coronation of “Rana Pratap”

Maharana Udai Singh II died at the early age of 42 in “Gogunda”, leaving behind twenty-five sons. Setting

aside the established laws of “Primogenitor”, he proclaimed his favorite son “Jagmall” his successor. But surprisingly, in a coronation performed at Gogunda Maharana Pratap was crowned the 54th king in the lineage of Sisodia Rajputs Girding Pratap with the sword, thrice touching

the ground, hailed him the “King of Mewar” when Jagmall too was moved out of the seat by Rawat Kistna and ex-prince of Gwalior.

Rana Pratap had the very strong support of the indigenous tribe of Mewar- Bhils, who fought with him to till end and sacrificed their lives for the Honor of their ruler.

Rana Pratap made his descendants Vow that until he brings back the glory of Chittor, he would sleep on straw

bed and eat off a Pattras (leaf Plate). Rana Pratap could not win back Chittor and even today, many Rajput follows that promise and places a leaf under their plates and a straw under their bed.

Akbar launched an offensive against Rana Pratap in A.D. 1576 after all the efforts, to bring Rana Pratap to his servitude failed. Akbar established his headquarters at Ajmer and this became one of the 22 subahs of Akbar’s empire.

As a “Guerilla Warfare” tactic Rana Pratap

restricted his region in the mountains of Aravali i.e from north to south, Kumbhalgarh to Rishabdev and from west to south Mirpur to Satola. The faithful aborigines “ The Bhils” took to field, with Rana Pratap with their ordinary weapon the Bow and Arrow and huge stones ready to

roll upon the combatant enemy, above and below the Rajputs were posted and on the cliffs and pinnacles the “Bhils”.

To save the honor of their land against the mighty Mughal army with the strength of Two Lakh soldiers. There stood the Twenty Two thousand on that day 7th of Sawan

Sanwat 1632(July 1576), for the defense of Haldighati and only eight thousand quitted the field alive.

The turning point again came in 1582 when Rana Pratap Inflicted a crushing defeat to the Mughal army in Dewair( the northern entry point of Mewar connecting Marwar, Gujarat, Malwa and Ajmer). From this battle onwards Rana Pratap moved from being defensive to Offensive and in a

very short time he regained all the lost land of Mewar except Ajmer and Chittor.

The Legendary Maharana Pratap’s Gratitude can be summerised in two incidents.

To save the honor of their land against the mighty Mughal army with the strength of Two Lakh soldiers. There stood the Twenty Two thousand on that day 7th of Sawan Sanwat 1632(July 1576), for the

defense of Haldighati and only eight thousand quitted the field alive.

One day Raja Man Singh the commander in chief of the Mughal army was out hunting with a few hundred of his troops. Pratap’s Bhil spy reported this to him at his camp a few kilometers away and as he seems to be on a hunting sprawl he can be easily targeted but Maharana Pratap

straight forwardly refused to back stab him and defeat him other than that on a battlefield. Other time the women from the family of Abdur Rahim Khankhana(Mogul commander) were captured by  Pratap’s son Amar Singh, and presented in front of the Rana.

At this point of time, Khankhana was actually on the march against Pratap, and was camping at Sherpur. Infuriated and not withstanding this act, immediately Pratap commanded his son Amar Singh to arrange for the safe conveyance of the mogul ladies to their camp. Khankhana was so

affected by this incident that he refused to fight against such a chivalrous monarch. He petitioned Akbar to be relieved of his post and was subsequently (in 1581) appointed guardian of Akbar’s own son,Salim.

After the Haldighati Battle, Mughal Emperor Akbar made repeated attempts to capture or kill Maharana Pratap, but he did not succeed. Where in the year 1576 he captured Udaipur and named it Mohammadabad and likewise Chittorgarh was named Akbarabad (source), both the names were

never accepted. Maharana Pratap served (struggled) for 25 years and died a peaceful death on January 19, 1597 at Chawand, the capital founded by him in deep hills south of Udaipur, the reason of his death being injury caused during a hunting game.

Maharana Pratap’s arch foe Mogul Emperor Akbar is believed to have shed tears at end of this brave warrior, because he was the only ruler who refused to compromise his honor for comfort & safety and, in the end, he died a proud and free king. Maharana Pratap was affectionately

called “KIKA” especially by the tribal’s and the poets.Maharana Pratap left behind him 17 sons and 5 daughters. It is said that on his death bed the Rana made his eldest son, Amar Singh swear to keep the torch of independence burning and the “aan” of his motherland intact from

the “Turks”.

It is a very sad saga; we do not have any original portrait of the person we worship so deeply. It is said that there was only one portrait of Rana Pratap made during his struggle against the Moguls, and that one was taken by the British.

Source : udaipurtimes .com
Images : Googles ,udaipurtimes