Maharana Pratap (1540-1597) was the ruler of Mewar, a state in north-western India. He belonged to the Shishodiya shakha (dynasty) of the Guhilote cula (clan) and thus claimed descent from the Hindu sun-God; his own descendents bear the patronymic "Ranawat". The epitome of fiery Rajput pride and self-respect, Pratap has for centuries exemplified the qualities that Rajputs aspire to.

Accession

In 1568, during the reign of Pratap's father Rana Udai Singh II, Chittaur, the capital of Mewar, was conquered by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Udai Singh had left Chittaur in the care of Jaimal, a Mertiyo Rathore and Jaimal's nephew Fateh. Maharana Pratap wanted to stay back for the defence of Chittaur but Mewar nobles convinced him to leave. Akbar had demanded Jaimal's daughter's hand in marriage. Unlike other Rajputs during this chapter of Rajput history, Jaimal refused and chose his honour above his safety. Because of this incident, many famous ballads have been written in Rajasthan ("Jaimal-Fateh") and are sung all over Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. There was a Jauhar and Jaimal and Fateh died in the saka. After taking control of the city, Akbar ordered the death of 30,000 unarmed inhabitants of the city.

When Chittaur fell, Udai Singh moved the capital to his residence at Udaipur, in a more defensible location in the foothills of the Aravalli Range. In 1572 after Udai Singh's death, Pratap became Rana of Mewar with the support of the elder nobles. Udai Singh wanted his son Jagmal to ascend the throne but Mewar nobles favored Pratap, the eldest son. It was a beginning of a life long battle for the retaking of Chittaur. Chittaur is seen by most Hindus across the world as a sacred site, due to the amount of human blood (all communities)and sacrifice that has been witnessed there.It was because of the unwavering public reverence that this historic fort commanded that the name KHIJRABAD given to it by Ala-ud-din-Khilji after his victory in 1303 and AKBARABAD given by Akbar after his victory in 1567 never gained public acceptance. In contrast to it, the holy-triveni-sangam-kumbha-mela city PRAYAAG became ALLAHABAD and the historic-trading city KARNAWATI became Ahmedabad , but the grateful populace continued calling Chittaurgarh by its revered name! Following is the story of one of its Illustrious Sons.

Rajputs and Mughals

Chittaurgarh (Chittaur fort), his ancestral home, was under Mughal occupation and his fellow Rajput chiefs, such as Kunwar Man Singh of Amber, later Jaipur, were part of Akbar's council. Even his own brothers Shakti Singh and Sagar Singh were serving Akbar. Akbar realized that he can never subdue Rajputs and become the sole ruler of India. He decided to pursue diplomacy and was able to convince the Kacchwaha Rajput rulers of Amber (modern day Jaipur) into a matrimonial alliance. King of Amber,

Only two kings remained against this. The Shishodiya of Mewar and Hadas of Ranthambore. Finally Man Singh of Amber and Akbar proposed friendship to Surjan Hada and Surjan somehow agreed. One of his conditions of friendship was that no daughter of Hadas would ever be asked to marry Mughals and Akbar agreed. Surjan was very saddened by this friendship with Akbar and the fact that he could not help Maharana Pratap against Akbar. He felt so ashamed that he moved his residence to Banaras and made sure that Hindus in the holy city had no problems at the hands of Muslims. So there remained just the house of Mewar the sole bearer of Rajput pride in the face of immense opposition from Mughals as well as other Rajputs who had sold their souls essentially to mughals by giving their daughters.

Maharana Pratap passed a law in his state that none of his followers will intermarry with Rajputs who have given their daughters to Muslims. This rule was followed by his loyal band of Rajputs, which included Rathores, Chauhans, Sisodias, Parihars, Tomaras, Kacchwaha and Jhalas. Maharana Pratap never accepted Akbar as ruler of India, and fought Akbar all his life. Akbar first tried diplomacy to win over Maharana Pratap but nothing worked. All of Akbar's overtures of friendship and peace were rebuffed by Rana Pratap. Pratap just said he has no intention to fight with Akbar but he cannot bow down to Akbar and accept him as the ruler. Some scholars argue that there is some chance that Maharana could have become friends with Akbar but in the siege of Chittaur when Akbar killed 30,000 unarmed civilian residents of Chittor for refusing to convert to Islam. This left a lasting impression on Maharana's mind and he decided he cannot bow to such an unjust and cruel human being as Akbar. (People should note that when Hindu Kings fought with each other, unarmed civilians were never killed nor pillaged in the losing king's territory). The special envoy from Akbar, Kr. Mansingh of Amber, visited Pratap but Pratap sent his son Amar Singh to dine with him, because the protocol had to be followed. Man Singh arrogantly demanded that the Maharana should be present, but the Maharana did not oblige, Man Singh left the feast. This incidence precipitated the Mughal (Amber)-Mewar conflict.

Battle of Haldighati

On June 21, 1576, Akbar attacked Maharana Pratap at Haldighati. Akbar's general was Man Singh Kacchwaha of Amber, leading an army of 40,000 men. Maharana had about 8 thousand men and some Bhil warriors. One of Maharana's generals was Hakim Khan Soor, who was from the lineage of Shershah Soori, a Pathan. Pathans are the only faction of Muslims that Rajputs do not mind befriending because a Pathan would rather give his life then his word. During the first attack, Maharana Pratap's army routed the Mughals and Mughals

Akbar kept sending expedition after expedition against Maharana Pratap but never succeeded. He lost lot of money and men in trying to defeat Maharana Pratap. For 25 years, Rana Pratap remained ahead of Akbar and in last ten years of his life was able to free most of his kingdom. Maharana Pratap was helped by Bhamashah financially. The only fort Pratap could not recover was Chittaur and that saddened him a lot. His son, Amar Singh, won that fort after Pratap's death.

It is said that somebody told Akbar that Pratap wanted to accept Akbar as the king. Akbar was very happy to hear this. One of Akbar's general was Prthviraj Rathore who was a very good poet. He told Akbar this is a lie (incidentally Prithviraj's mother and Pratap's mother were sisters. Pratap and Prithviraj played together as children in their maternal grandfather's home who was a Chauhan rajput). Prithviraj wrote the following letter to Pratap:

The hopes of the Hindu rest on the Hindu surya yet the Rana forsakes them. But for Pratap, all would be placed on the same level by Akbar; for our chiefs have lost their valour and our females their honour. Akbar is the broker in the market of our race; he has purchased all but the son of Udai (Singh II of Mewar); he is beyond his price. What true Rajput would part with honour for nauroza ( a festival of ladies where Akbar selected women for his pleasure) ; yet how many have bartered it away? Will Chittaur come to this market ..? Though Patta (an affectionate name for Pratap Singh) has squandered away wealth (on warfare), yet he has preserved this treasure. Despair has driven man to this market, to witness their dishonour: from such infamy the descendant of Hammir (Maharana Hammir) alone has been preserved. The world asks, from where does the concealed aid of Pratap emanate? None but the soul of manliness and his sword . The broker in the market of men (Akbar) will one day be surpassed; he cannot live forever. Then will our race come to Pratap, for the seed of the Rajput to sow in our desolate lands. To him all look for its preservation, that its purity may again become resplendent. It is as much impossible for me to believe that Pratap has called Akbar his emperor as to see the sun rising in the west. Tell me where do I stand? Shall I use my sword on my neck or shall I continue my proud bearing?

Pratap replied to him:

By my god Eklinga, Pratap would call the emperor Turk alone and the sun would rise in the east. You may continue your proud bearing as long as Pratap's sword dangles on the mughal head. Pratap would be guilty of Sanga's blood, if he was to tolerate Akbar. you would have the better of it, no doubt Prithviraj, in this wordy quarrel.

Prithviraj was overjoyed on getting this letter.

Maharana Pratap was so much respected and loved by his people that the names that Akbar gave to Chittaurgarh as Akbarabad and Mohammadabad to Udaipur never gained acceptance although the other cities like the holy Triveni-Sangam-Kumbh City of Prayaag became Allahabad and the historic-trading city Karnawati became Ahmedabad but the names to Mewar capitals never gained acceptance. Akbar's own city of Fetahpur Sikri (City of victory!) had to be abondoned after his death because the site was wrong in many ways!

Maharana Pratap's son, Amar Singh, fought 17 wars with the Mughals but he conditionally accepted them as rulers. At this time, a large chunk of Maharana Pratap's band of loyal Rajputs became disillusioned by the surrender and left Rajasthan. This group included Rathores, Deora Chauhans, Pariharas, Tomaras, Kacchwaha and Jhalas. They are called "Rors" and settled mostly in Haryana, with some in Uttar Pradesh. Until today they do not intermarry with other Rajputs but "gotra permitting" with other Rors only.

Maharana Pratap is a great hero in the eyes of all Indians. However, among the Rajputs, Maharana Pratap is worshipped as a God. During the darkest chapter of Rajput history, he did not let the Mughals lay claim to conquering all the Rajputs, he never compromised his honour for safety, and in the end, he died a proud and free King.

Character

Before the Battle of Haldighati started, Man Singh Kacchwaha was out hunting with a few hundred retainers. Bhil spies of Maharana Pratap reported this to him as he was camped a few kilometers away. Some nobles of Pratap suggested they should attack Man Singh and kill him. Pratap refused. Though, had he attacked and killed Man Singh, one of the most able generals of Akbar would have been killed. In another incidence, Maharana Pratap commanded his son Amar Singh (eldest of 17 sons and 5 daughters) to return with honor the womenfolk of Abdur Rahim Khankhana who were captured by Amar when the Mughal Subedar was camping at Sherpur on his way to campaign against Mewar ca. 1580. Khankhana was so charmed of Maharana’s character that he refused campaign against such a magnanimous monarch and therefore he sought transfer and was appointed guardian of the Mughal Prince Salim in 1581

References

• Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan by Col. James Tod, ,