Maharana Pratap

Maharana Pratap was born to Udai Singh II of Mewar and Jaiwanta Bai in 1540, the year in which Udai Singh ascended to the throne after defeating Vanvir Singh.{{sfn|Rana|2004|pp=28, 105}}{{cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Jadunath|title=A History of Jaipur|publisher=Orient Blackswan|year=1994|isbn=978-8-12500-333-5|page=48|author-link=Jadunath Sarkar}}{{cite book|last=Daryanani|first=Mohan B.|title=Who's who on Indian Stamps| year=1999|isbn=978-8-49311-010-9|page=302|publisher=Mohan B. Daryanani }} His younger brothers were Shakti Singh, Vikram Singh and Jagmal Singh. Pratap also had two stepsisters: Chand Kanwar and Man Kanwar. His chief consort was Ajabde Bai Punwar of Bijolia.{{Cite book|last=Bhatt|first=Rajendra Shankar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cHFuAAAAMAAJ|title=Maharana Pratap|date=2005|publisher=National Book Trust, India|isbn=978-81-237-4339-4|language=en}} Their eldest son was Amar Singh I.{{Cite book|last=Sharma|first=Sri Ram|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3twgPwAACAAJ|title=Maharana Pratap: A Biography|date=2002|publisher=Hope India Publ.|isbn=978-81-7871-005-1|language=en}} He belonged to the royal family of Mewar.{{cite book|title=Maharana Pratap & his times|first1=Gopi Nath|last1=Sharma|first2=M. N.|last2=Mathur|publisher=Maharana Pratap Smarak Samiti|location=Udaipur State|page=29}} After the death of Udai Singh in 1572, Rani Dheer Bai Bhatiyani wanted her son Jagmal to succeed him{{cite book|last=Lal|first=Muni|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zExuAAAAMAAJ|title=Akbar|publisher=Vikas Publishers|year=1980|isbn=978-0-70691-076-6|location=University of Michigan|page=135}} but senior courtiers preferred Pratap, as the eldest son, to be their king. The desire of the nobles prevailed and Pratap ascended the throne as Maharana Pratap, the 54th ruler of Mewar in the line of the Sisodia Rajputs.{{Sfnm|1a1=Augustus|1y=1890|1p=190|2a1=Rana|2y=2004|2p=17}} He was crowned in Gogunda on the auspicious day of Holi. Jagmal swore revenge and left for Ajmer, to join the armies of Emperor Akbar who later gave him a portion of Sirohi.{{Cite book |last=Majumdar |first=R. C. |author-link=R. C. Majumdar |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/mughulempire00bhar/page/335/mode/1up?view=theater |title=History and Culture of the Indian People |publisher=Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan |year=1974 |volume=7 |publication-place=Bombay |page=335 |chapter=Hindu Resistance to Muslim Domination |quote=Uday Singh left twenty wives and twenty-five sons, of whom the eldest was Pratap Singh. Before his death, however, he nominated his ninth son Jagmal as his successor. Jagmal actually ascended the throne while Pratap and the other nobles went to perform the funeral rites of the deceased monarch. On their return, however, the nobles forced Jagmal to abdicate and offered the throne to the rightful successor, Pratap Singh, and he accepted it. Jagmal went to Ajmer, joined Akbar, and received a portion of Sirohi, but later died fighting with its rightful chieftain.}}

In his campaign to extend his empire, Akbar presented Rana Pratap with the rank of Panj Hazari (commander of an army of 5,000). Rana Pratap refused, demanding instead the rank of Dah Hazari (commander of an army of 10,000).{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cAVuAAAAMAAJ |title=Indian Journal of Secularism: IJS : a Journal of Centre for Study of Society & Secularism |date=2006 |publisher=The Centre |pages=118 |language=en |quote=In the process of expanding his empire, Akbar had offered Rana Pratap the status of panj hazari (' head of five thousand soldiers') but the latter refused to accept this, demanding the post of dah hazari or head of ten thousand soldiers.}}The conflicts between Pratap Singh and Akbar led to the Battle of Haldighati.{{Cite book |last=DeNapoli |first=Antoinette Elizabeth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=43GVAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA49 |title=Real Sadhus Sing to God: Gender, Asceticism, and Vernacular Religion in Rajasthan |date=1 April 2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-994002-8 |pages=49 |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Talbot |first=Cynthia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m3DjCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA157 |title=The Last Hindu Emperor: Prithviraj Cauhan and the Indian Past, 1200–2000 |date=2016 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-11856-0 |pages=157 |language=en}}

{{Main|Battle of Haldighati}}

The Siege of Chittorgarh in 1567-1568 had led to the loss of the fertile eastern belt of Mewar to the Mughals. However, the rest of the wooded and hilly kingdom in the Aravalli range was still under the control of Maharana Pratap. Mughal Emperor Akbar was intent on securing a stable route to Gujarat through Mewar; when Pratap Singh was crowned king (Maharana) in 1572, Akbar sent a number of envoys, including one by Raja Man Singh I of Amer, entreating him to become a vassal like many other rulers in Rajputana. When Pratap refused to personally submit to Akbar and several attempts to diplomatically settle the issue failed, war became inevitable.{{sfn|Sarkar|1960|p=75}}{{sfn|Chandra|2005|pp=119–120}}

The forces of Pratap Singh and Mughal and Rajput general Man Singh met on 18 June 1576 beyond a narrow mountain pass at Haldighati near Gogunda, modern day Rajsamand in Rajasthan. This came to be known as the battle of Haldighati. Pratap Singh fielded a force of around 3000 cavalry and 400 Bhil archers. Man Singh commanded an army numbering around 10,000 men.{{sfn|de la Garza|2016|p=56|ps=One year later the Rajputs attempted a similar all-out charge at Haldighati. The result was an even more decisive Mughal victory.}}{{sfn|Raghavan|2018|p=67|ps=Although most of the other Rajput rulers soon entered the Mughal alliance system, the kingdom of Mewar continued its resistance. Udai Singh was followed by his son, Pratap Singh, whose continued opposition to Mughal expansion – despite military defeats, most notably in the battle of Haldighati in 1576...}} After a fierce battle lasting more than three hours, Pratap found himself wounded and the day lost. He managed to retreat to the hills and lived to fight another day.{{sfn|Sarkar|1960|p=77–79}} The Mughals were victorious and inflicted significant casualties among the forces of Mewar but failed to capture Maharana Pratap.{{sfn|de la Garza|2016|p=56|ps=One year later the Rajputs attempted a similar all-out charge at Haldighati. The result was an even more decisive Mughal victory.}}{{sfn|Raghavan|2018|p=67|ps=Although most of the other Rajput rulers soon entered the Mughal alliance system, the kingdom of Mewar continued its resistance. Udai Singh was followed by his son, Pratap Singh, whose continued opposition to Mughal expansion – despite military defeats, most notably in the battle of Haldighati in 1576...}}{{cite book|url=http://m.friendfeed-media.com/6e9ec7f58014456d2d5fd015cc8af9d2974509c0|title=Dictionary of Battles and Sieges|page=428|author=Jacques, Tony|year=2006|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-33536-5|access-date=23 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626120848/http://m.friendfeed-media.com/6e9ec7f58014456d2d5fd015cc8af9d2974509c0|archive-date=26 June 2015|url-status=dead}}

Rana Pratap was able to escape due to selfless devotion of chief of Jhala who drew upon himself the attack of armies by declaring himself to be Rana. An Advanced History of India by RC Majumdar

Haldighati was a futile victory for the Mughals, as they were unable to kill or capture Pratap, or any of his close family members in Udaipur.{{sfn|Chandra|2005|pp=121–122}} While the sources also claim that Pratap was able to make a successful escape, Man Singh managed to conquer Gogunda within a week after Haldighati then ended his campaign. Subsequently, Akbar himself led a sustained campaign against the Rana in September 1576, and soon, Gogunda, Udaipur, and Kumbhalgarh were all under Mughal control.{{Sfn|Chandra|2005|pp=121–122}}

Shahbaz Khan Kamboh led multiple invasions that resulted in the subjugation of key areas in Mewar, such as Kumbhalgarh, Mandalgarh, Gogunda, and Central Mewar, bringing them permanently under Mughal rule. The Mughal Empire established its supremacy in Mewar after Shahbaz Khan's invasions. This ultimately led to a significant weakening of Pratap's power, forcing him to seek shelter in his hilly abode.{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=G. N. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.10571 |title=Mewar and the mughal emperors |date=1954 |publisher=Shiva Lal Agarwala & Co |pages=113}}

Maharana Pratap's court at Chavand had given shelter to many poets, artists, writers and artisans. The Chavand school of art was developed during the reign of Rana Pratap. He also had renowned artists like Nasiruddin in his court.{{Cite book|first= Rima|last= Hooja|title= Maharana Pratap: The Invincible Warrior|publisher= Juggernaut|year= 2018|isbn=9789386228963|pages= 158|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=IPYmvwEACAAJ&q=battle+of+dewair|access-date= 10 October 2020}}

{{Main|Khan Khana invasion of Mewar|Jagannath Kachhawa invasion of Mewar}}

Mughal pressure on Mewar relaxed after 1579 following rebellions in Bengal and Bihar and Mirza Hakim's incursion into the Punjab. After this Akbar sent Jagannath Kachhwaha to invade Mewar in 1584. This time too Mewar army defeated Mughals and forced them to retreat. In 1585, Akbar moved to Lahore and remained there for the next twelve years watching the situation in the north-west. No major Mughal expedition was sent to Mewar during this period.{{sfn|Chandra|2005|p=122}} Taking advantage of the situation, Pratap recovered some of the Mughal occupied areas of Mewar and captured thirty-six Mughal outposts. Udaipur, Mohi, Gogunda, Mandal and Pandwara were some of the important areas that were recaptured during this conflict. According to the 1588 inscription near Jahazpur, the Rana gave the lands of Pander to a trusted follower called Sadulnath Trivedi. G.N. Sharma claims that the Pander inscription is proof that the Rana had occupied north-eastern Mewar and was granting lands to those who had been loyal to him.{{sfn|Chandra|2005|p=122}}{{Cite book|first=GN|last=Sharma|title=Mewar and the Mughal Emperors: 1526-1707 A. D.|publisher=Shiva Lal Agarwala|year=1962|pages=103|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7sQBAAAAMAAJ&q=thirtysix|quote=}} From 1585 till his death, the Rana had recovered a large part of Mewar. The citizens who had migrated out of Mewar started returning during this time. There was good monsoon which helped to revive the agriculture of Mewar. The economy also started getting better and trade in the area started increasing. The Rana was able to capture the territories around Chittor but could not fulfill his dream of capturing Chittor itself.{{Cite book|first=Rima|last=Hooja|title=A History of Rajasthan|publisher=Rupa & Company|year=2006|pages=473–474|isbn=9788129115010|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qqd1RAAACAAJ&q=rajasthan%20rima%20hooja}}

Reportedly, Pratap died of injuries sustained in a hunting accident,{{cite book|last=Sharma|first=Sri Ram|title=Maharana Pratap|year=2005|isbn=978-8-17871-003-7|page=91|publisher=Hope India Publications }} at Chavand{{sfn|Chandra|2005|p=122}} on 19 January 1597, aged 56.{{cite book|last1=Gupta|first1=R.K.|last2=Bakshi|first2=S.R.|title=Studies In Indian History: Rajasthan Through The Ages The Heritage of Rajputs (Set Of 5 Vols.)|year=2008|isbn=978-8-17625-841-8|page=46}} He was succeeded by his eldest son, Amar Singh I. On his death bed, Pratap told his son never to submit to the Mughals and to win Chittor back.{{Sfnm|1a1=Rana|1y=2004|1pp=77-79|2a1=Nahar|2y=2011|2pp=198–201}}

It is said that even Akbar was shocked to hear the news of Maharana Pratap's death. Dursa Arha, the court poet of Akbar, is said to have eulogised Maharana Pratap in the Mughal court.{{Cite book |last=Not Available |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.539416 |title=Veer Vinod, (maharana Amar Singh Avval-pancham Prakaran)}}

File:Statue of Maharana Pratap of Mewar, commemorating the Battle of Haldighati, City Palace, Udaipur.jpg.]]

Maharana Pratap is a prominent figure in both folk and contemporary Rajasthani culture and is viewed as a folk hero and celebrated warrior in that state, as well as in India as a whole.{{Sfn|Nahar|2011|p=1.2}}

Historian Satish Chandra notes –

{{Blockquote|

"Rana Pratap's defiance of the mighty Mughal empire, almost alone and unaided by the other Rajput states, constitute a glorious saga of Rajput valour and the spirit of self sacrifice for cherished principles. Rana Pratap's methods of guerrilla warfare was later elaborated further by Malik Ambar, the Deccani general, and by Shivaji".{{cite web |last1=Chandra |first1=Satish |title=Medieval India |url=https://www.slideshare.net/princynavya/medieval-history-of-india-satish-chandra |publisher=National Council for Educational Training and Research |page=153 |date=1983 |access-date=28 February 2021 |archive-date=11 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411051800/https://www.slideshare.net/princynavya/medieval-history-of-india-satish-chandra |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Rajasthan Year Book 2021 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AEEgEAAAQBAJ&q=rana+pratap+sporadic+warfare&pg=PA1980|last1 = Meena|first1 = R. P.}}}}

Bandyopadhyay also seconds Satish Chandra's view with the observation that

{{Blockquote|

Pratap's successful defiance of Mughals using guerrilla strategy also proved inspirational to figures ranging from Shivaji to anti-British revolutionaries in Bengal.{{cite book |last1=Bandyopadhyay |first1=Brishti |title=Maharana Pratap: Mewar's Rebel King |date=2007 |publisher=Rupa Co |location=New Delhi}}}}

In 2007, a statue of Maharana Pratap was unveiled by former President Pratibha Patil in the Parliament of India.{{cite news |title=Maharana Pratap's statue unveiled |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/maharana-pratap-s-statue-unveiled/story-MLuPzzVCikZmx0KbPc3ZbO.html |access-date=21 February 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=21 August 2007 |language=en}}

• 1988–1989: Bharat Ek Khoj, broadcast on Doordarshan, where he was played by Puneet Issar
• 2012: Maharana Pratap: The First Freedom Fighter
• 2013–2015: Jodha Akbar, broadcast on Zee TV, where he was played by Anurag Sharma
• 2013–2015: Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap, broadcast by Sony Entertainment Television (India), where he was portrayed by Faisal Khan and Sharad Malhotra
• 2016: ABP News presented Bharatvarsha, in which episode 8 showcased the story of Maharana Pratap.
• 2023: Deepraj Rana as Maharana Pratap in Webseries Taj: Divided by Blood on Zee5

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• Udaipur State
• Durgadas Rathore

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoRDAAAAYAAJ | title=Military History of India | publisher=Orient Longmans | last=Sarkar | first=Jadunath | author-link=Jadunath Sarkar | year=1960 | pages=75–81 | isbn=9780861251551 }}
• {{cite book|last1=Chandra|first1=Satish|author-link=Satish Chandra (historian)|title=Medieval India (Part Two): From Sultanat to the Mughals|date=2005|publisher=Har-Anand Publications|isbn=9788124110669|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Rm9MC4DDrcC|location=|pages=|language=en}}
• {{citation |last=Rana |first=Bhawan Singh |title=Maharana Pratap |year=2004 |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books |isbn=9788128808258 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K0UnRk-rRa4C }}
• {{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/mughulempire00bhar/page/n6/mode/2up|title=History and Culture of the Indian People|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|year=1974|editor-last=Majumdar|editor-first=R. C.|editor-link=R. C. Majumdar|volume=VII |location=Bombay}}
• {{cite book|last=Augustus|first=Frederick|url=https://archive.org/stream/emperorakbaraco00buchgoog#page/n8/mode/1up|title=The Emperor Akbar, a contribution towards the history of India in the 16th century (Vol. 1)|publisher=Thacker, Spink and Co., Calcutta|year=1890|translator=Annette Susannah Beveridge}}
• {{cite book|last=de la Garza|first=Andrew|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OGERDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA56|title=The Mughal Empire at War: Babur, Akbar and the Indian Military Revolution, 1500–1605|date=2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317245315}}
• {{cite book|title=Attendant Lords: Bairam Khan and Abdur Rahim, Courtiers and Poets in Mughal India|first=T.C.A.|last=Raghavan|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2018}}
• {{Cite book|last=Nahar|first=Vijay|title=हिंडुआ सूरज मेवाड़ रतन|publisher=Pinkcity Publishers|year=2011|isbn=978-93-80522-45-6|location=Jaipur, Rajasthan|pages=|language=hi|trans-title=Hindua Suraj Mewar Ratan|author-link=Vijay Nahar}}

{{Sister project links|display=Pratap Singh I|wikt=no|c=Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar|commonscat=yes|n=no|q=Maharana Pratap|s=no|author=no|b=no|voy=no|v=no|d=Q2722956|species=no|species_author=no|m=no|mw=no|position=right}}

• [http://www.mewarindia.com Official Website for the Royal Family of Udaipur]

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{{S-hou|Rana of Mewar||9 May 1540||19 January 1597}}

{{S-bef|before=Udai Singh II}}

{{S-ttl|title=Rana of Mewar

|years=1572–1597}}

{{S-aft|after=Amar Singh I}}

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{{Udaipur}}

{{Mughal Empire}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pratap, Maharana}}

Singh, Pratap

Singh, Pratap

Category:Rajput monarchs

Category:16th-century Indian monarchs

Category:Hunting accident deaths

Category:Hindu monarchs

Category:Monarchs of Mewar

Category:Indian Hindus