If you are thinking of the meaning of Maharana Pratap, the first thing that comes to mind is the mightiest Warrior of Mewar. Maharana Pratap was the third ruler of the Mewar dynasty and considered one of India’s most heroic kings. There was a time when India had its superpower, and that time was the era of Maharana Pratap. The power of India was at its peak under the leadership of Maharana Pratap. In this blog, we will talk about the history and contributions of the great warrior who was the invincible king. Maharana Pratap is known for many things. He is remembered for his bravery and gallantry. He is also remembered for leading his troops into war against Mughal Empire. However, he was also one of the most progressive kings of that time. Here we will look at the legacy left behind by Maharana Pratap.
Early Life:
Maharana Pratap was the eldest son of Udai Singh II, the Maharana of Mewar, and his wife, Jaiwanta Bai. He was born in 1540 in the city of Kumbhalgarh. He also had two other stepsisters. Whose names were Chand Kanwar and Man Kanwar. Maharana Pratap is considered one of the greatest warriors in Indian history. He was well-versed in the art of warfare and was an expert in horsemanship, archery, and swordsmanship. He was also a trained diplomat and politician. Maharana Pratap was a brave and determined ruler who fought against the mighty Mughal Empire, led by Akbar, to preserve the independence of Mewar. In the Battle of Haldighati, fought in 1576, Maharana Pratap was defeated by the Mughals. However, he continued to fight against the Mughals and eventually regained control of Mewar. Maharana Pratap is revered as a national hero in India. A statue of him has been erected in his hometown of Kumbhalgarh, and a national holiday, Maharana Pratap Jayanti, is celebrated in his honor every year on the 9th of May.
Personal Life:
He married Ajabde Punwar of Bijolia. He also married ten other women, including Phool Bai Rathore, Jasobai Chauhan, Amarbai Rathore, Ajabde Punwar, Alamdebai Chauhan, Champabai Jhati, Lakhabai, Solankhinipur Bai, Khichar Asha Bai, Shahmatibai Hada, Ratnawatibai Parmar. He had five daughters and 17 sons, including Amar Singh and Bhagwan Das.
Accession:
Marhana Partap Singh belongs to the Royal Family. In 1572, after the death of his father, Udai Singh, senior courtiers decided Pratap Singh be their king. In contrast, Rani Deer Bai wanted his son Jagmal to succeed Udai Singh. The decision of the nobles prevailed, and Rana Partap Singh became king of Mewar. He was the 54th ruler of Mewar. Jagmal left Mewar and went to Ajmer. He joined the Akbar’s Army to take revenge. He got Jahazpur as a gift in return for his assistance and alliance.
Military Background:
Other Rajput rulers used to form alliances with the various Muslim dynasties in the subcontinent. Maharana Partap Singh led the state of Mewar without any alliance with the Mughal Empire.
His distinction attitude toward refusing to form any political alliance with the Mughal Empire. His resistance to the Mughal Empire created more conflicts between Pratap Singh and Akbar. The Battle of Haldighati also was the outcome of this series of conflicts.
Battle of Haldighati:
Maharana Pratap fought the Battle of Haldighati against the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1567-1568. In this battle, he lost the fertile eastern part of Mewar. The wooden and hilly area still owned by Maharana Partap Singh. This battle was one of the fiercest battles ever fought on Indian soil, starting on 18th June 1567. The Mughal army inflicted significant casualties but failed to catch Maharana Pratap, with his small army of just 3,000 Rajput warriors, who took on the mighty Mughal army of over 50,000 soldiers. The battle raged for hours, and Maharana Pratap’s army was slowly but surely being outnumbered and outmatched. But the Rajputs fought bravely, and in the end, Maharana Pratap emerged victorious. This was a great victory for the Rajputs and a crushing defeat for the Mughals.
Reconquest of Mewar
During the Bengal, Bihar and Punjab rebellions, Mughal pressure on Mewar relaxed after 1579. Abdul Rahim Khan-i-khanan was sent to invade Mewar, but he changed his mind and stopped at Ajmer. Pratap Singh conquered the Mughal post at Dewair (or Dewar) in 1582 in the Battle of Dewair. In 1584, Akbar again decided to send Jagannath Kachhwaha to invade Mewar. Suddenly, Akbar went to Lahore and stayed there for 12 years. During this period, no Mughal invader was sent to invade Mewar. Pratap Singh recovered Chittorgarh, Mandalgarh and most of Mewar during this interval. A new capital “Chavand” was built also near Durgapur.
Art during his period:
In the court of Maharana Pratap, many poets, artists, writers, and artisans Chavand had shelter. During the reign of Rana Partap Singh, the Chavand School of art was established and developed.
Revival of Mewar:
Maharana Pratap began to attack the Mughal strongholds. He took shelter in the Chappan area. He successfully possessed western Mewar by 1583. He had captured the fort of Kumbalgarh Dewar, Amet, Madariya, and Zawar. He built Chavand as his capital. Chamunda Mata temple was also constructed there. The Maharana could live in peace for a short time. He established order all over the Mewar. Till his death, the Maharana Partap Singh had gained a large part of Mewar. The citizens started to return who had left Mewar during the conflict period. The agriculture of Mewar revived again. The economy and trade in the area started to boost. Rana Partap Singh wanted to capture Chittor, but this dream could not come true in his life.
Legacy:
Maharana Pratap’s legacy continues to inspire people even today, and he is an icon of Rajasthan. A statue of Maharana Partap Singh was uncovered in 2007 by former President Pratibha Patil in the parliament of India.
Death:
Sadly, Maharana Pratap passed away on 9th May 1597 after suffering from an illness. He died of injuries in a hunting accident. His eldest son Amar Singh succeeded him. Even in death, he was a true hero. He advised his son never to submit to the Mughal Empire. He was one of the most courageous and legendary rulers of India. He was the ruler of Mewar and was known for his fearless nature. He was a great warrior and had many heroic deeds to his credit. He was a patriotic ruler who always prioritized his kingdom and people. He fought many battles against the mighty Mughal Empire and always emerged victorious. He was a true patriot and will always be remembered as one of the greatest rulers of India.
Summary:
Maharana Pratap was one of the most prominent rulers of the Mewar kingdom in India. He was born in 1540 to Maharana Udai Singh II and Maharani Jaiwanta Bai. His mother raised him after his father’s death. Maharana Pratap was a brave ruler who fought against the mighty Mughal Empire. He was known for his military skills and ability to lead his people and was a great patron of the arts and literature. Maharana Pratap died in 1597 at the age of 57. He had left a great history of India.
Reference Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharana_Pratap