Maharana Pratap life history and military conquests

Maharana Pratap Singh was among the greatest Rajput warriors ever born in the history of Rajasthan and India. The Rajput king was notable for his extreme bravery, military supremacy, extraordinary political skills and unconditional love for motherland. The lifelong struggle of Maharana Pratap against the mighty Mughal empire is a remarkable feature of his life history. Finally, Maharana Pratap was a proud Hindu Rajput ruler and an iconic personality. He never accepted the Mughal suzerainty despite of several invitations from Mughals for diplomatic settlements.

Maharana Pratap Singh life history was full of struggles. It began with the siege of Chiitorgarh led by the Mughal emperor Akbar at the age of 27 years. His entire family had to shift to Gogunda for safety reasons. Hence recapturing Chittoor from the Mughals became the prime objective of life. How Maharana Pratap perapred and fought against the Mughals is an incredible story of his life. He fought restlessly for his motherland Mewar. Therefore Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar is often recognized as the first native freedom fighter of India.

Early life of Maharana Pratap Singh

Maharana Pratap Singh was born on 9 May in 1540 to Uday Singh II and Jaiwanta Bai at Kumbhalgarh Fort. Presently, Maharana Pratap Jayanti is therefore celebrated in many parts of India every year on 9th May. Uday Singh II, father of Maharana Pratap was a Sisodia Rajput king of Mewar. Sisodia Rajput dynasty was ruling Mewar successfully since the 14th century. Kuwar Pratap Singh was the eldest son of Maharana Uday. He had three younger stepbrothers, namely Shakti Singh, Vikram Singh and Jagmal Singh.

India’s first native freedom fighter had spent most of his young days at Kumbhalgarh Fortress. Hunting was one of his favourite sports. The hill forest of Aravalli was one his places of hunting. Fearlessness, indomitable and couragious natures had therefore grown in Maharana Pratap from his younger days itself. His hide and hunt skills in Aravalli forests probably later converted into his guerilla warfare skills.

Famous Legends on Young Maharana Pratap

Maharana Pratap was a man of incredible character. People still remember Maharana Pratap of Mewar through several legends

Story of Tiger Hunting

A legend about tiger hunting of young Maharana Pratap is very popular. Kuwar (Prince) Pratap with his brother Kuwar Shakti Singh, once went for hunting when a tiger attacked. Kuwar Shakti got very scared. But Kuwar Pratap still acted bravely in the situation. He pushed his step brother aside with his one hand. With his other hand, he inserted his sword in the chest of the jumping tiger.

Maharana had enormous hunting skills. But unfortunately, it caused his death too. Later in his life, Maharana Pratap was badly wounded while hunting. He eventually died of the severe infaction caused from the wound.

Personal Life of Maharana Pratap

Rajput dunasties lacked unity in them. As a result, external powers like Mughals started controlling them. Maharana Pratap had married multiple times to build good relations with other Rajput communities. It was therefore a fully political and tactical attempt towards unification of the Rajuput dynasties together, considering the contemporary political scenario of Rajputana. Maharana Pratap had total 11 wives, 5 daughters and 17 sons. However, Maharani Ajabde Punwar was his first and favorite wife. He tied his first knot with her in 1557. Amar Singh was first son who born to them in 1559 and later succeeded Maharana Pratap.  

Maharana Pratap Personality

Maharap Paratap was a man of remarkable personality. His loyalty to his motherland Mewar was truly unconditional. Mughal emperor Akbar was well aware about his incredible qualities. Hence he tried several ways to convince Maharana Pratap to remain submitted to the imperial Mughals. But The great Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap Singh chose a life full of struggles where as he could easily live a properous life under Mughal suzerainty.

The great Rajput warrior also possessed some immense leadership qualities. Akbar thrashed his army with modern canons and artilleries in the battle of Haldighati. But the Rajpurt king, with his great leadership and military skills built new army with the Bhil tribals and continued his fight with the mighty Mughals.

As a person, Maharana Pratap was very sincere, dedicated and honest. Many historians also pointed that he was very gentle sopken but a proud king. Probably those qualities sum up the great personality of Maharana Pratap. It also reflects a very stong reason why people still remember him even after 425 years of his death.

Several legends mention that Maharana Pratap was a strongly build warrior with a height of 7 feet 5 inches and weight over 110 kg. Maharana Pratap was famous for his hunting skills from his young days. There is a very famous legend about tiger hunting story of Maharana Pratap Singh and his strength.

Struggle with the Throne of Mewar

Maharana Pratap had to face initial resistance to ascend the trhone, despite of Rana Uday wanted Pratap to succeed him after his death. According to some legends, Rana Uday Singh II, who died in 1572, had twenty seven children. Kuwar Pratap was the eldest of Rana Uday. But Rani Bhatiyani, favorite queen of Rana Uday, wanted her son Jagmal to ascend the throne. Initially, Pratap Singh had agreed to let Jagmal Singh ascend the throne of Mewar.

But Chundawat Rajputs had played a critical role to force Jagmal out and convince Pratap to ascend the throne of Mewar. Pratap Singh, with major support of their feudal kings, eventually ascended throne of Mewar on 28 February in 1572. He became the 13th crowned Maharana of Mewar.

Military Career of Maharana Pratap

Maharana Pratap Singh true warrior with an incredible military career. His battle armors and other belongings are still preserved at the Maharana Pratap Meseum of Haldighati in Rajasthan. There are several legends and stories on Maharana Pratap and his height, weight and war capabilities.

His armors are the true evidence of this immense power. It shows Maharana Pratap height was abour 7 feet and 5 inches. The spear or bhala which Maharana Pratap used had a weight about 80 kilograms each. Further, his two swords, each weights about 25 kg. It clearly dictates that Maharana Pratap was very strong person who was comfortable with heavy weapons. Further, Maharana Pratap armors also weight about 70 KG, signifying his massive strength.

You can plan to visit Maharana Pratap Museum at Haldighati in Rajasthan for once at least. All the armors and other belongings of Maharana Pratap are really a treat to watch. Above all, his great mental toughness to fight his entire life for freedom shows his loyalty to his motherland.

Raivalry with Legendary Akbar

The Rajput families lacked unity in themselves. That opened up the opportunity for the Mughals to control them. Mughal emperor Akbar had slowly but steadily settled his relationships with other Rajput emperors. He approached Maharana Paratap by sending a number of diplomatic embassies. But Maharana Pratap had rejected Akbar’s proposal every time. Some legends mention that his family had to live on grass chapatis, but he never chose to submit himself to the Mughals.

This led Akbar use his military campaigns against Mewar. The rivalry of Maharana Pratap and Badshah Akbar went for decades, a fascinating history of early modern India. Maharana Pratap fought many battles in his life, especially against the forces of Akbar. His tactical guerilla war brought him several victory agianst the Mughal forces under Akbar.

Battle of Haldighati (18 June, 1576)

Mughals had already captured eastern Mewar through the Siege of Chittoor in 1568 CE. But Pratap still had the rest of Mewar under control. On the other side, despite of so many attempts, Akbar’s diplomats failed to convince Maharana Paratap to join the Mughals. Without Mewar and other states of Rajatshan, Delhi and Agra’s access to the ports of Gujarat was difficult. Hence Akbar sent his military force to Haldighati, a military base of Maharana Pratap.

Haldighati was a narrow passage in the hilly area near Gogunda near Udaypur, Rajasthan. According to the local sources of Mewar, Akbar had sent a troop of 80,000 soldiers; led by Man Singh. Pratap could easily utilize the geographical advantage Haldighati to stop Akbar’s huge army. Initially, the Mewar army had provided a good resistance. But things started turning around slowly. Eventually, Pratap’s 20,000 men army failed to resist Mughal army powered by huge cannons. Akbar’s army did capture the Kumbhalgarh fort, but not Maharana Pratap. With the help of the Bhils, Maharana Pratap was able to escape.

The legend of Maharana Pratap and Bahlol Khan fight is extremely famous. In an one on one battle, Maharana Pratap cut Mughal commander Bahlol Khan and his horse in two pieces with his sword. The story of Maharana Pratap and Bahlol Khan was another representation of his strength, height and weight to cut his opponent in a single shot.

There are few disputes and debates on the battle of Haldighati. According to a Persian source, Pratap only had 3000 cavalry along with 400 Bhil (local tribes) archers to fight against 10,000 Mughals. Further, some sources also claim that Akbar lost to Mewar army on the battle of Haldighati.

Chetak: the legendary horse of Maharana Pratap

Chetak was Maharana’s favorite horse. Chetak’s contribution in saving Maharana Pratap’s life from the battle of Haldighati was unbelievable.

According to a legend, Chetak had sustained a deep cut on his leg when Maharana Pratap attacked the elephant of Man Singh. Although there is a lot of debate, but Chetak helped the Maharana to escape from the battle field. Despite his one leg badly injured, he still successfully jumped over a 22 feet wide canal. But he couldn’t survive his injuries further and died there.

Battle of Dewair: Reclamation of Mewar and Kumbhalgarh

Akbar’s next step was to capture Maharana’s strongest base, the Kumbhalgarh Fort, surrounded by the longest wall in India. Later in 1976, possibly after the great battle of Haldighati, Akbar captured the fort. But the recapture of Kumbhalgarh by Maharana Pratap was probably his one of the best military achievements. It took him seven long years to rebuild his army and prapare for the battles against the Mughals.

By 1579 CE, the Mughals had already set up about 36 military outposts in different areas of Mewar. With his smart and tactical guerilla war, Maharana kept fighting and disturbing the might Mughal forces in several ways. Simultanously increasing tensions in the eastern India, especially in Bengal and Bihar, forced Akbar to gave up focus on Rajasthan. Mirza Hakim also invaded in Punjab. Maharana Pratap utilised the opportunity effectively to strengthen his army behind the eyes of Akbar.

On 16th September 1582, Maharana attacked Sultan Khan led Mughal military base at Dewair. His son Amar Singh killed Sultan Khan in the battle. It made the Mughal army to retreat. Maharana Pratap soon started reclaiming his lost territories of Mewar one by one. Eventually in 1583, Maharana Pratap recaptured Kumbhalgarh Fort.

Conclusion of Akbar Pratap Rivalry

The defeat of Mughals in the battle of Dewair literally stopped long term conflict between Mughal emperor Akbar and Maharana Pratap. Akbar also stopped all his military campaigns to Mewar. Later in 1585, Akbar moved his capital to Lahore. For next 12 years, the Mughal emperor remained engaged in dealing with challenges of Khyber Pass, a mountain pass at Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Therefore the battle of Dewair was significant victory of Maharana Pratap.

Victory memorial of Maharana Pratap at Dewair village

Smt. Pratibha Patil, the President of India, inaugurated a victory memorial on 10th January 2012 to commemorate the victory of Dewair. A statue of Maharana Pratap Singh riding his famous horse was inaugurated at the battle site of Dewair.

Death of Maharana Pratap

Hunting was the best sport in Maharana Pratap’s life. But during his late life, he met with an accident while hunting and sustained a deep injury. Slowly, his health started deteriorating. On January 19, 1597, at the age of 56 years, Maharana Pratap Singh died at Chavand, in Udaipur district of Rajasthan.

Legacy of Maharana Pratap Singh

The life story of Maharana Pratap Singh is a true inspiration to billions of Indian hearts. He was one of the greatest warriors of 16th century, who almost single handedly fought against the mighty Mughal forces. But Maharana Pratap is more remembered for his unconditional patriotism for Mewar. He dared to refuse diplomatic peace treaties with Akbar. As a result, Akbar captured a significant part of Mewar. But Maharana Pratap Singh had never hesitated to fight his lone battle against Akbar while other Rajput kingdoms were already enjoying Mughal imperiality.

Maharana Pratap showed his tremendous will power merged with fighting spirit and military skills. He lived in the forests of Aravalli, and prepared his army with Bhil tribes and local farmers. Maharana Pratap also showed that great super powers like the Mughals were not even invincible when there is a strong will. Later Chhatrapati Shivaji, another great leader of India, followed his guerilla war tactices to continue fighting against the Mughal Empire. Many nationists of Indian freedom struggle had therefore considered Maharana Pratap, the freedom fighter of India, as their role model.