Children your dreams come true and you become successful if you have determination and a strong will. God helps those who help themselves. There is nothing impossible in the world for those with will power and unyielding determination. Although, Bharat’s history is full of such examples that convey this message, Maharana Pratap’s example is a unique one. During Maharana Pratap Singh’s time, Akbar was the Mughal ruler in Delhi. His policy was to make use of the strength of Hindu kings to bring other Hindu kings under his control. Many Rajput kings, abandoning their glorious traditions and fighting spirit, sent their daughters and daughters-in-law to the harem of Akbar with the purpose of gaining rewards and honour from him. Infact Akbar used all forces to overcome the Rajput kings. As a result, almost all major Rajput Kings surrendered to Akbar, but Maharana Pratap didn’t. In fact, Maharana Pratap and his few loyal Rajput chieftain took pledge in front of Goddess Kali, he said, “My brave warrior brothers, our Motherland, this holy land of Mewar, is under the clutches of the Mughals. Today, I take an oath in front of all of you that till Chittor is freed, I will not have food in gold and silver plates, will not sleep on a soft bed and will not stay in the palace; instead I will eat food on a leaf-platter, sleep on the floor and stay in a hut. My brave warriors, I am sure that you will support me in every way sacrificing your mind, body and wealth till this oath is fulfilled.” All the chieftains were inspired with the oath of their king and they too promised him that till their last drop of blood, they would help Maharana Pratap to free Chittor and join him in fighting the Mughals and would not retreat from their goal. Mughal King Akbar sent his associate Man Singh to convince Maharana Pratap. In his meeting with Maharana, Man Singh asked, “Why don’t you join Akbar?” Maharana replied back, “I have not sold my honour to Akbar. Rajputs like their honour most. You are not a true Rajput.” ManaSingh furiously said, “I came as a friend and you have insulted me. You shall pay for this”. Maharana bravely replied, “Very well then, we shall meet in the battlefield”. At last Akbar and Man Singh decided to use force against Maharana Pratap
Battle of Haldighati
Akbar tried his best to bring Maharana Pratap under his clutches; but all in vain. Akbar got angry as no compromise could be arrived at with Maharana Pratap and he declared a war against him. Maharana Pratap’s coffers were empty whereas Akbar had a large army, a lot of wealth and a lot more at his disposal. Maharana Pratap, however, did not get distracted or lose heart nor did he ever say that he was weak as compared to Akbar. His only concern was to immediately free his motherland from the clutches of the Mughals.
He shifted his capital to Kumbhalgad in the Aravalli range of mountains which was difficult to access. He recruited tribal people in his army. These people had no experience of fighting any war; but he trained them. He appealed to all Rajput chieftains to come under one flag for Mewar’s independence. Maharana Pratap’s army of 22,000 soldiers met 2,00,000 soldiers of Akbar at Haldighati on June 21,1576. Maharana Pratap and his soldiers exhibited great valour in this battle, although he had to retreat but Akbar’s army was not successful in completely defeating him.Then Akbar himself attacked Rana Pratap but even after six months of fighting the battle, Akbar could not defeat him and went back to Delhi. As a last resort, Akbar sent one of his trusted General in the year 1584 with a huge army to Mewar but after trying relentlessly for two years, even the General could not catch Maharana Pratap. After the battle, he and his family lived in exile. But he didn’t give up. He again started raising army with the help of his friend Bhama Shah and Bhil tribals. Bhama Shah helped him raise the money and weapons. Bhil Tribals provided him with man-power. Maharana Pratap fought relentlessly for fifteen years to get his kingdom back. By the end of 1584, he managed to liberate his most of the lost territories. But he could not get his Chittor (Capital of Mewar) back. It was still occupied by the enemies. His dream was partially fulfilled. He died in 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.
Severe Destiny
Wandering in the jungles and valleys of the mountains, Maharana Pratap used to take even his family with him. There always used to be the danger of the enemy attacking him and his family Getting proper food to eat was an ordeal in the forests. Many times, they had to go without food; they had to wander from one place to another without food and sleep in the mountains and forests. They were constantly trapped in some catastrophe or the other. Once the Maharani was roasting ‘bhakris (Indian bread)’ in the forest; after eating their share, she asked her daughter to keep the left over ‘bhakri’ for dinner but at that time, a wild cat attacked and took away the piece of ‘bhakri’ from her hand leaving the princess crying helplessly.
Self-Rrespect
Self-respect and virtuous behaviour were the main qualities of Maharana. He was bold and brave right from his childhood and everyone was sure that he was going to be a very valiant person as he grew up.
One day Raja Man Singh the commander – in – chief of the Mughal army was out hunting with a few hundred of his troops. Maharana’s Bhil spy reported this to him at his camp a few kilometers away. The spy told Maharana,“ Raja Man Singh is on a hunting sprawl and he can be easily targeted”. But Maharana Pratap straight forwardly refused to back stab him and as he was of the belief that a soldier should be defeated only in the battlefield.
Other time the women from the family of Abdur Rahim Khankhana (Mughal 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 Mughal ladies to their camp. Khankhana was so affected by this incident that he refused to fight against such a chivalrous monarch.
“Where there is a will, there is a way” is a familiar and well-known saying. This saying underlines a very vital fact of life, very few truly understand and practice it. Maharana Pratap practiced it. He did not give up until his last breath. When almost the whole of Rajasthan was under the control of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, Maharana Pratap fought for fifteen years to save Mewar. Akbar tried various means to defeat Maharana but he remained unbeatable till the end. Infact Maharana freed a large portion of land in Rajasthan from the Mughals. His life was so bright that the other name for freedom could have been ‘Maharana Pratap’. We pay tribute in his valiant memory.
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