Son of Rana Udai Singh of Mewar (Udaipur), who had been King of the Sisodiya Rajputs, Maharana Pratap (1540-1597) ascended the throne in 1572. He remained a formidable enemy of Emperor Akbar all throughout, steadfastly refusing to surrender his kingdom to the Mughal. Akbar was furious against the Maharana who, engaged in activities against him, was attracting freedom fighters and other civilians to end Turkish rule. He did all to subdue Maharana Pratap.

In the battle at Haldi Ghati in June 1576, in which the Maharana was wounded despite his exemplary bravery, a Muslim general, Hakim Khan Sur, led the Rajput army. Not happy with the imperialism of the Mughals, he put his Pathan squadron at the Maharana?s command. A most faithful general, Hakim sacrificed his own life to save that of the Maharana. Raja Kunwar Man Singh, adopted son of the brother-in-law of Raja Behar Mal, commanded the vast and mighty Mughal army. Although he had lost his kingdom, the Maharana refused to submit to Akbar, preferring to lead an austere life and undergo sacrifices in order to set free his country. Eventually, even if both sides were of equal strength, Maharana Pratap succeeded in this half-day fierce battle in fighting the Mughals who had been unconquerable for the past fifty years.

Never accepting defeat, however difficult were the adverse circumstances, the Maharana continued the struggle till the end. Although he could finally restore his power throughout Mewar, the very severe wound sustained finally led to his death. A valorous warrior and a devout patriot, he is remembered as a fiery soldier of liberty for India. Unlike other Rajput rulers, who came under the suzerainty of Akbar after being granted control of large tracts of land and attractive positions in his army, he maintained his independence.

At Lawrence Road, Keshav Puram, in New Delhi, is found the Maharana Pratap Bhavan, the seat of the All-India Rajput Sabha, and in front of which stands the statue of the chivalrous Indian freedom fighter on his horse with a sword in his right hand.

Chit DUKHIRA