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For the 2012 film, see Maharana Pratap: The First Freedom Fighter.
For other people named Pratap Singh, see Pratap Singh (disambiguation).
| Maharana Pratap | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reign | 1572 - 1597 |
| Predecessor | Udai Singh II |
| Successor | Amar Singh I |
| Ministers | Bhamashah |
| Born | 9 May 1540
Kumbhalgarh, Mewar (present day: Kumbhal Fort, Rajsamand District, Rajasthan, India) |
| Died | 19 January 1597 (aged 56)
Chavand,Mewar (Present day:Chavand, Udaipur District, Rajasthan, India) |
| Spouse | 11 (including Maharani Ajabde) |
| Issue | 22 (including Amar Singh I
and Bhagwan Das) |
| Dynasty | Sisodias of Mewar |
| Father | Udai Singh II |
| Mother | Maharani Jaiwanta Bai |
| Religion | |
Pratap Singh I, popularly known as Maharana Pratap, was a Hindu Rajput king of Mewar. He was titled as "Mewari Rana" and was
notable for his military resistance against the expansionism of the Mughal Empire and is known for his participation in the Battle of
Haldighati 1576 CE and the Battle of Dewair 1582 CE.
Early life and accession[edit | edit source]
Maharana Pratap was born in Hindu Rajput family to Udai Singh II of Mewar and Jaiwanta Bai. His younger brothers were Shakti Singh, Vikram Singh and Jagmal Singh. Pratap also had 2 stepsisters: Chand Kanwar and Man Kanwar. He was married to Ajabde Punwar of Bijolia and he had married 10 other women and was survived by 17 sons and 5 daughters including Amar Singh I. He belonged to the Royal Family of Mewar. After the death of Udai Singh in 1572, Rani Dheer Bai wanted her son Jagmal to succeed him but senior courtiers preferred Pratap, as the eldest son, to be their king. The desire of the nobles prevailed. Udai Singh died in 1572, and Prince Pratap ascended the throne as Maharana Pratap, the 54th ruler of Mewar in the line of the Sisodia Rajputs. Jagmal swore revenge and left for Ajmer, to join the armies of Akbar, and obtained the town of Jahazpur as a Jagir as a gift in return for his help.
Military career[edit | edit source]
Battle of Haldighati[edit | edit source]
Main article: Battle of Haldighati
The bloody 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 of Amer, entreating him to become a vassal like many other rulers in Rajputana. When Pratap refused to personally submit to Akbar, war became inevitable.
The Battle of Haldighati was fought on 18 June 1576 between Pratap Singh and Mughal forces led by Man Singh I of Amer. The Mughals were victorious and inflicted significant casualties among the Mewaris but failed to capture the Pratap. The site of the battle was a narrow mountain pass at Haldighati near Gogunda, modern day Rajsamand in Rajasthan. Pratap Singh fielded a force of around 3000 cavalry and 400 Bhil archers. The Mughals were led by Man Singh of Amber, who commanded an army numbering around 10,000 men. 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. 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. While the sources also claim that Pratap was able to make a successful escape, Mansingh managed to conquer Gogunda within a week after Haldighati then ended his campaign. Subsequently, Akbar himself led a sus