Mewar was the home to the famous Maharana Pratap, who became a folk hero for his guerrilla warfare. He became a symbol of resistance to the Mughals, inspiring many other Indian rulers to fight against them. This article will explore the life of this legendary warrior.
Rana Pratap
Pratap Singh I, popularly known as Maharana Pratap, was king of Mewar. He was a Sisodia dynasty leader and a great warrior who became a folk hero of the Indian subcontinent. He was renowned for his guerrilla warfare and was an inspiration to many rebels against the Mughals.
During his life, Maharana Pratap fought to protect India from foreign invaders. He was not a lone warrior, and he fought against wolves and British imperialists. He was a true freedom fighter. Many of his followers followed him, and he was revered and feared by Indians. His love for his motherland and zeal for the fight against foreigners have influenced generations of Indians.
Rana Pratap spent his childhood in the Aravallis forest. His tribal people called him “Keeka” or “Rana Keeka”. He had a beloved elephant named Ramprasad, which often killed horses and injured elephants during the Battle of Haldighati. The Raja Mansingh army was unable to defeat him.
His tactics of guerrilla warfare
Maharana Pratap used the Chhapamaar strategy (also known as Guerrilla warfare) to defeat the Mughals. He learned the strategy from the Bhils tribe in the area around Chittor. This strategy involved attacking opponents while they were unaware and hiding in a secret location. This strategy helped him to gain the upper hand over a large army.
Maharana Pratap was a great Rajput leader. He was the first Indian king to use guerrilla warfare. By using guerilla tactics, he forced the Mughals to submit to his will. But it wasn’t easy. Ultimately, he defeated the Mughals by using every tactic imaginable.
His relationship with his trusted horse Chetak
Chetak, a blue horse, was one of the most cherished companions of Maharana Pratap. This legendary horse remained loyal to the king until his death. He accompanied the king on many journeys and even in battles. His life ended at the battle of Haldighati, in 1576, but his devotion to the king is still admired.
During the battle, Chetak and Maharana Pratap rode towards the enemy camp and then had to cross a stream that was over 25 feet deep. Chetak died in the same place, but is honored throughout Mewar land today. In Udaipur, a traffic signal is named after him, and there is a statue of Chetak in the city.
His 11 wives
Maharana Pratap had eleven wives in his lifetime. The first one was Maharani Ajabde Punwar, who studied astrology and developed a 100-year calendar for the Maharana. She was the biggest support for Maharana Pratap during his difficult times. She was also his true love and the mother of Amar Singh, the next Maharana.
Maharana Pratap was born in 1540 in Kumbhalgarh, Mewar. He was the eldest son of Maharana Udai Singh II, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mewar and the founder of the city of Udaipur, located in the present-day state of Rajasthan. He was a strong warrior, but was also well-known for delegating work to his close friends.
Maharana Pratap married ten more princesses during his reign and increased Rajput unity. However, he was defeated after a series of battles with the Mughals. As a result, many Rajput relatives were forced to leave Rajasthan, including the Tanwars, Pariharas, and Rathores.
