Introduction

The very name has attained an almost sacred quality from the length and breadth of Bharatvarsh. The Prince who gave up the throne to preserve family unity. The King who risked his kingdom in war to preserve Dharma. The Patriot who literally would rather eat grass than give his daughters to mlecchas. Such was this symbol of kshatriyata that he commands respect to this day. And yet, in the lust for power, modern Hindus pay nominal respect to his name but fail to implement his legacy.

The rulers of today (as well as their “rajgurus”) gladly betray their Rajadharma all in the name of “chanakya niti”. But he who can barter away everything truly has nothing. Without integrity, without self-respect, people let alone a leader, cannot lead lives of dignity. They become slaves to pleasure, and those who promise to give it. Therefore, for the spirit of Rajadharma to be restored, a shining example of it must be given due honour. Pranams to Pratap Singh, the mighty Maharana of Mewar, and Kshatriya veer Shiromani of the Kali Age.

“The ordeals he went through to defend his pride makes a hair raising story. He roamed the forests like a fugitive, took shelter in caves, went hungry, saw his children eat grassbread and his queen suffer the life of a tribal woman. He refused to make any compromises.” [1]

Background

Rare is the Prince who gives up power, rarer still is the populace that restores the rightful ruler. Yet the prajas of Mewar proved that the people get the rulers they deserve. The land of Chittorgarh rightfully deserved not only Pratap Singh Sisodia, but also the illustrious Suryavanshi Kshatriya clan of Guhilots.

Guhilot Family of Mewar

“The Surya Vamsha is the most famous of the ruling families of India, and the most celebrated of its many branches is the Guhilot family, which has ruled Mewar without a break for nearly fourteen centuries. It has produced some of the greatest and most powerful kings that have made the name of Rajputana resplendent in the annals of India.” [2, 1]

Going back to Bappa Rawal, an unbroken line of true dharmrakshaks shielded Southern Rajasthan from the depredations of powerful mlecchas. From the time of the Arabs down to Delhi Turks and the mughals, Mewar’s ruling house refused to be cowed down by usurpers, and even when facing the most impossible odds, refused to barter away its dignity. Even after Chittor’s fall, and the Sisodia branch established itself with Hammir Guhilot of Sisoda, the tradition of the Maharawals continued in the Maharanas. Death before Dishonour. In a sense, that is the true motto of the Sisodia clan, and why it has a special place in the heart of Rajput and non-Rajput alike, and why the ruler of so small a Rajyam has such a special place in history.

Mewar is in the desert state of Rajasthan, but is a rare fertile oasis in comparison to its neighbours. Bordering northern Gujarat, it was also near trans-oceanic ports as well as desert trade. And yet, despite its agricultural and commercial potential, it had a decidedly martial legacy. Ratan Singh, Kumbhakaran Singh, Sangram Singh, the dynasts of this house read like a litany of men who lived & died by the sword. None more so than Pratap.

Suraj Pratap Singh Sisodia was born to Jaivanta bai Songara of Jalore & Maharana Udai II, who was the founder of the eponymous city. Udaipur is nestled in the Aravalli hills. It served as refuge after the Fall of Chittor, and the third jauhar of 1500 women. The mughal Akbar massacred 30,000 when the fort was taken. It was a time of rebuilding, and the rajadhani by Lake Pichola would give respite to the recovering clan. They would need it.

The Confederacy at Khanua experienced defeat despite coming so close to victory. Whether it was the matchlock rifles, or the counter-flanking talugmas, more than the tactics of Babur, it was the treachery of Shiladitya that would be remembered. Indeed, in the years ahead, it was the betrayal of Rajput maryada that would prove to be more bitter than any battlefield defeat. A nation can recover from a lost battle or even a lost war. How does it recover from lost culture? This is even more so when a country’s elite loses its wits. Slowly, but surely, the wheels of diplomacy would turn, and allies at Khanua would soon become enemies at Haldighati.

But as Pratap Singh grew up, he would soon find that political atmosphere was turning adverse not only outside but in. Udai II himself was saved from death by Panna dai. Following the death of Udai’s brother eldest brother Ratan Singh Sisodia, middle brother Vikramaditya ascended the throne, but was slain by the courtier Banveer. Young Udai was also in his sights, but his noble nanny Panna dai sacrificed her own son to save the prince’s life. This was the nobility of the people of Mewar. It’s heir was soon given to the protection of a relative named Asha Shah Depura. [1, 6] Udai II was great warrior in his own right, Chittor had fallen in the time of Rani Karnavati and the second Jauhar. Udai retook it, regained the rest of Mewar, and executed the usurper Banveer. After his Rajabhishek, he went about restoration. Udaipur would become the new capital.

On May 9th, 1540, the eldest son of Udai II was born. Pratap Singh received the traditional education of royals, with emphasis on suhstra vidya and dhanurveda. However, he had two brothers, who would soon compete with him for the throne.

“Pratap Singh excelled in leadership qualities and in intelligence. So, a great number of ministers, courtiers, chieftains and commanders had become his admirers” .[1, 7-8]

However, the bane of the dynasty would prove to be diplomacy. Both within and without, these natural warriors were outmaneuvered by more dishonourable men. In an era where “victory is the only morality“, koota niti wins wars. And while the proud Udai II was a skilled, the third fall of Chittor in 1567 would take its toll on him. He, nevertheless, resolutely held out at his new capital.

“Expecting him to yield was like hoping for a lion to become tame on its own will and walk into the cage voluntarily. Maharana Uday Singh was a proud creature who was born free. Uday Singh now looked upon his son Pratap Singh to redeem the honour of the Sisodiya dynasty. ” [1, 10]

Despite Pratap being favoured for the throne due to the law of primogeniture, the Ramayan repeated itself in this cadet branch of the Raghuvansh. It was as though Kaikeyi herself were reborn in the beautiful favourite wife of Udai II. Queen Bhatiyani wanted her son,  Prince Jagmal, to ascend the throne. She would not let the old king approach her unless he conceded to her conditions. Bewitched by her beauty, he first protested then relented. Plagued by a guilty conscience, he died soon afterward, but the damage had been done. “Being the eldest Pratap Singh was already the crown prince. By Sisodiya tradition also only the eldest prince of the king inherited the throne provided he suffered no physical or mental disqualifications.” [1, 15] Despite Pratap being the favourite, the throne went to his brother. The stage was set for Mewar’s division from the inside.

Despite being aware of her intentions long before she made her move, Udai II’s eldest refused to take action against his stepmother.  He quietly accepted his father’s decision, as a famous Suryavanshi before him, and cooperated in the installation of Jagmal to the throne. The chieftains and ministers were aghast at how the crown prince could so casually be cast aside in a palace coup. Rather than honouring his elder brother, or following the example of Bharata, the unworthy Jagmal grew jealous at the respect Pratap still had in the eyes of the kingdom.

“The King was [amateurish] and could not manage the kingdom on his own. He lacked diplomatic skills and had little sense of differentiating between true friends and enemies.” [1, 19]

It is said that those who have the most cause to rebel, are the least likely to do so. Rather than than seize the throne, Pratap patiently endured Jagmal’s arrogance. As dissatisfaction in the court spread, he began to worry. He counseled his younger brother saying. “The king was asked to run the state in cooperation with the experienced courtiers, well meaning citizens the significance of keeping the chieftains and the commanders in trust and having their support. For all that, the king must show due respect to all the deserving persons.” [1, 20] Instead of considering this good advice, Jagmal rejected it, and conspired with his cronies to banish Suraj Pratap. This was the last straw.

While Mewar’s favourite son was too loyal to his kingdom to rebel, the people had become angry. The commanders and ministers met, and the nearby king of Jhalawad soon gave aid to his sister’s son. Pratap’s maternal uncle sent Chandravat, a close friend and a chieftain in Mewar. He worriedly told the rightful heir that Mewar would disintegrate without him and that Jagmal would be removed from the throne with cooperation from the court. Like many Rajput rulers of the time, Jagmal was soon lost in sensual pleasures.

“The state was more important than an individual even if it be the king. After all throne was merely the symbolic item representing the kingdom.” [1, 25]

The stage was set for Pratap’s return. With the king’s cronies quietly dispatched by the court, Chandravat soon had Jagmal arrested and placed Pratap on the throne in 1572 CE. “Now you are our Maharana Pratap Singh. You are our dream, glory and future. We hope that you will protect the people of Mewar and work for the glory of the Sisodiya rule.” [1, 27]

Chandravat went on: “O worthy son of the Sisodiya dynasty, Maharana Pratap Singh! The sword I tied to your waist belongs to the goddess of Chittaur. When the Moghuls entered the fort of Chittaur they desecrated the holy temple of ‘Goddess of Chittaur’. The goddess idol was dishonoured and smashed to pieces. The priest were beheaded. This sword is the witness to the humiliations we suffered at the hands of the enemy. It is the symbol and reminder of your duty to avenge this humiliation. The crown you wear is not a beauty ornament. It carries the weight of the great responsibility put on you by the kingdom. The responsibility that of to redeem our pride and honour.” [1, 29]

Maharana Pratap responded: “I, Rana Pratap Singh take a solemn pledge that I will shoulder the responsibility put on me by honourable Chandravatji by presenting this holy sword. With all my might I will defend the honour of the kingdom of Mewar and its people. If required I will lay down my life to keep up my pledge. With the blessings of goddess of Chittaur I will win back Chittaur at every cost and the massacre of our people will be avenged.” [1, 30]

However, not every Rajput was of like mind. There were rumours that prince Shakti Singh, himself well-trained in arms, had his eye on the throne. When he went boar hunting (which was Rajput tradition) with the Maharana he claimed that his arrow had struck the boar. Pratap Singh corrected him, but Shakti continued to insist. It was improper for anyone to take such a tone with the King and openly challenged him. With swords about to be drawn, the Maharana had virtually no choice but to exile his brother.

“Rajputs suffered from this mindset of mistrust and the habit of squabbling and the sibling rivalries. Hindus were experts at creating enemies within their own families. And where would such broken brothers go? The road led straight to the enemy camp.” [1, 35]

Though the eldest brother had made efforts to make the middle and even the youngest brother feel accommodated, the latter two had forgotten their Nara Dharma. The law of primogeniture exists to prevent such squabbles, but ambition undoes first families then countries. Though Jagmal was released from prison, he went to Jahajpur with his family. Ajmer’s commander had him meet Akbar, and the stage was set for treachery. Not one but two brothers were in the mould of Coriolanus, and prepared to make war on their own motherland, in the name of pride. Personal pride had exceeded their dharmic place, and all and sundry were now possible. Pratap prepared for the worst.

“Rana Pratap and his commanders decided to found a new capital at Kumbhalgarh which was situated in hills difficult to access. Before that Maharana made every warrior, chieftain, courtier and citizen to take oath that till Chittaur was not liberated everyone will live a frugal life and forget about internal differences. The warriors stopped shaving and cutting hair. Everyone look charged with determination.” [1, 36]

Meanwhile, Goddess Bhavani set about punishing the traitor. Jagmal had been given Jahajpur state. Rajput squabbling continued and Devra Surtan and Devra Beeja quarreled over succession of Sirohi state. Akbar gave half to Jagmal, who was then roped into the succession crisis. The three were joined by Rai Singh, and he and Jagmal soon died in the clash.

“It was in fact the grandiose plan of Akbar to make Rajputs fight amongst themselves and destroy each other. He had thrown the bone of half Sirohi state among rival Rajputs and made them fight for it and get destroyed. In one deft move he destroyed four enemy chieftains.” [1. 39]

Meanwhile, Shakti Singh soon began revealing the military secrets of Mewar. [1, 41] A nation can survive its enemies from without, but not its traitors from within. For one man’s pride, should all of Mewar fall? Even in other cases such as in Gujarat, for one king’s offence, should a minister betray his whole country for revenge? These are questions that Bharatvarsh’s erstwhile “elite” should ask of itself. Puffed up on caste and personal pride, they have forgotten their duty to their countrymen. Even the enemy despises such traitors.

“How can we trust one who has betrayed his own brother? Akbar said, “Don’t worry. In our game he is merely a pawn. Rana Pratap’s remains the king.” [1, 44]

Having caught wind of Mewar’s preparation for war, the mughal soon sent Man Singh to parlay peace terms. It was the last of 6 diplomatic missions to Mewar from the mughal court. While he was received with due courtesy, the Maharana was also angry that general Man Singh’s father had given his daughter in marriage to mlecchas. He said he would engage in talks, but he refused to dine with a member of that house. Man Singh’s pride was piqued (though curiously he did not see dishonour elsewhere…), and he was energised for war. But Pratap would not bow, and roared

“Now you are talking of war. That is the language I like. Tell your master that Rana Pratap is not for sale. You may come with your army and we will meet in the battle field.” [1, 48]

Man Singh returned to Agra in order to make war preparations. Meanwhile Shakti Singh was spilling out every secret of the structure of Kumbhalgarh. In seeing red over revenge, Rajputs were missing the woods for the trees.

“Akbar wondered over the peculiar nature of Rajputs, persons of great pride and honour. Brave men but fickle minded. Picking up quarrels with one another being their pass time. That gave a chance to others to destroy or defeat them. It took Akbar six months to take over Chittaur at a heavy price but now the desire of Shakti Singh and Man Singh to take revenge against Rana Pratap would make it easy to defeat him. The revengeful attitude of Rajputs was their own downfall. ” [1, 49-50]

And yet, this lesson remains unlearnt not only by Rajputs, but Bharatiyas of all castes. Stupidly puffing up their pride over petty matters, their myopia remains their undoing. Rajputs had become accustomed to view war as a matter of courage and honour when it was a matter of strategy. Brave warriors are well and good. But a warrior is not a general, and even a general is not a king. Statecraft, or Rajyasastra, is of superior importance to battlefield honour. Akbar was not known for courage on the field of battle, and yet, he was a cunning ruler. It is craftiness which wins the day, and Shakunis can be countered only by Sri Krishna’s. It is long past time that Rajputs and others remember their Krishna Niti.

War soon came swiftly to Mewar. For all the detailed preparations, it remained outnumbered, and more critically, outgunned. The vast fortress of Kumbhalgarh was well-provided for, but the kingdom itself was surrounded by enemies, and every keep has its secrets. The weaknesses of the fort were now known. Time and sheer logistics were not on its side. What can valour achieve when faced with cunning statecraft? This is the need for Niti and Dharma to be balanced. With only 22,000 soldiers against the cannons of 80,000, the battle for Kumbhalgarh was won even before it was fought. [1, 51]

Battle of Haldighati

Bhamashah, an Oswal Jain, was the divan (pradhan) of Mewar. Ramashah Tomar was Pratap’s military advisor. His other lieutenants were Jhala Man, Jhala Veeda, Dodia Bheem, Churavat Kishan Singh, Ramdas Rathore, and Hakim Sur Khan (a disaffected scion of Sher Shah Suri who wanted revenge against mughals). [1, 54] Sham Singh and Jai Singh, were sons of Jaimal king of Vednor, who laid down his life at Chittor so Udai II could escape.

The Battle of Haldighati was fought on June 21, 1576. With Shakti Singh guiding the mughals effortlessly through the difficult gorge, it became apparent that a long siege would ill-suit the moderately provisioned forces of Mewar. Pratap struck out to attack. In spite of blistering casualties early on, the tedious pummeling of cannon took its toll. What can valour do against such armament and strategy?

Despite this, the battle dragged on for 3 days, due to the sheer grit of Mewar’s patriots. They doggedly fought on irrespective of the devastating effect of artillery. Seeing his soldiers being done in by treachery and weaponry, the Maharana became infuriated and made for Man Singh in revenge. They succeeded in breaking through the mughal vanguard. However, as his loyal horse Chetak (with elephant mask) reared it legs, the mughal commander’s elephant followed suit, and Man Singh was protected by his howdah. Pratap was soon surrounded. Finally, his uncle, the king of Jhalawad, saw the danger to his nephew and knew his centrality to the cause. He removed the crown from the Maharana’s head and put it on his own. Mannaji maama then asked his nephew to escape and live to fight another day. Pratap protested, but knew he was being given sage advice.

Meanwhile, the Maharana’s loyal horse Chetak had been wounded, and began breathing its last. It soon stumbled, foamed at the mouth after being fatigued beyond its bodily limit, and passed away. Shakti Singh, in typical Indian fashion, finally realised the gravity of his mistake. It finally dawned on him that, for sake of his pride, he was party to the massacre of his own countrymen. His uncle was cut down before his very eyes, and he witnessed the butchery of Mewar’s men over 3 days. These were the fruits of his selling national secrets. [1, 61] In eleventh hour repentance, he saw that two mughal soldiers were in hot pursuit of Pratap. Shakti followed suit.

Just when Pratap was at his most vulnerable, the mughal soldiers stumbled upon him.  Suddenly, Shakti appeared on the scene and slaughtered them both. The stunned Maharana had expected his brother to take revenge, but instead Shakti had come to beg forgiveness. He gave his horse to elder brother, and permitted the escape to take place. Shakti quietly returned to the camp, but was soon suspected by the mughals and arrested. Though they had won the field, their main objective was Pratap who had escaped. [1, 65]

This was further compounded by the scorched earth policy that was implemented. The remaining portion of Pratap’s army had escaped in good order. They, and the civilian population, began harrying the mughals who had now camped at Gogunda. This forced a mughal retreat a day after Haldighati. For this reason, Haldighati was a tactical defeat but a strategic victory. [4,563]

Exile in the Forest

The Maharana and his family soon sought refuge in the hills. His principal wife was Queen consort Ajabde Panwar of Bijola. His eldest son of 17 was Amar Singh I, and he had a number of daughters as well. The loyal Bheel tribals became their protectors and hid them among the forests and caves. 14,000 soldiers (almost 3/4ths of his army) had died at Haldighati. Churavat, Ramdas, and Mamaji had all fallen. After Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur and Gogunda were also taken. This was the cost of cannon.

“Here it should be noted that Rajputs were very poor planners. They gave little attention to planning a battle and they used little intelligence or information gathering about the enemy. Had they given attention to this important aspect of the battle they would have already known the importance of cannons in the battle….And Rajputs were [such] emotional creatures that they failed to learn any lesson which required a cool mind. So, they committed same strategic mistake again and again.” [1, 70]

The Maharana’s time among the Bheels soon illustrated the validity of this critique. The tribals were more pragmatic and focused on results rather than Rajput pride. They were single-mindedly focused on protecting their King and country, and many hundreds gave their lives to give cover against enemy search parties. “Bheels kept a twenty four hour watch for such groups because they posed a big danger to Maharana“. [1, 72] They lived off the land, struck the enemy by surprise, and put duels and other feudal niceties by the wayside. Victory was the only morality.

Steadily, they began gaining ground. But Pratap and his family were always on the move, in the jungles of Bittoor. They ate berries, edible roots, and a tribal bread made of grass.

“Maharana, his wife and the children were most of the time on the run. Wild fruits were not always available. Many a time the family went hungry. Maharana’s heart wept at the state of his family. The queen and her children were now reduced to skeletons. Their eyes had sunk into deep holes.” [1, 73]

He mourned that the feet of his daughters which should have only known luxury were struck by thorns. The womenfolk were in tears, and reluctant thoughts of ending the struggle entered his mind. The misery of the Maharana began reaching the ears of the enemy. The rest of the Rajputs had fallen, save the Hada Chauhans of Bundi. They were the only other house that refused to barter its womenfolk. The unscrupulous lust of the mughal was so brazen he used to take liberties with Rajput women at the Navroze Mela in Agra. Following one such improper verbal exchange, Joshibai felt insulted and took her life after telling her husband about the rhetorical outrage. She was the wife of Raja Prithviraj, the court poet. He soon sent a missive to Pratap:

“The hopes of the Hindu rest on the Hindu; yet the Rana forsakes them. But for Pratap, all would be placed on the same level by Akbar; for our chiefs have lost their valour and our females their honour. Akbar is the broker in the market of our race: he has purchased all but the son of Udai (Singh II of Mewar); he is beyond his price. What true Rajput would part with honour for nine days (nauroza); yet how many have bartered it away? Will Chittor come to this market …? Though Patta (an affectionate name for Pratap Singh) has squandered away wealth (on warfare), yet he has preserved this treasure. Despair has driven man to this market, to witness their dishonour: from such infamy the descendant of Hamir (Hamir Singh) alone has been preserved. The world asks, from where does the concealed aid of Pratap emanate? None but the soul of manliness and his sword … The broker in the market of men (Akbar) will one day be surpassed; he cannot live forever. Then will our race come to Pratap, for the seed of the Rajput to sow in our desolate lands. To him all look for its preservation, that its purity may again become resplendent.”

Fresh life soon poured into Pratap. He sent his reply, telling Prithviraj to continue to twirl his mustache in the presence of the Yavan, for Pratap would never bow. As though Mahadev himself had revived Mewar from the ashes, the Maharana soon found himself flush with funds. Bhamashah managed to elude mughal forces with all his movable wealth, and he put it at the disposal of the Divan of Eklingji.  It was money sufficient for the salary of 10,000 soldiers for 6 years. [1]

Shakti Singh soon escaped from prison, recruited an army and took Kinsahara fort. Hoping to redeem himself, the middle prince of Mewar, began rallying support and raised an army. Prithviraj himself left Agra and now joined forces with Pratap.

Battle of Kinsahara

Shakti Singh continued to hold the fort he had taken. Akbar dispatched Mahavat Khan with an army of 10,000 soldiers. Outnumbered 10 to 1, Shakti resolved to fight until death. Just when all hope was lost, Maharana arrived to catch the mughals in a pincer movement. Out of an army of 10,000, the mughals lost 8,000 soldiers. It was a splendid victory not only for morale but in materiel. [1, 84]

Soon, Udaipur, Gogunda, and even the magnificent fortress of Kumbhalgarh returned to Mewar’s hands. Only Chittorgarh remained. Another army was soon sent from Agra in 1577, this time under Badakshi Shahbaz Khan. The cunning mughal realised he had upset Rajputs and didn’t inform Bhagwandas and Man Singh. Furthermore, while the second battle for Kumbhalgarh was fought cannon against cannon, the enemy had another trick up its sleeve. They used a strategem and bribed people inside the fort to mix sugar with gunpowder. The artillery duels were no longer possible. Realising defeat was inevitable, the Maharana again gave mughals the slip. Kumbhalgarh was taken again in 1578. The Maharana evaded enemy forces through a secret route, reaching Ranakpur and Chawand in succession. [1, 86]

When the enemy left leaving behind a garrison, Pratap struck like lightning, retaking Udaipur, Gogunda, and Chavanda. Though Shahbaz returned (with the new mandate to capture the Maharana) he failed and returned in disgrace around May 1580. Commanders such as Khankhana and Jagannath Kacchwaha were sent in succession, but all failed even after 5 years. After 5 expeditions, only Chittaur and Mandalgarh eluded the Maharana.

In a famous episode, the womenfolk of Abdur Rahim Khankhana fell into the hands of the Mewar’s soldiers. Pratap scolded them for capturing the wives of the enemy and had his son Amar return them to Khankhana’s camp with full honour. Fighting the enemy did not mean becoming him.

A frustrated Akbar soon asked Man Singh why all the campaigns failed. The response was that Rajputs had felt outraged by what had transpired at Navroze Mela. Furthermore, Pratap had become a symbol of Rajput pride. The clever mleccha realised his mistake, and then apologised to his subordinates. They soon forgot everything and became loyal soldiers to him again…

Meanwhile, the constant campaigning over decades had taken a toll on the Maharana. This was exacerbated by a hunting accident. He soon fell ill. After calling all his commanders together, he asked them to swear they would never surrender, and would never stop until they had retaken Chittor. With that, in the year 1597 CE, the unmatched warrior-general passed away at age 56. [1, 88]

A man imbued with so many near-divine qualities seemed destined to become Emperor. And yet, this grandson of Rana Sangha, and descendant of Rana Kumbha, himself would sigh in strategic resignation, and wonder what he could have accomplished had he been born a generation earlier. “Circumstance rule men. Men do not rule circumstances.” A man can’t fight his fate, but he can determine his attitude. It was here that the Sisodia vansh shiromani showed his true worth and lived the principle, Death before Dishonour.

Achievements

#MaharanaPratap had vowed never to accept the supremacy of the Mughals and of Emperor Akbar.
Declining a life of comfort and luxury in exchange for freedom, Maharana Pratap battled the occupying Mughal forces all his life.
Tribute to such a great warrior on his birth anniversary. pic.twitter.com/wkY1F7geY5

— Jayanti Solanki (@jayantisolanki) May 9, 2018

• Preserved the Dignity of the Dynasty, when all others had betrayed them
• Established unity of purpose in Mewar living among low caste & tribal as one of them
• Constructed the refuge of Chavanda for strategic depth
• Successfully engaged in Sporadic & Guerrilla Warfare against impossible odds
• Won numerous battles and reconquered numerous stretches & forts of the Kingdom

A fearsome warrior, Maharana Pratap stood an astonishing 7 Feet 5 Inches. He wielded two swords and a spear weighing 80 kg. His armour was reputed to be 72 kg. So mighty a warrior would live to accomplish great deeds.

While Rajputs are often celebrated for valour and courage, Kshatriyata is not mere bravery, for which there is a thin line prior to stupidity. It is essential for any leader to survey the strategic landscape, and adjust strategy accordingly. Hence the dictum, every battle is decided before it is fought. Valour is good, but strategy is what wins wars. That is the exigency of the politico-strategic arm of Dharma. This was implemented expertly under the 12th Maharana of Mewar.

Pratap was not only a great warrior, but an accomplished strategic mind. Fighting duels and winning wars are two different things. The Maharana was not only a veer but a senapathi. Generalship requires intelligence. Though he thought nothing of plunging headlong into the thick of battle (as he did at Haldighati), he also understood that war is much about wits as it is about weapons. He recognised he was surrounded, and developed strategic depth. Beyond refurbishing the Sisodia strongholds of Mandalgarh, Kumbhalgarh, and Gogunda, he constructed Chavanda and made ample use of the forests of Mewar.

It is said that the strategy he chalked out and the tactics of combining irregular Bheel archers with regular cavalry would be used to good effect by those that followed. He also continued to respect Stree Maryada even when facing the reprehensible mlecchas. Chhatrapathi Shivaji absorbed both lessons. That, perhaps, was the Pratap’s greatest achievement of all.

“Inspired by the highest patriotism, ever upholding Dharma though surrounded by powerful foes and facing with almost insuperable difficulties, enduring without flinching untold suffering, and overcoming all by a self-sacrifice and heroism which have wrung the highest praise from their bitterest foes, they have made the pages of history a continuous record of high inspiration and noble purpose.” [2, 1]

Legacy

“His bravery in the battle field is a shining example of the commitment to the principles and the spirit of sacrifice for one’s self-respect. The story of Maharana Pratap’s life is an inspiration for every idealist.” [1]

At a time when history is written by the victors, it matters less whether the Chhatrapathi was a direct descendant of the Maharana, and more that he was the inheritor of the legacy. There are many Sisodias today, but only 1 main line maintaining the unbroken tradition. So synonymous is the royal house with kingdom, that it literally took Mewar as its name.

The Sisodia clan was one that was simultaneously proud yet humble. Despite their leonine countenance and stubborn refusal to compromise, they took the modest title of ‘Divan to Eklingji’. Mahadev was the real ruler of Mewar, in the minds of the Maharanas, and thus, he Himself ultimately became their dynastic protector–even in the most terrible adversity. It is a tradition maintained by the main line to this day, which refers to itself merely as custodians of Ekling ji, and guardians of the sacred land.

“Their immortal deeds, their chivalrous character, their high ideals, their elevated and noble patriotism have placed them at the head of the Hindu nation and earned for them the title of Hindua Suraj,

‘the Sun of the Hindus’.” [2, 1-2]

It was in this dynasty that Pratap Singh Sisodia would rise to become greater than all his ancestors since Bappa Rawal who defeated the Arabs, and conquered Chittorgarh. It was from here, Kumbhalgarh, and the great refuge of Gogunda, that the future Maharana would long defy Delhi’s rulers. He refused to break bread with sellouts, and despite high caste, preferred to ally with the lower caste patriots of his own land, than submit to those videshis who lusted to pollute his house. Death before Dishonour.

Raja exists for Praja. If ever there were proof of this, it is the Divan of Eklingji who swore he would not eat on royal silverware or in cushioned beds until the capital of his Kula was retaken. In the end, he would reconquer all of Mewar save Chittor, despite facing the most powerful army of his time. Surrounded by enemies, betrayed by his own community, he embraced tribals as countrymen and comrades and continued his war to safeguard his desh. Death before Dishonour.

“Rana Pratap remained a hero to many, including the seventeenth-century Maratha leader Shivaji and his successors, who employed guerilla tac-tics and brought Akbar’s great-grandson Aurangzeb to his knees. Significantly, Rana Pratap’s heroism was invoked in the nationalist movement in the twenti-eth century all over India, notably in Bengal and Maharashtra.” [3, 167]

Mewar was a small kingdom, but was synonymous with the parampara of Bharatavarsha. Vijayanagara had fallen. The Sikh Panth was only in its incipient stages. And Chhatrapathi Shivaji was not yet born. Bereft of allies, one man resolutely stood alone. Death before Dishonour.

Today, as Bharatavarsha, and indeed, the whole world stands on the precipice, if Maharana Pratap Singh Sisodia stands to remind us of one thing, it is…

Death before Dishonour

Jo Drdh Rakhe Dharm Ko, Taahi Rakhe Kartar

Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha

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References:

1. Tiwari, Vinod. Maharana Pratap. Delhi: Manoj Publications. 2015
2. Sarda, Har Bilas. Maharana Kumbha. New Delhi: Rupa & Co. 2003
3. SarDesai, D.R. India: The Definitive History. Philadelphia: Westview Press. 2008
4. Sandhu, Gurcharn Singh (Major Gen). A Military History of Medieval India. New Delhi: Vision Books. 2003
5. Maharana Pratap – The Bravest of the Brave. An Exhibition. http://maharana-pratap-exhibition.blogspot.com/
6. ‘Maharana Pratap’. India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/maharana-pratap-322386-2016-05-09