Pratap Singh

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Equestrian statue of Rana Prataps in the City Palace, Udaipur

Maharana Pratap Singh (born May 9, 1540 in Kumbhalgarh , † January 29, 1597 in Chavand ) was an important ruler of the Indian princely state of Mewar . Like his father Udai Singh II (ruled 1540–1572), he fought throughout his life against the Mughal ruler Akbar I (ruled 1556–1605).

Life

Pratap Singh was the first son of Udai Singh. However, since his father had chosen one of his younger brothers as heir to the throne, Pratap only came to power under pressure from the Rajput nobility. It was the time when almost all of the Hindu principalities of northern India had become vassals of the Mughal Empire and two of his younger brothers were also in the service of Akbar. However, he himself repeatedly rejected such requests with reference to the independence of the Mewar state; in addition, his grandfather Maharana Sanga had already fought against Akbar's grandfather Babur . During this time, Rana Pratap won over the Bhil people, who had been living in Rajasthan for a long time and had been displaced by the immigrant Rajputs, as supporters and military allies - they were good archers.

Four years after he came to power, the armies of Pratap and Akbar (under the leadership of Man Singh I ) faced each other at the Haldighati Pass near Gogunda . The Mughal army was clearly superior in numbers and equipment, but it was Rana Pratap who led the first attack. When fate began to turn against the Rajputs, according to tradition, the nobles advised Rana Pratap to flee so that he could raise an army against Akbar again at a later date. His wounded horse, named Chetak , took him to the mountains, but shortly thereafter collapsed dead, so that he took over the horse of one of his brothers who had switched sides. A few years later (1582) there was another clash of the two armies in the Battle of Dewar , in which Rana Pratap was victorious. He died as a result of a hunting accident in the winter of 1597.

Succession

Pratap Singh had 11 wives, 17 sons and 5 daughters. His eldest son Amar Singh I (r. 1597-1620) was his successor; he also fought several times against the Mughal army of Jahangir . However, in 1615 he had to bow to the overwhelming power of the Mughal empire and signed a treaty by which he undertook to provide the Mughals with 1,000 horsemen, but never - like all other subjugated princes - had to appear at the Mughal court.

literature

Web links

Commons : Pratap Singh  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files
personal data
SURNAME Pratap Singh
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Indian ruler
DATE OF BIRTH May 9, 1540
PLACE OF BIRTH Kumbhalgarh
DATE OF DEATH January 29, 1597
Place of death Chavand