Battle Of Haldighati
Friends, if we take a look at the pages of Indian history, we will see many wars because our Indian history is full of wars. Some of these wars were fought against infiltrators in India and some wars were fought for the expansion of their empire. Apart from this, there were some wars which were fought to protect the motherland. But today we are going to talk about a war in history which was fought for our self-respect or pride. Yes, we are talking about the fierce battle fought between Rajput and Mughal emperor Haldighati.
This war was fought even before the 16th century. What was the reason for this war, which warriors took part in this war and what was its result, all this information is going to be given in detail in this video today. So without any delay let’s start the video. Let us tell you that in the 15th century, many kings ruled their empires in India. Among these, Mewar also used to be a major princely state. Located at the south-eastern end of Rajasthan, it was the kingdom of Mewar Rajputs. It was their stronghold.
Present day Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Udaipur and Jhalawar districts were included under this empire. Apart from this, Neemuch and Mandsaur districts of Madhya Pradesh also came under Mewar Empire. That is, the Rajputana empire of Mewar was spread by including all these parts. We are talking about Mewar because it was the Rajputana kingdom that fought against the Mughals, which we know as the Battle of Haldighati. This war was fought not against anyone else but the Mughal ruler Emperor Akbar who was ruling in Delhi.
Many brave warriors were involved in this war and the leader from Mewar was Maharana Pratap. You must have heard this name at some point or the other. Even today people take this name with full respect and honor. After all, what was the reason due to which this name became so respectable? What’s more, it is said that at that time, Emperor Akbar had said that whenever this war or me will be mentioned in history, Maharana Pratap’s name will be taken before me. What was that reason and let us know in detail the true story of Maharana Pratap’s bravery.
Kika was born on 9 May 1540 in the house of King Udai Singh of Mewar. Ki was the eldest son of Udai Singh. Now the question might be coming in your mind that who is this Kika, then let us tell you that Maharana Pratap was called Kika in his childhood. Actually, Maharana Pratap’s childhood was spent among the Bhil community. Bhil was a type of tribe. People of Bhil community used to call their children as Kika. That is why they used to call Maharana Pratap also Ki.
Maharana Pratap lived in the Bhil community since childhood and grew up with their children and learned the art of war with them. Gradually, as Kika grew up, he started being recognized as Maharana Pratap. But now King Udai Singh had reached the age and to assume the throne, Maharana Pratap’s brother Jagmal Singh was declared the king of entire Mewar. But many people disagreed with Jagmal becoming his successor because Jagmal Singh did not have the talent and skill to run the kingdom.
Whereas Maharana Pratap was becoming adept in politics and war policy and skills. That is why for the welfare of the people and the strength of the empire, Maharana Pratap was chosen as the successor of Mewar on 28 February 1572 by removing Jagmal Singh. Let us tell you that at that time Maharana Pratap was 32 years old. This was the period when most parts of India were coming under the control of the Mughal Emperor and at that time the reins of the Mughals were in the hands of Emperor Akbar.
Akbar wanted to establish his rule over the whole of India with his power and might. The princely states which they were not able to capture, they started keeping them under their Mughal rule by proposing treaties. In such a situation, it was never acceptable for the Mewar Empire to be under the control of the Mughals and despite being adjacent to the border of the Mughal Empire, the Mughals were not successful in subjugating the princely state of Mewar. However, the areas around Mewar like Chittor, Badnore, Shahpura and Rayala started falling into the hands of the Mughals.
The desire of the newspaper to take over Mewar was increasing day by day. Now a question may arise here that what was special about Mewar due to which Akbar was trying hard to include it in his kingdom. Let us know this also. There were two main reasons behind this. The first was that Akbar knew that to establish his empire in the whole of India, he would have to strengthen his military power along with his kingdom and all the Rajput kingdoms that existed at that time were coming in the way of Akbar.
That is why Akbar first started subjugating the Rajput kingdoms. Some of them were accepting the subordination of Akbar, some were annexed through treaty proposals and some were annexed by Akbar through matrimonial relations. In such a situation, Mewar was a very powerful empire and it was neither afraid of the Mughals nor of Emperor Akbar. For this reason, Emperor Akbar wanted to bring Mewar under his control so that Emperor Akbar’s empire could become more powerful.
And the second reason was the politics and economy of the Mughal Sultanate. The Mewar Empire was coming in the way of the Mughals’ royal strategy. Let us understand this. Actually, Akbar was running his empire sitting on the throne in Delhi. All the big stables and military camps of Akbar, from Delhi and Agra to the ports of Gujarat and from Malwa to Deccan, passed through Mewar. That is why Akbar had to pass through the princely state of Mewar to operate those camps.
Apart from this, one of the major trade routes for the Mughals passed through Mewar. That is why it was even more important for Akbar Take Mewar under your control so that they do not face any kind of hindrance in trade etc. Because Akbar knew very well that if the route to Mewar was closed by the Rajputs. So this could have a direct impact on the economy of the Mughal Sultanate. Akbar never wanted war with Mewar. They wanted that. Mewar should be included in our state in a very peaceful manner. That is why treaty proposals were sent to Mewar by Akbar four times from 1572 to 1576.
But Maharana Pratap had understood very well that under the guise of treaty proposal, Akbar wanted to bring Mewar under his control and all this was never acceptable to Maharana Pratap. They rejected the treaty proposal every time. On the other hand, due to his removal from power, Maharana Pratap’s brother Jagmal Singh went to take revenge and joined Akbar. Apart from this, other people also went against Maharana Pratap and joined Akbar and ultimately the situation of war was created. Maharana Pratap chose the path of war for his honour.
Akbar also ordered to attack Mewar. Thus, this war was fought in June 1576 in a battlefield spread over six kilometers from Badnaur village to Balicha village in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, which we also know as Haldighati. In this war, Maharana Pratap had fielded his cavalry soldiers and archer soldiers of the Bhil community on the battlefield. Pratap’s army was led by Hakim Khan Suri. Apart from this, warriors like Bhil leader Rana Poonja Bhil, Bhamashah Tarachand, Ramshah Tomar, Ramdas Badnore, Bhim Singh Dodiya Jhala, Man Singh Jhala, Vidha Bachhavat and Jaimal Mehta etc.
were involved in this war from Maharana Pratap’s side and on the other side, the Mughal camp. Apart from Raja Mansingh, warriors like Jagannath Kachwaha, Madho Singh Kachwaha, Syed Hashim, Jagmal Singh, Shaktisingh and Sagar were included. The battle of Haldighati was fought in a very fierce manner. Let us tell you that Barauni was also fighting the war on behalf of the Mughals and later Barauni gave a befitting reply. The battle of Haldighati was described in Tawarikh. In this war, along with the soldiers, animals also had to sacrifice their lives.
The name of Maharana Pratap‘s majestic horse was Chetak. This was the same horse that had given up its own life to save its owner’s life. Maharana Pratap was overpowering the Mughals on the very first day of the war. Due to which Barauni along with many Mughal soldiers also left the war and ran away. After this, once again strengthening the Mughal army, a battle was fought on the field of Rakta Tal on the banks of river Banaras. The result was the same. The Mughal army again disintegrated. Mansingh somehow energized his army and started the war again.
This time elephants were used in the war. That is why it is known as elephant war. Warriors from both sides mounted the elephants and started fighting. This time Maharana Pratap’s elephants proved weak. Now Maharana Pratap had only one way to end this war and that was to kill Man Singh who was leading the Mughal army. The Rajputs changed their strategy and defeated the Mughal army and reached Maharana Pratap and some prominent warriors before Mansingh. Here Maharana Pratap sits on his horse and attacks Mansingh with his spear but Mansingh is saved because he is on top of his elephant.
After which Maharana Pratap’s horse gets injured. After this, it is told that considering the situation, Maharana Pratap is sent away from the war and Maharana Pratap is worn out with Jhala Beeda to continue the war in his place. Mughal army. Thinking Jhala Bida to be Maharana Pratap, they start attacking him and while saving the life of Maharana Pratap, Jhala Bida gets martyred in the battle of Haldighati. Pratap had to leave the battle with his injured horse Chetak and go towards the mountains.
After taking his master to a safe place some distance away, Chetak sacrifices his life. Even today Chetak’s tomb remains at a place called Balicha. Let us tell you that there was no result of the Haldighati battle because Maharana Pratap never accepted defeat and Akbar also failed to capture him dead or alive. Although some parts of Mewar were definitely captured by the Mughals, but after the Haldighati war, Maharana Pratap, living in the Aravalli hills, once again starts building a strong empire with the help of his remaining companions.
Within no time, except Chittor and Mandalgarh, they again captured parts like Kumbhalgarh, Gogunda and Udaipur. Chavand was made the capital of this new empire of Maharana Pratap. Nothing happened to Maharana Pratap in the fierce battle, but passing time and increasing age weakened Pratap and finally on 19 February 1597, Maharana Pratap breathed his last at a place called Mandauli. A brave warrior like Maharana Pratap was cremated at the same place. Of course, the Haldighati war may not have yielded any results but a brilliant example of courage and bravery was presented in this war.
This war still inspires courage, sacrifice and loyalty to save our honor and our motherland. Brave warrior Maharana Pratap Singh became the main listener of this inspiration. This is the reason due to which the name of Maharana Pratap is taken with great respect in Indian history. So friends, this was the true story of Haldighati war and the bravery of Maharana Pratap.
Anyway, see you again with the powerful explanation of the History.
