Rajput king Maharana
Pratap was a notable historical figure known for his valour and his war against
the Mughal emperor Akbar.

King
of Mewar, Rajasthan, Maharana Pratap was born on 9 May, 1540. Popularly known as
‘Mewari Rana’, the Rajput king fought the Mughals for many
years.    

 Crowned as king of
Mewar in 1572, Maharana Pratap gained prominence for the battle of Haldighati against Akbar. He died on January 19, 1597.

The battle was a defining moment for the kingdom of Mewar. The battle
began after Maharana Pratap refused to surrender to Akbar and his goal to take
over the kingdom.

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The battle of Haldighati was fought on 18 June 1576 near the village of
Gogunda, now located in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Mughal emperor Akbar’s cavalry of 85,000 battled with Mewar’s cavalry of
3,000. Although the Mughals won, the battle became the most notable event in
Maharana Pratap’s life. The Rajput king also managed to escape during the
battle, thanks to his powerful horse, Chetak.  Chetak has a poem named
after him, titled ‘Chetak Ki Veerta’, by poet Shyamnarayan Pandey.

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According to historians, the Rajput king had a javelin that weighed 81
kg, and wore 72 kg of armor during the Haldighati battle. Including a spear,
armor, shield and two swords, his battle attire weighed over 200 kgs.

The
Rajput ruler learned his combat skills from his mother, Maharani Jaivanta Bai
Songara of Jallore.  His father was the 12th ruler of the dynasty.

Maharana
Pratap won three battles against Akbar in 1577, 1578, and 1579.

 He had 11 wives and
17 children. He died on January 19, 1597, at the age of 56, succumbing to an
injury while on a hunt.

His first son,
Maharana Amar Singh then succeeded the empire and became the 14th emperor
of the dynasty of Mewar.