An 1876 engraving of Rajputs of Rajasthan, from the Illustrated London News

A Rajput (from Sanskrit raja-putra, “son of a king”) is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and some parts of Pakistan. They claim to be descendants of ruling Hindu warrior classes of North India.^{[1][dubious – discuss]} Rajputs rose to prominence during the 6th to 12th centuries. Until the 20th century Rajputs ruled in the "overwhelming majority" of the princely states of Rajasthan and Surashtra, where the largest number of princely states were found.^[2]

The Rajput population and the former Rajput states are found spread through much of the subcontinent, particularly in north, west and central India. Populations are found in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Surashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra.

Etymology[link]

Rajput is from the Sanskrit word Raja-Putra (son of a king).^[3] The word is found in ancient texts, including the Vedas, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata.^{[citation needed]} It was used by the ancient Sanskrit grammarian Pāṇini in the 4th century BCE.^{[citation needed]} The word Kshatriya ("warrior") was used for the Vedic community of warriors and rulers. To differentiate royal warriors from other Kshatriyas the word Rajputra was used.^{[citation needed]} Rajputra eventually was shortened to Rajput; gradually it became a caste.^{[citation needed]} Rajputs claim descent from various mythological patrilineages, being Suryavanshi, Chandravanshi, Agnivanshi and Nagavanshi.^{[citation needed]}

History[link]

During their centuries-long rule of northern India, the Rajputs constructed several palaces. Shown here is the Chandramahal in City Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan, which was built by Kachwaha Rajputs

Origins[link]

The origin of Rajputs is the subject of debate. According to John Keay, not until the Mughal period, which began in 1526 AD, did the word "Rajput" come to be used of a particular class or tribe.^[4] Other writers, such as M. S. Naravane and V. P. Malik, believe that the term was not used to designate a particular tribe or social group until the 6th century AD, as there is no mention of the term in the historical record as pertaining to a social group prior to that time.^[5] One theory espouses that with the collapse of the Gupta empire from the late 6th century, the invading Hephthalites (White Huns) were probably integrated within the Indian society. Leaders and nobles from among the invaders were assimilated into the Kshatriya ritual rank in the Hindu varna system, while others who followed and supported them — such as the Ahirs, Gurjars and Jats - were ranked as Shudra. At the same time, some indigenous tribes were ranked as being of the "rajput" Kshatriya status, examples of which are the Bundela, Chandelas^[6] and Rathors. The Encyclopaedia Britannica notes that Rajputs "... actually vary greatly in status, from princely lineages, such as the Guhilot and Kachwaha, to simple cultivators."^[3] However, some scholars, such as C. V. Vaidya and Gauri Shnakar Ojha do not accept this.^[7][why?]

Rajput kingdoms (8th to 11th centuries)[link]

From the beginning of the 9th century, Rajput dynasties dominated northern parts of India, and the many petty Rajput kingdoms became the primary obstacle to the complete Muslim conquest of Hindu India. Even after the Muslim conquest of the Punjab and the Ganga River valley, the Rajputs maintained their independence in Rajasthan and the forests of central India. Later, Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Khilji dynasty took the two Rajput forts of Chitor and Ranthambhor in eastern Rajasthan but could not hold them for long.^[3]

A water reservoir inside Chittorgarh Fort as seen in 2006

The British colonial period[link]

The Maratha Confederacy began to be in conflict with the British Raj beginning in 1772. After the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818), all the states in the Rajputana region, entered into subsidiary alliance with the East India Company and became princely states under the British Raj. The British took direct control of Ajmer, which became the province of Ajmer-Merwara There were about 13 main Rajput states and 2 Jat states namely Bharatpur & Dholpur in Rajasthan region.During British regime three more states were created in Rajputana.They were Tonk, Jhalawar and Dholpur. A large number of other Rajput states in central and western India made a similar transition. Most of them were placed under the authority of the Central India Agency and the various states' agencies of Kathiawar.^{[citation needed]}

Some British colonial officials were impressed by the military qualities of the Rajputs. In his Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan James Tod writes:

What nation on earth could have maintained the semblance of civilization, the spirit or the customs of their forefathers, during so many centuries of overwhelming depression, but one of such singular character as the Rajpoot? ... Rajast'han exhibits the sole example in the history of mankind, of a people withstanding every outrage barbarity could inflict, or human nature sustain, from a foe whose religion commands annihilation; and bent to the earth, yet rising buoyant from the pressure, and making calamity a whetstone to courage .... Not an iota of their religion or customs have they lost ...

In this instance, it should be noted that Tod was unusually enamoured of the Rajputs, is venerated by them to this day, and is viewed by many historians since the late nineteenth-century as being a not particularly reliable commentator.^[8][9] Jason Freitag, his only significant biographer, has said that Tod is "manifestly biased".^[10]

The Rajput practice of female infanticide and sati (widow immolation) was another matter regarding which the British colonialists had an interest. It was believed that the Rajputs were the primary adherents to these practices, which the Raj considered to be savage and which was the initial impetus for British ethnographic studies of the subcontinent that eventually manifested itself as a much wider exercise in social engineering.^[11]

In reference to the role of the Rajput soldiers serving under the British banner, Captain A. H. Bingley states:

Rajputs have served in our ranks from Plassey to the present day (1899). They have taken part in almost every campaign undertaken by the Indian armies. Under Forde they defeated the French at Condore. Under Monro at Buxar they routed the forces of the Nawab of Oudh. Under Lake they took part in the brilliant series of victories which destroyed the power of the Marathas.^[12]

Identity and major clans[link]

Suryavanshi lineage: the sun[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

The Suryavanshi, which means Sun Dynasty, claim descent from Surya, the solar deity. It is the oldest of the Kshatriya dynasties. Other Rajput Suryavanshi clans that claim descent from Rama, one of the dynastic kings, include the Chattars, Jamwals, Kachwahas, Lohanas, Minhas, Pundirs and Sisodias.

Chandravanshi lineage: the moon[link]

The Chandravanshi, which means Moon Dynasty, claim descent from Chandra, the lunar deity. Within the Chandravanshi is the Yaduvanshi lineage, which claims descent from the Hindu god Krishna and from Yadu, eldest son of Yayati. Rajput Chandravanshi clans of the Yaduvanshi sect include the Bhatti, Doad, Jadeja, Katoch, Khanzada, Sulehria.

Agnivanshi lineage: fire[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

The Agnivanshi lineage claims descent from Agni, the Vedic God of Fire. They were the earliest lineage to rise to political prominence. The legend which addresses the origin of the Agnivanshi Rajputs is disputed. According to Puranic legend, as found in Bhavishya Purana (an ancient religious text), many but not all of the traditional kshatriyas of the land were exterminated by Parashurama, an avatar of Vishnu. The sage Vasishta performed a great a yagna (ritual of sacrifice) at Mount Abu, at the time of emperor Ashoka's sons (Ashoka died around 232 BCE). From the influence of mantras of the four Vedas, four kshatriyas were born. They were the founders of the four Agnivanshi clans:

• Parmar (Paramara)
• Chamahanas (Chauhan)
• Solanki (Chalukya)
• Parihara (Pratihara)

Only these four clans out of the many Rajput clans are considered to be Agnivanshi.^{[by whom?]}

Culture and ethos[link]

The Rajputs were a Martial Race in the period of the British Raj.^[13] This was a designation created by administrators that classified each ethnic group as either "martial" or "non-martial". A "martial race" was typically considered brave and well built for fighting,^[14] whilst the remainder were those whom the British believed to be unfit for battle because of their sedentary lifestyles.^[15] "Race" in 19th-century terminology corresponds to the contemporary term "ethnic group", and not in the modern sense of race.

Rajput lifestyle[link]

The double-edged scimitar known as the khanda was a popular weapon among the Rajputs of that era. On special occasions, a primary chief would break up a meeting of his vassal chiefs with khanda nariyal, the distribution of daggers and coconuts. Another affirmation of the Rajput's reverence for his sword was the Karga Shapna ("adoration of the sword") ritual, performed during the annual Navaratri festival, after which a Rajput is considered "free to indulge his passion for rapine and revenge".^[16]

By the late 19th century, there was a shift of focus among Rajputs from politics to a concern with kinship.^[17] Many Rajputs of Rajasthan are nostalgic about their past and keenly conscious of their genealogy, emphasizing a Rajput ethos that is martial in spirit, with a fierce pride in lineage and tradition.^[18]

See also[link]

• Punjabi Rajput
• List of Rajputs
• Religious liberalism in Rajput courts
• Sikh Rajputs
• Muslim Rajputs

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• M K A Siddiqui (ed.), Marginal Muslim Communities In India, Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi (2004)
• Dasharatha Sharma Rajasthan through the Ages a comprehensive and authentic history of Rajasthan, prepared under the orders of the Government of Rajasthan. First published 1966 by Rajasthan Archives.
•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rajput

• Rajputs Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition; 2005

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2012)

This is a list of notable people who self-identify as members of the Rajput community of India and Pakistan.

Historical figures[link]

Maharana Pratap of Mewar, a 16th century Rajput ruler and warrior.

Statue of Prithvi Raj Chauhan at Ajmer

• Banda Bahadur, a Sikh warrior who lead the Khalsa armies against the Mughal empire and founded the first independent Sikh kingdom.
• Bappa Rawal, the first Gehlot king at Chitrakut
• Gogaji, a Chauhan Rajput and a local deity of Rajasthan.
• Vachra Dada, a Solanki Rajput and folk deity of Gujarat.
• Maharaja Gulab Singh, who became the first Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir.^[1]
• Santaji Ghorpade, the commander-in-chief of the Maratha empire between 1692-1697, and a Sisodia Rajput.^[2][3]
• Chatrapati Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Raj and considered by many to be the greatest warrior in the modern history of the Indian subcontinent.^[4][3]
• Zorawar Singh, a Kalhuria Rajput who conquered Ladakh, Baltistan, Gilgit and Western Tibet.^[1]
• Prithvi Narayan Shah, United Emperor of Gorkha, descendants of Sisodia of Chittor.He was of mixed race Aryan Rajput from father side and Mongol from mother side.^[5][6][7]
• Maharaja Ganga Singh
• Harsha Vardhana
• Maharaja Jaswant Singh
• Jai Singh Prabhakar Bahadur Ruler of princly state of Alwar
• Maharana Pratap
• Maharao Shardul Singh Ruler of Jhunjhunu
• Mira Bai
• Pabuji Rathore (Local deity of Rajasthan)
• Prithviraj Chauhan,^[8] King of Ajmer
• Rai Bhoe Bhatti, Founder of Nankana Sahib
• Rai Bular Bhatti, Son of Rai Bhoe Bhatti and heir to his estate of over 100,000 acres (400 km²) of land in modern day Nankana Sahib District.

• Raja Bhagwant Das, King of Amber Rajasthan
• Ram Singh Pathania, Hero of revolts against British
• Rana Kumbha, Ruler at Chittor in 15th century
• Rana Sanga, Ruler of Mewar
• Rana Udai Singh II, Founder of Udaipur
• Rao Bika, Founded Bikaner
• Rao Jodha, Founded city of Jodhpur
• Rao Maldeo Rathore, Ruler of marwar 15 A.D.
• Rao Shekha, King of Amarsar
• Rawal Jaisal Singh, Founder of the city of Jaisalmer.
• Rawal Ratan Singh, Husband of Rani Padimini, Sisodiya ruler of Chittor (13 a.d.)
• Sangat Singh Minhas
• Vanraj Chavda, Ruler of the Chavda Dynasty in Gujarat.
• Veer Kunwar Singh
• Jambhoji
• Jai Singh II, Founder and King of Jaipur
• Jai Singh I, King of Amber
• Raja Amar Singh Rathore
• Raja Man Singh I of Amber, King of Amber, Rajasthan. General of Akbar
• Raja Pajawan or Pajjun, King of Amber

Politicians of India[link]

• Shah Nawaz Khan, soldier with the Indian National Army and former Union Minister^[9]

Dr. Karan Singh.

• Dr. Karan Singh, Senior Congress Leader and 1st Governor of Jammu and Kashmir
• Rajnath Singh, former National President of BJP
• Vishwanath Pratap Singh, The 10th Prime Minister of India. Former Finance Minister of India, also Served as Chief Minister Of Uttar Pradesh.
• Dr.Anugrah Narayan Singh,Member Constituent Assembly of India & 1st Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar
• Madhav Singh Solanki, Former Chief Minister of Gujrat
• Satyendra Narayan Singh,Rajput Chieftain,Member of Provisional Parliament,Member of 1st Lok-Sabha & Former Chief Minister of Bihar
• Virbhadra Singh, Former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh from Indian National Congress and current Union Cabinet Minister
• Bhanwar Jitendra Singh, Secretary A.I.C.C, Member of Parliament from Alwar Rajasthan
• Gayatri Devi, former Maharani of Jaipur
• Jaswant Singh, Leader of opposition, Rajya Sabha and Former Finance Minister of India
• Dharam Singh, Former Chief Minister of Karnataka
• Nareshchandra Singh, Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh from Indian National Congress
• Kalikesh Singh Deo, Member of Parliament from Saintala Constituency
• Shivraj Singh Chauhan C.M Of Madhya Pradesh^[10]

Armed forces of India[link]

• Brigadier Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh, MVC, Maharaja of Jaipur
• Naik Jadu Nath Singh, awarded Param Vir Chakra for service in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.^[11]

Politicians of Pakistan[link]

• Allah Bux Soomro, Former Chief Minister of Sindh^[12]

Sports[link]

Cricket[link]

• Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji, Indian Test cricketer^[13]
• Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Indian cricketer.^[14]

Art, culture and cinema[link]

• Sonal Chauhan, Miss India
• Vishakha Singh,^[15] actress
• Ram Gopal (dancer) , dancer^[16]

References[link]

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2012)

Maharana Pratap
The Ruler of Mewar
Reign	1568–1597
Born	May 09, 1540
Birthplace	Kumbhalgarh, Juni Kacheri, Pali
Died	January 19, 1597 (age 57)
Predecessor	Maharana Udai Singh II
Offspring	3 sons and 2 daughters
Royal House	Sisodia, Suryavanshi Rajput
Father	Maharana Udai Singh II

Maharana Pratap or Pratap Singh (May 24, 1540 – January 19, 1597) was a Hindu ruler of Mewar, a small region in north-western India in the present day state of Rajasthan. In popular Indian culture, Pratap is considered to exemplify the qualities like bravery and chivalry to which Rajputs aspire, especially in context of his opposition to the Akbar. The struggle between Rajput confederacy led by Pratap Singh, and the Mughal Empire under Akbar, has often been characterised in popular Hindutva culture as a struggle between Hindus and the 'invading' Muslims, much on the same lines as the struggle between Shivaji and Aurangzeb a little less than a century later. However, notably, unlike Shivaji, Pratap Singh has also symbolised the pride and prestige of upper caste Hindus in northern India, because of the obvious differences between their lineages - but this allegation have little truth because much of Pratap's own soldiery were recruited from among tribal people like Bhils and backward castes like Lohars, while his own upper caste contemporaries like Man Singh of Amber supported Mughals.

However, most scholars now agree that such a characterisation of this conflict is incorrect, for the conflict was between two political entities, and not social or religious identities. This is especially true in context of the fact that many of the Mughal generals that Pratap Singh fought with, were Hindus and ethnically of the same stock as Pratap Singh himself. Most notable of these, and most successful against Pratap Singh was Man Singh, the ruler of Amber. In fact some of the key allies that Pratap Singh had, were in fact the Afghan Muslims of Bihar and Bengal, all of whom were descendents of Lodhi dynasty, which had been defeated by Mughals under Babur in 1526 A. D. In fact, one of the most trusted foot soldiers of Pratap, Hakim Khan Sur belonged to the Sur dynasty of Sher Shah Sur which again, had been defeated by Akbar earlier. Furthermore, some of the immediate relatives of Pratap Singh had themselves allied with Mughal rule. The ultimate defeat of the Rajput confederacy, was not by any direct Mughal conquest; rather it had been a slow dissolution of the confederacy itself, as more and more number of Rajput chieftains and rulers were accommodated in a largely syncretic Mughal Empire. It is therefore, important to understand that the stand off between Akbar and Pratap Singh, was largely politico-psychological in its nature, and had almost nothing to do with the religion, ethnicity or language.

But these arguments cannot explain how even Aurangzeb, a essentially Islamic ruler himself had plenty of Hindu soldier and Shivaji, an essentially Hindu ruler had plenty of Muslim soldiers. Also statements made by Pratap Singh himself. Pratap is said to have lamented that "If there had been no Udai Singh between himself and Rana Sanga, he would not have let Turks master Hindustan." He saw Mughals as foreigners who had invaded India and that is why he refused to surrender. His own father Udai Singh had condemned house of Man Singh for their marriage with unclean foreigners and Pratap Singh himself said that he will call Akbar only a "Turk" and not an emperor. Also Pratap Singh's dogged resistance even when he had to wander in jungles of Aravallis and his persistent refusal to surrender even after being reduced to starvation during run after Haldighati do not point to a person who fought for power politics, but rather to a person with a sacred mission. His own vow giving up all comforts of palace life till he recaptured all his kingdom from Mughals and his life long observance of that vow also speak of his steadfast patriotism and determination rather than power politics. Similar kind of observation can be pointed out to his repeated refusal to accept lucrative offers from Akbar in shape of jagirs and suberdaris.

Accession[link]

Maharaja Pratap Singh II of Mewar Hunting Boar ca. 1750-1775. Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper.

In 1568, during the reign of Udai Singh II, Chittor was conquered by the Mughal Emperor Akbar after the third Jauhar at Chittor. However, Udai Singh and the royal family of Mewar escaped before the capture of the fort and moved to the foothills of the Aravalli Range where Udai Singh founded the city of Udaipur. Rana Udai Singh wanted Jagmal, his favourite son, to succeed him but his senior nobles wanted Pratap, the eldest son, to be their king as was customary. During the coronation ceremony Jagmal was physically moved out of the palace by the Chundawat Chief and Tomar Ramshah and Pratap was made the King, the Rana of Mewar. Folklore has it that Pratap did not want to go against the wishes of his father but Rajput nobles convinced him that Jagmal was not fit to rule in the troubled times of the day, but it is quite possible that what occurred was a bitterly contested struggle for succession: something characteristic of most South Asian kingdoms of the age.

Though the chief reasons for resentment between Pratap Singh and Akbar, two very visionary rulers is unclear, it is now largely agreed that it had to do with disagreements over the status of Mewar within the Mughal Empire, were it to at all accept Mughal suzerainty. The tensions were further characterised by the fact that Babur and Rana Sanga, grand fathers to Akbar and Pratap respectively, had earlier bitterly contested the control over the Gangetic plains and the Doab. It is evident that there were had been some measures of reconcilliation, like acceptance of ambassadors and representatives between the two courts. However, none of these could ever be taken to any logical end.

Conflict[link]

Chittorgarh (Chittor fort), Pratap's ancestral home, was under Mughal occupation. Living a life on the run, the dream of reconquering Chittor (and thus reclaiming the glory of Mewar) was greatly cherished by Pratap, and his future efforts were bent towards this goal. In essence Pratap remained king only on paper as he never ruled any land in his lifetime.

Nearly all of Pratap's fellow Rajput chiefs had meanwhile entered into the vassalage of the Mughals. Even Pratap's own brothers, Shakti Singh and Sagar Singh, served Akbar. Indeed, many Rajput chiefs, such as Raja Man Singh of Amber (later known as Maharaja of Jaipur) were serving as army commanders in Akbar's armies and members of his council. Akbar sent a total of six diplomatic missions to Pratap, seeking to negotiate the same sort of peaceful alliance that he had concluded with the other Rajput chiefs. This is clearly evidential of the ends sought by each of the two rulers: for Akbar, having an independent or semi independent kingdom, within his otherwise consolidated empire was politically unsound and militarily dangerous; for Pratap Singh, on the other hand, to accept vassalage with little in return was a political suicide, and a steep fall for Mewar in the region's power structure.

Battle of Haldighati[link]

On June 21, 1576 (June 18 by other calculations), the two armies met at Haldighati, near the town of Gogunda in present-day Rajasthan. While accounts vary as to the exact strength of the two armies, all sources concur that the Mughal forces outnumbered Pratap's men.

Statue of Maharana Pratap of Mewar, commemorating the Battle of Haldighati, City Palace, Udaipur

However, the numerical superiority of the Mughal army and their artillery began to tell. Seeing that the battle was lost, Pratap's generals prevailed upon him to flee the field ( so as to be able to fight another day. Myths indicate that to facilitate Pratap's escape, one of his lieutenants, a member of the Jhala clan, donned Pratap's distinctive garments and took his place in the battlefield. He was soon killed. Meanwhile, riding his trusty steed Chetak, Pratap was able to successfully evade captivity and escape to the hills.

But Chetak was critically wounded on his left thigh by a mardana (Elephant Trunk Sword) while Pratap had attempted to nail down Man Singh. Chetak was bleeding heavily and he collapsed after jumping over a small brook few kilometres away from the battle field. A famous couplet narrates this incident of the battle:

Aage nadiya padi apaar, ghoda kaise utare paar

Rana ne socha is paar, tab tak chetak tha us paar

English Translation :

Lies the boundless river ahead, How will the horse cross it?

While Rana thought on his side, Chetak was that side!

The battle of Haldighati has commanded a lasting presence in Rajasthani folklore, and the persona of Pratap Singh is celebrated in a famous folk song “O Neele Ghode re Aswar” (O Rider of the Blue Horse).

A monument to Chetak is at the site of the steed's death. The impact of the battle on the Mughal army was also significant.

==Generals==.

Jhala Man Singh[link]

Jhala Man Sinh (also known as Jhala Sardar) set an example of extraordinary valour, bravery and sacrifice in the struggle for freedom. In the battle of Haldi Ghati in 1576, upon seeing Maharana Pratap wounded (three wounds were inflicted, sword, spear and shot by a musket) and unconscious on his horse, Chetak; Jhala immediately took the Crown and royal emblem of Pratap, thus confusing the enemy into thinking that he was Pratap and took the entire attack of the Mughal hordes upon himself. Ultimately his life to save the life of Pratap . It is because of this sacrifice that Pratap continued to fight on against the Mughals and eventually reestablish and liberate all of Mewar except Chittor.

In Present day Udaipur, the descendants of Jhala still carry the emblem of Mewar as their coat of arms as conferred upon them by Maharana Pratap.

Tomars[link]

Raja Ram Shah Tomar of Gwalior was married to a daughter of Rana Udai Singh, sought refuge in Mewar after he lost Gwalior to Mughals. He along with 300 of his men fought the battle of Haldighati. His only remaining son was sent to Bikaner so the line could survive, everyone else gave up their life for the cause of Mewar.

Bhim Singh Dodia[link]

Bhim Singh Dodia, one of the Mewar nobles who took part in Maharana Pratap Singh's war council at Gogunda (1576) prior to the Battle of Haldighati.

Charan Kesa And Jaisa[link]

Two Charan warlords from the Soniana Village of Mewar, fought in the vanguard of Pratap's Army and were subsequently killed in action.Seven others Charans also laid down their lives for the cause.

Bhama Shah (or Bhamashah)[link]

Bhamashah made a mark in the history of Mewar. Son of Bharmal Kawadiya and born 450 years ago, he set an example of honesty, faith and duty. He was not only Pratap's treasurer, but also fought like a soldier when the need arose. Maharana Pratap was able to properly maintain his army of 25,000 soldiers for 12 years only because Bhamashah had gifted not only his property, but also a collection of 25 lakh rupees and 20,000 gold coins from Maalpura during a financial crisis. Bhamashah also served Maharana Amar Singh. Thereafter his son Jeev Shah was treasurer of the Maharana. At the time of his death Bhamashah asked his wife to handover the detailed record of royal treasury to Maharana Amar Singh then he left for heavenly abode.

Punja Bhil[link]

Provided his support to Maharana Pratap, to win the Deawar battle.

Aftermath[link]

Pratap retreated into the hilly wilderness of the Aravallis and continued his struggle. His one attempt at open confrontation having thus failed, Pratap resumed the tactics of guerilla warfare. Using the hills as his base, Pratap continued small raids and skirmishes against the outlying chekcposts, fortresseses and encampments of his adversaries, some of whom included the Hindu vassals appointed by the Mughals in the wake of Pratap Singh's defeat.

During Pratap's exile, he received much financial assistance from Bhamashah, a well-wisher. The Bhil tribals of the Aravalli hills also provided Pratap with their support during times of war and their expertise in living off the forests during times of peace.

Personal life[link]

Rana Pratap had 14 Ranis. Guhilot are descendants of Guha, Sisodia's are descendants of Hamir Guhilot of Sisoda village and Ranawats are descendants of Rana Udai Singh who under the changed strategic realities of the period,abandoned the vulnerable Chittaurgarh and established a new capital of Mewar at Udaipur. The patronymic change in name is usually followed by a major migration of population or battle.

Final days[link]

Maharana Pratap died of injuries sustained in a hunting accident. He died at Chavand, on January 19, 1597, aged fifty-seven. It is said that as he lay dying, Pratap made his son and successor, Amar Singh, swear to maintain eternal conflict against the Mughals. Thus, his strained circumstances did not overpower Pratap even in his declining years. It is said that he also did not sleep on a bed because of a vow he took that until Chittor was freed he would sleep on the floor and live in a hut despite the fact that he had reconquered almost his entire kingdom from Akbar.

Maharana Pratap's son, Amar Singh, fought 17 wars with the Mughals but he conditionally accepted them as rulers.

Character[link]

Rajsthani, especially Marwari folklore has held Pratap Singh in much regard, most of which cannot be said to be unfounded. An incident, often recounted is one where, before the Battle of Haldighati started, Man Singh was out hunting with a few hundred retainers. Pratap's Bhil spies reported this to him at his camp a few kilometers away. Some of Pratap's nobles suggested that they seize the opportunity to attack and kill Man Singh. Pratap refused, demonstrating his sense of rectitude.

In another incident, the womenfolk of Abdur Rahim Khankhana, a Mughal officer, fell into the hands of Pratap's son, Amar Singh. At this point of time, Khankhana was actually on the march against Pratap, and was camping at Sherpur in order to make preparations for an assault against Pratap. Nonwithstanding all this, Pratap commanded his son Amar Singh to arrange for the safe conveyance of the Mughal ladies to their camp. Khankhana was so affected by this incident that he refused to campaign against such a chivalrous monarch. He petitioned Akbar to be relieved of his post and was subsequently (in 1581) appointed guardian of Akbar's own son, Salim. Also it is believed that the slogan " Jo dridh rakhe dharm, ne tahi rakhe kartar was spoken by Abdur Rahim Khankhana, who is also known as "Rahim das" in Hindi poetry.

Legacy[link]

Most important of Pratap Singh's legacy was in military field - after Haldi-Ghati, he increasingly experimented and perfected guerrilla warfare and light horse tactics. His innovative military strategy ---- use of scorched earth, evacuation of entire populations along potential routes of enemy march, poisoning of wells, use of mountain forts in Aravallis, repeated plunder and devastation of enemy territories along with harassing raids on enemy baggage, communications and supply lines --- helped him recapture most of Mewar (except Chittor) by time of his death and enabled him to successfully tackled vastly stronger armies of Akbar. Harassing warfare perfected by Pratap Singh would in due course was adopted by Malik Ambar of Ahmednagar ^[1] who taught and deployed local Marathas to fight invading Mughal armies, thus preparing them for future warfare against Mughals. Though Pratap Singh failed to overcome Mughals in his life time, indirectly and in long run, his military techniques paved way for downfall of Mughal empire.

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar

• Maharana Pratap - Mewar's greatest hero
• Battle of Haldighati
• Maharana Pratap. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.. 
• Maharana Pratap
• Maharana Pratap The Film Maharana Pratap The Film
• ^Rajasthan Ptrika Newspaper - President of India unveiling the Music of Film. [1]
• ^ Mayapuri Magazine Feature (Edition 1947, January 26) (President releasing the Music of Film) (Page 13 ) [2]
• ^ Mayapuri Magazine Interview with Director (Edition 1947, January 26) (Page 23 & 24) [3]
• ^UdaipurTimes [4]
• IN.com [5]
• Bollywood Sargam [6]
• [7]

External links[link]

• Biography of Rana Pratap Singh in Hindi, English & Sanskrit - PDF
• Official Website for the Royal Family of Udaipur
• Maharana Pratap : The light and life of Hindu Community
• Rajput India
• Maharana Pratap Biography in Hindi