Sadly his ascension did not happen in Chittorgarh, for the fort was under seize by Akbar’s Mughal army since 1567 and Pratap’s father, Rana Udai Singh II had shifted his capital to Gogunda. Rana Pratap ascended the throne of Mewar in 1572. In was in this line of valiant kings that Maharana Pratap was born in 1540.

With Hamir began a dynasty that is unmatched with any other in the history of India. The Sisodiya dynasty submits to Eklingji as the supreme ruler of Mewar and serves under his name. Hamir was the first ruler to take the title of Rana (Prime Minister). With Hamir Singh‘s ascension in 1326, the first chapter in the glorious saga of Sisodiya dynasty was written. A distant kin of the slain ruler Rawal Ratan Singh named Hamir Singh regained control after killing Maldeva, the proxy under whom Khilji has left Chittor. But few realise the fact that the story did not end there.

We all are very familiar with the saga of Rani Padmini’s Jauhar and Allauddin Khilji’s victory over Chittorgarh. Foreign Jihadi Mughals had invaded and conquered most of Northern and Central Indiaīut Mewar under #MaharanaPratap was independent Hindu kingdom like a tiny saffron drop amidst Mughal ocean.He fought back and never gave up when others surrendered /7qbd4FySAE Indeed, Mewar was the only region which never gave up, it kept fighting back relentlessly. It took me some time to realise the profoundness of his words. Years ago, while touring through the region, one of my friends asked casually the driver cum guide, “why do you people take so much pride in being from Mewar?” His answer came with a sombre smile, “because we remained free”. Mewar gave birth to legends like Rani Padmini and warriors like Maharana Pratap.

This land in the Aravalli range of Rajasthan has seen people who gladly embraced death to protect the honour of their land, women who preferred stepping into blazing infernos instead of surrendering to invaders and kings who defended its sovereignty till the last drop of their blood.

People may wonder why so, but a peek into Mewar’s history and a visit to the area will give all the answers one needs. Mewar is a region that defies conventional ideas and modern beliefs.

Maharana pratap 16th november 2015