A fierce battle was fought between Rajput King Maha Rana Pratap and Mughal King Akbar on June 18th, 1576 CE, which has now come to be called the Battle of Haldighat. Another record says that this battle was fought on 21st June. But these four days from 18th to 21st are commemorated in Haldighat and also at his birth place.
Akbar’s Ploy
Akbar wanted to extend his Mughal Empire. The ploy he adopted was to take strong Hindu kings under him through friendship. These Hindu kings in turn helped him to defeat other Hindu kings.
Maha Rana Pratap
Maha Rana Pratap was persuaded by Akbar in every way, to come under him, but the Rajput King refused. Akbar soon lost his cool and declared a war on Rana Pratap. Rana Pratap also made preparations for the battle.
The battle
The two armies took stage at Haldighat. Akbar’s Army had 200000 soldiers while Rana Pratap had only 22,000.
The list of notable warriors who took part in this battle include Rajputs, Baniyas, Brahmin, Bhil, Charans and more.
Portraits of the warriors of the Battle of Haldighat are displayed in Moti Magri Museum in Udaipur.
Great Valour by Rana Pratap
The lesser numbers for Rana Pratap did not mean that the battle was a cake walk for Akbar. Rana Pratap and his soldiers fought with great valour.
Chetak Horse
As much as this battle was fought by Rana Pratap’s brave warriors, it was also a story of great versatility shown by his horse, Chetak.
Even though Rana Pratap was defeated, Akbar’s army could not completely conquer the Rajput king.
Sacrifice of Chetak
Rana Pratap’s horse made a great sacrifice in saving his master. Just as Alexander had a brave horse in Bucephalus, Rana Pratap had Chetak. Chetak was a native breed war horse, a Kathiawari.
Chetak was seriously injured in the battle, but, to save his master’s life, it crossed over a big canal, to safety.
As soon as it crossed, it fell down dead. Rana Pratap broke down and was moved by the great commitment his horse had shown in saving his life.
A statue in memory
He created a beautiful garden at the spot where Chetak had passed away. A statue was later erected in its memory at Haldighat, where it had shown great bravery.
Scooter and Helicopter in its name
The valour of this horse is so ingrained in the Indian minds that the famous scooter in the 1980s and 1990s of India was named Chetak. Chetak is also an inspiration behind the name of India’s indigenously built helicopter. There is also an Express train in the name of Chetak.
Many statues have been built over the centuries depicting Rana Pratap on his horse, Chetak.
Popular across land
This battle of Haldighat goes down as one of the greatest battles fought by Maha Rana Pratap.
After this battle, the ethos and valour of Maha Rana Pratap reached far and wide through the country.
In Coin
His valour has been commemorated by the Government in a coin.
A Serial
A serial on Maha Rana Pratap is being aired in TV, in English, Hindi and other vernacular languages. It is also popular in regions where Maha Rana Pratap has not visited. Such is the spread of his valour all over the land, across languages.
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The Battle of Haldighati… one of the battles which should be thought in schools in detail… Tysm for bringing this to light…