Remembering Maharana Pratap On His Birth Anniversary. Here Are 7 Facts About India's Greatest Warrior

Born on 9th May, 1540, Maharana Pratap, the ruler of Mewar is regarded as one of the greatest warriors in Indian history. Pratap was born to founder of Udaipur, Uday Singh II and Maharani Jaiwanta Bai. He is remembered most for his onslaughts against the Mughals and has been a subject for books, films and television serials. Bharat Ka Veer Putra- Maharana Pratap, the television series based on him has been both critically and commercially acclaimed. Yet, there are a few things you don't know about him.?

Today, on his 477th birth anniversary, we recall the brave hero. ?

1. Maharana Pratap was 7 feet 5 inches tall.?

Yes, it is said that Maharana Pratap was 7 feet 5 inches tall. He wore a 110 kg armour and was always ready to take on his rivals with just his two swords each of which weighed 25 kg. In fact, his armour and swords are displayed at a museum in Udapiur, Rajasthan, even today.?

2. Maharana Pratap had 17 sons and 5 daughters from 11 wives.?

Maharana Pratap had 11 wives. Ajabde Punwar, daughter of Rao Ram Rakh Panwar was his first wife. His son and successor Amar Singh, was born to Ajabde.?

3. Maharana Pratap is regarded as India’s first freedom fighter because he never surrendered to Akbar. ?

Maharana Pratap was the only Rajput king from the 16th century who was ready to defy Akbar, and succeeded too. Though, there was a point in time when he thought of surrendering to the Mughal ruler, but a letter from famous Rajput poet Prithviraj convinced him not to. ?

4. Maharana Pratap’s valour was on display in the battle of Haldighati.?

Akbar decided to fight against Maharana Pratap in 1576. It was during this battle that Maharana Pratap used the Guerilla Warfare tactics. Mughal army had the strength of two lakh soldiers whereas Rajputs were only twenty two thousand in number. The turning point came again in 1582 when Rana Pratap inflicted a crushing defeat to the Mughal army in Dewair. He managed to regain most of his lost land of Mewar except Chittor.

5. Maharana Pratap was the first king in India to use the ‘Guerrilla warfare’ ?

The guerrilla warfare had been in existence before, but Maharana Pratap was the first ruler to use it in an organised form, as a result of which he succeeded in giving a blow to the Mughal army. Although, Akbar is regarded as a great fighter of all times, yet Maharana Pratap battled him with confidence. There was a time when almost the whole of Rajasthan was under the control of the Mughal ?Emperor Akbar, but Maharana Pratap continued to fight against him for 12 years to save Mewar. Akbar tried various means to defeat him, but Maharana Pratap remained unbeatable till the end.

6. Maharana Pratap had a very strong association with the indigenous tribe of Mewar - Bhils.?

The tribe of Mewar called the Bhils always supported Maharana Pratap and fought with him till the end. They even sacrificed their lives for the honour of their ruler. According to a myth, Rana Pratap made his descendants promise that until he wins back Chittor, he would sleep on a straw bed and eat off Pattras (leaf Plate). Eventually, Rana Pratap did not get Chittor back. Still, even today, many Rajput followers keep that promise and place a leaf under their plates and a straw under their beds.

7. Maharana Pratap criticised his son Amar Singh for capturing women from the enemy camp.?

Once, all the women folk from the camp of Rahim Khan-e-Khana, who was campaigning against Maharana Pratap along with a Mughal officer, were caught by Amar Singh. He arrested them and brought them in front of his father Maharana Pratap. However, when Maharana got to know about the arrest of the women from the enemy camp, he gave instant orders to set them free and sent them back to their camp.?