The Sun of Mewar

The Battle

The Battle of Haldighati was fought in June 1576. However, Akbar had planned an attack on Mewar in February 1576 when Rana Pratap Singh refused his peace treaty for the third time in four years. He wanted Rana Pratap's defeat in his hands. He was the only one who didn't seem to fear the mighty Mughals. He needed to be taught a lesson.

Rana Pratap was disturbed by the constant visits of Man Singh to Kumbhalgarh in the last two years, that too with Akbar's peace treaty. Chittorgarh had fallen to the Mughal power and Mewar had lost its bravest. He wouldn't forget that till his last breath. There was no way he could bow down to the Mughals. 17 Mewari villages were under Mughal dominance. He needed to free them. But his morals of showing no enmity with any Rajput always made him most hospitable towards Man Singh. He was looking for a way to strike a war.

Man Singh came with a peace treaty in the years 1573 and 1574. It is then that Rana Pratap decided that the fort of Kumbhalgarh was vulnerable to the Mughals now. He decided to move his family to safer areas, the forests and villages of Mewar, the Aravallis, his motherland protected him. In February 1576, Akbar decided to try one last time, to make him accept the Mughal Supremacy. As Man Singh's arrival was announced in the village Rana Pratap was stationed he decided to play a smart move.

" Ajabde, Call Amar. He is going for a meeting with Maan Singh." He ignored her scared and shocked look.

" Amar? How can he talk to the Mughals? He is so..."

Rana Pratap smiled. Kunwar Amar Singh, aged 17 was a hot-headed teenager, who hated the Mughals since he saw his birthplace stumble. She was scared he would end up insulting Maan Singh. He wanted just that.

Maan Singh was a bit surprised as the crown prince arrived instead of the King.

" Dajiraj is unwell, he sent me." Came to a reply before a question was asked.

" But how can we talk peace without the King?"

" We don't talk peace with Mughals Raja Maan Singh. We don't sell our motherland for luxury. We don't bow down."

" Kunwar Amar Singh. You are bringing upon yourself a war whose result will be worse than Chittor's. Think again, if there will be no Mewar where will you rule?" He tried to persuade the boy.

" A Mughal Mewar is more insulting than no Mewar to rule. We don't make peace with people who take innocent lives of our civilians." His hand caught the handle of his sword in anger.

" You seem like an exact reflection of your father, foolish and emotional." Maan Singh smiled.

" Foolish and Emotional is Better than Cowardice and Slavery." Amar smiled. That was the last straw. Insulted and humiliated, Maan Singh stormed out saying " Rana Pratap Singh! You will pay for this humiliation."

" Hai Eklingji. What did Amar do..." Maharani Ajabde Baisa exclaimed, scared as she heard what had happened. She was more scared of his father's reaction as she rushed to the room overlooking the court sessions in the village. She spotted Amar standing head bowed as his Father sat seriously while Rawat Chundaawat described what had happened. Ajabde Baisa searched his face for a reaction saying a quick prayer.

" You did well Kunwar Amar." Made everyone look at Ranaji in shock. Did he just praise his son?

" Dajiraj?" He asked confused.

" This is what we needed. To push them into a do-or-die situation. Now either they will leave Mewar or we will die saving our motherland. Jai Eklinji."

" Jai Eklingji" echoed.

" Ranaji." Her call stopped him from putting down his turban. He knew she would come with questions in her mind.

" Ajabde. You want to know why I am pushing towards the war, right?" He stared at her pale face as she nodded.