Maharana Pratap Jayanti commemorates the contributions of one of the greatest Rajput rulers of India, Maharana Pratap. He was a king known for his indomitable spirit, kind heart and intelligence. It is a day of celebrations, happiness and a lot of fun-filled activities. People from across the country come to Rajasthan to take part in the processions and pay their respects to the valiant warrior. Most importantly, this is the day when the youth of India are motivated to show determination and courage in whatever they do and always stay true to their principles.
From cultural events to educational programs, there is so much to explore during Maharana Pratap Jayanti 2024. Here are all the deets about the special day, the history of the warrior king, his battles and the legendary mark he left behind.
Historical Background
Maharana Pratap was born on 9th May 1540 in Kumbhalgarh of Rajasthan. He belonged to the Sisodian Rajput clan and was the eldest son of King Maharana Udai Singh II and his wife Maharani Jaiwanta Bai. Being the eldest of 25 siblings, he always showed a sense of responsibility towards people around him. Young Pratap was directly in line to the throne and that is why he was actively taught skills like sword fighting, horse riding, statecraft and warfare from very early in life.
The Sisodian Rajput clan was always close-knit and did not believe in losing their territories. The rulers were always clear about keeping foreign invasions at bay, whatever it may take. Maharana Pratap grew up learning lessons from his father and army commanders. They instilled the courage in him to always fight against the opposition.
In 1572, Maharana Pratap ascended the throne after the demise of his father. But the accession to the throne was definitely not straightforward. There were sibling rivalries and cunning plots of other royals that posed a challenge. However, with the help of the loyal nobles, Maharana Pratap became the new king of Mewar.
The king fought several battles to keep his kingdom safe but the most prominent one was with Emperor Akbar of the Mughal dynasty. Maharana Pratap showed strong resistance to the Mughal expansion, so much so that Emperor Akbar was put in a tight spot during their battles. The Battle of Haldighati was a remarkable war where the Rajput ruler showed his unwavering spirit and kept the Mughal army out of his territory. In the Battle of Dewair, he eventually defeated Emperor Akbar and regained the land previously lost to the Islamic rulers.
According to the Julian calendar, Maharana Pratap was born on the 9th of May. But now, the people of India use the Hindu calendar and Drik Panchang to set a date for the occasion. Maharana Pratap Jayanti 2024 will be celebrated on the 9th of June.
Battle of Haldighati
The Battle of Haldighati holds great significance in Indian history as this was a fiercely fought battle where the Mewar ruler refused to bow and continued to fight even when he was outnumbered. When we talk about the Battle of Haldighati which is the beginning, we must also talk about the Battle of Dewair which was a satisfying conclusion to the dispute.
Those were the times when Mughal Emperor Akbar was keen on expanding his territory and sent several diplomatic messages to Mewar. But Maharana Pratap refused to give his kingdom to the Mughal rulers, seeing them as outsiders and invading forces. This led to the inevitable conflict between the two parties that paved the way for the Battle of Haldighati on June 18, 1576.
The Mughal Army was led by Man Singh I of Amber and they had about 80,000 men including infantry, cavalry and artillery. On the other hand, Maharana Pratap’s forces of 20,000 men were led by Hakhim Khan Sur along with his 22,000 Afghani men. Bhim Singh of Dodia and Ramdas Rathor were also commanders of the army.
The battle saw a lot of hand-to-hand combat and despite being outnumbered, the Rajput warriors stuck to their mission and did not retreat. Maharana Pratap, along with his horse, Chetak, dived into the battle and killed several men himself. But, seeing the turn of events, the commanders suggested that Maharana Pratap must retreat as they were losing more men than they could afford. Despite being gravely wounded, Chetak carried Maharana Pratap to safety. However, it succumbed to its injuries later. After losing the Battle of Haldighati, the Mewar rulers lost their control of Chittorgarh, the fertile eastern belt of Mewar.
Guerilla Warfare
The strategical retreat proved to be a great advantage as Maharana Pratap adopted guerilla warfare to intimidate the Mughal army. He used his knowledge of the Aravalli mountain range and its rugged terrains to his advantage and conducted several surprise attacks that weakened the morale of the opposition.
Battle of Dewair
The Battle of Dewair was fought on Vijayadasami in 1582. With just 5000 men, the warrior king fought against 36,000 Mughal soldiers and emerged victorious. He regained his power in territories like Ranthambore, Kumbhalgarh and Gogunda but couldn’t get back Chittorgarh.
Nevertheless, he remains one of the bravest Rajput warriors who did not succumb to the Mughal persuasion and kept a strong hold on his kingdom. He is to date celebrated for his strong-headedness, willpower, strategic intelligence and utmost determination towards gaining his kingdom’s independence.
Legacy and Significance
Even with so many setbacks and the immense pressure building, Maharana Pratap managed to keep his tropes motivated and confident. These efforts to maintain the kingdom’s sovereignty and refusal to be puppets under the Mughal rule inspired several freedom fighters during India’s independence struggle against the East India Company.
In Rajasthan, you will see statues of Maharana Pratap erected in city centres and major circles. The biggest of them is present in Haldighati. On Maharana Pratap Jayanti, prayers are offered to these statues and people gather to pay their respects. The stories of the king and his bravery are often told through movies, literature, folk songs and dance performances in Rajasthan. He is also the undisputed hero of the youth in the state!
The educational institutions in Rajasthan have the story of Maharana Pratap and his battles in the history curriculum. Several institutions, awards and even infrastructural projects are named after the late king. The best example of this is the Udaipur International Airport which is called Maharana Pratap Airport. You will also find Maharana Pratap Sagar in Himachal Pradesh.
On your next trip to Udaipur, try to visit the city museums where you will find all the artefacts and weaponry used during Maharana Pratap’s rule. You can also get so much information about the fierce battle and historical accounts of the event.
Maharana Pratap Jayanti Celebrations
Maharana Pratap Jayanti is celebrated all over Rajasthan, especially in Udaipur city which was the capital of the kingdom of Mewar. Second are the celebrations in Jaipur. Other states like Gujarat, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh also celebrate the day though the events may not be as grand as you find in Rajasthan.
Here are the different forms of celebrations you will come across on Maharana Pratap Jayanti in Rajasthan –
Parades and Processions
You will find beautiful processions on the roads and streets during Maharana Pratap Jayanti. People dress up in traditional Rajputana attires with swords hung to their belts. You will see performers swinging their swords, dancing to songs and even singing songs that highlight the courage of Maharana Pratap. Traditional weapons will be open for display and the traditional songs with the vibrant drum beats will invigorate one’s spirits.
Prayers
Across Rajasthan and other states in India, people adorn the statues of Maharana Pratap with garlands and offer their prayers. They usually do aartis and offer food to the attendees. Dignitaries and locals come to these places, offer their respects and also give motivational speeches to educate the youth about the importance of being brave and honest.
Cultural programs
Schools, colleges and public venues organise cultural programs that include plays, dance performances, musical recitals, poetry reading sessions and even sword fighting to commemorate the valour of the late king on Maharana Pratap Jayanti.
Educational Competitions
The educational institutions make it a point to instil a love for traditional culture and ethnic heritage in young children. They organise essay, poetry and speech writing competitions to entertain and also educate children about Rajasthan’s history and its contemporary relevance.
Public Feasts
Rajasthan is famous for its food scene! People from different households make traditional Rajasthani food, usually vegetarian and bring them to public venues. This is like a potluck where people share everything from Dal Baati Churma to Gatte Ka Saag and enjoy a good meal together. Certain places also organise mass food donations for anyone who takes part in the celebrations.
Sports Events
Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebrations are not complete without some sports competitions. You will see people competing in horse riding, archery, sword fighting and even games like tug of war and wrestling are organised on the day. Some events are government-organised and winning is more a matter of pride than to receive the cash money.
It is not just Maharana Pratap who is remembered on the special day but also his horse, Chetak. When the commander of the opposition, Man Singh, marched forward on an elephant, the brave Chetak jumped on the elephant so that Maharana Pratap could attack him. The big size of the animal on the other side did not deter the loyal companion of Maharana Pratap. Prayers and horse riding events are organised to commemorate the contributions of Chetak.
If you want to be a part of the Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebrations, we suggest that you book your hotels in Udaipur as this is the place where you will see the most activity.
Modern-Day Celebrations and Social Media
Social media and online platforms are the main reasons the celebrations of Maharana Pratap Jayanti have become more widespread and are now engaging more people. The youth record videos of the celebrations, processions, cultural events and winners of the sports and educational competitions are announced on social media. Live-streaming is another great way in which the occasion and its events reach people beyond the Rajasthani borders. The media handles are usually flooded with quotes, wishes and messages that are related to the life messages that Maharana Pratap taught and the great courage that he showed at a time when everything seemed dire.
Along with the hashtags and posts, people also organise virtual events where like-minded people come together to share their views and celebrate the legacy of Maharana Pratap.
FAQs
1 – When is Maharana Pratap Jayanti?
Maharana Pratap Jayanti 2024 falls on 9th of June. Every year, it is celebrated on the third lunar day of the month of Jyeshtha according to the Drik Panchang of the Hindu Calendar.
2 – What is the history of Maharana Pratap Jayanti?
Maharana Pratap Jayanti is the birth anniversary of King Maharana Pratap of the Sisodian Rajput clan of Mewar, India. It commemorates his legendary contribution to protecting Rajasthan’s sovereignty from the Mughal invaders.
3 – How is Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebrated?
The people of India celebrate Maharana Pratap Jayanti with great vibrance and vigour. This usually involves processions, prayers, celebrations in public venues, sports competitions and cultural performances. The locals and dignitaries come together to offer their respects to the king and thank him for his contributions and life lessons. Horse riding competitions are held in loving memory of Maharana Pratap’s loyal horse, Chetak.
Maharana Pratap Jayanti not only represents the birth anniversary of the Mewar king but also symbolises a day that celebrates honesty, bravery, courage and determination. It epitomises the need to stand against oppression and fight for what is right. From traditional events to social media campaigns, all aim to instil a sense of pride in the modern generation and teach them to raise their voice against oppression.
It is a remarkable experience to be a part of the Jayanti celebrations and to see the genuine happiness of the people who take great pride in their ruler’s legacy. Come forward to be a part of social media campaigns, join virtual events, spread the message of Maharana Pratap’s contributions and inspire several other people around you! Not just one but every generation should be proud that a man like Maharana Pratap was a part of our diverse history!
