Maharana Pratap
Pratap Singh was a Hindu Rajput king of Mewar, Rajasthan. He had 11 wives and 17 children in total. His capital was at Udaipur.
| Pratap Singh I | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maharana of Mewar | |||||
 Raja Ravi Verma draws Maharana Pratap picture. | |||||
| Mewari Rana | |||||
| Reign | 1 March 1572 - 19 January 1597 | ||||
| Predecessor | Udai Singh II | ||||
| Successor | Amar Singh I | ||||
| Born | Pratap Singh Sisodia May 9, 1540 Kumbhalgarh Fort, Mewar, Rajasthan | ||||
| Died | January 19, 1597 Chawand, Udaipur, Rajasthan | ||||
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| Father | Udai Singh | ||||
| Mother | Jaiwanta Bai | ||||
| Religion | Hinduism | ||||
Maharana Pratap was born in the Kumbhalgarh of Mewar on 9 May 1540. Akbar who was expanding the imperial Mughal Empire decided to conquer Rajputana. He set off with the imperial Mughal army from Delhi and marched towards Mewar intent on conquering it and especially capturing Pratap's capital of Udaipur. He met with Pratap's army at the Battle of Haldighati and the battle ensued. The battle resulted in a shattering defeat for Pratap and most of his army was massacred however Pratap himself managed to flee into the jungles. The Mughals then marched into and captured Udaipur and subsequently most of Mewar.After more military operations of Mughal governors, the Mughals finally managed to achieve their goal and bring all of Mewar under their direct control. Mewar was annexed into the Mughal Empire and Mughal Emperor Akbar retired to Agra and then to the capital Delhi. During this time, Maharana Pratap was still hiding in the jungles and occasionally from time to time attacking Mughal outposts and caravans passing by. He started looting caravans however he lost all hope when all the military outposts in Mewar were captured by the Mughals. He died in Chavand on 19 January 1597 at the age of 56, when he tripped down a steep hill while hunting a lion.