The Rajputs have special places in Indian history
In the year 1575, two men, one in Delhi and the other in Udaipur, were deep in thought about a conformation they both knew would take place shortly. Though they were rivals in the battle for supremacy, they shared many similar qualities. Both were brave, both had great skills in planning attacks, and most important of all, each was determination to subdue the other. One was a Mughal- the Emperor Akbar –who had just returned from his victories in Rajasthan. The other was Rana Pratap of Mewar, mourning the loss of Chittor.
In Delhi, Akbar was warning smarting from the manner in which his envoy and brother in law, man Singh of Amber, had been humiliated by Rana Pratap.
Spluttering with rage, man Singh said, ``he refused to see me! And why it is? Because I gave my sister Jodha Bai in marriage to you! In Mewar, people spit upon my name and treat me as an outcast!’’
`Patience!’ said Akbar. `Those are fine words, but does he have the strength to take on the might of the Mughal Empire? You can regain you honor by defeating him. I will give you my best fighting force and the elephants specially trained for battle! Prepare for the siege of Mewar!’
One day, when Rana Pratap was confirming with his general, news was brought to him that the Mughal army was on the move.
``Akbar will not until he was brought Mewar to its knees,’’ he told his generals. ``But I will not give him that pleasure! Man Singh of Amber has already joined him, and so it up to us to show him that Rajputs are warrior who prefer death to defeat!’’
That evening, the supporters of Mewar met to discus strategy for the battle that was about to take place. The various chieftains pledged to send their best fighting troops.
`I am grateful to you’, said the Rana, `and I know that your troops will fight to the finish. But the Mughal army will be at least double of ours in numbers. Our only hope is to outwit them! If we surprise them at the narrow pass at Haldi Ghati, we will have the advantage; prepare to leave as soon as possible.’
Within days, the Rajputs made their way to the rocky outpost of haldi Ghati. The soldiers on foot led the way, followed by a cavalry of hundreds of noble steeds bred from the best Arabian stock. The cavalry was led by Rana Pratap astride Chetak, a white stallion. They were followed by the war `elephants’. Camps were set up, and the Bhils kept watch. Bhils were a tribe who lived in the forest and were devoted to the Rana. They moved silently like shadows and relayed the news of the Mughal advance hourly to the generals.
As darkness fell, the soldiers in the camp chatted softly. For many, it was their first battle but they were not afraid.
` I could not believe my eyes when the Rana sat own to eat with us,’ said a young soldier. `No airs about him!’
`and this morning, when I was feeding the horses, I saw him feeding Chetak with his own hands,’ said another soldier.
``Well, that to be expected. Chetak is very special’ said the first soldier. `He was seen many a battle! As soon as the drums sound the end of the battle, the Rana personally sees to Chetak’s welfare. And only after he has been settled down does he attend to himself!’
`I can not wait to fight under such a leader,’ said is companion.
``Well we don’t have long to wait! Rumor has it that the Mughal are camped on the banks of the river,’
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