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साहस और वीरता के प्रतीक – महाराणा प्रताप जयंती 2022

उदयपुर शहर योद्धाओं की भूमि है, जहां कई सारे वीरों का जन्म हुआ है। उन सब वीरों में से एक वीर महाराण प्रताप भी है जिन्होंने अपनी आखिरी सांस तक स्वतंत्रता के लिए लड़ाई लड़ी। उनके प्रयास के कारण आज मेवाड़ नगरी एक स्वतंत्र भूमि है।

आज दिनांक 2 जून को हम महाराणा प्रताप जयंती के रूप में स्वतंत्रता का जश्न मनाएंगे। वीर प्रताप मेवाड़ के ऐसे हिंदू शासक, जिन्हें भारत के राजपूत शासकों में बहादुरी का सबसे अच्छा उदाहरण माना जाता है और जिनसे सभी मेवाड़ लोग प्रेरित होते हैं। महाराणा प्रताप जयंती प्रतिवर्ष ज्येष्ठ मास की शुक्ल पक्ष की तृतीया को मनाई जाती है।

हिंदू पंचांग के अनुसार वीर शिरोमणि महाराणा प्रताप का जन्म विक्रम संवत् 1597, ज्येष्ठ माह शुक्लपक्ष की तृतीया तिथि को हुआ था। और इस साल, अंग्रेज़ी कैलेंडर के अनुसार, यह तिथि 2 जून 2022, गुरुवार को है। महाराणा प्रताप ने अपनी शिक्षा प्राप्त कर बहुत कम उम्र में हथियारों और उनके उपयोग के कौशल में महारत हासिल की। उन्होंने इस दौरान घुड़सवारी भी सीखी।

उनके पिता महाराणा उदय सिंह द्वितीय और माता रानी जयवंता बाई थीं। वे 25 भाइयों और 20 बहनों में सबसे बड़े थे और मेवाड़ के 54वें शासक थे। वे सिसोदिया राजपूत वंश के थे। 17 साल की उम्र में उनका विवाह राजकुमारी अजबदे ​​से हुआ था।

maharana pratap jayanti 2022

Credits: IndiaToday

महाराणा प्रताप में बचपन से ही वह जुनून था जो एक क्षत्रिय राजा में होना चाहिए। उन्होंने मुगल बादशाह अकबर की गुलामी करना नहीं स्वीकार किया। इसके लिए उन्होंने कई सालों तक बहुत संघर्ष किया। राजस्थान के कई परिवार अकबर की शक्ति के आगे घुटने टेक चुके थे, किन्तु महाराणा प्रताप अपने वंश को कायम रखने के लिये संघर्ष करते रहे और अकबर के सामने आत्मसर्मपण नहीं किया जंगल-जंगल भटकते हुए तृण-मूल व घास-पात की रोटियों में गुजर-बसर कर पत्नी व बच्चे को विकराल परिस्थितियों में अपने साथ रखते हुए भी उन्होंने कभी धैर्य नहीं खोया।

1568 में, जब महाराणा सिर्फ 27 वर्ष के थे, मुगल सम्राट अकबर ने चित्तौड़ पर विजय प्राप्त की। महाराणा उदय सिंह, उनके पिता, ने चित्तौड़ छोड़ने का फैसला किया और गोगुंदा चले गए। इसे अवसर मानकर उनके सौतेले भाई जगमल ने गद्दी छीन ली। जब जगमल मामलों का प्रबंधन करने में असमर्थ था तो वह महाराणा प्रताप से बदला लेने के विचार के साथ अकबर की सेना में शामिल हो गया।

महाराणा प्रताप को अपने जीवन में कई संघर्षों का सामना करना पड़ा। वे जीवन भर अकबर से लड़ते रहे। अकबर ने महाराणा प्रताप से जीतने के लिए कई तरह के प्रयास किए लेकिन वह हमेशा असफल रहा।

हल्दी घाटी युद्ध

हल्दीघाटी युद्ध भारतीय इतिहास में एक ऐतिहासिक घटना है, राजपूत और मुगल राज्यों के वार्षिक में। यह वह लड़ाई थी जिसमें महाराणा प्रताप के प्रिय घोड़े चेतक ने कई बहादुर चालें निभाईं, लेकिन अंत में कुछ गंभीर चोटों के कारण उसकी मृत्यु हो गई ।

इस लड़ाई में  प्रताप को आसपास के क्षेत्रों की भील जनजातियों का भी समर्थन प्राप्त था। महाराणा प्रताप के सबसे प्रिय और प्रसिद्ध नीलवर्ण ईरानी मूल के घोड़े का नाम चेतक था। युद्ध में बुरी तरह घायल हो जाने पर भी महाराणा प्रताप को सुरक्षित रणभूमि से निकाल लाने में सफल वह एक बरसाती नाला उलांघ कर अन्ततः वीरगति को प्राप्त हुआ।

इस लड़ाई में भील जनजाति के महान योगदान को आज तक याद किया जाता है और उन्हें उनके किये गए योगदान के लिए मेवाड़ शासन के राजपूतों द्वारा सम्मान दिया जाता है। इस युद्ध का मुगल सेना पर महत्वपूर्ण प्रभाव पड़ा। इस लड़ाई को मुगल बादशाहों पर जीत का पहला मील का पत्थर माना जाता है।

राजपुताना के इतिहास में एक ऐतिहासिक घटना हल्दीघाटी की लड़ाई केवल चार घंटे तक चली। इस छोटी सी अवधि में प्रताप के आदमियों ने मैदान पर कई बहादुर कारनामे किए। इस युद्ध में मेवाड़ के वीर महाराणा प्रताप विजय हुए थे, जैसे ही साम्राज्य का ध्यान कहीं और स्थानांतरित हुआ, प्रताप और उनकी सेना बाहर आ गई और अपने प्रभुत्व के पश्चिमी क्षेत्रों को हटा लिया। यह युद्ध तो केवल एक दिन चला परन्तु इसमें 17,000 लोग मारे गए। मेवाड़ को जीतने के लिये अकबर ने सभी प्रयास किये किन्तु विफल रहा।

घोड़ा चेतक

महाराणा प्रताप की वीरता के साथ साथ उनके घोड़े चेतक की वीरता भी विश्व विख्यात है। चेतक बहुत ही समझदार और वीर घोड़ा था जिसने अपनी जान दांव पर लगाकर 26 फुट गहरे दरिया से कूदकर महाराणा प्रताप की रक्षा की थी। हल्दीघाटी में आज भी चेतक का मंदिर बना हुआ है। युद्ध में चेतक ने अपनी अद्वितीय स्वामिभक्ति, बुद्धिमत्ता एवं वीरता का परिचय दिया था।

एक ऐसे वीर की धरती पर जन्म लेना हम सभी के लिए गौरव और सम्मान की बात है। महाराणा प्रताप संयम, दृढ़ता, एकाग्रता, और वीरता के प्रतीक हैं। अपने परिवार और अपनी धरती पर जब भी बात आती, उन्होंने कभी भी अपने पैर पीछे नहीं किए। महाराणा प्रताप जाते हुए हम सभी को ये ही सिखा कर गए हैं की जब बात हमारे वतन की हो, तब हमें एक जुट होकर दुश्मन और परेशानी का सामना करना चाहिए।

आज के इस शुभ अवसर को हम इसी साहस, धैर्य, और सम्मान की मूर्ति, वीर शिरोमणि और दृढ संकल्पी महाराणा प्रताप की गौरव गाथा गाते हुए हर्षोल्लास से मनाते हैं।

 

 

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News

महाराणा प्रताप की 480वीं जयंती पर देश के चित्रकारों की ऑनलाईन प्रदर्शनी

कंचन आर्ट गैलरी उदयपुर राजस्थान के तत्वाधान में महाराणा प्रताप की 480वीं जयंती के उपलक्ष्य में देश के विभिन्न राज्यों की महिला चित्रकारों ने महाराणा प्रताप के जीवन पर बने चित्रों का ऑनलाइन प्रदर्शन किया।

आर्ट गैलरी की सयोंजक डॉ कंचन राठौड़ ने बताया कि इन सभी पेंटिंग्स को ऑनलाइन सेल भी की जायेगा और इससे प्राप्त होने वाली राशि को COVID-19 कोष को समर्पित किया जायेगा।

Online Painting Exhibition

Maharana Pratap Paintings

Maharan Pratap Painting Exhibition

देश की विभिन्न राज्यों की महिला चित्रकारों में जम्मु कश्मीर से कोमल मनवाल, गुजरात से स्वर्ण मंजरी, उत्तर प्रदेश से वंदना तोमर, उड़ीसा से उदिता मारू, बिहार से मनीषा, कर्नाटक से जानवी भोजराज, के साथ उदयपुर की डॉ कंचन राठौड़, हेमलता लोहार, मीनाक्षी कस्तूरी, मीना गर्ग, नेहा सोनी, कोमल प्रजापत, रितिका शकथावत, उषा माली, पूजा जोशी, अनिता मखीजा, चारु जोशी, पंखुड़ी शर्मा, रश्मि भट्ट, पायल और उर्मिला शर्मा ने महाराणा प्रताप के सुंदर चित्रों का चित्रण किया।

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Hero of the Age – Maharana Pratap

Maharana Pratap

Today is Maharana Pratap Jayanti, birth anniversary of the great ruler of Mewar; a king who never got the Crown and the privilege to rule a state, but who remained king only on papers in his whole life; the Hindu ruler of Mewar, who is considered as the best example of bravery among the Rajput rulers of India and by whom all Mewar people are inspired.

Pratap singh, who is more famous as Maharana Pratap was the eldest son of Maharana Udai Singh, founder of Udaipur, and Maharani Jayawanti. Born on Jyestha Sudi third of Vikram Samvant 1597, he did his education and mastered in the skills of using arms and weapons at a very young age. He also learned horse riding during the time. He was married to Rajkumari Ajabade at the age of 17.

It was the year 1567 when Akbar, the great Mughal emperor, conquered  Chittorgarh, which was the capital of Maharana Udai Singh that time. Udai Singh’s followers and Generals of the kingdom advised him to abandon Chittorgarh. Udai Singh then moved to the valley of Aravali ranges and laid the foundation of the present Udaipur city. He wanted to give the crown of the kingdom to his beloved son Jagmal Singh, but his seniors and advisers wanted Pratap to be the king as per the customs.  And this was the beginning of competition, struggle and hardship for Maharana Pratap.

Maharana pratap never accepted Mughals as the rulers of his own country India, and for this very reason, he never bowed in front of Akbar and fought with him till his last breath. Meanwhile almost all of the other Rajput chiefs had surrendered to Akbar including Maharana’s own brothers. Akbar sent many proposals to Pratap, seeking some sort of peaceful adjustment that he had concluded with the other kings, but Pratap refused every proposal of Mughals to maintain his self esteem and honor. Maharana continued his struggle from the Aravali valleys from where he harassed the large force of Mughals and ensured that they were kept out of the valley during this crucial time.

Haldigahti Battle is a historical event in the Indian history, and in the annuals of Rajput and Mughal kingdoms. It was this battle in which Chetak, the beloved horse of Maharana Pratap essayed many brave moves but finally collapsed due to some critical injuries. In this battle, Pratap was also supported by the bhil tribes of the surrounding areas; the great contribution the bhil tribe in this battle is remembered till date and they are given an honor of contribution by the rajputs of mewar regimen. There was a significant impression of this war on the Mughal army. This battle is considered to be the first milestone of victory over the Mughal Emperors.

Pratap died at the age of 57, in the year 1597, because of multiple injuries in an accident during hunting. In his complete journey, the main goal of his life was not to surrender in front of the Mughals and even while lying in the lap of death he made his son and successors swear to maintain eternal conflicts against the Mughals.

Maharana Pratap is the best projected model of bravery, freedom fighter and patriotism against the Mughal rulers in India. It is because of this great fighter, that Mewar got the appreciation and honor to be the only kingdom to merge its state with the independent India. Sardar vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Union Home Minister said that “If any ruler in India had any right to claim of independence it was Mewar, which gladly and readily merged with the Indian Union saying that it was fulfillment of 13 centuries of their mission but for Mewar no other ruler has that right.”

This is a great honor for all of us to be the son of the land to which the great Maharana Pratap belongs. He lived his whole life with great courage and self respect, never bowing down in front of any difficult situation. We being the resident of Rana ji’s Udaipur should follow the same footsteps and live our lives with the same bravery and self esteem. Jai Mewar!!

Photograph by : Mujtaba R.G.

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Festivals

Maharana Pratap Jayanti

maharana pratap UdaipurBlog

We Belong from the Land Of Warriors – ‘Udaipur’ – The Capital of Mewar and today we celebrate the Glory of Freedom, Independence in the form of Maharana Pratap Jayanti. Pratap (The Son of Maharana Udai Singh II) the Legendary Hero of Mewar who fought for Freedom till his Last Breath. Due to his Effort Mewar was the Only Independent Land free from Invaders all around the World. It is a well known fact that Mewar was the Only free state from the Great Mughal Badhshah Akhbar and Britishers.

udaipur london dosti - UdaipurBlog
This 1 Rupee Coin Made Up Of Silver is a Symbol of Friendship between Bristishers and Mewar State

Maharana Pratap Jayanti is Celebrated every year on Shukla Thritiya of the Ashad month (May or June). This Year (2010)  it is on 15th June.

About Maharana Pratap:

Maharana Pratap (May 9, 1540 – January 29, 1597) was 16th century King who ruled Mewar, a state in north-western India. He was born on 9th May 1540 in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan. His father was Maharana Udai Singh II and mother was Rani Jeevant Kanwa. He was the eldest among 25 brothers and 20 sisters and was the 54th ruler of Mewar. He belonged to the Sisodiya Rajput clan.

From childhood Rana Pratap had the passion that a Kshatriya king needs to possess. In 1568, when Maharana was just 27 years old, the Mughal emperor Akbar conquered Chittor. Maharana Udai Singh, his father decided to leave Chittor and moved to Gogunda. Seeing this as opportunity, his half brother Jagmal took away the throne. When Jagmal was unable to manage affairs he joined the army of Akbar with an idea to take revenge with Maharana Pratap.

Maharana faced many struggles in his career. He kept on fighting with Akbar all his life. Akbar tried several ways to win over Maharana Pratap but he was always a failure. Maharana could not forget when Akbar killed 30,000 unarmed residents of Chittor only because they refused to convert to Islam. This made Maharana revolt against Akbar and he followed strict codes of Kshatriyas to fight with Akbar.

Battle of Haldighati

Battle Of HaldiGhati - UdaipurBlog

On June 21, 1576 (June 18 by other calculations), the two armies met at Haldighati, near the town of Gogunda in present-day Rajasthan. While accounts vary as to the exact strength of the two armies, all sources concur that the Mughal forces greatly outnumbered Pratap’s men (1:4). The battle of Haldighati, a historic event in the annals of Rajputana, lasted only four hours. In this short period, Pratap’s men essayed many brave exploits on the field. Folklore has it that Pratap personally attacked Man Singh: his horse Chetak placed its front feet on the trunk of Man Singh’s elephant and Pratap threw his lance; Man Singh ducked, and the mahout was killed.

However, the numerical superiority of the Mughal army and their artillery began to tell. Seeing that the battle was lost, Pratap’s generals prevailed upon him to flee the field ( so as to be able to fight another day. Myths indicate that to facilitate Pratap’s escape, one of his lieutenants, a member of the Jhala clan, donned Pratap’s distinctive garments and took his place in the battlefield. He was soon killed. Meanwhile, riding his trusty steed Chetak, Pratap made good his escape to the hills.

But Chetak was critically wounded on his left thigh by a Mardana (Elephant Trunk Sword) while Pratap had attempted to nail down Man Singh. Chetak was bleeding heavily and he collapsed after jumping over a small brook few kilometres away from the battle field. When Pratap’s general donned Pratap’s clothing and armour, it went unnoticed, thanks to the chaos of the war, but for two Turk knights from the Mughal army. They could not communicate it with others in their group, due to the linguistic barrier (the appropriate language would have been Persian, Marwari or Arabi, given the composition of the Mughal army). They immediately followed Pratap without wasting time. The moment they started chasing him, Pratap’s younger brother Shaktisingh, who was fighting from the Mughal side, (he had some disputes with Pratap at the time of Pratap’s coronation; hence he had defected and gone over to Akbar’s court) realized that his own brother was under threat. Pratap’s general’s sacrifice had already been discovered by him. He could not help but react against a threat to his own brother. He followed the Turks, engaged them in single combat and killed them. In the meanwhile, Chetak collapsed and Pratap saw his brother Shaktisingh killing the two Mughal riders. Saddened by the loss of his beloved general and horse, he embraced his brother and broke into tears. Shaktisingh also cried and asked for his brother’s pardon, for having fought as his enemy. Pratap pardoned him (later on he was given a huge estate near Chittor). Shaktisingh then offered him his own horse and requested him to get to a safe place. This incident is famous in Rajasthani folklore, a song “O Neele Ghode re Aswar” (O Rider of the Blue Horse) mentions it.

A mausoleum to Chetak is at the site of the steed’s death.

The impact of the battle on the Mughal army was also significant. In terms of numbers the Mughal army suffered heavier losses. This was also because of the intensive arrow showers by the Bhil tribes of the surrounding mountains who had sided with Pratap. To honour their contribution, a Bhil warrior was placed next to Pratap in the Royal Coat of Arms of Mewar.

The battle of Haldighat is considered to be the first Major breakthrough of Rajputs against the Mughals since the Second Battle of Khanwa in 1527, which was fought between Rana Sanga grandfather of Maharana Pratap, and the Mughal Babur grandfather of Akbar. It is regarded with a degree of significance by many Rajput families.

Moti Magri (Udaipur):

Moti Magri Smarak  - UdaipurBlogAn impressive bronze statue of Maharana Pratap and his favorite and loyal horse, who fiercely protected his master and stood by him till his last breath, stands at the top of Moti Magri, overlooking Fateh Sagar. Local habitants climb the hill to pay homage to Maharana Pratap and his faithful horse Chetak, who were killed in the battle of Haldighati. Also there are the ruins of one of the first modest palaces of Udaipur and also a charming Japanese rock garden. The Memorial has the first Light & Sound program in Rajasthan, that displays the glorious 1400 years of Mewar’s history. All these are highly decorated with lights during the Maharana Pratap Festival. People from across the world come to visit the place.