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Museums in Udaipur you must know about

Udaipur has a very interesting history and the city is quite different from the rest of the Rajasthan. Udaipur has a great system of lakes, Ahar/Ayad river passes through the city, and the entire city is encompassed by lush Aravali hills. The terrain, the history, and the culture make the city an amazing one. The relics of the bygone era are preserved in the Museums in Udaipur and is something every local or tourist must pay a visit to. On the occasion of International Museum Day, let us take you on a virtual tour to the different museums in Udaipur.

Here is a list of Museums in Udaipur

 

The City Palace Museum, Udaipur

Source: TripAdvisor

The most celebrated museum in Udaipur is the City Palace Museum, which was set up in 1969 by Maharana Bhagwat Singh ji. It was to preserve the culture, heritage, and traditions of the people of Mewar. The museum contains relics including miniatures paintings, silver artifacts, recreational items of the royals, swords, and artillery and so many antiques.

Timings: 9:30am – 5:30 pm

Tickets:

Adult: Rs 300

Child: Rs 100

Camera: Rs 250

Guide: Rs 250

Audio Guide: Rs 200

Location:


Ahar Archeological Museum

museums in udaipur
Source: UdaipurBlog

This museum was established in 1960 by the Archaeology and Museums Department of the Government of Rajasthan. This is a site museum which means that this museum is located in the vicinity of the excavation site itself.

The museum contains copper and terracotta pottery objects that are more than 3000 years old. It also houses sculptures of Hindu gods and ‘tirthankars’ (Great Jain teachers) from the 8th to 16th centuries AD. Here you can see earthen pots, iron objects and other artifacts that were a part of the lifestyle of prehistoric people. Some things are acknowledged to belong to 1700 B.C. Two of the main attractions are the metal statue of Lord Buddha and a statue of “Vishnu-Nag-Nathan” which are a great wonder to watch.

If you are interested to know more about the archaeology and origins of Ahar civilization, do watch the detailed documentary below:

Timings: 10:00 am – 5 pm, Closed on Fridays

Tickets: Rs 20

Location:


The Vintage and Classic Car Museum

museums in udaipur
Source: Trawell

Introduced in 2000, the Collection Includes 22 Splendid Cars. You can also have lunch at the adjoining Garden Hotel. Some of the cars are more than 70 years old. The collection embraces Rolls-Royce, MG-TC convertible, Cadillacs, Vauxhall-12, Ford-A Convertible, Mercedes – Benz, Chevrolet bus and other beautiful vintage cars.

Timings: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Ticket: Rs. 250

Location:


Bagore ki Haveli Museum

museums in udaipur
Source: UdaipurBlog

West Zone Cultural Centre decided to restore as well as renovate Bagore ki Haveli in the year 1992 and set up a museum to restore its architecture. One can find, jewelry boxes, dice-games, hukkahs, pan boxes, nutcrackers, hand fans, rose water sprinklers, copper vessels and other household objects of the everyday life of the bygone era. The museum showcases the chambers of royal ladies, their dressing rooms, bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, worship rooms and recreation rooms as well.

Timings: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm

Tickets:

Foreigner (Adult/children): Rs. 100/-

Indian (Adult): Rs. 50/-

Indian Children (Age between 5 to 12): 25/-

Camera/Video: Rs. 50/-

Location:


Moti Magri Museummuseums in udaipur

There are paintings of Rajput kings and royal queens and models of the Haldi Ghati Battle and Chittorgarh Fort. This museum also contains an exhibition of the arms and weapons used in ancient fights by soldiers. The Pearl hill or Moti Magri is a great spot to visit, overlooking the lake Fatehsagar in the front and Pichola-Swaroop Sagar from the back.

Timings: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm

Tickets:

Adult: Rs 50

Child: Rs 15

Location:


The Crystal Gallery

museums in udaipur
Source: Rajasthan Tourism

The Gallery contains artifacts created by F. & C. Osler in the year 1877. These are furniture and cutlery, exclusively ordered by the Maharana Sajjan Singh and consist of Crystal chairs, tables, beds, sofas, dinner sets, perfume bottles, decanters, glasses, plates etc. The Maharana passed away before these crystals arrived so these were kept packed and intact for 110 years. In the year 1994, the gallery became open for public.

Timings: 9 am – 7 pm

Tickets:

Adult: Rs 500

Children: Rs 300

Location:


Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal Museum

museums in udaipur
Source: UdaipurBlog

The Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal museum displays a remarkable collection of ‘Lok Kala’ or Folk Art. It was founded by Padma Shri Devi Lal Samar in 1952. The museum houses folk heritage of India, traditional attires, ornaments, miniature paintings and many other art objects. In other words, one can say that the museum is devoted to the culture and folk art of states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Artifacts found here consist of wooden articles, old musical instruments paintings, masks, puppets, pottery, rural dresses etc.

Timings: 10 am – 6 pm

Tickets:

Adults: Rs 40 and other tickets include video/audio cameras

Location:


Tribal Research Institute Museum (TRI’s)

museums in udaipur
Source: UdaipurTimes

It is one of the 18 Tribal Research Institute of the nation. MLV (Manikya Lal Verma) Tribal Research Institute provides awareness about Mewar’s tribal communities. The museum houses artifacts belonging to the tribal communes, along with a library on tribal life and issues. The museum also has multiple household articles, costumes, arms and armors, musical instruments, ethnic art and wall paintings, agricultural implements, grain containers, handicrafts, ornaments and so much more.

Timings: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Location:


Tribal Museum Shilpgram

museums in udaipur
Source: TripAdvisor

A tribal museum was set up in 1995 inside Shilpgram. Here history, life, and cultures of the tribal communities like Bhil, Mina, Garasia, Kathodi, and Saharia have been exhibited with the help of photographs and ethnographic objects. Shilpgram or ‘Craftsmen Village’ is an initiative to promote the rural and tribal craftsmen by providing a platform to exhibit and sell their products. Shilpgram has about 26 huts which depict the lifestyle of the rural tribes.

Timings: 11am – 7pm

Tickets

Indian (adult and child): Rs.30

Foreign visitors: Rs.50

Location:


Zonal Anthropological Museum

Out of 19 government museums in the state, Udaipur division has four – situated in Ahar, City Palace, Dungarpur, and Chittorgarh. Udaipurites are lucky to have a special museum at the anthropological survey of India, Western regional center at Pratapnagar inaugurated in March 2018. The popularity of the museum was evident from the fact that it was visited by no less than 9000 persons in the very first year. The diverse ways of life followed by various communities such as Kotwalia, Naika, Varlui, Rebori, Marwara, Meghwal, Rathwara, Tadi, Bhil, Gameti, Ahir and Jat of Gujarat as portrayed in the museum, make it a special one.

Source: Google Photos

As also communities such as Sahoria, Damor, Bhil, Brahman, Jain, Rajput, Dangi, Bhopa, Jogi, Langa, Lohar, Mangryar, Mudlim, Kumbhar, Prajapat, and Suthar of Rajasthan. Lifestyles of groups such as kali, Patel, Mahyavansh, Mitka, Halpati of Daman and Diu are presented in the museum so as to highlight the different socio-economic milieus with the help of specimens, sketches, charts, maps, and photographs. Specimens exhibited to help in the understanding of various cultural adaptation not only show their exotic appearance but also showcase the biocultural richness of the people of Western India.

Till date, the regional center has collected about 6000 ethnographic objects from different districts of Gujrat and Rajasthan from all communities including tribal. The specimens can be functionally classified as agriculture, hunting, fishing, etc. Bows and arrows, ornaments, musical instruments, crafts, objects, ritual, objects, pre-historical material and so on. The center arranged exhibitions on various themes at a different location such as Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jaipur during Shilpgram Utsav and other occasions.

(Information by Ashok Mathur)

Location:

 How many of these have you visited?

Note: The above article is for information purpose. While we have tried our best to ensure the latest available time and ticket prices, etc., the respective museums have the right to change them. Readers are advised to do their research on timings/tickets/availability, etc.

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Maharana Pratap’s Chetak | Epitome of Love and Valor

Chetak is the most famous horse in the history of Mewar. The bravery and resilience of this stallion is sung in ballads and written in manuscripts. In Udaipur, Chetak’s statue is erected at Moti Magri and Chetak Circle. Texts define Chetak as a horse that was truly devoted to its master and was brave enough to save his master from the enemies. The folklores define Chetak as a brave and obedient animal who fought for his rider till its last breath. Maharana Pratap’s Chetak is undoubtedly an epitome of love and valor for his master. Let us read why Chetak is celebrated so much.

Maharana Pratap’s Chetak | Epitome of Love and Valor
Source: indiaopines

In 1553, after the defeat, Maharana Udai Singh shifted his capital from Chittorgarh to Udaipur as directed by a hermit. A couple of years later his son Maharana Pratap took the reign of Mewar and for the next 25 years, ruled with bravery, devotion, and fortitude. Chetak was his chosen horse, he loved the creature and it resonated the love quite well.

The history of the horses of Rajasthan

Almost a thousand years ago, the Rathore clan moved into Maru Pradesh (now Marwar). The three major breeds of horses popular in Western India at that time were Marwari, Sindhi, and Kathiyawadi.

Maharana Pratap’s Chetak | Epitome of Love and Valor
Source: indiaopines

Rathore clan found the Marwari horses. The beauty, mettle, and intelligence of the horses amazed the new early settlers; they started the business of breeding them.

Chetak was one Marwari horse and proved to be a Brave one.

Chetak and his master Maharana Pratap

In 1576 the army of Mughal Emperor Akbar started its way to capture Udaipur. Maharana Pratap and his men waited at the entry to a narrow one-kilometer long pass in the Aravali Ranges. This pass was Haldighati and was the only access to Mewar for the proceeding Mughal army. A bloody battle between the two armies was fought and lasted up to four hours.

People remember not the overthrow of Maharana Pratap but the courage and loyalty of his men and his horse Chetak.

In between the course of the battle, an elephant’s tusk tore through one of Chetak’s rear legs and crippled or immobilized it. Even after being hurt the horse did not give up and with his king on the saddle, Chetak made his way back to safety on his three legs.

The brave horse collapsed in the end. There is a pictorial depiction of the Maharana lamenting the death of his beloved horse.

Maharana Pratap’s Chetak | Epitome of Love and Valor
Source: topyaps

Chetak was a great friend of Maharana Pratap at the time of war with Akbar in Haldighati. It had kept its life in danger and protected his master by jumping from 25 feet deep trough.

It is also said that as he was a very aggressive horse, only Maharana Pratap was able to tame it. It is believed that the horse itself chose his master.

Today, there is a temple of Chetak in Haldighati.

Maharana Pratap’s Chetak | Epitome of Love and Valor
Source: Tripadvisor
Rakht talai chetak Samadhi

Why was Chetak different?

As earlier mentioned, the three major breeds of horses popular in Western India in Rana Pratap’s times were Marwari, Sindhi, and Kathiawadi.

Chetak belonged to the Marwari breed. True to the physiognomies of its class, it had a lean body as that of a desert bred horse. It had a high forehead with a long face and luminously sparkling eyes.

Maharana Pratap’s Chetak | Epitome of Love and Valor
Source: tripadvisor

As he had curved and curled ears and it is said that when its ears pointed forward, the top of the ears met together presenting an elegant look.

It is said that only Maharana Pratap could control it. Chetak exhibited the highest degree of loyalty and submissiveness towards the Maharana. According to the folklore sung in the Mewar region, it is said that Chetak’s coat had a certain blue color. Perhaps, that is the reason why Maharana Pratap is often mentioned as the ‘Rider of The Blue Horse’.

Who were Natak and Atak?

Pushpendra Singh Ranawat (geo-heritage dept.) says that Chetak had fellow horses or brother too. The names of the fellow horses were Natak & Atak and were well-trained for wars. They were stallions. Atak was put on trial for hilly & river-let terrain during which it got a foot injury.

Maharana Pratap bought all three; Natak was given to his younger brother Shakti Singh and Chetak was kept for the Maharana. The last horse Atak was sent to the animal care center after the injury.

Maharana Pratap’s Chetak | Epitome of Love and Valor
Source: topyaps

Interesting things about Chetak

  • One legend say that Chetak was known as “Neela Ghoda” or blue horse because it had sparkling blue eyes. One more legend says that Chetak’s coat had a certain blue shade and hence it was known as the Blue Horse
  • Maharana Pratap put an armor on him in the shape of an elephant’s trunk to provide him protection and make a disguise as an elephant for the marching army
  • One folklore suggests that Chetak was small in size measuring somewhere between 14.2 to 15.2 hands height
  • Chetak had appealingly curved and curled ears
  • Chetak had a peacock shaped neck and was described as Mayura Greeva (peacock neck) in folklore
  • Chetak was aggressive, arrogant and difficult to control

    Maharana Pratap’s Chetak | Epitome of Love and Valor
    Source: topyaps

Chetak’s full description is given in the poem “Chetak Ki Veerta” written by Shyam Pandey

 

“रण बीच चौकड़ी भर-भर कर

चेतक बन गया निराला था

राणाप्रताप के घोड़े से

पड़ गया हवा का पाला था

जो तनिक हवा से बाग हिली

लेकर सवार उड़ जाता था

राणा की पुतली फिरी नहीं

तब तक चेतक मुड़ जाता था

गिरता न कभी चेतक तन पर

राणाप्रताप का कोड़ा था

वह दौड़ रहा अरिमस्तक पर

वह आसमान का घोड़ा था

था यहीं रहा अब यहाँ नहीं

वह वहीं रहा था यहाँ नहीं

थी जगह न कोई जहाँ नहीं

किस अरिमस्तक पर कहाँ नहीं

निर्भीक गया वह ढालों में

सरपट दौडा करबालों में

फँस गया शत्रु की चालों में

बढ़ते नद-सा वह लहर गया

फिर गया गया फिर ठहर गया

विकराल वज्रमय बादल-सा

अरि की सेना पर घहर गया

भाला गिर गया गिरा निसंग

हय टापों से खन गया अंग

बैरी समाज रह गया दंग

घोड़े का ऐसा देख रंग”

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Can’t Imagine Life Without Internet? See What Udaipur’s 90’s Kids Did!

Today everything is dominated by the virtual world. Everyone hangs out on social media, make new friends on Facebook, and update pictures on Instagram and so on. Even the busiest person would take out time to post their Facebook check-in. While today’s kids are growing up within the confinement of the Internet, we, the 90s kids were roaming around in our neighborhood, hanging out with our mum and dad or probably at our friend’s place.

I am sure nostalgia will be hitting hard after this!!!

Attending Birthday Parties At Home

The definition of a friend was ‘who invited us to their birthday party’. Birthday parties were then celebrated at home, and served was some finger-licking home cooked food. Don’t we miss it sometimes? The trend is quite lost with time.

Can’t Imagine Life Without Internet? See What Udaipur’s 90's Kids Did!
A glimpse of what it looked like.
Source: TradeKeyIndia

Going to the Neighbor’s House to Play

Either daily in the evening or in the summer vacation during the daytime. So many memories of playing in the houses of friends are stacked up in our minds.

Went To Play Around In the Nearest Park

What was life if not running around in the park and playing some random games like ‘pakadni’!?

SWINGS!!!

‘Jhule’ was the favorite thing in those days and I was certainly a lover of swings. Weren’t you all?

Can’t Imagine Life Without Internet? See What Udaipur’s 90's Kids Did!
An emptied, rusting swing…
Source: Fiveprime

Hanging out with family

Hanging out with family was a frequent sight, unlike today. There were a lot of places frequently visited with my friends and family and these places were nothing less than paradise.

Saheliyo Ki Baadi

Can’t Imagine Life Without Internet? See What Udaipur’s 90's Kids Did!
Source: wikimedia

The beautiful Saheliyo Ki Baadi was one big thing for the 90s kid! On special occasions like distant relatives visiting us, called for a quick visit to Saheliyo Ki Baadi. Can you remember when the last time you went to Saheliyo-ki-Baadi was?

Nehru Garden

Can’t Imagine Life Without Internet? See What Udaipur’s 90's Kids Did!
Source: Rugged Anay

I bet a lot of children haven’t been to Nehru Garden. This is an exotic landmark for our City of Lakes. When we were kids, it was one fantasy place for us- something which is floating over the water of the Lake Fateh Sagar.

Musical Fountain of Deen Dayal Park

Can’t Imagine Life Without Internet? See What Udaipur’s 90's Kids Did!
Source: TripAdvisor

Because of lack of preservation and promotion, this park is sadly visited by none today. The maximum you see is tourists coming there to get into the ropeway for the sunset point at Karni Mata.

Gulab Bagh Zoo

Can’t Imagine Life Without Internet? See What Udaipur’s 90's Kids Did!
A place where we loved to go.
Source: Flickr

I would fall short of words to describe the excitement that my mind was filled with when we planned to visit the Gulab Bagh Zoo. It was and is the only zoo in the city, but quite sadly is in its ruined state. A whole day-out used to be planned, and the toy train added more fantasy quotient to the entire day.

Sukhadia Circle

Can’t Imagine Life Without Internet? See What Udaipur’s 90's Kids Did!
Source: Holiday Plans

What would you do if you didn’t buy a balloon from the ‘balloon wale bhaiyya’ at Sukhadia Circle? ‘Chana-Chor-Garam’ and all the ice creams of the world, not forgetting to mention the paddle boat!

Moti Magri, Guru Govind Singh Park, Dudh Talai, Sanjay Garden

These parks were the best thing of our childhood! Probably today kids don’t even know where these are, but for the 90s kids, this was the thing. Moti Magri was a bit different from what it looks today and same for the Guru Govind Singh Park overlooking Lake Fatehsagar. The gardens at Dudh Talai Garden (Manikya Lal Verma Garden) with oodles of swings were a child’s heaven. Sanjay garden has a beautiful fountain that was very enticing back then.

Can’t Imagine Life Without Internet? See What Udaipur’s 90's Kids Did!
The Remains of the beautiful fountain

Can’t Imagine Life Without Internet? See What Udaipur’s 90's Kids Did!

Can’t Imagine Life Without Internet? See What Udaipur’s 90's Kids Did!
A Flickering Image of Guru Govind Singh Park
Can’t Imagine Life Without Internet? See What Udaipur’s 90's Kids Did!
Dudh Talai Garden (Manikya Lal Verma Garden)

If you remember going out with your family at any of these places or you wanna tell us about any new place, do mention it in the comments below. We would love to hear stories of your childhood. <3 

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Places to Visit

Let’s turn the City of Lakes into City of Gardens this Weekend – Weekend Hangout

Monsoon has already knocked our city; these soft breezes brushing our hairs, tiny rain drops that falls on our body and touches our soul; seems like everything around is tinted in green and blue. So what else, other than Lakes, could be a better option to hangout in this super awesome weather?? Well actually there can be one more happening weekend plan to celebrate this monsoon and get closer to nature.

Udaipur is the city of lakes; but it’s the City of Gardens too, with many picturesque lush green gardens ready to cast their spell on you with dew drops on leaves, soft wet grass and cool and pleasant air. These gardens, grown more charming in monsoon breeze and dampness, can be an excellent hangout option with family and friends. You will be amazed to find so many choices; in fact options even more than Lakes. You can choose any one out of many as per your choice or plan a whole day out exploring these green retreats.

Nehru Garden - By Ashwin jain
Nehru Garden – By Ashwin jain

Nehru Garden :-

Situated amidst Fatehsagar Lake, this island garden is truly an eye candy with its fountains and flower gardens. Though these fountains won’t soothe you by splashing water (for which I really thank our sleeping government officials), but with Fatehsagar all around it, you won’t be missing those splashes. Even the boat ride to the garden can be enjoyed when the only rides we enjoy now-a-days are bike or car ride on dusty roads.

 

Rajiv gandhi park - Gaurav bohra
Rajiv gandhi park – Gaurav bohra

Rajiv Gandhi Garden :-

This newly developed garden, located on Rani Road, is emerging as a new hot-spot in the city, particularly for couples in weekdays and families on weekends. Its different theme, the children park and the exotic views of city which it serves makes it a favorite weekend option for city dwellers.

 

Maharana pratap statue @ Moti Magri - Mujtaba R.G.
Maharana pratap statue @ Moti Magri – Mujtaba R.G.

Moti Magri :-

With a statue of brave Maharana Pratap riding his beloved horse Chetak, this age old garden overlooks Fatehsagar Lake. It has many gardens built in the memory of Maharana Pratap and other brave warriors of Mewar.

 

Sahelion ki Badi :-

Built with a different concept of providing a place where royal ladies can relax and rejoice, this garden is famous for its greenery, marble architecture and fountains. Its fountains (mind you, if they are working properly) are sure to drench you without rain. While in the garden, you will feel as if you are in a fairy-land and your feet won’t leave its lanes and lawns.

 

Gulab Bagh - Yash Sharma
Gulab Bagh – Yash Sharma

Gulab Bagh :-

Spread over an area of 100 acres, Gulab Bagh or Sajjan Niwas Garden is the biggest of all gardens in Udaipur. It has a zoo, a museum and a public library along with many beautiful gardens, the greenery of which is well maintained by the authority. It is ever blooming with people of various ages even on weekdays, especially in the morning and evening hours.

 

Doodh Talai - By Deepankshi Chittora
Doodh Talai – By Deepankshi Chittora

Doodh Talai :-

DT offers many gardens and places to hangout like Deen Dayal Upadhya Park, Manikya Lal Verma Park, Ropeway to Karni Mata, Pichola, Jungle Safari and many more.

Adding to the list of the gardens, there are many more like Sanjay Gandhi Garden, Nehru Bal Udhyan, Sukhadia Memorial Park and Sukhadia Circle.

So what are you waiting for Udaipies?? Just pack your picnic bags, put on a bright and colorful tees, take an umbrella or a raincoat, start your vehicle and off you go for a rocking and happening weekend…!! Oooppss!! Turn back, turn back; you forgot your camera that will capture the best smiles of the day…. 🙂

 

Happy Weekend and Happy Monsoon…!! 🙂

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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.