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Maharana Pratap Jayanti 2025: Honouring The Unyielding Spirit Of A Rajput Legend

Maharana Pratap Jayanti 2025: Honouring The Unyielding Spirit Of A Rajput Legend

NDTV29-05-2025
On May 29, 2025, India commemorates the 485th birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap, the legendary Rajput ruler of Mewar. Born on May 9, 1540, in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan, Maharana Pratap is celebrated for his unwavering resistance against Mughal emperor Akbar, notably in the Battle of Haldighati in 1576.
While his birth date is May 9 in the Julian calendar, Maharana Pratap Jayanti is traditionally observed according to the Hindu lunar calendar on Jyeshtha Shukla Tritiya, which falls on May 29 this year. The Tritiya Tithi begins at 1:54 AM and ends at 11:18 PM on this day.
Across Rajasthan and other parts of India, the day is marked by prayers, processions, and cultural events celebrating Maharana Pratap's courage and dedication to his kingdom. Social media platforms are abuzz with tributes, quotes, and images honouring his enduring legacy.
His life continues to inspire generations, symbolising the spirit of self-respect, patriotism, and resilience.
Born in the Heart of Rajasthan
Maharana Pratap was born on May 9, 1540 (Jyeshtha Shukla Tritiya 1597 Vikram Samvat), at the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort in present-day Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. Belonging to the illustrious Sisodia dynasty of Mewar, he was the son of Rana Uday Singh II, the founder of Udaipur. His early years were marked by hardship and adversity, yet Maharana Pratap remained unwavering in his commitment to self-respect and the defence of his homeland.
Unyielding Spirit Against the Mughals
After ascending the throne of Mewar, Maharana Pratap famously refused to acknowledge the authority of Mughal emperor Akbar. A staunch defender of independence, he spent much of his reign in the Aravalli Hills, leading guerrilla warfare to resist Mughal dominance. Despite ruling over Udaipur, Chittor, and nearby regions, he chose struggle over submission, becoming a lasting symbol of Rajput bravery and resilience.
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The brutal legacy of Akbar's Chittorgarh siege referenced by NCERT
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The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released a new Class 8 Social Science textbook that offers a revised take on Indian history from the 13th to 17th centuries. The book, part of the series Exploring Society: India and Beyond, calls Akbar's reign a mix of brutality and tolerance, referring to his massacre of 30,000 people at siege of Chittorgarh is a pivotal event in Indian history. It marks the beginning of Akbar's campaign to subdue the Rana of Mewar. Below is a detailed account based on historical sources, primarily the Akbarnama by Abu'l Fazl, of the causes, events, and aftermath of the Sisodia RajputsThe Rajputs, a warrior caste of northern India, are organised into numerous clans claiming descent from ancient Kshatriya lineages, often linked to solar (Suryavanshi), lunar (Chandravanshi), or fire-born (Agnivanshi) dynasties. The Sisodias, a Suryavanshi Rajput clan, ruled Mewar from Chittorgarh and later Udaipur. 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His support for rebellious Mughal vassals, like Baz Bahadur of Malwa, further provoked the October 1567, Akbar marched from Agra with 40,000 men with the objective of bringing the Rana to his knees. His large army was equipped with cannons, muskets, and siege equipment. The army set up camp at the base of the Chittorgarh hill, choking off the Chittorgarh fort, a stronghold of Rajput pride, 8,000 warriors led by Jaimal Rathore braced for the storm. Mewar's ruler Rana Udai Singh II had retreated into the Aravalli hills, leaving his trusted commander to hold the Sisodia capital against an unstoppable cannons began to roar, hurling iron at the 30-foot-thick walls of the fort. But the fort's height and defences repelled the Mughal army's efforts. Jaimal's men answered from the ramparts, targeting the Mughals with arrows, musket fire, and stones hurled from catapults. 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NHAI removes inaccurate plaques near Haldighati
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