
This was the nobility of the people of Mewar. Young Udai was also in his sights, but his noble nanny Panna dai sacrificed her own son to save the prince’s life. Following the death of Udai’s brother eldest brother Ratan Singh Sisodia, middle brother Vikramaditya ascended the throne, but was slain by the courtier Banveer. Udai II himself was saved from death by Panna dai. Slowly, but surely, the wheels of diplomacy would turn, and allies at Khanua would soon become enemies at Haldighati.īut as Pratap Singh grew up, he would soon find that political atmosphere was turning adverse not only outside but in. How does it recover from lost culture? This is even more so when a country’s elite loses its wits. A nation can recover from a lost battle or even a lost war. Indeed, in the years ahead, it was the betrayal of Rajput maryada that would prove to be more bitter than any battlefield defeat. Whether it was the matchlock rifles, or the counter-flanking talugmas, more than the tactics of Babur, it was the treachery of Shiladitya that would be remembered. The Confederacy at Khanua experienced defeat despite coming so close to victory. It was a time of rebuilding, and the rajadhani by Lake Pichola would give respite to the recovering clan. The mughal Akbar massacred 30,000 when the fort was taken. It served as refuge after the Fall of Chittor, and the third jauhar of 1500 women. Udaipur is nestled in the Aravalli hills. Suraj Pratap Singh Sisodia was born to Jaivanta bai Songara of Jalore & Maharana Udai II, who was the founder of the eponymous city. Ratan Singh, Kumbhakaran Singh, Sangram Singh, the dynasts of this house read like a litany of men who lived & died by the sword. And yet, despite its agricultural and commercial potential, it had a decidedly martial legacy. Bordering northern Gujarat, it was also near trans-oceanic ports as well as desert trade. Mewar is in the desert state of Rajasthan, but is a rare fertile oasis in comparison to its neighbours. In a sense, that is the true motto of the Sisodia clan, and why it has a special place in the heart of Rajput and non-Rajput alike, and why the ruler of so small a Rajyam has such a special place in history. Even after Chittor’s fall, and the Sisodia branch established itself with Hammir Guhilot of Sisoda, the tradition of the Maharawals continued in the Maharanas. From the time of the Arabs down to Delhi Turks and the mughals, Mewar’s ruling house refused to be cowed down by usurpers, and even when facing the most impossible odds, refused to barter away its dignity. Going back to Bappa Rawal, an unbroken line of true dharmrakshaks shielded Southern Rajasthan from the depredations of powerful mlecchas. It has produced some of the greatest and most powerful kings that have made the name of Rajputana resplendent in the annals of India.” “The Surya Vamsha is the most famous of the ruling families of India, and the most celebrated of its many branches is the Guhilot family, which has ruled Mewar without a break for nearly fourteen centuries. The land of Chittorgarh rightfully deserved not only Pratap Singh Sisodia, but also the illustrious Suryavanshi Kshatriya clan of Guhilots. Yet the prajas of Mewar proved that the people get the rulers they deserve. Rare is the Prince who gives up power, rarer still is the populace that restores the rightful ruler. He refused to make any compromises.” Background Raja Ravi Varma’s rendition of Rana Pratap He roamed the forests like a fugitive, took shelter in caves, went hungry, saw his children eat grassbread and his queen suffer the life of a tribal woman. “The ordeals he went through to defend his pride makes a hair raising story. Pranams to Pratap Singh, the mighty Maharana of Mewar, and Kshatriya veer Shiromani of the Kali Age. Therefore, for the spirit of Rajadharma to be restored, a shining example of it must be given due honour. They become slaves to pleasure, and those who promise to give it. Without integrity, without self-respect, people let alone a leader, cannot lead lives of dignity. But he who can barter away everything truly has nothing. The rulers of today (as well as their “rajgurus”) gladly betray their Rajadharmaall in the name of “chanakya niti”. And yet, in the lust for power, modern Hinduspay nominal respect to his name but fail to implement his legacy. Such was this symbol of kshatriyata that he commands respect to this day. The Patriot who literally would rather eat grass than give his daughters to mlecchas. The King who risked his kingdom in war to preserve Dharma. The Prince who gave up the throne to preserve family unity. The very name has attained an almost sacred quality from the length and breadth of Bharatvarsh.
