Maharana Pratap Jayanti | 12 May 2025

Why in News? 

On 9th May 2025, the 485th birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap, one of the courageous and iconic warriors, was celebrated with reverence and honour across the country. 

Key Points 

• About Maharana Pratap: 
  • Rana Pratap Singh , also known as Maharana Pratap, was born on 9 May 1540 in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan. 
  • He was the 13th king of Mewar and the eldest son of Udai Singh II. 
  • Maharana Udai Singh II ruled the Mewar kingdom and made Chittor his capital. 
    • Udai Singh II was also the founder of the city of Udaipur (Rajasthan). 
• Battle of Haldighati: 
  • The Battle of Haldighati was fought in the year 1576 between Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar and Raja Man Singh of Amer , who was the general of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. 
  • Maharana Pratap fought bravely but was ultimately defeated by the Mughal army. 
  • It is believed that Maharana Pratap's loyal horse Chetak sacrificed his life while leaving the battlefield. 
• Re-control: 
  • After 1579, the influence of the Mughals on Mewar decreased and Maharana Pratap re-established his dominance over western Mewar including Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur and Gogunda. 
  • During this period he also built a new capital, Chavand, near present-day Dungarpur. 
•  Death: 
  • Maharana Pratap died on 19 January 1597. After that, his son Rana Amar Singh ascended the throne and accepted the supremacy of Akbar's son Emperor Jahangir in the year 1614.