Haldighati: The Battlefield

The year 1576. It's been four years since Maharana Pratap was coronated as Rana in 1572 and Akbar had sent three peace treaties via Man Singh and Bhagwan das in 1573, 1574 and 1575. Maharana Pratap was in a dilemma; if Akbar refused to wage a war then how could he win back all the portions Mewar had lost since 1568. He was intelligent enough to send Amar Singh, his successor to meet Maan Singh when he arrived in 1575. This resulted in a verbal duel and Maan Singh's insult by Amar Singh. Akbar let Maan Singh command his army in a battle against Pratap. Pratap's message was clear, it was a war of independence and not for any religion or against one. To establish this, he made his friend and Afghan aide, Hakim Khan Sur, nephew of Sher Shah Suri, the commander in chief. The historic Battle of Haldighati took place in the "Rakth Talai" or "Khun ki Talai" later known as Badshahi Bagh, beside the Banas River, on 21st June 1576, after the Mughals camped there on 18th June 1576. Some say the Bhils fought them in small troops for three days from the 18th restricting them to the other side of Banas until the Mewar army arrived. The ratio of army heads was 4:1, it appeared to be an easy battle for the clueless Mughals.

The war strategy of the Rajputs was simple and influenced by Bhils guerrilla strategy. The moment the war started with "Jai Mewar!" The Maharana holding the red flag high ordered his men to retreat. Shocked at them moving away from the banks of Banas, the Mughal army followed them into the yellow passes of Haldighati. The Bhils played their parts showering them with rocks and arrows. The armies finally met at the now-called "Khun ki Talai" and the war started. The Mughals were headed by Maan Singh, Bahlol Khan and others. The war result was evident in a while. Maan Singh Jhalla who looked identical to the Maharana helped him escape.

Rakt Talai, the battleground had been made into a beautiful garden and preserved. We can see several chhatris dedicated to the deceased here, the most famous one being of the Tanwars. Ram Shah and his two sons Shallavan, who was Pratap's brother in law and also Pratap Singh Tanwar.

The first Chatri that welcomes us is one made for numerous soldiers. So many lives were lost that it made a pool of blood on the forest floor. Hence the name of the place.

The second one is of the Tanwars, their idols made in Mewari Miniature style. It is clear evidence that not only were they great aides and family to the Maharana they died valiantly, saving him. Shallavan's eighteen-year-old son, also Pratap's nephew died in this war.

The memorial of Tanwars

The Haldighati Pass

As soon as the car crossed the large plains at Rakth Talai and the dried-up Banas, we saw the roads narrow. The driver said this road was narrower 500 Years ago, so much that only one horse could pass at a time. Chetak ran through this very pass, 5Kms from the Battlefield to where he died, injured and on three legs. His blood left a trail for the Mughals to follow, and two soldiers on horseback did follow him until Kunwar Shakti slayed them. The soil here is as yellow as Tumeric powder and I stopped the car to step out and see around. The descriptions of the terrain are exactly like Akbarnama mentions. The soil, the forest, the pass and the thorns.

The car stopped first at a cave. And a small forest temple. A Shiva Linga that Maharana Pratap worshipped when he hid here to make war plans, during the pre-Haldighati war days.

The Mahadev Maharana Pratap worshipped, a small stream runs nearby and is very beautiful.

A few metres from this cave is the Chetak Samadhi. When Chetak fell here, Maharana Pratap had lost his most loyal friend. He had no option but to bury his horse here before making a hasty escape with the help of Kunwar Shakti Singh. However, he came back to this place to mark the memorial. The Chatri however was built by Rana Amar Singh when he became the ruler to acknowledge Chetak's bravery.

The best part was the Haldighati Museum, it was worth every penny but the photo quality was bad inside, sorry for that! The awesome jungle effects inside, with an audio explanation on each exhibit, were a marvellous eye-catching idea as they explained all major parts of his life. All who were looking for Ajabde Baisa's mention will find it here in the Light and Sound show, inside. However, they call her Ajbante Kanwar in the local language of the place. Below is the Video, you can take a look too!

Potrait of Haldighati

Chetak breathing his last

Pratap attacking Man Singh

The Five Gems of Haldighati War

Ram Shah Tanwar, Rana Punja, Hakim Khan

Many poems are found here, describing the war, do take your time n see them, worth a read!

Replica of Maharana's shield and sword

Replica of his attires

Jagmal being forced to leave the throne of Mewar

Weapons used in war

Coronation

Amar Singh insults Man Singh

Bappa Rawal

Rana Kumbha

Rana Sanga

Udai Singh II

Ram Shah Tanwar

Punja

Terrains of Haldighati

Hakim Khan

Once Kunwar Amar Singh was on a mission against a Mughal camp and won it, from Khan E Khana Abdul Rahim, the son of Bairam Khan. His wife was taken prisoner as per the norms and was presented before the Maharana. The Maharana was extremely displeased at this behaviour towards an innocent woman from his son and questioned his own upbringing telling Amar Singh to take the woman back with the right respect. He was strongly against women being political tools and often resented alliance marriages as well.

Maharana Scolding Amar Singh for Capturing Mughal Women

After 1576, Maharana Pratap had lost his men and finances to continue his battles further, using this opportunity, Man Singh had marched ahead to capture Kumbhalgarh. Under Shahbaz Khan, this campaign had the aid of the Amer royals, Todarmal and Bahlol Khan as well (no he didn't die in haldighati) So, Bhahmah Shah, a warrior aide and a dacoit turned Jain businessman, decided to submit all his wealth to the Maharana for his battles. Thus, the armies were formed again till 1581.

Royal Sign of Mewar

Haldighati Battle

Rakt Talai

Bhahmah Shah

Bhahmah Shah gave wealth

Chittorgarh model

Jauhar scene

Amar Singh getting scolded

When the Maharana had become king he had vowed to free his motherland from the Mughals. He had promised that until he did that he wouldn't sleep in beds but on hay, eat leaves, mix grass on his roti, and take no luxury of Mahals and Palaces. He withheld these vows till his last breath in Chavand, regretting that he couldn't win back Chittorgarh.

Hari ghas ki Roti

In the cave, we saw above

Chundawat was Udai Singh's chief aide and a father figure to Pratap.

Maharana Pratap on Chetak.

In 1582, Maharana Pratap's army made a sudden attack on the Mughal camps at Dewair. He famously cut Bahlol Khan along with his horse in half and Maan Singh escaped to Achalgarh. He marched victoriously into Kumbhalgarh and also won back the adjacent areas. Amar Singh showed great valour in killing Shahbaz Khan in this battle and the crown Prince Salim was rushed to safety in Lahore. Seeing Salim's near-death experience, and the Maharana's determination, Akbar decided to call back his army camps from Mewar and quit his dream of winning Mewar. However, Chittorgarh remained with him. In the year 1581 Maharana shifted his capital to Chavand, and he ruled for a peaceful 17 years from there until his death. The battle of Dewair is sometimes confused with the Battle of Haldighati however, both are different. This day was indeed a memorable one as I stood on the Rakt Talai reflecting.

Funny thing to mention here, I came back to Udaipur in the evening, from the tour and I opened Sony's Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap, and the Battle started that day itself! Up next, we will go to Chavand and also have a glimpse of Jaismand Lake on the way!