Rana Pratap

He was Rana Sanga’s grandson.He was as brave as his grandfather.

Emperor Akbar ruled in Delhi at that time.

Akbar had captured Chitoor and left it in ruins. Out of fear of Akbar, some Rajputs joined Akbar. Akbar wanted Pratap, too, to come over to his side. He sent some of his Rajput followers to the Rana to persuade him to make his peace with the emperor.

They told him, "Why don’t you join Akbar? He has a very big army. You cannot defeat him.”

The Rana said “No”.

A big battle was fought at Haldighat between Rana Pratap and Akbar. Pratap fought like a lion. Several thousand Rajput soldiers died. Pratap and his noble horse Chetak were wounded. Chetak later died. Pratap took to the hills. He and his family lost everything. They became poor. Yet, he went on fighting till he died.

Ever since, people sing of the glorious deeds of Rana Pratap and of his loyal horse Chetak.

(From Culture Course BVB)