Maharana Pratap (1540–1597) was the ruler of Mewar who refused to accept Mughal rule under Akbar. At the Battle of Haldighati in 1576, his horse Chetak, badly wounded, carried him to safety before dying. Pratap kept resisting from the hills and recovered much of Mewar before his death. In Udaipur, visit Moti Magri for his statue, and Haldighati for Chetak's memorial.
Key facts
- Born 9 May 1540 at Kumbhalgarh; died 1597 at Chavand
- Battle of Haldighati: 18 June 1576
- Chetak's memorial stands near Haldighati
- Maharana Pratap Jayanti is celebrated each year in May–June
Ask anyone in Udaipur who their hero is, and they’ll probably say Pratap.
The man
Maharana Pratap was born on 9 May 1540 at Kumbhalgarh, the son of Udai Singh II, founder of Udaipur. He became Maharana in 1572. The Mughal emperor Akbar sent several envoys asking him to accept Mughal overlordship. He refused.
Haldighati
On 18 June 1576, Pratap’s army met the Mughal army under Raja Man Singh at the pass of Haldighati. Pratap’s forces included Bhil archers and Afghan cavalry. The battle was fierce; the Mughals held the field.
Chetak’s last ride
In the fighting, Pratap’s horse Chetak was badly wounded. Even so, the story goes, Chetak carried Pratap out of the battle and leapt a stream before collapsing and dying. A memorial, Chetak Samadhi, stands near Haldighati. In Rajasthan’s songs and paintings, Chetak is as famous as his rider.
The long resistance
Pratap lived in the hills for years, sometimes in hardship, supported by the Bhils and his minister Bhamashah, who gave his wealth to the cause. He later recovered much of Mewar, ruling from Chavand, where he died in 1597.
Remembering him in Udaipur
- Moti Magri — his bronze statue on Chetak, above Fateh Sagar.
- City Palace — portraits and armour.
- Haldighati — the battlefield and Chetak’s memorial.
- Maharana Pratap Jayanti — celebrated each year. Read our story.
More in our history of Udaipur.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Chetak?
Maharana Pratap's war horse, celebrated for carrying the wounded Pratap out of the Battle of Haldighati before dying.
Did Maharana Pratap ever submit to Akbar?
No. He resisted Mughal rule for the rest of his life.
Where can I see Maharana Pratap's statue in Udaipur?
On Moti Magri hill above Fateh Sagar Lake.
