Singh, Rana Pratāp

▪ ruler of Mewar

born 1545?, Mewār, India

died Jan. 19, 1597, Mewār

      Hindu maharaja (1572–97) of the Rājput confederacy of Mewār, now in northwest India and eastern Pakistan. He successfully resisted efforts of the Mughal emperor Akbar to conquer his area and is honoured as a hero in Rājasthān.

      The son and successor of the weak Rana Udai Singh, Rana Pratāp sought to avenge the 1567 pillage of his capital, Chitor, and subsequent raids by Akbar; this was in notable contrast to his fellow Hindu princes, who had submitted to the Mughals. Rana Pratāp reorganized the government, improved the forts, and directed his subjects to take refuge in the mountain country when attacked by Mughals. After insulting one of Akbar's emissaries and refusing an alliance, he was defeated (June 1576) by Mughal forces at Haldīghāt and fled to the hills. Despite the loss of many of his strongholds, he continued to harass the Mughals and urged noncooperation with Akbar's tax collectors and passive resistance. In the meantime, Mewār declined to a wasteland.

      In 1584 Rana Pratāp again rebuffed emissaries of Akbar, who was preoccupied in the Punjab. Accordingly, Rana Pratāp was able to recover most of his strongholds and died a hero to his people. He was succeeded by his son Amar Singh, who submitted in 1614 to Emperor Jahāngīr, son of Akbar.

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