Pratap Singh I, popularly known as Maharana Pratap, was the 13th king of Mewar,a region in north-western India in the present-day state of Rajasthan. He was titled as "Mewari Rana" and was notable for his military resistance against the expansionism of the Mughal Empire. (Thread) 
Maharana Pratap was born in a Hindu Rajput family. He was born to Udai Singh II and Jaiwanta Bai. His younger brothers were Shakti Singh, Vikram Singh and Jagmal Singh. Pratap also had 2 stepsisters: Chand Kanwar and Man Kanwar.
He was married to Ajabde Punwar of Bijolia and he had married 10 other women and was survived by 17 children including Amar Singh I. He belonged to the Royal Family of Mewar.
After the death of Udai Singh in 1572, Rani Dheer Bai wanted her son Jagmal to succeed him but senior courtiers preferred Pratap, as the eldest son, to be their king.
Udai Singh died in 1572, and Prince Pratap ascended the throne as Maharana Pratap, the 54th ruler of Mewar in the line of the Sisodia Rajputs.
Battle of HaldiGhati
The Battle of Haldighati was a battle fought on 18 June 1576 between cavalry and archers supporting the Rana of Mewar, Maharana Pratap, and the Mughal emperor Akbar's forces, led by Man Singh I of Amber.
The Battle of Haldighati was a battle fought on 18 June 1576 between cavalry and archers supporting the Rana of Mewar, Maharana Pratap, and the Mughal emperor Akbar's forces, led by Man Singh I of Amber.
The Siege of Chittorgarh in 1568 had led to the loss of the fertile eastern belt of Mewar to the Mughals. However, the rest of the wooded and hilly kingdom was still under the control of the Rana. Akbar was intent on securing a stable route to Gujarat through Mewar.
When Pratap Singh was crowned king (Rana) in 1572, Akbar sent a number of envoys entreating the Rana to become a vassal like many other Rajput leaders in the region. When the Rana refused to personally submit to Akbar, war became inevitable.
The site of the battle was a narrow mountain pass at Haldighati near Gogunda in Rajasthan. Maharana Pratap fielded a force of around 3,000 cavalry and 400 Bhil Archers. The Mughals were led by Raja Man Singh of Amber, who commanded an army numbering around 10,000 men.
Mewari sources give an account of 80,000 Mughal troops against the 20,000 strong Mewari army. While both accounts differ significantly in total numbers, they agree on the point that the Mughal army outnumbered the Mewari troops by a factor of four to one.
Chetak - Loyal Horse of Maharana Pratap.
The heroism and loyalty of Chetak are best illustrated by the incident that happened in the Haldighati battle. In this battle, the opponent's army was quite larger than that of Rana Pratap.
The heroism and loyalty of Chetak are best illustrated by the incident that happened in the Haldighati battle. In this battle, the opponent's army was quite larger than that of Rana Pratap.
When Rana Pratap attempted to try the life of Raja Mansingh, the commander of the imperial Mughal army, Chetak made its way through the tough army of the opponent and reached near the elephant on which Man Singh was seated.
Chetak reared its forelegs and planted the hooves on the face of the elephant. Rana Pratap attempted a frontal charge and threw his lance, which misfired and killed the elephant driver.
Maharana Pratap attack with his sword was so intense that vertically cut Mughal commander Behlol Khan into two pieces along with his helmet, armour and even his horse in the Battle of Haldighati.
Chetak, although wounded, he carried Pratap safely away from the battle, but then died of his wounds.
Pratap died of injuries sustained in a hunting accident, at Chavand on 19 January 1597, aged 56. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Amar Singh I. On his death bed, Pratap told his son never to submit to the Mughals and to win Chittor back.
When the news of Rana's death reached Akbar, he started crying and was more sad because he never saw a warrior like Rana Pratap in his life. He became vegetarian for several days on mourning for Rana's Death.
Fact : Maharana Pratap is revered as one of the strongest warriors India has ever seen. Standing at 7 feet 5 inches, he would carry a 80-kilogram spear and two swords weighing around 208 kilograms in total. He would also wear an armour weighing 72 kilograms.
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