Maharana Pratap

Pratap Singh ( pronunciation ) or Pratap Singh (9 May 1540 – 29 January 1597) was the ruler of Mewar, a region in north-western India in the present day state of Rajasthan. His birth anniversary (Maharana Pratap Jayanti) is celebrated as a full-fledged festival every year on the 3rd day of the Jyestha Shukla phase. He was the eldest son of Maharani Jaiwanta Bai and Udai Singh II, founder of Udaipur. He belonged to the Sisodia clan of Rajputs. Maharana Pratap Singh is widely regarded as a fearless warrior and ingenious strategist, who successfully fought the Mughals and safeguarded his people until his death. In popular Indian culture, he is hailed as an inspirational figure for exemplifying gallantry and resourcefulness. He was succeeded by his eldest son Amar Singh I.

Accession

In 1568 during the reign of Rana Udai Singh II (Maharana Pratap's father) Chittorgarh Fort was conquered by the Mughal emperor Akbar after the third Jauhar at Chittor. However, Udai Singh and the royal family of Mewar had left before the fort was captured and moved to the foothills of the Aravalli Range where Udai Singh had already founded the city of Udaipur in 1559. Rani Dheer Bai wanted her son Jagmal to succeed Udai Singh but the seniors in the royal court preferred Pratap, as the eldest son, to be their king. The desire of the nobles prevailed. At the end it was found out that it was only due to Rani Bhatiyani Dheerbhai, that Udai Singh nominated Jagmal Singh as his successor who was weak, inefficient and used to drink secretely.But the reason of Jagmal's topple from throne was due to the reason that Kunwar Jagmal was used to ignoring the advice of his ministers and the banishment of Kunwar Pratap from Mewar angered the ministers and the accession of Kunwar Pratap took place and the toppling of Jagmal from the throne.