Battle of Haldi Ghati (Akbar V/s Maharana Pratap Singh)

Introduction 

The Battle of Haldighati was another most important battle fought by Akbar on 18th Jun 1576 AD at Haldighati with Maharana Pratap Singh, the most powerful Rajput ruler of Mewar. 

The battle lasted for four hours. It was an indecisive battle, although Mughal had the ignoble success, it was a glorious defeat for Mewar. The Battle of Haldighati is considered as the most remarkable war in Rajput history.

Background Maharana Pratap Singh was a very powerful Rajput ruler of Mewar. He never accepted Mughal Emperor Akbar as the ruler of India and determined to war against him. 

Akbar also considered Maharana as a big threat to the Mughal Dynasty. In May 1576 AD, Akbar sent his army led by Asaf Khan towards Haldighati. 

Raja Man Singh of Amber joined the Mughal force to fight against Rana Pratap Singh. In Jun, Mughal force with Raja Man Singh started the mission and proceeded to fight against Rajput of Mewar. Maharana Pratap Singh with his commander Ramdas Rathor immediately set out with his army.

The Battle On 18th Jun 1576 AD, the army of Maharana Pratap met the Mughal force at Haldighati pass of present day Rajasthan. Maharana divided his army into 3 divisions and attacked the Mughal force from three sides. 

The Mughal army under Raja Man Singh fought in a single unit. Mughal used war artillery cannon. The Rajput army led by Maharana Pratap almost surrounded Raja Man Singh and Mughal suffered casualties. 

Mughal immediately positioned the reserve force under Ghazi Khan Badakshani and Mehtar Khan to assist Raja Man Singh. Ghazi Khan killed the Rajput commander Ramdas Rathor. 

There were many deaths and wounded from both sides, it is believed that total of 18,000 soldiers were killed in this battle from both sides. Rana Pratap and his horse chetak sustained several injuries. 

All of a sudden Maharana Pratap was surrounded by Mughal soldiers. It is believed that at this point his brother Shakti, a brave Rajput sacrificed his own life and allowed Maharana Pratap to escape the battle of Haldighati. 

Chetak, carried his master to a safe destiny and died due to sever injury