Battle of Haldighati

Battle of Haldighati: The Battle of Haldighati was fought on 18 June 1576 between Maharana Pratap and Akbar. Akbar won the Battle of Haldighati but Maharana Pratap successfully escaped. The Mughals failed to capture Maharana Pratap and his fellow members.

In this article, we are going to discuss why the Battle of Haldighati was fought, the Events that happened during the Battle, and the aftermath of the Battle.

About the Battle of Haldighati

The Battle of Haldighati was fought between Maharana Pratap(King of Mewar) and the forces of Akbar led by Rajput king Raja Man Singh. This battle was fought on 18 June 1576 after 3 hours of sunrise. Maharana Pratap was defeated in this battle and escaped from the battleground of Haldighati. After Akbar ascended the throne he started acquiring Rajputana States by using his diplomacy skills. He married some Rajput princesses and gained the support of the Rajputs. But the king of Mewar Maharana Pratap refused to bow down in front of Akbar. Akbar tries many diplomatic ways to convince Maharana Pratap, but he never agrees to friendship.

Historical Background of the Battle of Haldighati

Akbar wanted to build a stable route to Gujarat passing through Mewar, by acquiring Mewar but Maharana Pratap never surrendered himself in front of Akbar like other Rajput Kings. Akbar started expanding his Kingdom all over India and wanted to rule all over India. He conquests several Rajput Kingdoms such as Chittor, Ranthambore, and others. Nearly all Rajput Kingdoms had surrendered to Akbar except Mewar. After the death of his father Maharana Pratap became the king of Mewar in 1572. Mewar under the leadership of Maharana Pratap refused to surrender and he was not willing to compromise with his Kingdom’s independence. Akbar waited for 3 years and then sent his general Raja Man Singh to have talks on peace treaties and persuade Maharana Pratap to surrender. But Maharana Pratap agreed to sign the treaty on his terms and conditions. His condition was that he would be an independent ruler and would not surrender or rule under any other ruler.

Events during the Battle of Haldighati

The Events that happened during the Battle of Haldighati are given below:

• Akbar led an army of over 5000 soldiers, commanded by General Raja Man Singh.
• Maharana Pratap commanded nearly 3000 soldiers in the Battle of Haldighati.
• Initially, Akbar underestimated Maharana Pratap’s ability to resist the larger and more experienced Mughal army.
• Maharana Pratap received support from the Bhils tribe, Tanwars of Gwalior, and Rathores of Merta.
• Behlol Khan served as the commander of the Mughal Army during the battle.
• Maharana Pratap’s forces included Afghan warriors led by commander Hakim Khan Sur.
• Despite the smaller army, the Mughal forces, with their numerical advantage, defeated Maharana Pratap’s army.

Who won the Battle of Haldighati?

The Battle of Haldighati, fought on June 18, 1576, was won by the Mughal forces led by Raja Man Singh I, who was serving under the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The opposing forces were led by Maharana Pratap, the ruler of Mewar. While the Mughals technically won the battle, it did not result in significant territorial gains for them, and Maharana Pratap continued to resist Mughal expansion in the region.

Effects of the Battle of Haldighati

When Maharana Pratap fled away from the Battleground of Haldighati, the battle ended indecisively, who won the Battle. The Battle of Haldighati ended in just three hours. On 21 June 1576, the forces of Maharana Pratap and Akbar met at Haldighati Pass. Maharana Pratap suddenly attacked Akbar’s Army without any alert and was taken aback initially. But Man Singh after taking charge of forces attacked Maharana Pratap with his soldiers. Maharana Pratap wounded by the continuous attack of arrows and spears. Maan Singh Jhala took the silver chattra from Maharana Pratap’s back and placed it in his back. Maharana Pratap then fled away on his horse and was saved by his brother. Raja Man Singh killed Maan SIngh Jhala thinking him Maharana Pratap, but later realized that he is not Maharana Pratap. Maharana Pratap fled successfully and again the result of Battle was considered indecisive or it can be considered as a temporary victory for the Mughals.

Significance of the Battle of Haldighati

Maharana Pratap successfully fled away from Battleground but he displayed bravery fighting with Larger Mughal Army. Maharana Pratap with his remaining soldiers escaped and continued to pose a strict resistance against Mughal rule in the next few years. Akbar put his full effort to catch Maharana Pratap but he was escaped from his Kingdom also and was living in forest. Akbar took control over some regions of Mewar, but After 1579 when Mughals shifted his focus toward other regions Maharana Pratap again took control over some of regions of Mewar.

Sumary – Battle of Haldighati

The Battle of Haldighati, fought on June 18, 1576, between Maharana Pratap of Mewar and Akbar’s forces led by Raja Man Singh, resulted in the Mughals winning the battle, although Maharana Pratap managed to escape. The conflict arose from Akbar’s desire to expand his kingdom through Rajputana, with Maharana Pratap staunchly resisting. Despite initial underestimation, Akbar’s larger and more experienced army prevailed. Maharana Pratap’s escape marked a symbolic victory for Mewar, as he continued to resist Mughal rule. The battle’s significance lies in Maharana Pratap’s display of bravery, sustaining opposition against Mughal dominance. The inconclusive outcome contributed to the ongoing resistance against Akbar’s expansion in the region.

FAQs on Battle of Haldighati

1. When the Battle of Haldighati was fought ?

The Battle of Haldighati was fought on 18 June 1576 between the forces of Mewar king Maharana Pratap and forces of Akbar led by Raja Man Singh of Amber.

2. Whom Maharana Pratap cut in half during the battle of Haldighati ?

Maharana Pratap vertically cut Mughal commander Behlol khan into two pieces along with his horse.

3. From which clan of Rajput Maharana Pratap belong ?

Maharana Pratap belong to “Sisodia” clan of Rajput.

4. Why was the Battle of Haldighati fought ?

Akbar wants to expand his Kingdom by taking control over all Rajput regions and establish a route network to Gujarat passing through Mewar Kingdom of Maharana Pratap , but Rana Pratap refused to surrender.

5. Which small tribe supported Maharana Pratap during Battle of Haldighati ?

Bhil Tribe supported Maharana Pratap during Battle of Haldighati.