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Meanwhile Pratap was carried away from the war zone and Chetak died on spot with his fore legs held high showing his contribution and his pride. Pratap had no senses to cry since he was unconscious. Shakti in search of Pratap found him and took him back to the camp. He knew how his bhabhisa would feel seeing him so decided to cure Pratap and take him. Amar, Chand and Shakti stayed with him to cure him and the rest went back home but not near the settlement. The Mughals were deceived. They were not the winners nor were the Rajputs so happiness was high. Akbar decided to not meddle with the Rana; he now knew what would cost them. He rested in peace at his palace with his harem ladies. After few many days Pratap rode on his feet home. All had gathered to welcome him. Ajabde was eagerly waiting. As soon as he reached she rushed there to do the vijay tilak. “Rana ji, aap ko badayi ho…” “Apko bhi…” “Kaise hai aap??”” “Hum thik aur aap??” “Hum thik hai apke rahte hue” “Cha

The letter reached the settlement without any delay and Ajabde was more than happy to receive the letter. “Ranaji hum jante te ki aap humare liye hum sabke liye Chittor wapas jeetenge….hume aap par garv hai…” “Hum likhenge patra apke liye…” She wrote the letter and filled her heart with words on the letter. The war was causing issues but a single letter soothed her to core. The night went peacefully with calmness around but it also indicated disaster. The next morning rose with brightness and with new hope. All the warriors gathered in the arena for the fight. The Rajputs without plan reached the field but Mughals did bother to plan and decided to have Chetak killed to make Pratap depressed. The day began with all fighting vigorously and having the soldiers on either side dead but the real game began after the sun reaching the north. As planned Maan Sigh sat high above the elephant and aimed a spear on Chetak. The weapon directly reached Chetak and Chetak fell down but

Suddenly there was an increase in soldiers near Pratap’s own patch therefore Shaliwaan was left all alone again but Pratap kept an eye on him to save him when the he faced difficulty. Shaliwaan and his patch were completely surrounded and Ahmed Khan was in charge of it. He kept moving here and there around the arrangement while Shaliwaan fought bravely with soldiers. “Tum me itna bhi sahas nahi hai kya ki tum kud humse ladne nahi aa rahe ho??” “Shaliwaan hum aa rahe hai…” And Ahmed Khan came to attack. And fortunately or unfortunately Rana Pratap arrived at the spot. “Sainik!!!” And the soldier placed his shield above his head. Pratap came running. He placed his foot on the shield and there was he, the warrior of mother earth held high. Pratap ran and jumped over him and sliced Ahmed Khan into two symmetrical half. Ahmed Khan died on the spot and the sun set marking the end of the day. Everything that happened awestruck all the warriors, Akbar himself were shocked to he

The sunrise marked something important. All assembled in positions as the previous day except Rana Punja who took position next to Rana Pratap. Pratap was joined by the kings of various places. Mughals had by morning reached the cliff and now proceeded to the forest area. Forest was overpopulated now with soldiers and the Bhills. The skilled guerilla warfare warriors took place in hiding. Mughals thinking nothing was there moved slowly towards the maze. But as the Mughals reached the core of the forest, i.e they cannot run back or forth situation the Bhills attacked them. The second day witnessed Maan Singh leading the army. He believed that Pratap won’t attack them in the forest. He was very confident and so moved carelessly towards the maze. “Hukum apko nahi lagta ki agar hum poori sena ko jungle ke taraf se le jayenge toh humare sainik kam ho jayenge…” “Hum jante hai ki aap kya kehna chahte hai parantu hum yeh hi karenge kyu ki hum jante hai ki Pratap humpar peeche se wa

First Day- All were assembled in the war field. Akbar’s army was much bigger in numbers but Pratap’s army was bigger in strength as well as will to fight for motherland. This only reason made Pratap’s army stronger. Bhills headed by Rana Punja hid well behind rocks. Some blocked the narrow entrance with their shields and hid behind the shields. Rana Punja was one among them. To kill and reduce the numbers all the Bhills were ready with their spears and swords. Bloodshed was inevitable but it was necessary to avenge previous deaths of great warriors. All were prepared. The patch of the Mughal’s army moved slowly yet steadily towards the cliff top. Bhills noticed their steps. They knew that they have to destroy most of the army and let some into the forest. The army approached and wondered what they should do. They had never thought that such a strategy would be used but they had to cross. “Huzoor…Huzoor” “Kya hai??” “Woh Pratap ke admi…” “Kya Pratap ke admi??” “Wah

The next day witnessed the first day of the war but the Mewari’s were very confident about their strengths. Both the sides made various arrangements. Pratap’s side had made a wonderful strategy. Out of his eight ministers, Rana Punja and his army took the front waiting for the army to come near the cliff. Well known in cliff fighting the Bhills knew what they had to do. The rest of the army waited. Akbar’s one portion met with the Bhills while others slowly climbed the cliff only to meet fate. Rana Punja’s army hid behind rocks, camouflaged. Rana Punja’s son took the second front with a part of Bhills and a part of Mewari soldiers. The war was well planned. Pratap was on Chetak and his elephant Ram Prasad waited for protecting Pratap. The back was managed by Shaliwaan and Guru Raghavendra while the east and west corridors by Ram Shah Tanwar and Balwant and Hakim and Shakti respectively. The west was particularly given to the strongest with cannon because after the forest the

Pratap, before the war went to seek blessing from the saint Tulsidas, as he had met Lord Ram. He went to Kashi where Tulsidas persuaded Tapas. He went and touched his feet. The next moment the saint uttered. “Rana Pratap…” “Aap Rana Pratap hai na??” “Haan…” “Akir kar woh diwas aa gaya jis din ka prateeksha tha…hume Ramchandra ke uttarahikhari dekne ko mila…hum dhanya hue…” “Tulsidas ji aap nahi hum dhanya hue ki aap humse milna chahte the…” “Rana Pratap se toh har koi milna chahta hai…” “Tulsidas ji aap toh jante hai ki ek maha yudh aa raha hai…hum toh yaha apse milne aur ashirwad lene aaye hai…” “Rana Pratap apke liye toh ashirwad ki zaroorat hai hi nahi…sab toh apko ashirwad bina puche toh de dete hai…” “Tulsidas ji hum woh jante hai…” “Vijayi bhav!!!” Thus Pratap took blessings from the saint who had met Lord Ram. The war was a day away and Pratap left behind his family and proceeded to the battle field. “Ajab hum yudh mein ja rahe hai…” “Ab apko hi y

One fine morning he and his troops marched to fight the Mughal and get their motherland back. “Ajabde humari tilak…” “Rana ji yeh apka talwar…” “Royenge nahi aap..apko aur sabka bhi dhyaan rakna hai…hum jante hai ki hum lautenge wapas…” “Hum jante hai Rana ji parantu hum apne iss beechen hruday ko samjhaye kaise…” “Rana ji hume nikhalna chahiye…” “Ji” Ajabde for the last time did his Tilak and Amar’s tilak. Phool did Chanda’s Tilak and Ajabde did Bhagwan’s tilak.  The entire males were going to the war and the women prepared themselves for any mishap. Pratap left home with only one patch of his army. This was not the ultimate battle. Ultimate battle would be after he gave an ultimatum to that invader. He moved ahead capturing all the places on the Rajputanian map. Last was Ajmer and Chittor. The battle was fierce with the Mughal side having an upper arm. The last two places were not conquered but Pratap did not give up. He decided to strengthen himself and conquer it

It soon reached Pratap’s settlement and Pratap was ashamed of himself after reading the letter. It stated- अरै घास री रोटी ही जद बन बिलावडो ले भाग्यो । नान्हो सो अमरयो चीख पड्यो राणा रो सोयो दुख जाग्यो । हूं लडयो घणो हूं सहयो घणो मेवाडी मान बचावण नै , हूं पाछ नही राखी रण में बैरया रो खून बहावण में , जद याद करू हळदी घाटी नैणा मे रगत उतर आवै , सुख दुख रो साथी चेतकडो सूती सी हूक जगा ज्यावै , पण आज बिलखतो देखूं हूं जद राज कंवर नै रोटी नै , तो क्षात्र - धरम नै भूलूं हूं भूलूं हिंदवाणी चोटी नै मेहलां में छप्पन भोग जका मनवार बिना करता कोनी , सोनै री थाळयां नीलम रै बाजोट बिना धरता कोनी , अै हाय जका करता पगल्या फ़ूला री कंवरी सेजां पर , बै आज रूळे भूखा तिसिया हिंदवाणै सूरज रा टाबर , आ सोच हुई दो टूक तडक राणा री भीं बजर छाती , आंख्यां मे आंसू भर बोल्या मैं लिख स्यूं अकबर नै पाती , पण लिखूं किंयां जद देखै है आडावळ ऊंचो हियो