Wanderers 24- War Preparations

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 after Haldighatti battle, the place decided ofr battle incase if he lost.

Way back was a happy one. They rested and moved ahead slowly with all the sons rejoicing with their father.

One afternoon, Amar went to fetch water for his father on his request. The banks were already occupied by few ladies and a man. Amar saw that the ladies were wearing Mughal costumes hence thinking that they were the cruel Mughal’s wives with force bought them to Pratap who was surpriced by this act of his.

“Dhajiraj yeh apke dushman ke patniya…yeh nadhi ke kinare paani pee rahe the…”

“Amar!!! Tumne yeh kya kiya…hum Rajput kabhi aise dushman ke harem ke stri ka apaharan nahi karte…humari dushmani uss Mughal se hai aur inn nirdosh striyo se nahi…”

“Parantu Dhajiraj…”

“Amar hum rajput hai aur hum inka apaharan nahi karna chahte…isliye aap inhe wapas chod ayiye…”

“Parantu…”

“Yeh ek rana ka hukum hai…”

“Joh aagya…”

And Amar left the women back in their camp. The man there was surprised to see Rana Pratap; arch enemy of his father did not capture his wives. That day on wards Rahim, Khan-e-Khana respected Pratap.

“Rana ji aur sab laut gaye hai…”

“Humare paas ab saara Rajputana hai…”

“Sabko badayi!!!”

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“Pranam Rana ji…”

“Vijay ki badayi ho apko…”

“Apko bhi…”

Thus the victory was celebrated. Now the next war was approaching. It was a huge one with the Mughal himself participating.

Pratap and his eight hands inspected the land of battle, Haldighatti and planned their attacks. They knew that Akbar himself would attack and they will have to defend.

Their settlement being away from Haldighatti they set up the army in the forest near Haldighatti. The Haldighatti was a difficult location; it was surrounded by valleys and hills which were steep and tough to cross, and then a forest before they reached the battle field.

The army resided in these forests and then moved to the other end of Haldighatti for their tents were set up there. The war days were being counted. The Mughals set themselves on the other side of hills, behind Haldighatti.

Pratap’s army was trained and knew how to climb the hills easily being living there from the childhood. The war was going to be intense indeed. The Mughal’s army was having four head as the spies had told.

Pratap’s strategy was simple, he had to destroy the army of the Mughal’s in the valley pass and then in the forest. He knew that the army of the opponent was huge which meant many would reach the battle grounds.

He had planned to send the natives of the valley to destroy the army. That patch would deal with the army first headed by Shaliwaan Singh. The Bhills would take care of the forest headed by Rana Punja and by using guerilla warfare. The others will take care of the battle field. Pratap would return back to his settlement in the evening with Shakti while others would live in the forests.