The ruler of Mewar,Rana Pratap Singh is popularly known as 'Maharana Pratap'.He had the title of 'Maharana' before his name,which was first claimed by his father Udai Singh due to many reasons.
Maharana Pratap Singh or Rana Pratap Singh was a ruler who ruled Mewar region under tough times of India during the Mughal's rule.He ruled Mewar from 1572 till 1597.He is also renowned as the first freedom fighter in history of India.Maharana Pratap Singh is recognized as the avatar of 'Eklingji',the ruling deity of the kingdom of Mewar.Rana Pratap Singh's history is mostly missing in Indian history textbooks,but still taught as an source of motivation to protect one's self-respect.
Horse of Rana Pratap Singh named 'Chetak' is very well-known in Indian History and he is referred as an example of loyalty.Rana Pratap Singh's height was 7' 5" and his own body weighed more than 110 kg.Rana Pratap's sword weighed nearly 25kgs each (Rana used to carry two swords with him).After getting the whole armor with weapons,Rana used to weigh more than 300 kilos.
Why was Rana Pratap Singh known as 'Maharana'?
After the decline of Guhil rule on Mewar,the Sisodiyas of Mewar acquired the title of 'Rana',which meant a Hindu monarch.During the early medieval period of India,there were many attacks on India by the invaders.Many Hindu kingdoms came to its decline,but the only Hindu kingdom which was independently surviving on its own was the kingdom of Mewar.
That time,Mewar kingdom also acquired the title of 'Hindu-a-surya (हिंदूआसूर्य)' which meant the 'Sun of Hindus'.Similarly,the rulers after Rana Kumbha got to be mentioned as 'Maharanas' instead of just 'Ranas' which meant almighty Hindu Monarch,similarly to the word 'Maharaj'.
The first ruler of Mewar to properly acquire the title of 'Maharana' was Udai Singh,father of Rana Pratap Singh.
To acquire the title of 'Maharaja,the rulers need to conduct a yagna.But the rulers of Mewars got this title of 'Maharana' through a very different way.
Conclusion:
Maharana Pratap Singh's stories of valour are world-famous,we can understand the importance of self-respect from him.Indian history has been intentionally ignored in textbooks,even if the little things have a huge history like the title of 'Maharana'.
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