Trip to Udaipur 5: Visit to Badshah Bagh and Rakta talai

 We reached Badshah bagh at around 2 pm and it was quite hot. There is no entry fee over there and it will just take 30 minutes for you to see that place. It is surrounded by hills. 

Badshah Bagh enterance

Many people will be surprised and will not like this place as tourist destination along with Rakta talai as nothing much was there. But yes historically, these sites are of great importance. I enjoyed walking and imagining the battle of haldighati and significane of all these places.Mughal were camping at Badshah bagh. It is at this place they were attacked by the Maharana Pratap’ army and were pushed to nearby village known as Khamnor. Hundreds of soldiers were killed and it also rained heavily that day and as a result, soldiers’ blood flowed towards the low lying area forming a pool (talai) of blood (Rakht). And that is why this place later came to known as Rakh talai.  

Inside Badshah Bagh

Badshah Bagh site where Mughals were resting

It was also said there was so much blood flowed over there that it changed the color of the soil to red permanently. Even today, it is slight red in color.

For those who are not able to read the above stuff, below is the content:

"This is the historic site where a fierce battle was fought on 18 June 1576 between the forces of Mughal emperor Akbar and Maharana pratap. Hundreds of soldier from both the sides were killed and so much blood was shed here that a pool of blood was formed. Thereafter this place came to be known as rakt talai (the pond of Blood) "

Apart from this, there were also monuments erected in honor of Gwalior who supported the Maharana Pratap in his battle against Mughals. During the battle, Maharana Pratap was injured along with his horse and managed to escape the sight to a safer place and at the same time passing the royal crown to one of the loyal soldier, Jhala Maan, who died fighting with Mughals and making them believed that they are fighting with Maharana Pratap.

All these places Rakh talai, Badshahi bagh, haldighati, Maharana pratap’s Museum and Chetak’s tomb are near to each other and you can actually imagine how the war happened and the significance of all these places. It was a great feeling to know about Maharana Pratap who is still alive in the hearts of local people and the glory of this place.

Also, Maharana Pratap belonged to the Sisodia clan of rajputs. At once, I recalled one of my friend Gagan deep sisodia in college who was also very brave and known for his valor at least in our college. Today, I understood.

  

It was quite hot durig that time at Badsha bagh and Rakta talai

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Trip to Udaipur - 4: Visit to Chetak samadhi and some emotional moments

Chetak was the faithful horse of the king of Mewar, Maharana Pratap Singh. In the middle of the Battle of Haldighati, a sword hidden in the trunk of elephant tore through one of Chetak's rear legs and injured it badly. But the Chetak didn’t give up. To save his master life, injured Chetak carried his wounded master on his 3 legs and jumped over a big canal to reach a safer place. 

As soon as the canal was crossed, Chetak collapsed in lap of his master thus saving the life of Maharana pratap singh. 

According to folklores, it was said that during that time Brave Maharaja cried badly taking the dead Chetak in his lap. Today, this place is known as Chetak Samadhi/tomb where Chetak breathed its last in lap of Raja.

The content is not very clear in the above picture. Please read it below:

"Chetak was the beloved and favorite horse of Maharana Pratap. Inspite of being badly wounded in the battle of Haldighati on 18 June 1576, Chetak saved the life of this master by carrying him from Rakt Talai to this place by jumping across a stream where he fell and breathed his last in the lap of his master.
This memorial was built in the memoir of the supreme sacrifice that the loyal Chetak made while saving the life of his master."

We felt very emotional especially at that time when we were listening it by the guide.  

Also, Chetak was disguised as Baby elephant to confuse the elephants in the war by placing an artifical trunk on his face.

There was a very beautiful poem called Chetak ki Veerta which I read on internet. Please click here to read that poem.

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Trip to Udaipur - 3: Imagining moments of Battle of Haldhigati at Haldighati

Please Zoom if content is unclear

The remarkable battle of Haldighati was fought between Maharana Pratap singh, the great Rajput ruler of Mewar and Raja Man singh, who was also a Rajput but owing to wish of his grandfather Raja Bharmal joined the Mughal Army. 

Akbar has already conquered the eastern part of Mewar including Ranthambhor and chittor continuing his desire to rule all over India. Akbar was not using his army but based on diplomacy and power, he is asking rulers to accept his suzerainty. Many of the Rajput rulers surrender to Akbar. There was only 1 ruler of Maharana Pratap singh that did not accepted the Mughal ruler. Maharana was not willing to compromise on the independence of Mewar. Akbar sent Raja Maan singh but Maharana refused to meet him. Maharana was raja himself and Maan singh was just Raja’s son. Akbar also sent Maan Singh’s father Raja Bhagwan Das to sign peace treaty but all his efforts went in vain. Maharana Pratap openly declared that he would not come under the leadership of any other ruler. 

Taken at Rana Pratap Museum

Finally, when nothing happened for 3 year, Akbar sent Maan singh Led army to fight with Maharana Pratap. There were many rulers that came in support of Maharana Pratap. Fierce battle was fought. Rana Pratap was surrounded by small army of Mughals. Maharana got injured along with his horse, Chetak. During this time, one of the loyal soldier took the crown of Rana Pratap to disguise enemies. As a result, Maharana escaped and the loyal soldier died fighting. The result of the war is not very clear but it was clear demonstration of spirit, valour and bravery of Rajputs. 

Mughals considered themselves as victorious only for some time until they came to know the truth that Maharana Pratap was escaped and they have killed his soldier. 

This is how the battle came to an end. Next day, when Mughals reached the battleplace there was no one from Maharana pratap side to fight. Histroy text books classified the result of this battle indecisive although it was a great loss to Mewars. I think it is because of the indomitable spirit with which Maharana pratap fight against Mughals despite the fact that Mughals army was more than 5 times than that of Maharana pratap’s army.

This is how the battle came to an end. Next day, when Mughals reached the battleplace there was no one from Maharana pratap side to fight. Histroy text books classified the result of this battle indecisive although it was a great loss to Mewars. I think it is because of the indomitable spirit with which Maharana pratap fight against Mughals despite the fact that Mughals army was more than 5 times than that of Maharana pratap’s army.

Also, There is 1 museum where I clicked all the pictures used in this post. This museum is very beautiful and will cover the entire story of Maharana Pratap’life through 10 minutes video followed by the some animated light and sound show. It was terrific. Though the infrastructurally it wasn't great but the message was clear.

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