Maharana Pratap and Shivaji are two important names in the history of Mughal period in India. Both loved their country.
Rana Pratap was born in the family of Shishodia Rajputs. His father Udai Singh was a man of character. Other Rajputs had given their daughters to Akbar, but Udai Singh did not do so. To avoid fight with Akbar he left Chittor.
Maharana Pratap took a vow to get back Chittor. A great battle was fought at Haldighati. The great Mughal army under the command of famous General Man Singh and Prince Salim fought with Rana Pratap and his brave soldiers. The Rana and his soldiers fought bravely to the last man. But at last they lost the field.
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Rana took a vow to make Chittor free from Mughals. He had now to run from the palace with his queen and children. He passed his bad days in the forests away from sharp eyes of Akbar.
They ate wild fruits and sometimes had no food for a number of days. There is a sad story. It throws light on his sufferings. Once the little princess was crying for food. The queen had nothing to prepare any food.
In helplessness she prepared some loaves of grass and wild fruits. They ate the loaves and put one of them under a piece of stone for the princess who was sleeping.
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When she woke and began to eat the loaf, a wild cat took the loaf away from her hand. There was no other loaf. The princess began to cry. The sight moved the brave heart of Rana. He too wept like a child.
Now Rana decided to write a letter to Akbar. He wanted to surrender before him. But just then his old and faithful minister, Bhama Shah came to him and placed all his wealth at his feet. He asked Rana to prepare a new army to fight with Akbar.
The Rana accepted the offer. He made an army. He recaptured some places. He could not get back Chittor.
So the Rana toqk a vow not to sleep on the bed and sleep under a roof till he get back Chittor. So his descendants honour his name and vow even today by putting some Kusha grass under their bed. There is a class of Rajputs who still are leading a wandering life.
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India is proud of Rana Pratap who never bowed his head before mighty Akbar. He suffered but did not yield.