Maharana Pratap was the first immortal champion of freedom: Dr. Srinivas

Floral tributes and a lecture organized by Janmat Manch at the Pratap statue in Rana Pratap Nagar on his 486th birth anniversary.

Udaipur |Dr. Srinivas, Founder and President of Janmat Manch, stated that the revered Maharana Pratap—imbued with the spirit of defending the motherland and a passion for freedom—stands as the first immortal champion in the history of the nation's freedom struggle. He waged a battle for liberty while living in the forests, keeping the land of Mewar independent and sowing the seeds of freedom for future generations.

In Indian history, Maharana Pratap’s persona exemplifies indomitable courage, unwavering self-respect, and unparalleled dedication to the motherland. He was not merely a ruler of Mewar but a legendary figure who struggled lifelong to uphold freedom and honor—a life that continues to inspire every Indian today.

He noted that during an era when the Mughal Emperor Akbar had established dominance over most of India and many kings had submitted to his authority, Maharana Pratap refused to accept any compromise, holding independence and self-respect paramount. He dedicated his entire life to safeguarding the freedom of Mewar.

The Battle of Haldighati, fought on June 18, 1576, remains one of the glorious chapters in Indian history. Despite limited resources and a small army, Maharana Pratap displayed extraordinary valor, tactical prowess, and leadership. In this battle, his horse, Chetak, set an exemplary standard of loyalty and sacrifice—a tale still etched in the golden pages of history. Despite being critically wounded, Chetak carried his master to safety before laying down his life.

Even after the battle, Maharana Pratap did not abandon the path of struggle. He continued his fight while living amidst the forests and mountainous terrain under arduous conditions. His life stands as a testament to the truth that any challenge can be overcome through sheer willpower, self-confidence, and patriotism. Shirish Nath Mathur, Secretary of Janmat Manch, highlighted the concept of the 'Indian Yugavatar' (incarnation of the era). He noted that just as Lord Ram was the central figure of the *Satya Yuga* and Lord Krishna of the *Dvapara Yuga*, Maharana Pratap—in that same lineage—fought the powerful Mughal Emperor Akbar for 25 years to protect *Sanatan Dharma* and culture. By defending the land of Mewar throughout his life, he conveyed an inspiring message of freedom to the entire world.

Mathur stated, "National unity is possible only through the ideals of Maharana Pratap." He added that freedom is a nation's most priceless heritage, and safeguarding it requires courage, sacrifice, and dedication. He urged the youth to draw inspiration from Pratap's ideals and walk the path of national interest, devotion to duty, and self-respect. It was precisely due to the successful strategy of resistance adopted by Pratap that the Mughal army failed to conquer Mewar.

Historian Dr. Priyadarshi Ojha, Co-Secretary of Janmat Manch, described Maharana Pratap as a true guardian of freedom, a protector of his people, and a source of inspiration for all. His life stands as an immortal saga of patriotism, sacrifice, and self-respect that will continue to inspire the nation's citizens. Highlighting the strategic importance of the forts from Pratap's era, Ojha emphasized the need to preserve historical sites such as Diver, Chavand, Haldighati, and Avargarh (Kamalnath).

Riyansh Ojha, Shaurya Meena, Pranay Meena, Bhavya Meena, Manmeet Singh Chauhan, Mukesh Bhoi, and Lal Singh Jhala paid tribute to Pratap by reciting poems and offering floral tributes. They pledged to follow Pratap's ideals and to always prioritize the national interest.