Maharana pratap episodes
According to the folklore sung across the Mewar region, it is said that Chetak’s coat had a hint of blue colour and this is the reason why Maharana Pratap is often mentioned as the ‘Rider of The Blue Horse’. Chetak exhibited the highest degree of loyalty towards the Maharana. The tales say that with looks, there was aggression as well and only Maharana Pratap was able to control the stallion. He had curved and curled ears and it is said that the ears pointed forward, the top of the ears met together presenting an elegant look. The stallion had a high forehead with a long face and luminously sparkling eyes which made his look set apart. Chetak belonged to the Marwari breed – A truly physiognomies of its class with lean body as that of a desert horse. The three major breeds of horses were popular in Western India during Maharana Pratap’s times which are Marwari, Sindhi, and Kathiawadi. With such an example and import part of history due to its brave act, today, there is a temple of Chetak in Haldighati. It is also believed that the horse itself chose his master. The stories say Chetak was a very aggressive horse and only Maharana Pratap was able to tame it. The brave stallion kept life in danger and protected his master by jumping from 25 feet deep trough.
There is a pictorial depiction of the Maharana lamenting the death of his beloved horse.Ĭhetak was a great friend of Maharana Pratap and the rescuer at the time of war with Akbar in Haldighati. Unfortunately, the brave horse collapsed in the end.
Even after being hurt, Chetak did not give up and with his king on the saddle, made his way back to safely on just three legs. During the battle, at one moment an elephant’s tusk tore through one of the Chetak’s rear legs which crippled and immobilized Chetak. Whenever there is a talk about Udaipur, people do not remember the defeat of Maharana Pratap but the courage and loyalty of his men and his horse Chetak. A bloody battle was fought between the two armies and lasted up to four hours. This pass known as the “Haldighati” and was the only access to Mewar region for the proceeding Mughal army. Hearing this, Maharana Pratap and his men waited at the entry to a one-kilometre narrow long pass in the Aravalli mountain ranges. In 1576 the Mughal Emperor Akbar started the journey to capture Udaipur.
Chetak was one Marwari horse and proved to be a Brave one. The beauty, mettle, and intelligence of the horses amazed the new early settlers they started the business of breeding them. The three major breeds of horses popular in Western India at that time were Marwari, Sindhi, and Kathiyawadi. Chetak’s HistoryĪlmost a thousand years ago, the Rathore clan moved into Maru Pradesh (now Marwar). Chetak was his chosen horse he loved the creature and it resonated the love quite well. A couple of years later his son Maharana Pratap took the reign of Mewar and for the next 25 years, ruled with bravery, devotion, and fortitude. In 1553, after the defeat, Maharana Udai Singh shifted his capital from Chittorgarh to Udaipur as directed by a hermit. Why Chetak is Celebrated Stallion Across India “Chetak, an epitome of love and valour for his master – Maharana Pratap”. The folklores across India and Rajasthan define Chetak as a brave, obedient animal who fought for his rider till its last breath. The citation defines Chetak as a horse that was truly devoted to master and was brave enough to save his master from the enemies amidst any situation. As a symbol of pride, Chetak’s statue is placed at Moti Magri and Chetak Circle or named as the Chetak Smarak. The bravery and resilience of this marvellous stallion are sung not just across Rajasthan but across India and has a place in the manuscripts. The horse was first named Chetak in an eighteenth-century ballad, Khummana-Raso. Chetak – A horse that is most famous and associated with the history of Mewar.