Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday asserted that Maharana Pratap emerged victorious in the historic Battle of Haldighati, challenging widely debated interpretations of the 1576 conflict. He made the remarks while addressing a gathering in Rajasthan’s Udaipur.
The Battle of Haldighati was fought on June 18, 1576, between the forces of Maharana Pratap of Mewar and Mughal troops led by Raja Man Singh of Amber on behalf of Mughal emperor Akbar. The battle has remained a subject of historical debate for decades, with differing views on its outcome.
Speaking at the event, Bhagwat described the Battle of Haldighati as a clear victory for Maharana Pratap and the forces fighting on behalf of the region. He argued that historical narratives had often favoured invading powers while overlooking the achievements of indigenous rulers.
According to Bhagwat, available evidence contradicts claims that the battle resulted in a Mughal victory. He maintained that the success of Maharana Pratap in the conflict was evident from historical records.
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Mughal Accounts Cited by Bhagwat
The RSS chief referred to accounts written by Mughal historians to support his position. He said these records indicate that Mughal forces were compelled to retreat several miles after the initial attack during the battle.
Mohan Bhagwat said, “If looked at the accounts written by Mughal historians themselves, they mention that their forces were compelled to leave their positions and fall back six to seven miles during the initial assault. That raises an obvious question about who truly emerged victorious. In my view, even during that period, there were historians who presented events through a distorted lens.”
Historians Differ on Outcome of Conflict
The outcome of the Battle of Haldighati continues to be interpreted differently by historians. Many scholars regard the battle as a tactical victory for the Mughal forces. Others consider the result inconclusive, noting that Mughal troops were unable to capture Maharana Pratap or establish complete control over Mewar following the engagement.
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Rajasthan Textbook Revision Revived Debate
The debate resurfaced in 2017 when Rajasthan school textbooks were revised to state that Maharana Pratap had defeated Akbar’s forces in the Battle of Haldighati. The revision drew attention from historians and academics, prompting discussions over the historical evidence surrounding the conflict.
Several scholars challenged the revised interpretation, pointing to records that suggest Maharana Pratap withdrew from the battlefield while continuing resistance against the Mughals through guerrilla warfare in subsequent years.
Historians Offer Contrasting Views
At the time of the textbook revision, the Rajasthan government was reported to have relied on the book “Maharana Pratap: Kumbalgarh se Chavand” while reassessing the battle’s history.
KS Gupta, a retired history professor from Mohanlal Sukhadia University in Udaipur, argued that conclusions regarding Maharana Pratap’s defeat were not supported by available historical sources, reported by Hindusthan Times then.
