Akbar Not Great By Any Standards, Maharana Pratap Of Mewar Was, Says Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that Mughal emperor Akbar was not a great man by any standards, but Maharana Pratap, the fifteenth century Raja of Mewar, indeed was, as reported by the Financial Express.

Addressing a Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) gathering on the occasion of the king’s birth celebrations, the chief minister said the ruler’s continued efforts to fight back against the Mughal’s efforts to conquer the region were laudable.

He said Maharana Pratap was the only king who had the gumption to stand up to the Mughals and did not succumb to Akbar’s insistence that he be declared the supreme monarch.

Adityanath said Maharana Pratap’s greatness lay in his self-respect and pride in his identity and his absolute disdain for a ‘Turk who could never be trusted as he was a Vidharmi.’

The statement drew widespread applause from the audience, which chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in appreciation.

The CM said that Maharana Pratap’s valour was legendary and was relevant even 500 years later. He said there were other kings, who were feeble and acquiesced into being lorded over by Akbar, but Maharana Pratap refused to buy into such humiliation. He fought against all odds to retain his independence of thought and kingdom.

The Battle of Haldighati was fought on 18 June 1576. The Mughals won the war and heavy casualties were inflicted on the Mewars, but efforts to capture Maharana Pratap miserably failed.