War Strategy of Maharana Pratap (Its Evolution and Implementation)

About the Book Throughout India the name of Maharana Pratap is venerated as a torch bearer of freedom. His saga of indomi-table courage, firm determination and intense love for the freedom of his land still inspires the youth of our country to the depth of their hearts. During his long-drawn struggle with a mighty foe he proved that he was a capable administrator as well as a shrewd, war strategist. In this book the evolution of his war strategy and its actual implementation has been studied on the basis of contemporary Persian sources, near contemporary Rajasthani texts, khyats and vats.

Besides a large number of research works published in the post- independence era have also been utilized.

About the Author Dr. L. P. Mathur (born October, 1922) Dr. L.P. Mathur passed the M.A. History examination of Panjab University in 1949. He obtained a first class, first position in the University examination. He was awarded the Ph.D. Degree of the Panjab University in 1959 in Modern Indian History.

At the time of his retirement from the M.L. Sukhadia, University in 1982 he had acquired teaching experience of graduate and post-graduate classes for about thirty years. During this period he also worked as Head of Department of History, M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur.

During the period of his service and after his retirement he has been active in conducting historical research work. Besides a number of articles in reputed historical journals he has published twenty research works.

The Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi had awarded him the retired teacher's senior fellowship twice in 1989-1991 and 1993-1995.

For the excellent biography of Subhas Chandra Bose (Hindi) written by him the Rajasthan Hindi Granth Academy, Jaipur honored him in 2001. For his commendable historical research works he has also been honored by the Chitragupta Sabha, Udaipur (1997) and Itihas Parishad, Udaipur (1998).

Preface Throughout India the name of Maharana Pratap is venerated as a torch bearer of freedom. His saga of indomitable courage, firm determination and intense love for the freedom of his land still inspires the youth of our country to the depth of their hearts. During his long drawn struggle with a mighty foe he not only proved that he was a capable administrator but was also a shrewd war strategist.

In order to have a deep insight into the evolution of his war strategy it has been considered worthwhile to study the geo- political background of Mewar and the nature of military tactics adopted by his predecessors from Kumbha onwards.

The actual implementation of Maharana Pratap's war strategy, which changed its course from time to time in , accordance with the exigencies of the situation during his reign, forms the main part of the present thesis.

The work is mainly based on the contemporary Persian sources, near contemporary Rajasthani texts; vanshavalis; khyats and vats. Besides Tod, Shyamal Das and Ojha I have also fully utilized a large number of research works published on the life and achievements of Maharana Pratap in the post independence era. I express my deep gratitude to all the learned authors of such works.

I am also grateful to Shri S.S. Natani, Publication Scheme, jaipur for publishing the work in a short period.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages