Pratap Singh

(1540 –1597) of the Sisodia clan of Rajputs was ruler of Mewar in Rajasthan. He narrowly escaped death in the battle of Haldighati (1576) against the army of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Myths indicate that to facilitate Pratap’s escape, one of his lieutenants donned Pratap’s distinctive garments and took his place in the battlefield. He was soon killed. Meanwhile, Pratap was able to successfully evade captivity and escape to the hills. Pratap was riding his trusted horse, Chetak, which despite being seriously wounded and utterly exhausted carried his master miles away from the battle, eventually succumbing to its injuries. A statue of the horse (without his rider) has been erected in Udaipur. Pratap is popular in India as he is considered to exemplify qualities like bravery and chivalry to which Rajputs aspire.