During this period of studying for various courses, his allegiance to the reformist ‘Arya Samaj’ movement continued. He was too deeply committed to its ideals. During his Lahore education period he drew closer to Arya Samaj. He even considered the founder of it, Swami Dayananda Saraswati as his spiritual father.Many other reformist movements were also […]
Lajpat Rai arrived in Lahore with small amount of money in his pocket. The Government Arts College took him in as its student. He made concerted effort to stretch the money he had to go the longest distance possible. He ate to survive only. There were numerous meals he had to miss.He studied hard, so
When Lajpat appeared for his sixth class exams as a 13 year old, another kind of examination was forced on him in the form of early marriage. He didn’t want to marry. But the family pooh-poohed his protests and married him off to a child girl of Sirsa of a family of wealth. For Lajpat
Education during that period was not systematised and bound to strict procedures. The rich preferred to give their children primary education at home. A student needed to take a customary test to join any class sub-matriculation. The rules were very lax and the headmasters or the principals had many privileges and powers.So, master Radhakrishan also
In 1857, British rulers of India were able to brutally crush the first freedom struggle of India which for them was armed mutiny. The people were sad and demoralised.Birth and Early YearsOnly eight years later, a woman named Gulab Devi gave birth to a male child on 18th January, 1865 in Dodigram village of Ferozepur
Meanwhile, Shakti Singh had escaped from the Mogul prison and he had returned to Mewar. He was going from village to village recruiting youngmen to raise an army for Maharana Pratap. He succeeded in motivating the youth and was able to put together a viable force. With this force Shakti Singh won Kinsahara fort of
In the sixteenth century Moguls had built Fatehpur Sikri as their new capital. It was situated near Agra. Mogul durbar had shifted to that place from Delhi. Emperor Akbar was also living at Agra. There every year ‘Navroz Mela’ used to be held in Agra Fort. It was a unique fair. The show was run
Meanwhile, Rana Pratap reached the dense forest inhabited by his loyal Bheel tribals. Bheels hid him in an inaccessible cave and arranged for his care and treatment. They spread out in the forests to keep track the activities of Mogul soldiers or spies.Rana lay on his cave sick bed and pondered over the battle that
Shakti Singh had noticed Chetak racing off with Rana Pratap on its back, He also had seen how their uncle Mannaji had saved Rana’s life by sacrificing his own life.Shakti Singh was eye witness to the massacre of Rajput soldiers for three days. They were his own people. Many of them were friends he had
Mogul army departed from Delhi for Mewar. The leading unit consisting of 5000 soldiers had been despatched from Delhi alongwith Prince Saleem and Raja Man Singh. This army was joined by other Mogul units on the way and from the areas around Mewar. Every district under the empire maintained an army.The Mogul army reached Mandalgarh
Raja Man Singh went to Sholapur and he was able to crush the rebellion. The success filled him with a great confidence and his stature had gone up several notches. A hero, he considered himself.On his way back, Man Singh passed by Mewar region and remembered his promise to meet Rana Pratap. He decided to
The king of Amber Raja Bhagwandas had married his sister Jodhabai to Emperor Akbar. His son Raja Man Singh was in the service of the Empire as a leading commander. Akbar consulted him on all matters related to Rajputs.He called Man Singh to an exclusive meeting to discuss the attack on Mewar. The Emperor spoke
Shakti Singh considered himself as valiant and skilled a warrior as Maharana Pratap. There was some truth in it. This ego made him clash with Pratap. Rana Pratap was also guilty of neglecting the talents of his brother Shakti Singh due to some unspelled fears. Shakti was exiled from Mewar for the crime of displaying
Rana Pratap and his chieftains were certain that Moguls would move against them sooner or later. He had made up his mind never to accept the domination of Moguls come what may. The fate of Chittaur served as a warning signal against the Moguls. They knew that the battle with Moguls was inevitable.Udaipur was situated
After Maharana Pratap’s becoming the ruler of Mewar the Rajput warriors were itching for a fight with the enemy that had humiliated them in the battle for Chittaur where thousands of soldiers had lost their lives, 30,000 citizens were butchered and 1500 women had leapt into the flames.Every warrior was running to the forests to