Maharana retreated to the safe hills and founded a city called Udaipur. It became his new home and the capital of the remaining Kingdom under his rule.
Moguls didn’t try to invade Udaipur because they had learnt a lesson in the battle for Chittaur that the self-respecting Rajputs would extract heavy price in any battle. And Udaipur was situated in the hills which was not easily accessible. And the Emperor, Akbar was hoping for Uday Singh to realise the futility of carrying on the hostility with the might of the Moguls and seek the peace with the Empire.
But Maharana Uday Singh was not the one to give up.
Expecting him to yield was like hoping for a lion to become tame on its own will and walk into the cage voluntarily. Maharana Uday Singh was a proud creature who was born free.
Uday Singh now looked upon his son Pratap Singh to redeem the honour of Sisodiya dynasty. He loved to go horse riding with Pratap Singh on hilly tracks and forest trails to interact. Those rides allowed the father and the son some precious moments together for heart to heart talks because according to royal protocol the accompanying band of soldiers remained at least 10-15 lengths behind—well out of the hearing distance.
Maharana and Prince Pratap Singh would talk on the state of affairs, future plans and their shared dreams. Uday Singh also gave his son the benefit of his experiences and revealed vital state secrets besides the legends of their dynasty. The views of the son gladdened the heart of the father because they showed his wisdom and the promise of proving a worthy future ruler of Mewar.
On one such ride as their horses were cantering side by side Maharana Uday Singh cast a glance at his son’s face. The crimson rays of setting sun had illuminated the face of the prince. He was looking a picture of youthful spirit, royal grace and his eyes were projecting a hundred dreamy ambitions.
The father was seized by an overwhelming paternal emotion. He stopped his horse and quietly dismounted. The prince followed suit.
He knew that his father wanted to talk.
The soldiers following them also stopped their horses and stood still. They had realised that the king and the crown prince were in for a private talk.
The rays of the setting sun filtering through the tree branches and the leaves were making the royal pair appear like two shimmering figures.
Meanwhile, after gazing at his son’s aglow face Maharana Uday Singh pointed to the horizon and spoke, “Pratap, I am like that setting sun. I have not much time left. I will go down with many dreams unfulfilled. But I will not be sad because I will be leaving behind a worthy son like you to realise those dreams. I need not spell out the dreams because you know that the flavour of those dreams is honour with freedom. That is what matters.”
“Yes father,” Pratap Singh nodded his head.
“The situation is not propitious. The gaze of the Mogul Emperor is fixed on us. He considers us the thorn in his flesh. He will not leave us in peace.”
Pratap Singh agreed, “I know father. I am confident that when they come we shall be ready to give them a befitting reply. I can assure you of that.”
‘‘I have full faith in your valour and commitment, son.” Maharana said thumping the shoulder of his son and added in a worried voice, “But the future of our Rajputs looks no good. There is no unity. The pride that once was our hallmark is getting eroded. Power at any cost in becoming the rule of the most of the present day Rajput rulers. The talk of freedom and honour is becoming weaker and weaker. For enjoying the royal pleasures several of our warriors have joined the forces of our enemy Akbar. Many accepted his domination frightened of his power. And many more are readying to fall in line. But we Sisodiyas have always kept our heads held high. We refused to bow and faced Moguls bravely. And paid a heavy price for our honour. In the battle for Chittaurgarh how many soldiers we lost, how many women leapt into flames and how many of our citizen got butchered! Even the very thought of it makes me shudder. This old father of yours could not prevent it. What a tragedy! How sad!!”
Tears were welling up in the old ruler’s eyes.
Pratap Singh took his father’s hands in his own and pledged, “Don’t take it so hard, respected father. I also went through that pain. I promise you that I will take revenge on the enemy for that carnage.”
“I know you will and also the fact that you share my pain truly,” spoke old Maharana and sighed, “But I am worried about your younger brothers. They are good warriors, no doubt. But on the commitment level they are unreliable. I don’t see the fierce loyalty to the principles of our dynasty in them. They are ambitious for the personal glory, not for the kingdom, so I suspect. Your brothers can be an asset to you if they have commitment to our common Rajput cause. But have they?”
Pratap Singh assured, “Father, we must be generous to them and not pass on the judgements on them. They are merely immature. I will try my best to keep them on the right side.”
“But be careful. Do not underestimate the enemy. It is trying to break up the Rajput forces into fragments. We must not let them succeed. There will be no Mewar if we fail.”
“It will not happen, father. Rajput blood has not gone cold. We will face the enemy when the need arises,” Pratap Singh reassured his father.
“God bless you, son,” Uday Singh said in a weak tired voice.
Pratap took a look at his father closely. His heart sank. Suddenly Maharana Uday Singh appeared very very tired old man. His breathing had become wheezy.
Was he sick? Pratap Singh wondered and suggested, “Let us go home father. You need rest.”
He took hold of the reins of the horse of his father and brought it near where his father stood. He motioned his father to mount the horse.
Maharana nodded his head and got up on his horse.
After handing over the reigns to his father Pratap Singh mounted his own horse and their horses began to trot homewards.