Oh Maha Rana Pratap ! I Cease To Understand You
Epitome of courage, epitome of bravery,
Maharana Pratap is your name,
But truly a lion by your fame,
Oh Rana, I really cease to understand you!
You challenged the great emperor Akbar,
Nor did your ancestors give up to Babar.
Preferring confidence over ego,
You never let your enemies easily let go.
O Rana! I really cease to understand you!
Thousands of Mughals and just few of your men,
But still as fierce as guardian of heaven,
Surrounded by enemies from all the side,
But still not afraid with all of their pride,
O Rana! I really cease to understand you!
Maybe you had to eat grass – bread,
But you never did let the terror spread,
Of the Mughals, of the invaders,
Who proved themselves they were mere raiders!
O Rana! I really cease to understand you!
Learned much from you and much more to learn,
To fight for the right and also to discern.
Not to give way to greed, luxury and lust,
But to always forgive, help and always trust.
O Rana! I really cease to understand you!
You never let fade away the legacy of patriotism,
For you never accepted any empire’s colonialism,
For you, Rana may my countrymen pray –
May your legacy continue to stay.
But still O Rana! I really cease to understand you!
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs ): “Oh Maha Rana Pratap! I Cease to Understand You”
What is the poem “Oh Rana! I Cease to Understand You” about?
The poem is a heartfelt tribute to Maharana Pratap, the Rajput ruler of Mewar. It praises his bravery, courage, patriotism, and strong moral values. The poet wonders how someone could remain so fearless and selfless even while facing hunger, loss, and powerful enemies like the Mughal emperor Akbar.
Who was Maharana Pratap?
Maharana Pratap (1540–1597) was one of India’s most respected warriors and kings from the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar (in present-day Rajasthan).
He is remembered for:
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His resistance against Mughal rule, especially Emperor Akbar
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His bravery in the Battle of Haldighati (1576)
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His loyalty to his land and people
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His refusal to surrender or join the Mughal court
Did Akbar ever lose to Maharana Pratap?
The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought between Maharana Pratap’s army and Akbar’s forces led by Man Singh.
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The battle was inconclusive — the Mughals held the ground, but Pratap escaped safely and continued his struggle.
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Later, in 1582, Pratap achieved a major victory at the Battle of Dewair, where the Mughal forces surrendered. So while Akbar didn’t suffer a big defeat, he never managed to fully conquer Mewar or capture Maharana Pratap.
- Learn More here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharana_Pratap#Reconquest_of_Mewar
Who was Akbar?
Emperor Akbar (1542–1605) was the third Mughal emperor, ruling from 1556 to 1605.
He was known for:
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Expanding the Mughal Empire across India
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Promoting religious tolerance and cultural unity
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Introducing fair tax systems and good administration.
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Akbar respected brave kings like Maharana Pratap, even though they opposed him.
How did Maharana Pratap die?
Maharana Pratap passed away on January 19, 1597, in Chavand (his capital), reportedly from injuries suffered during a hunting accident. Before dying, he told his son Amar Singh I to keep fighting for Mewar’s freedom and never bow before the Mughals.
Who was Babur and when did the Mughals first invade India?
Babur (1483–1530) was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India and the grandfather of Akbar.
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He invaded India from Central Asia.
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In 1526, Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat, starting Mughal rule in India.
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In 1527, he defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar at the Battle of Khanwa.
What were Babur’s travels before coming to India?
Before coming to India, Babur ruled small regions like Fergana (in modern Uzbekistan) and Kabul (in Afghanistan). He described his life, travels, and battles in his famous autobiography, the “Baburnama.”
What made Maharana Pratap a true freedom fighter?
Even though the term “freedom fighter” came much later, Maharana Pratap is often called India’s first freedom fighter because:
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He never accepted Mughal rule.
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He lived in forests and ate grass bread (bhakri) rather than surrender.
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He protected his people and culture till his last breath.
What can we learn from Maharana Pratap?
The poem and history teach us to:
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Be brave and honest, even when life is difficult.
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Stand up for what is right, no matter how strong the opponent is.
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Value freedom and dignity more than luxury or wealth.
What are some good books related to Maharana Pratap, Akbar, and Babur?
| Book Title | About | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Maharana Pratap: The Invincible Warrior | Biography about his courage and battles | Exotic India Art |
| Maharana Pratap (English & Hindi editions) | For young readers, simple retelling | Amazon India |
| The Rider of the Blue Horse | Storybook version for children | Flipkart |
| Baburnama | Autobiography of Babur | Project Gutenberg |
| Akbarnama by Abul Fazl | Official history of Akbar’s reign | Archive.org |
What is the main message of the poem?
The poem reminds readers that true heroism lies in courage, humility, and perseverance.
The poet repeats “O Rana! I cease to understand you” to show awe wondering how Maharana Pratap remained so noble and fearless even in hardship.
Does Bookosmia have books related to courage and freedom?
Yes, here is Curated Bookosmia Books on Courage & Freedom
| Sr.No | Title | Author & Age / Info | Theme / Why It Inspires Courage or Freedom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cordelia: A Tale of Grace and Grit | Bookosmia, ages 7+ bookosmia.com | About a girl’s journey to follow her dream of horse riding, facing setbacks, showing perseverance and grit. |
| 2 | Ella’s Adventures: From Chaos to Stardom | Trisha Garg, 11 bookosmia.com | A story of standing up for oneself, confronting bullying and believing in one’s talent — courage + self-belief. |
| 3 | Chambadu The Dinosaur: The Origin Story | Harshada Gunjikar, illustrated by Pooja Saklani, ages 6+ bookosmia.com | Shows kindness, courage, friendship when a lonely T-Rex tries to connect, even when misunderstood. |
| 4 | Chico and Friends | Sheba Samson bookosmia.com | Two monkeys given responsibility (as jungle ministers), must use wisdom & bravery to help others. Friendship + bravery. |
| 5 | Father Fish | Swati Kheria; Pehar Kaur (9-yr old) bookosmia.com | Little fish loses his father; sets on an underwater journey — demonstrating courage, friendship, teamwork. |
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