There was a time when India was one of the premier countries of the world. Cities of Nalanda and Takshila were famous for their universities. During this period India had made advancements in mathematics, philosophy, medicine and arts. Arya Bhatt, Charaka, Susruta, Chanakya, etc. had made India the most sorts after country.

Then, invaders came from foreign lands. They were attracted to India because of its wealth. It was only in later times that India was robbed of her riches and glory by foreign invaders. Whatever remained was systematically destroyed by British rule. Their two hundred year reign destroyed and ruined the artistic and intellectual heritage of this country.

From time to time India has also produced great patriots. Our patriots struggled hard for the freedom of our mother land. They sacrificed their lives for her freedom and for the prosperity of the nation. MahaRana Prathap, Shivaji, Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, Bhadur Shah Zaffar, Sardar Bhagat Singh, and Chandra Shekar Azad are among those who sacrificed their lives at the altar of the mother land.

Akbar was a great mogul emperor. He ruled over a large part of India. Almost all Rajputs kings accepted his domination. Only MahaRana Prathap Singh of Mewar in Rajasthan defied Akbar’s might and remained independent. Rana Pratap was a great patriot He was a great freedom fighter.

Akbar wanted MahaRana Pratap to submit himself to the Akbar’s empire. But being a brave and true Rajputs he loved his motherland more than anything else.

Akbar sent a huge army against MahaRana Pratap. MahaRana Pratap with the help of Rajputs armies launched a very fierce attack on the Mughal armies. Rana Pratap and his armies fought bravely. But most of them perished on the battlefield. Rana Pratap was also surrounded by the enemies. At last his warrior forced him to leave the battle field.

But MahaRana Pratap took a vow to free his motherland from the slavery of the Mughal. He faced unbearable hardship. He spent many years in the forest and ate bread made of grass. But he did not now.

MahaRana Pratap with the help of Bhama Shah again organized a large army. He again fought against the huge army of Mughal emperor, Akbar. He was able to free a large part of his kingdom from the Mughal.

Thousands of our patriots sacrificed their lives for freedom and for the prosperity of our nation. We, too, should not leg behind in the preservation of our priceless freedom. We should always be ready to lay down our lives for our beloved motherland.