Rana Pratap Singh, Hindu maharaja of the…

Rana Pratap Singh, Hindu maharaja of the Rajput confederacy of Mewar, now in northwest India and eastern Pakistan, has successfully resisted efforts of the Mughal emperor Akbar to conquer his area in Rajasthan.

The son and successor of the weak Rana Udai Singh, Rana Pratap seeks to avenge the 1567 pillage of his capital, Chitor, and subsequent raids by Akbar; this is in notable contrast to his fellow Hindu princes, who have submitted to the Mughals.

Rana Pratap has reorganized the government, improved the forts, and directed his subjects to take refuge in the mountain country when attacked by Mughals.

After insulting one of Akbar's emissaries and refusing an alliance, he is defeated in June 1576 by Mughal forces at Haldighat and flees to the hills.

He continues to harass the Mughals despite the loss of many of his strongholds, and urges noncooperation with Akbar's tax collectors and other passive resistance.