Shakti Singh

= Shakti Singh Mewar=

Shakti Singh was younger brother of Rana Pratap, in his childhood he once cut his arm to check the sharpness of a sword, seeing the brutality, his father Rana Udai Singh consulted with his priest who said that Shakti singh would be a bane on Mewar. He then lost all favour and love from his father. Once during hunting he fought with then prince Pratap and both brother went against each other for a duel. The result of which would have ensured that one would definitely die. The priest intervened and cut himself to stop the mad brothers. Looking at the dead body of priest the brothers calmed down. Pratap asked Shakti to leave the territory of Mewar and he obediently followed. Alongwith another estranged brother Sugra, joined the imperial army under Akbar.

In the battle of haldighati Shakti Singh did fight for prince Jehangir, Rana Pratap fought bravely and at one point even came very close to Man Singh of Jaipur and his steed Chetak stood on top of the elephant of Raja Man Singh, at this moment Rana Pratap hurled a weapon , bhala, towards Raja Man Singh who ducked and was saved.

The odds were against the forces of Pratap 20000 brave souls fighting against the 80000 strong and mighty Mughal Army. Rana Pratap was severely injured and Jhala Man Singh took the Crimson flag and decieved the mughals, the followed him thinking him to be Rana Pratap.

Other chiefs presuaded Rana Pratap to leave the battle field and he finally reluctantly was persuaded to do so, but mughals by now knew where Rana Pratap was and came to him. Chiefs fought the army and Pratap was taken away in half awake state by his horse chetak. He was followed by two well know afghans, chiefs of Khorasan and Multan. They chased him for a while but then a spring came and chetak took the jump and collapsed on the spot. Rana Pratap had no hope against the chasing mughals.

Shakti singh came to his rescue and killed the afghans and gave his own horse to Rana Pratap. The brothers were united. Shakti singh promised to join Rana Pratap at a later date and asked him to leave immediately. Rana Pratap bid farewell to chetak and left. Shaktawats are known as Barrier to Khorasan and Multan (Khorasan aur Mutan ka aggal).

Days later Shakti Singh was inquired about the afghans and he lied saying that by the time he reached the scene they were killed by Rana Pratap, Jehangir said if you tell truth i will pardon you. Shakti Singh told the true story and said that he could not see his own blood being chased like that. Hence he has to rescue the Rana. Jehangir asked him to leave his court with no punishment.

Shakti Singh went to join Rana Pratap. But on his way he did capture the bhynsrorgarh fort which was occupied by mughal forces then. The brothers from then on were very close to each other.

Shakti Singh had 17 sons the eldest was Rao Bhanji (of Bhindar). On Shakti Singh's death Rao Bhanji was crowned Rawat and other 16 sons including the eldest Achildas(of Bansi) went for cremation of their father as was the custom in those days where the crown prince did not leave the palace. When they returned Rao Bhanji told them to leave the palace and fend for themseleves elsewhere as he had limited resources for all 17 brothers. The brothers agreed and left.

During their journey the pregnant wife of Achaldas was about to deliver then sudden and heavy rains started. At this moment they took her under a tree but a rock was falling onto the place, his younger brother Bheem Singh who was really strong stood under the rock.

Years later they came back to serve Rana Amar Singh when the then prime minister saw the brothers in a small village. They were so successful that one day Rana Amar Singh asked them to be vanguard of Mewar Forces. This was unacceptable to Chundawats who had led Mewar Army as the vanguard since the days of Rao Chonda.

Rana Amar Singh said that who ever reached Ontalla first, which was captured by mughals, would lead the vanguard. Both shaktawats and chundawats fought hard. On the gate Rao Achildas hung himself to spiked gates so the elephant can crush the gate and he along with his 4 brothers perished to capture the fort from Mughals. Chundawats lost their leader too. But Mewar recovered Ontalla.

See also: Baansi

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaktawat"

Shakti Singh - Shot Put - India

(born 14 May 1962) is an Indian discus thrower and shot putter.

His personal best shot put is 20.60 metres, achieved in July 2000 in Bangalore. His personal best discus throw is 61.72 metres, achieved in June 1994 in Bangalore.

Achievements

References

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