Maharana Pratap's Father Started Taziaadari in Udaipur

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

The observance of Muharram rituals was started in Udaipur city by its founder and father of Maharana Pratap way back in 1559.Even today, Taziya procession, on the 10th day of Muharram, remains one of the most essential events that occur in the former capital of Mewar kingdom every year. Since decades, both Muslim and Hindus of Udaipur have come together in this cultural event to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.

Since the initial years of its commencement, Taziya Procession has had more cultural and traditional significance than religious. In olden days, The Jagdish Mandir premise was booked for Muslim women from where they could observe Muharram procession.

History records that Udaipur was founded in 1558 by Maharana Udai Singh II of the Sisodia clan of Rajput, when he shifted his capital from the city of Chittorgarh to Udaipur. He was born in Chittor in August 1522. After the death of his father, Rana Sanga, Ratan Singh11 was crowned as King. Ratan Singh II was assassinated in 1531. He was succeeded by his brother Maharana Vikramaditya Singh During the reign of Vikramaditya, when the Muzaffarid Sultan of Gujarat Bahadur Shah sacked Chittor in 1534, Udai Singh was sent to Bundi for safety. In 1537, Banbir killed Vikramaditya and usurped the throne. He tried to kill Udai Singh also, but Udai's nurse Panna Dai sacrificed her own son Chandan to save him from his uncle Banbir. She  took him to Kumbhalgarh. She did not ask for anything in return either. She started living in Bundi and did not allow Udai Singh to come and meet her. He lived secretly in Kumbhalgarh for two years, disguised as a nephew of the governor Asha Shah Depura. In 1540, he was crowned in Kumbhalgarh by the nobles of Mewar. His eldest son Maharana Pratap from his first wife, Maharani Jaivantabai Songara was born in the same year.

in 1544 Udai Singh surrendered the keys of Chittor to Shershah Suri on the terms that Sher Shah does not harm the people of Mewar. In 1557, he was defeated by Maldeo Rathre at the Battle of Harmada and lost Merta to him.  Later when he ascended the throne, he was attacked by Akbar. At this time, he had already left Chittor 9 years ago, ending up in Udaipur, giving Mewar its new capital. Udai Singh II who is perhaps less famous for his valour or bravery as his ancestors Rana Kumbha or Rana Sanga, became the proud father of Maharana Pratap who marked the Rajputana history with his heroism and courage, making his father’s presence in history significant and imperative.

Legend says that when Uday Singh was in deep trouble and contemplating to move from Chittorgarh and Udaipur, he had taken a vow to keep a Tazia if he managed to establish new capital for his the safety of his family and Kingdom. He did so in 1558 and initiated Taziadari the very next year as thanks giving.  

Source:UT/Wikipedia/Photo Courtesy Google Images)