Kunwar Shakti Singh

Description

Shakti Singh Sisodia, also referred to as Shakta or Sakta, was the son of Maharana Udai Singh II Sisodia and Rani Sajja Bai Solankini. He was the second child of Udai Singh, who had 77 children in total. and was born in Chittorgarh in 1540. At some point during Udai Singh's lifetime, due to hostile relations with his father,he joined the Mughal Emperor Akbar and was later given the title of Mir(lord). He later aided the Emperor against his brother Maharana Pratap in the Battle of Haldighati, and led an army against him.

Here, some hindu sources say that he saved an injured Maharana Pratap's life by killing some Afghan assassins, and gave him his own steed although no reliable source has confirmed this. Sources continue by saying that he promised to join Pratap at a later time. Another source, also claims that James Todd quoted that on returning to Prince Salim, who was present at the battle, Shakti lied by saying that Pratap killed the Afghan assassins sent to kill him and killed his own steed Chetak, but Salim refused to believe this and demanded the truth. At last Shakti said the truth by saying:

"The burthen of a kingdom is on my brother’s shoulders, nor could I witness his danger without defending him from it."

Salim pardoned Shakti, but dismissed him from Mughal services.

It is highly probable that at this time, he went back to Udaipur to Pratap, as he had promised earlier, which is why his descendants also served under the Mewari rulers. He also perhaps helped re-conquer Bhainsrorgarh Fort, which is why Pratap awarded it to him and his descendants, and the fort became the headquarter of the Shaktawats.

His descendants were known as the Shaktawats. They served under Maharana Amar Singh I and his descendants. However, their significant presence in the Mewari military ranks, was the primary reason they were despised by the Chundawats, who were also of nobility and served as lords under the Maharanas of Mewar.

Family

He is reported to have 17 sons, the eldest being Rao Achaldas but the heir apparent being Rao Bhanji as when Achaldas' news of birth reached, Bhanji was already proclaimed heir apparent of Shakti Singh.

Death

A source states that he died in 1594 aged 54, however this has not been yet confirmed. However, it is highly probable that he did die during the 16th century. His son Rao Bhanji of Bhindar succeeded him as the Rawat(lord).

Lack of Sources

Unfortunately, much of the aforementioned facts are not from reliable sources with the exception of Shakti Singh's birth place, him being Udai Singh II's son him joining Akbar in the Battle of Haldighati, and his descendants' history. As he did not stay in the royal history for quite a long time, many events of him have not been recorded, unlike Pratap's history.

Portrayal in adaptions

In Indian historical fiction serial Bharat Ka Veer Putra - Maharana Pratap, adult Shakti Singh is portrayed by Vineet Kumar.

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