In the 16th century AD, a King named Rana Pratap ruled over parts of Northwestern India. The king had to fight several battles in his lifetime. In most of his battles, his gallant horse named Chetak courageously fought with its master and guarded its master’s life.
Of the many battles that the king fought, the most important was the battle of Haldighati. Chetak lost its life in that battle, but it died as one of the greatest heroes of history.
During the battle, the army of Rana Pratap was only one fourth the size of the army of the enemy. But Chetak, just like its master, was not afraid. It galloped with the Rana on its back, towards the elephant on which the enemy was seated and raised its feet against the huge beast. The elephant panicked and turned round and in the process the sword attached to its trunk cut through one of Chetak’s legs.
With three legs, Chetak still lunged forward with its master. But soon Chetak understood that its master’s life was in danger. Then it refused to move forward. Turning back on its own, on three legs, it made an incredible leap over a stream, taking its master to safety, away from the battleground. Then it collapsed and died in its master’s lap.
A statue of Chetak still lives in the city of Udaipur in India.
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