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Prime Minister: see DIWAN and DIWAN (PRIME MINISTER) OF MEWAR.
primogeniture and ultimogeniture, terms used to signify the preference in inheritance that is given by law, custom, or usage to the eldest son and his issue (primogeniture) or to the youngest son (ultimogeniture).
Prince, the title used only for a Rajput king's first male child. His other sons had the title of Kunwar.
Prithinath, (Hindi) Lord of the Earth/World, a title of the Maharana of Mewar.
Prithiraj, Maharaj, of Bikaner (best known in literary circles as Betnal), a younger brother of Maharaja Rae Singh, King of Bikaner (1571-1611). It was Prithiraj's fervent letter to Maharana PRATAP SINGH I (1572-1597), when he was about submit to Emperor Akbar, that prevented the Maharana from proceeding with an action that was against all his Rajput principles: to quit and virtually become a vassal of the Mughals (see PRATAP SINGH I'S LETTER FROM PRITHIRAJ). Prithiraj was one of the most gallant chieftains of the age, and like the troubadour princes of the west, could grace a cause with the soul-inspiring poetry, as well as aid it with his sword. In an assembly of the bards of Rajputana, the palm of merit was unanimously awarded to this Rathore cavalier.
Prithvi, (Hindi) the Earth.
Prithvi Raj. Apart from Crown Prince Prithvi Raj, son of Maharana Raimal, there were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Bassi (Choondawat); Kotharia (Chauhan); Nimri (Machecha Rathore), and Salumbar (Choondawat).
Prithvi Raj, Crown Prince, first son and heir of Maharana RAIMAL (1473-1509), elder brother of Kunwars (later Maharana) SANGRAM SINGH (I) and JAIMAL. As heir to Mewar, Crown Prince Prithvi Raj had the world at his feet. He was a rather hyperactive young man who ever yearned for adventure and for a challenge. He was quick-tempered and unyielding in his decisions, many of which were not necessarily fortuitous. His teenage years were blemished by a couple near-deadly fraternal brawls and a prediction that he would not fulfil his destiny and that a younger brother, Sangram Singh (Sanga) would be the next Maharana. As usual, the incident took on legendary proportions when retold by poets and balladeers (for the full story, and the legendary versions, see SANGA AND PRITHVI RAJ). As a result of Prithvi Raj's near-fatal fight with Sanga, the latter quit Mewar, fearing further dissension might end his life. As a result of this rivalry, their father, Maharana Raimal, banished eldest son Prithvi Raj to the western fortress of Kumbhalgarh, there to bide his time until he would, by natural birthright, ascend the throne of Mewar. However, humiliated and bored by inactivity, the tempestuous Prithvi Raj continued to cause trouble.
The crux came when Maharana Raimal, pleased with the service of his uncle, SARANGDEO of Batheda, gave him the additional jagir of Bhainsrorgarh. As the old nobleman was now an anathema to the Crown Prince, Prithvi Raj objected and wrote to his father stating that, if he kept giving away these large estates to people like Sarangdeo, the kingdom would soon be worthless. Raimal, impatient with his eldest son's continually unpleasant attitude, replied, "I gave the land to my uncle for a good reason, in gratitude for what he has done for the House of Mewar. If you do not approve, you are free to do whatever you like." The inference was for the Crown Prince to sort out the problem himself, and that is what Prithvi Raj did (more or less) ... he marched on Bhainsrorgarh with two thousand horsemen. Sarangdeo, knowing it would be unwise to encourage bloodshed, fled and joined forces with Maharana Raimal's brother, SURAJMAL of Bari Sadri. This complicated matters, as Surajmal was the wealthy owner of several large tracts of Mewari land, and there was no love was lost between him and his brother, the Maharana. The latter had already expressed his feelings in open court that Surajmal, who had forcibly occupied the lands he now held, was "an eyesore", and that he (the Maharana) would not be able to sleep peacefully until Surajmal was punished. Now, his favoured uncle had thrown his might behind that of his brother. This led Maharana Raimal to decide that, perhaps his own brother, Surajmal, was really the cause of all of the past trouble ("the pain in my heart") between the royal princes. His decision to get rid of Surajmal was eagerly seconded by Prithvi Raj and he volunteered to help break Surajmal's power.
When news broke of this imminent threat against Surajmal, the rebel uncles took the initiative: they made plans to attack Chittor and the Maharana. The Maharana began assembling his own army. Meanwhile, as the respective troops were preparing for the civil war, Surajmal and Sarangdeo added fuel to the fire by hurrying to Mandu to meet Raimal's long-time foe, Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din of Malwa. When invited, he was only too happy to join them in their campaign against Raimal, who had humiliated Ghiyas by defeating him on numerous occasions. When Maharana Raimal learned that the combined armies of Sarangdeo, Surajmal, and Ghiyas-ud-Din were heading for Chittor, he valiantly led his own army out to meet the aggressors. The two battalions met on the banks of the Gambhiri River. It was a tough battle, and the Maharana was in danger of defeat, when Crown Prince Prithvi Raj arrived from Kumbhalgarh at the head of his force, which joined the main Mewar battalion. The fight see-sawed all day, both sides losing many soldiers and suffering many wounded-Maharana Raimal bore twenty-two injuries; Sarangdeo and Surajmal both fell wounded. At sunset, the battle ended for the day, and both armies retired to their respective camps to dress their wounds. Chivalry being an art in those times, that night Prithvi Raj, after attending to his father's wounds, visited his Uncle Surajmal's camp possibly to inquire after his health. Surajmal, his wounds bandaged, was resting in the fading glow of twilight. On seeing his nephew, Surajmal struggled up from his couch out of respect for the Crown Prince. Because of the strain, a few of his wounds opened up and started bleeding. (The following dialogue is based on Ozha's historical record of the occasion in his book, Vir Vinod.)
Prithvi Raj asked, "Uncle, are you all right?"
"I am very happy that you came to see me," Surajmal replied.
Despite Surajmal's efforts at amicability, Prithvi Raj merely nodded, then offered, politely enough, "I have come here to see you after attending the Maharana's wounds."
"That's how Rajputs behave," said Surajmal, equally polite.
Then Prithvi Raj became serious. "Uncle, please keep in mind that I will not allow you to keep an inch of land belonging to my father."
Surajmal, though unsteady, nevertheless stood his ground. Soberly he stated, "And I will not give you enough land to sleep on a comfortable bed."
"Then we shall meet again in the battlefield tomorrow."
Surajmal paused, then became abrupt. "Very well." And Prithvi Raj returned to his camp.
In that second battle the following morning, Sarangdeo received another thirty-five wounds and his son, Limba, was killed. Prithvi Raj managed to collect seven injuries. Surajmal was also badly wounded again. Their soldiers took Sarangdeo and Surajmal to their respective camps. Prithvi Raj went to be with his wounded father, the Maharana. Another day in the civil war had ended. Following their defeat, there seemed no point in trying to continue their struggle against a hot head like the Crown Prince, so Ghiyas-ud-Din went back to Malwa, Surajmal retired to Bari Sadri and Sarangdeo returned to Batheda.
One day, possibly on his journey to his home, Surajmal visited Sarangdeo at Batheda. By coincidence, or perhaps in pursuit, Prithvi Raj rode into the town that same day with 1,000 of his cavalry. Surajmal and Sarangdeo were sharing a meal by campfire, not realising their family enemy was at hand. When Prithvi Raj entered their camp, Surajmal and Sarangdeo grabbed for their weapons. Surajmal warned his nephew, the Crown Prince, "We do not want to kill you, else the throne of Mewar would be without an heir." Then, chivalrously, he held out his sword. "But you can kill me. Strike."
Ignoring the challenge, Prithvi Raj dismounted from his horse and asked with suspicion, "Uncle, what were you doing?"
Surajmal replied, "Enjoying the camp fire."
In spite of the fact that you have an enemy like me always on your heels?"
Wearily, Surajmal replied, "Yes, my child."
Prithvi Raj nodded, then retired to his own camp. The following morning, Surajmal went home to Bari Sadri. Prithvi Raj sent a message to Sarangdeo to meet him for darshan at the nearby Durga temple. There, Prithvi Raj slaughtered a goat as an offering to the goddess Durga, yet despite his reverent manner he still had not forgotten the many wounds he had suffered at the hands of his great-uncle-in the fight with Sanga, and during the recent civil warfare. When Sarangdeo knelt to make an offering, Prithvi Raj took his chance: drawing his katar (a dagger), he stabbed Sarangdeo. As he fell, the older man tried to strike back, but missed. Within a matter of minutes he was dead.
After killing Sarangdeo, Prithvi Raj went to Bari Sadri. He met briefly with his uncle, Surajmal, then visited the ladies' apartment to see his aunt, Surajmal's wife. He told her he was hungry and his aunt ordered a meal for him. When the food was served to Prithvi Raj, Surajmal entered the tent, intending to share it. On seeing her husband sitting with Prithvi Raj, Surajmal's wife quickly removed the bowl of food-it contained poison. With regret, Surajmal told Prithvi Raj, "I have blood relations with you, my nephew, but your aunty does not. By your death she would not have lost anything, but I would have lost my nephew, and Mewar its heir. Now it's time for me to leave Mewar."
Prithvi Raj protested, "Uncle, you may keep Mewar." However, the brave man refused.
Surajmal quit his homeland and formed a new kingdom, now known as Pratapgarh. Meanwhile, Maharana Jaimal, though he had been at war with his uncle, was now saddened by Sarangdeo's murder, and gave his jagir of Batheda to his son, Jagga. It is not recorded whether or not Prithvi Raj was rebuked, but he returned to his exile at Kumbhalgarh. However, as predicted, succession was not to be part of Prithvi Raj's future. Restless by nature, he set out on the trail of adventure (James TOD called him "the Roland of his age"). His daring exploits became a favourite subject of BARDS. (20th century storyteller, S.O. Heinemann, gave a vivid account of some of these adventures in his book, Poems of Mewar, published by Vintage Books in 1919 and reprinted in 1990.) In decades to come, whenever Rajput warriors assembled at a feast after a day's sport, or on a sultry evening spread on the carpet on the terrace to 'inhale the leaf' or 'take a cup' of kasumba (an infusion of opium), they enjoyed listening to these tales of Prithvi Raj recited by a bard. Later in life, his brother-in-law, the Rao of Sirohi, poisoned Prithvi Raj. He rode quickly back north to his palace at Kumbhalgarh, where he died. His chhatri sill stands near the temple of Mamadeo (Kumbhswami) where he was cremated, and where sixteen of his wives committed sati. By then, his brother, Jaimal, next in line for the throne, was also dead. Thus, as Fate decreed, Sanga, not Prithvi Raj, succeeded as the next Maharana of Mewar.
Prithvi Singh. There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Amet (Choondawat); Bijolia (Paramara); Gogunda (Jhala Rajputs); Jamoli (Baba); Jarkhana (Sisodia); Kanor (Choondawat); Kunthawas (Saktawat); Loonda (Choondawat); Mahua (Ranawat); Moie (Bhati), and Prasad (Sisodia). There was also Prithvi Singh of Jhalawar, a son of Maharana SANGRAM SINGH I.
Prithviraj III, a 12th century Chauhan Rajput ruler of Delhi and Ajmer who unsuccessfully resisted the invasion of Mohammed of Ghur at the second Battle of TARAIN (1192).
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