On the occasion of the 78th Independence Day, a group of 51 members from the youth think tank Bharat Vimarsh embarked on a Victory Pilgrimage to Dewair. Participants from 13 districts of Rajasthan gathered at the Dewair Victory Memorial to hoist the tricolor flag, marking a significant event organized under Bharat Vimarsh’s annual activities.
Innovative Pilgrimage by Bharat Vimarsh
The pilgrimage to Dewair Victory Memorial, along with visits to Charbhuja Nath, Kumbhalgarh, and Rajsamand, was part of a first of its kind event by Bharat Vimarsh. This yatra, organized on Independence Day, was a celebration of the various youth think tanks operating across Rajasthan.
First-Ever Tricolor Rally to Dewair Victory Memorial
As the youth groups arrived at the Dewair National Highway, villagers welcomed them with traditional honors, adorning them with the tricolor and tilak. A colorful rally was then held, featuring traditional music and enthusiastic participants waving the national flag, dancing, and chanting patriotic slogans. Upon reaching the Dewair Victory Memorial, the tricolor was hoisted, and flowers were offered at the statue of Maharana Pratap, followed by a rendition of “Mayad Tharo Vo Poot Athe” as a collective tribute.
Insights by Narayan Lal
Historian Narayan Lal provided the visitors with detailed information about the architectural significance and the construction phases of the memorial. He explained the three main themes and the stages of its development. Organizer Digvijay Singh emphasized that Maharana Pratap was a relentless worshiper of freedom and an inspiration for every freedom fighter who fought against the British. He noted that Maharana Pratap’s decisive victory over Akbar’s forces at Dewair ignited a flame of independence that remained lightened up for centuries, serving as a symbol of freedom and victory for generations.
Historic Victory of Dewair
In a discussion session held at the memorial’s auditorium, Narayan Lal, General Secretary of the Dewair Victory Memorial Institute, spoke on the topic “Maharana Pratap’s Decisive Victory over the Mughals – The Battle of Dewair.” He highlighted that in 1582, under the leadership of Kunwar Amar Singh, the Mewar army launched attacks on all Mughal outposts around Dewair, with Maharana Pratap and Bhamashah participating. Lal described the valor displayed when Maharana Pratap slew Bahlol Khan with a single stroke, cutting him and his horse in two, and Amar Singh pierced Sultan Khan with a spear. These acts spread like wildfire, causing the Mughals to flee from all outposts in Mewar, never daring to return. Despite its historical significance, Dewair’s importance is often overlooked in history books due to biases, though it is well-documented in Raj Prashasti and Veer Vinod.
Unconquerable Kumbhalgarh
The pilgrimage also included a visit to the revered Charbhuja Nath, where prayers were offered for the nation and society. Researcher Divyansh from Ajmer provided insights into the history of the invincible fort of Kumbhalgarh, covering its construction by Rana Kumbha, Maharana Pratap’s birthplace, Panna Dhai’s protection of Uday Singh, and other historical and architectural marvels like the Badal Mahal, the acoustically designed chambers, Neelkanth Mahadev, and the fort’s walls.
Intellectual Workshop
In the second session, Professor Amit Jhalani discussed the concept of discussion groups, emphasizing the need for self and enemy awareness for understanding the interests and harms to the nation. He stressed that young people should be determined, optimistic, studious, and spiritual for effective expression. Advocate Digvijay Singh explained the need to expose the ideological deception of agenda-setters and understand the truth of ideas in the context of time and circumstances.
Skill Development Session
The yatra concluded with a session on “Reading-Writing and Skill Development in Related Fields” in Rajsamand, where Ruchi Shrimali encouraged youth to start with novels and progress to factual books, advising them to read at least 50 pages to understand the context. She recommended arranging books in descending order of interest.
The event saw the presence of coordinators Dr. Gayatri, Geeta, Dr. Sunil, Vikas, and representatives from the Dewair Memorial Committee, including Chandraveer Singh, Kalu Singh, and the Sarpanch of Jiran. The pilgrimage included 51 participants from 18 groups across 13 districts.