Shakti Singh had noticed Chetak racing off with Rana Pratap on its back, He also had seen how their uncle Mannaji had saved Rana’s life by sacrificing his own life.
Shakti Singh was eye witness to the massacre of Rajput soldiers for three days. They were his own people. Many of them were friends he had played with in childhood.
It all shocked Shakti Singh. In some way he felt guilty for causing the deaths and putting the life of his own brother, their own personal difference not with- standing.
Shakti Singh saw that two Mogul soldiers had gone in pursuit of Rana Pratap. They knew that the real Rana was escaping away. By catching or killing him the two soldiers could earn a fortune in reward or promotion. Perhaps, Saleem had by now realised that Rana Pratap had given them a slip and the reward was already announced.
Shakti Singh thought for a while and then galloped his horse in the direction the three had gone. After reaching a safe distance, meanwhile, Chetak had slowed down. The horse itself was deadly tired and injured. And so was his master who could fall down if it continued to gallop fast.
Suddenly, Rana realised that he was being pursued. He could hear the sound of the horse hooves.
He spurred Chetak.
Chetak again picked up speed. Soon, they were upon a nullah that appeared like a small stream. The horse hoof sounds of the chasers was drawing closer. Chetak stepped back a few meters and raced to jump the nullah.
A big leap took them across but the horse Chetak stumbled and collapsed. White foam was coming out of the corners of its month. Rana looked at his dear friend who had stood under him in so many campaigns. All that relentless racing had taken its toll. Now it was breathing its last.
Rana watched tearfully. When Chetak’s body stilled in death Rana hugged its body and wept. He had never felt so alone.
Meanwhile, the Mogul duo had also reached on the other bank of the nullah. They left their horse there and swam across. They had seen Rana Pratap and his dead horse. As the two were drawing out swords to deal death to Rana Pratap, Shakti Singh arrived there. In a quick charge he beheaded the Moguls before they could harm Rana.
Rana Pratap raised his head and found his recalcitrant brother Shakti Singh standing there with blood dripping sword. The two Mogul soldiers lay on the ground dead.
“Shakti…!” Rana Pratap said in a weak voice and sighed, “You…you arrived right on time. I am in a helpless state…fatally injured. The death of Chetak has finished me…my brave horse. Give me death and finish my misery. You can have your revenge.”
“No brother!” Shakti Singh was crying. “I am here not to kill you. I want to beg for your forgiveness. I am the one who is responsible for your present state…death of mama Mannaji and all those Rajput soldiers. I am very sorry brother.”
“What?…so mamaji died!”
“Yes brother, he sacrificed his life, I was there when it happened.” Shakti Singh had begun to sob. Rana could see that his tears were real.
He indeed was repenting for his act.
“Don’t weep Shakti, Whatever done is done. It was the will of our fates. But now everything in finished,” Rana sighed.
“Brother, you must stay alive to keep up the hopes of Rajput braving and defiance. We need you,” Shakti begged.
Rana whimpered, “Shakti Brother, my story is finished with Chetak.”
Shakti said with folded hands, “Rana, you can take my horse. I beg you to. The battle must go on. I will join you if I stay alive. Now don’t lose time please. Go, brother go. I will pray for your safety.”
Rana Pratap nodded his head. Shakti helped Rana Pratap to mount his horse. From the horse back Rana peered down and said, “Shakti, my brother, you saved my life from those Mogul soldiers and now you give me your horse. I will remember it. So, good bye Shakti. God bless you.”
Shakti just stood with his hands folded, Tears were rolling down his cheeks. Then, Rana spurred the horse and it began to gallop away.
Shakti watched them till they were not out of right. After Rana’s departure Shakti swam across the nullah and returned to the Mogul camp stealthily.
The Mogul camp was in turmoil. Everyone was talking about the escape of Rana Pratap. The battle was won but failure to kill or capture Rana Pratap had dampened the spirits of the victors.
Moguls realised that Rana Pratap out there free was a great danger. He could again rally the Rajputs and create trouble for Mogul empire. The real aim of this battle was not to capture Kumbhalgarh fort but to destroy Rana Pratap who had become a thorn in the flesh of Moguls.
He was keeping alive the spirit of resistance.
Prince Saleem was particularly annoyed. How could Rana escape from the mighty net of the Mogul army? It was clear to everyone that Rana was the real target. And he had dared to attack Man Singh and Prince Saleem in the sea of Mogul soldiers. Most of his army was destroyed yet he managed to escape from the Mogul jaws of death.
How was it possible?
The prince posed all these questions to his commanders and the spies. Rana was left with only a sword and a horse, he was so badly injured that on his own he could not pull a vanishing trick. So, what was happening?
Just then some soldiers arrived and reported that Shakti Singh was seen arriving to the camp from the direction that Rana Pratap had fled. Saleem had already the information that after Rajput army had capitulated he was seen disappearing into the hills.
Further corroborating evidence came to light when two soldiers gave the news that Rana Pratap’s horse was found dead on the other side of a nullah and that two dead Mogul soldiers and their horses were also recovered.
Prince Saleem was very angry. He was now certain that Shakti Singh was in some way involved in the escape of Rana Pratap. He ordered the arrest of Shakti Singh. His order was complied with and Shakti was taken prisoner.
During the investigation Shakti Singh admitted that he had killed the Mogul soldiers. It shocked Prince Saleem. Had Shakti not betrayed them Rana Pratap would have been dead or in Mogul prison. The escape of Rana was a defeat for the Mogul camp.
Shakti’s offence was considered grave. He was ordered to be kept in prison till the final verdict of the Mogul court.
