Draft:Prithviraj Rathore

Prithviraj Rathore (6 November 1549 – 1600) was a poet of Rajasthani language. He was the younger brother of Bikaner King Rai Singh and son of Kalyanmal. Prithviraj was in favour of the Mughal emperor Akbar and participated in many wars on his behalf. According to a mention found in Muhnot Nainsi ri Khyat, Akbar had granted him the jagir of Gagron Garh.

Birth
Prithviraj Rathore was born on 6 November 1549 in the Rathore royal family of Bikaner State. His father was Kalyanmal and he was the younger brother of Rai Singh. He wrote under the pseudonym Pithal. He was married to Lala De, who died at young age. He participated in 1585 war of Mirza Hakim and 1596 war of Ahmadnagar.

Letter to Maharana Pratap
It is said that due to disappointment, Maharana Pratap was about to make a treaty with Akbar. Prithviraj had immense faith in the name of Pratap. According to Kanhaiyalal Sethia's poem 'Patal aur Pithal', when Rana Pratap became distraught while facing financial difficulties and severe adversities, he sent a message of treaty to the emperor. Akbar was very happy at this and showed Rana's letter to Prithviraj. Prithviraj refused to believe his sincerity. With Akbar's approval, he sent a letter to Rana Pratap, which was filled with heroic spirit and extremely encouraging poetry. He wrote in it, O Rana Pratap! While you are standing, who is there who can crush Mewar with the hooves of horses? O Hindupati Pratap! Keep the shame of Hindus. Endure all kinds of hardships and hardships to keep your oath. Hey Diwan! I should stroke my mustache or cut my body with a sword; Write one of these two things. After receiving this letter, Maharana Pratap again became firm on his vow and wrote to Prithviraj saying, 'O brave! You become happy and stroke your moustache. As long as Pratap is alive, consider my sword on the heads of the Turks.

Death
Prithviraj died in Mathura in 1600 AD. His 12 pillar Chattari is situated in Kumbhalgarh fort.

Legacy
He was counted among the high ranking devotees, the proof of this is the print of Nabha Dass's 'Bhaktamal', in which his poetic talent and language proficiency have been praised. He was a hero, a devotee of Vishnu and a poet of high status. His literary knowledge was very serious and all-round. He was a scholar of Sanskrit and Bengali literature. Colonel Todd has compared Prithviraj to the heroic renown singer (Bovador) of medieval Western Europe. Historian Colonel Todd writes about Prithviraj that 'Prithviraj was one of the most valiant chiefs of his era and like the ancient troubadour kings of the West, he was adept in the art of war as well as the art of poetry.' This Rajput cavalry warrior was unanimously given a certificate of praise. Prithviraj is counted among the best poets of Dingle language.

Beli Krisan Rukmani Ri
The Beli Krisan Rukmani Ri is a very beautiful work written in devotional style. The excellent block poem in Dingal language 'Beli Krisan Rukmani Ri' was composed by Prithviraj in 1580 AD. In this composition, Dingal's verse 'Bellio Geet' has been used. The entire work ends in 305 verses. The story of the marriage of Krishna and Rukmini is the subject of the work. In the last four chapters of the tenth canto of 'Shrimad Bhagwat', there is the marriage story of Krishna and Rukmini, but Prithviraj has composed an original poetic text by keeping the outline of the story in front. The originality of the poet can be seen in incidents like description of Nakhshikh, six seasons, description of war. The work is full of make-up and heroism. The work is also important from the point of view of the use of figures of speech. Dingal's use of 'Vayan Sagai' figure of speech has been very successful. The use of simile and metaphor in metaphors is particularly attractive. In the description of seasons, there is an attractive description of the natural local nature of Rajasthan. The poet has used literary Dingal language in his work. The allusions to many subjects like poetry, war-strategy, astrology, medicine etc. are found in the work, which shows the versatility of Prithviraj. 'Beli Krishan Rukmani Ri' has been very popular in Rajasthan. Many verses in his praise are popular in Rajasthan. Prithviraj's contemporary Dursa Adha had called 'Beli Krisan Rukmani Ri' the 'fifth Veda' and 'nineteenth Purana'. Commentaries were also written on it in Dhundhari, Marwari and Sanskrit, which are quite ancient. In this era, the credit for drawing attention towards the literary beauty of 'Belli Krisan Rukmani Ri' goes to the Italian scholar L. P. Tessitori. A well-edited edition of Tessitori came out from the Royal Asiatic Society Bengal in 1917 AD. The second important edition of the work came out from Hindustani Academy, Prayag in 1931 AD. Other versions have also come out in which there is nothing new. The academy edition, although older, still offers important content.

Other works
Apart from this, other works like Dasarathravaut ending in about fifty verses related to the praise of Ram, Vasudevaravut ending in about 165 verses related to the praise of Krishna, Ganga Lahari and Dasam Bhagwat Ra Duha are also composed in Dingal language. All these compositions are devotional. Many short verses in the name of Prithviraj are also popular in Rajasthan. Prithviraj might have composed some works in Brajbhasha (Pingal) also, but nothing can be said authentically about this. Apart from poetry, Prithviraj had knowledge of many other scriptures, he was well acquainted with politics and public policy, this can definitely be said on the basis of his writings.