Born in 1540, Maharana Pratap was a formidable Rajput king of Mewar, located in present-day Rajasthan, India. Renowned for his unwavering resistance against Mughal expansion, he famously fought the Battle of Haldighati in 1576. Despite facing a vastly superior military force, his innovative guerrilla tactics enabled Mewar to remain unconquered. Pratap’s dedication to independence and loyalty to his land and people made him a heroic symbol of freedom and resistance. His legacy continues to be celebrated in Indian folklore and history.
In keeping with the CMHCS charter, the Maharana Pratap Chair of Excellence in Military History was established tin 2001 to advance research and scholarship in military history. This prestigious fellowship embodies the Centre’s vision for fostering academic excellence. The first Chair was awarded to Brig B. Khanduri (Retd) for his biographical study, ‘Thimayya - An Amazing Life’, chronicling the life of one of independent India’s charismatic military leaders.
At present the Chair is vacant.
|
Year |
Chair of Excellence Awarded to |
Research/Publication |
|---|---|---|
|
2001-02 |
Brig C B Khanduri (Retd) |
‘Thimayya - An Amazing Life’. |
|
2002-03 |
Maj Vivek Chadha |
‘History of Low Intensity Conflicts in India’ |
|
2012-13
|
Air Cmde Vikram Singh, VSM |
‘Spitfires in the IAF 1942-57’
|
|
2013-14 |
Maj Gen AJS Sandhu, VSM (Retd)
|
‘Battle of Chhamb, 1971’ |
|
2014-15
|
Prof Kaushik Roy
|
‘Memoirs of Capt Kalyan Kumar ‘ Mukhopadhyay, IMS’ |
|
2015-16
|
Air Mshl Vikram Singh,PVSM, AVSM VSM (Retd)
|
‘Indo-Pak Air War of Dec 1971’ |
|
2018-19
|
Maj Gen Hemant Kr Singh (Retd) |
‘Remembrance, Memorialisation, Commemoration and War Memorial in Post-Independence India |
|
2020-21
|
Col Mandeep Singh (Retd) |
‘History of Hong Kong Singapore Royal Artillery |
|
2022-23 |
Col PK Gautam (Retd) |
‘The Sukraniti : Statecraft, War Craft and Diplomacy’ |
|
2023-24 |
Mr Tony McClenaghan (Funded by MPSS ) |
‘Mewar State Forces and the Medals and Decorations of Udaipur’ |