Jaipur, June 18 -- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday claimed that forces unsettled by India's growing strength are attempting to spread misleading narratives and distort history, urging society to draw inspiration from Maharana Pratap's legacy of unity to confront present-day challenges. Addressing the 'Rashtra Chetna Sankalp Sabha' at Maharana Bhupal Stadium (Gandhi Ground) in Udaipur on the 450th anniversary of the Battle of Haldighati, Bhagwat said social unity was the central lesson of Maharana Pratap's life and struggle and remained equally relevant in contemporary India. "As India progresses and rises on the global stage, there are forces that feel threatened. Such forces try to create confusion by spreading false narratives. The answer to such challenges lies in social unity and collective resolve," Bhagwat said in his concluding remarks. Drawing parallels between the 16th century resistance led by Maharana Pratap and modern-day challenges, Bhagwat said the ruler of Mewar succeeded because he united society across caste and social divisions at a time of crisis. "Why was a relatively small force able to withstand the might of the Mughal Empire? The answer is unity. It was not only Maharana Pratap or the royal family of Mewar that fought the battle. The entire society stood behind him, forgetting caste differences and working for a common cause," he said. Bhagwat said Maharana Pratap's ability to forge trust among ordinary people, including tribal communities, transformed the struggle against Mughal expansion into a broader social movement. "Despite belonging to a royal family, Maharana Pratap lived among the Bhils and built strong bonds with them. People believed that if their religion, culture and way of life came under threat, Pratap would stand with them and lead the resistance," he said. The RSS chief cautioned that internal divisions had historically weakened India's ability to respond to external challenges. Referring to the period preceding Haldighati, he said many people remained passive observers while Maharana Pratap carried the burden of resistance. "Pratap fought for the larger good of society, but many others watched from the sidelines. That was a mistake. We must learn from history and ensure that society remains united when faced with challenges," he said. Bhagwat's remarks on unity came amid a broader speech in which he reiterated his long-held view that Maharana Pratap emerged victorious in the Battle of Haldighati and that subsequent historical accounts had misrepresented the outcome. Claiming that history had been distorted for centuries, Bhagwat cited events from the battle to support his assertion. He said Mughal forces were repeatedly pushed back during different phases of the conflict and eventually sought refuge in Gogunda. "In the first phase, the Mughal army was pushed back several miles. Later, their commanders suffered heavy setbacks and ultimately took shelter in Gogunda. Under such circumstances, there should be no doubt about who emerged victorious," he said. Bhagwat argued that Maharana Pratap's withdrawal from the battlefield was a strategic decision rather than a defeat, comparing it with the military tactics employed by freedom fighter Babu Kunwar Singh during the 1857 uprising. He claimed that just as Kunwar Singh's strategic retreats had later been wrongly portrayed as defeats, a similar narrative had been constructed around Haldighati. "The Mughals came to eliminate Maharana Pratap but returned without achieving their objective. Yet a false narrative was created that they had won. History must be viewed in its entirety," he said. Describing Haldighati as a turning point in India's resistance to foreign invasions, Bhagwat said the battle reassured people that Indian civilisation, culture and religious traditions could survive despite repeated attempts by invaders to dominate the subcontinent. "Haldighati was not merely a battle fought by Mewar. The entire country was watching. It sent a message that foreign invaders could not erase India's identity and that our civilisation would endure," he said. Calling Maharana Pratap a model ruler, Bhagwat said governments should draw lessons from his commitment to public welfare, self-rule and social cohesion. He said the Mewar king not only defended his kingdom but also left behind a legacy of courage and collective resistance for future generations. The event, organised to mark Maharana Pratap Jayanti and the 450th anniversary of the Battle of Haldighati, was attended by thousands, including chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and other dignitaries....