Maharana Pratap ruled over Mewar only for 25 years. However, he accomplished so much grandeur during his reign that his glory surpassed the boundaries of countries and time turning him into an immortal personality. He along with his kingdom became a synonym for valour, sacrifice and patriotism. Mewar had been a leading Rajput kingdom even before Maharana Pratap occupied the throne. Kings of Mewar, with the cooperation of their nobles and subjects, had established such traditions in the kingdom, as augmented their magnificence despite the hurdles of having a smaller area under their command and less population. There did come a few thorny occasions when the flag of the kingdom seemed to be sliding down. Their flag once again heaved high in the sky thanks to the gallantry and brilliance of the people of Mewar.
The destiny of Mewar was good in the sense that barring a few kings, most of the rulers were competent and patriotic. This glorious tradition of the kingdom almost continued for 1,500 years since its establishment, right from the reign of Bappa Rawal. In fact only 60 years before Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga drove the kingdom to the pinnacle of fame. His reputation went beyond Rajasthan and reached Delhi. Two generations before him, Rana Kumbha had given a new stature to the kingdom through victories and developmental work. During his reign, literature and art also progressed extraordinarily. Rana himself was inclined towards writing and his works are read with reverence even today. The ambience of his kingdom was conducive to the creation of high quality work of art and literature. These accomplishments were the outcome of a long standing tradition sustained by several generations.
Under the reign of ____ the kingdom of Mewar rose to the heights of glory.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Rana Sanga
The question asks under whose reign the kingdom of Mewar rose to the heights of glory. The passage says that only 60 years before Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga "drove the kingdom to the pinnacle of fame", and that his reputation went beyond Rajasthan and reached Delhi. The pinnacle is the highest point, so "the pinnacle of fame" is the passage's way of saying "the heights of glory", and it is said of the kingdom under Rana Sanga.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: Bappa Rawal — Incorrect. Wrong link: Bappa Rawal is named only as the ruler with whom the tradition of the kingdom began, about 1,500 years earlier; the passage says nothing about Mewar reaching its height under him.
Option 3: Maharana Pratap — Incorrect. Wrong link: the passage praises Maharana Pratap's own glory, which made him an immortal personality, and says Mewar was already a leading kingdom before he came to the throne. The line about the kingdom being driven to the pinnacle of fame is said of Rana Sanga, not of him.
Option 4: Rana Kumbha — Incorrect. Wrong link: Rana Kumbha gave the kingdom "a new stature" through victories, development, art and literature, two generations before Rana Sanga. That is high praise, but the passage keeps "the pinnacle of fame" for Rana Sanga.