Chittorgarh: The First Jauhar

Jauhar is the process a Rajutani welcomes, by jumping into the fire altar, invoking the Gods, and choosing death over dishonour when their men lose battles and the enemies come for a siege. It is the most honourable death a Rajputani can have and unlike Sati, it is not forced upon them or compulsory.

Jauhar Gate

The Chittorgarh Fort once had the palace of Rana Ratan Singh near the location of the Vijay Stambh and his Jal Mahal at the end of the fort near the main Pol. When Allauddin Khilji invaded Chittor everything was destroyed but later, kings who came, rebuild the Jal Mahal and reestablished the Jauhar Sthal in honour of Queen Padmavati, or Padmini.

Rawal Ratan Singh ruled Mewar when Allauddin Khilji was the Sultan of Delhi. He was a peace-loving man who spend most of his time indulging in the music and poems of his courtiers. One such Courtier was Raghav Chetan who worked as a spy for Khilji.

Jal Mahal Entrance

Ratan Singh had 15 queens and 19 sons the chief one being his 15th wife Padmavati, who was also the princess of Singhal (present Sri Lanka). The Padmavat poem gives their true tale a poetic touch. However, the truth remains that when Ratan Singh realized that Raghav was a spy, he humiliated the man and threw him out of Mewar. The man sought revenge as he went to Khilji and gave him a lustful description of the newly married Padmavati stating that such a beauty deserved to be in his Harem.

Padmini Jal Mahal Palace

Allauddin Khilji had his eyes on the ports of Gujrat and Chittorgarh was on the way. Winning it would mean he could establish his stronghold in the west, as well as win over the queen. Ratan Singh was sent a friendly letter that Khilji would visit him. Always known for their humble gesture toward guests, the Sisodia King welcomed him with open arms. After some time, he desired to see the most beautiful queen of the land. Ratan Singh, who was a little vain about his wife's beauty agreed. However, Padmawati had a few conditions. She appeared in the Jharokha of the Jalmahal, as Khilji saw her beauty reflect in the mirror. A clueless Ratan Singh had accompanied him outside the fort when he was captured and taken captive. The price to be paid was Padmavati. Her uncle Gora and nephew Badal were her chief officers. The intelligent lady hatched a plan. She gave Khilji a condition. 1000 Sakhis would accompany her in 800 Palanquins and no one would see their faces to maintain their dignity. And she wanted to see her husband one last time. Khilji agreed.

Palace of Ratan Singh (Jal mahal)

A view inside

At dawn, 1000 of Mewar's best soldiers dressed in ladies' disguise boarded the palanquins. As they appeared on the horizon, a clueless Khilji was pleased. As soon as Ratan Singh was brought there, the soldiers came out to put on a brave fight. Gora gave Ratan Singh his horse to escape. The fort doors were shut. Gora was about to kill Khilji when he was killed from behind, and Badal also died.

The original Jal Mahal

Six months hence the supplies were running low. Khilji had surrounded Chittorgarh. The only way was war, the inevitable result of defeat. Padmawati and the other queens appeared before Ratan Singh with a plea that shook everyone.
" We want to choose death by jumping into the Agni dev, summoning the Goddess Bhawani."
Ratan Singh was speechless. He decided that the ultimate sacrifice will be done.

The Mirrors where reflection can be seen

The warriors ate their last meal and rested that night. At dawn, they adorned the saffron attires of the Saka, the ladies chose to wear their wedding attires and get their hairlines filled with the Sindoor one last time. They performed the Eklingji Puja and did their husbands' tilak.

Jauhar Sthal

As the gates of the fort opened on 13th August 1303, Khilji smelled victory. All of Ratan Singh's sons were killed brutally and at last, Khilji put his sword across Ratan Singh and smiled.
" Jai Bhawani" Filled the air and Khilji could smell something burning. He ordered his men to rush into the fort.

Remains of Jauhar Sthal

Thousands of Viranganas had joined their Ranis and Kuwaranis. Padmawati led the Jauhar with the other queens, Rani Suhag Kanwar, Suraj Kanwar, Jaith Kanwar, Swarupa Kanwar, Amar Kanwar, Chahu Kanwar Ratta Kanwar, Chand Kanwar, Pith Kanwar, Jahaj Kanwar, Padam Kanwar, Again Kanwar, Shyam Kanwar, and Ajab Kanwar. They took the blessing of the goddess, wished to be born and die again for Mewar and jumped into the burning Jauhar Kund. Not one wailed, not one shed tears. They were fighters, true Rajputanis.

Jauhal Sthal of Rani Padmini

Khilji found a burnt-down Palace and death looming everywhere. Not anywhere had he heard or imagined such a scene. He angrily destroyed the Mahals. Then he left the fort, as he believed it was cursed by the lost souls.

As I heard this story in the Light and Sound show in Chittorgarh, my eyes filled up. I have read about it hundreds of times, and I have imagined in vain how they felt, but as the voices acted out the incident, I could feel Padmavati, I could feel all those women. I had goosebumps.

The Jal Mahal was reconstructed very simply, just to give us an idea of the incident. Rana Ratan Singh's palace once stood near the Vijay Stambh, but now a barren land. Rana Kumbha made sure this area was sacredly guarded and made two gateways known as the Jauhar Gates now. The remain of the palace believed to have been part of the Jauhar Kund is a place where even today, Rajputs from all over India go to offer their prayers. It is nothing less sacred than a temple to Chittorgarh. This Jauhar was very significant as it marked the first of the many more Rajputana witnessed.

Ratan Singh Palace

The Ratan Singh Palace on the other end of the fort is often mistaken to be Rawal Ratan Singh's palace. However, it was a palace built by Rana Ratan Singh II, the second son of Rana Sanga, sibling to Bhojraj and older brother to Udai Singh. He ruled Chittorgarh briefly after his father's demise, before dying early and being succeeded by Vikramaditya.

Rani Padmini's tale was often believed to be a legend, until, the sthal at Chittorgarh and proof of the many more Jauhars were found by historians.

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