Kalbhoj: The Legend of Bappa Rawal

The Historical fiction is woven mainly from folklore from James Todd's semi-historical book. However, a very vague historical presence is found in Bhojraj the first king of Mewar.

The year was 713AD. The Maurya decedents, Moris ruled over the Chitrakut area of west Rajasthan. The areas around Chitrakoot were ruled by many small Chieftains. One of them was Rawal Mahendra II a Guhilot descendent. (The decendent of Guha and Nagaditya) As most power struggles suggest, one of his ministers betrayed and killed him and made himself Rawal.

Once, Kalbhoj was in the forests near Nagda close to the borders of the Solanki ruler, looking after his herds. The youngest Solankhini princess was out in the forest playing with her Sakhis. They were making failed attempts to make a Jhula on a banyan tree. Kalbhoj was watching them try when one of the Sakhis spotted him. Witty and charming he always grabbed everyone's attention.

Mahendra II had two wives, his first being a Paramara princess from Mt. Abu who had given birth to his only heir Kalbhoj. In an attempt to save her son, she escaped to Nagda and gave up royalty. Kalbhoj was brought up in the village of Nagda among Cowherds as one and was not told about his past by his scared mother. Disguised as a villager, he was taught to serve the cows of the Brahmins.

"Why don't we try asking this cowherd for help?"
"Bring him to me." the Princess ordered.
The 13-year-old Kalbhoj came and stood before the princess smiling. He was always kept away from people his age by his mother out of fear. And here, were a bunch of them playing. Something he had never had the luxury of doing.
"We need you to build us a Jhula. Cowherd can you?" The princess asked staring unsure.
"I can, but...I will need something in return." He smiled at the confused girls.
"You want coins? I can tell my father... he is the king of...."
"I want to be part of your games and play. Rajkumarisa."
"You want to play with us?" The princess was surprised at his request.
"yes, I am... umm... Kalbhoj... I come here every day with my cows...."
"And we come here to play." She smiled. "Done!"

He cut out the wood and made the Jhula decorating it with wildflowers for the princess. The banyan tree in the next few months witnessed a lot of innocent child play from the duo and her Sakhis. When Kalbhoj went and told his mother he had befriended a princess she was scared that the truth of his background will come out in the open, so she decided to tell him all he needed to know, about his vansh, decedents of Kush, and Lord Rama and his father and forefathers.

"Let's play wedding today." The Sakhi suggested as they witnessed a royal wedding recently.
"I will be a bride!" The Princess smiled.
"Kalbhoj be the groom!" Sakhis suggested. Kalbhoj was absent-minded about his recent discoveries as the children engaged in play.
"Seven rounds" The sakhis clapped excitedly.
"But where is the fire alter?" The princess frowned.
"Imagine the banyan tree as the..."
"Come!" the excited princess took Kalbhoj's hand in hers for the round.
Little did the children know that Solankhinis had many ways of marriage, one was the husband making a jhula on a banyan tree for the bride and taking seven rounds around the same.

"Stop!" The oldest Sakhi came running in vain as the rounds were done. She decided not to speak up about it.
"Come princess let's go home." she took her away.
On reaching the Palace, they were stunned to see the talks going on about the princess' marriage with the prince of Jaisalmer.
"Princess I need to tell you something." Sakhi couldn't keep quiet.

The next dawn Kalbhoj was shocked to see her in the forest alone and early.
"Kalbhoj... I need to speak...."
" I need to confess something to Rajkumarisa. I am... Not a cowherd."
"You are not?" she asked surprised.
"I am... a Guhilot prince." he searched her eyes for a reaction.
"You are?" A relieved smile filled her face. "Dhanyavaad Bhagwanji."
"Ji?" He asked confused.
"I... we are married." She looked at his face hopeful.
"What?" He asked surprised.
"yes... We... the Banyan tree..." She explained as he looked surprised.
"They will get me married." She looked scared.
"I will come for you" he assured.

As it should have been, the Solanki King insulted the Cowherd and refused to believe he was the son of Mahendra who was rumoured dead. The princess' marriage preparations were done and Kalbhoj was thrown out. Kalbhoj roamed the forests in desperation for a way out when he chanced upon Harita Rishi. He was a saintly man who predicted him to be King and ordered him to leave for Chittor. He also left Kalbhoj with a strange four-faced Shivlinga.

"Be his Dewan, make him King and serve the people." Harita Rishi spoke giving the teenager the linga. Kalbhoj took it home and made a small Shrine that is today's Sree Eklingji Temple.

He then as per the instructions reached Chitrakoot. The King there had just announced a competition in archery to choose his minister. Kalbhoj had never tried his hands at weapons but his Guhilot blood had made him fearless. A young boy, an ordinary shepherd, he stepped out into the arena to take the bow for the first time astonishing everyone. The bull's eye earned him a place in the king's court and his wit and hard work made him the King's favourite. The heirless king left his empire to the trusted minister.

Kalbhoj rose to the throne at Chitrakoot, after the long rule of the Moris, as Bappa Rawal to establish the Rawal dynasty in honour of his father. News reached Solankhini Bai when she refused to marry the Jaisalmer Prince declaring she was the wife of Bappa Rawal the most powerful ruler. Remembering his insult Bappa led his army towards Nagda when the King fell at his feet asking for forgiveness.
"I can forgive you, but first, hand me, my wife."
"She is yours."
"And promise me to give a Solankhini princess to every ruler of Chitrakoot."
"I agree."

Bappa Rawal is rumoured to have ruled for 20 long years his chief war being the Battle of Rajasthan against the Arabs. He had as many as 100 wives and many children who spread as different branches of the Mewari Rajputs. At about 80 he had renounced the worldly pleasure to become a Yogi to serve Eklingji. He was the founder of Mewar's Rajput rule, the first Dewaan of Lord Eklingji. His rule and his character are only known through folklore due to a lack of facts and he stands hand folded staring at the Lord at Nagda still, 25 km away from Udaipur, the present capital of Mewar.

Painting at Chittorgarh

Comments

Baz Bahadur's Decision

Upon the scenes of Malwa’s plains Reva meanders in ripples and waves, She witnesses stories only she could tell Of Love, revenge, lust and pain. The Reva blessed the land with her fertility and nurturing. She also stood witness to the thousands of stories, known and unknown, told and untold on its banks. Here is a tale the Reva tells hundreds of years later as she meanders still through the land that was once called Malwa. Hunting had from time immemorial been the pursuit of entertainment for many royals. The luxury of hunting for pleasure was only reserved for the rich and powerful and the king often accompanied by his friends would visit the forestlands on the bank of the Reva for the sighting of deer, boars and if they were lucky enough then even tigers. His ears were alert enough to observe the rustling of leaves in the winter afternoon or the call of a barking deer nearby. The chirping birds witnessed the hunting party galloping through the forest, trying to stay low and not al

The Queen of Mewar

There have been many versions, folktales and local stories in Rajputana on their Kings and Queens. None of these versions is, however, historical as history only mentions her as wife to Maharana Pratap, his consort and Queen Mother to Amar Singh. She was busy making a garland when Ratnawati rushed inside, hardly able to breathe. Concerned, the elder sister stopped her work and looked at her panting young sibling. " What is it? What's wrong?" "Jija maa sa is not letting me go to the haat mela alone. Please come with me, I need to buy some bangles." The spoiled younger one pleaded. " Wait, let me do my aarti first, then we can go." The reluctant Ratnawati sat down impatiently. In another room, their mother was helping their father get ready for the day. He was the Samant of Bijolia, the representative of the Rana of Mewar. Throughout the day he had to deal with administrative problems in Bijolia and give people justice, but today he had something

Symphony of Love

A week was enough for the master to be pleased enough with the new student to tell the Sultan that she was ready for her first performance. The Sultan was extremely pleased and rewarded him with a gold chain. As the master bowed to leave, the guards announced the arrival of the chief queen. Sultan Baz Bahadur sat upright. She was his first bride, a childhood alliance his father had forced upon him when he did not even know what marriages implied. Now he only saw her face when she had complaints about the inner palace and its inhabitants. Honestly, he expected her there since Roopmati arrived. His queen did not like changes especially if those changes were threatening to her position. The Chief Queen arrived with her maids, dismissed them at the threshold and came up to her husband to bow and greet him. “What brings you here?” Baz Bahadur asked, with a lingering smile on his lips. The queen could hear the hint of taunt in his voice. She forced a smile. Her marriage to this reckless ar

Roopmati's Renewal

The entourage was too large and extravagant for a musician. Roopmati remembered that as a child during festivities she would ride on her father’s shoulder to see the entourages pass by the main streets of the town nearby. She had seen many a musician. None had such a huge entourage. Roopmati frowned a little unsurely as she took her father’s leave. His warning rang in her ears. “Remember what you do, how you behave will all come back to me.” She nodded. The chief queen was at a loss of words. She had never seen the Sultan himself step into the Mahal to check the chambers to be allotted to one of the girls who were coming in. She was not only one of the girls. She was a musician. The queens were curious. What would her position be then? She could not be a concubine and she was not a queen. A musician in the royal palace of the ladies? Had the Sultan lost his senses? Or did he have some other agenda? If he wanted someone he had them. He was the Sultan. There was no way he was trying t

Mewar: Parting Words

So the journey ended the night I boarded the train from Udaipur with a heavy heart. I was staring back again and again. I left a part of myself in Mewar. My parents say I am so obsessed with Mewar that I might have had some previous life there. I so wish! As the train went out of Udaipur station one can see the beautiful heritage city lit up in all its glory. Here I want to share my parting thoughts on the trip. The Food! It's utterly delicious, and I tried everything from the local aloo sabzi, matar to the famous Churma, Khichdi, Ghevar and even Biriyani. Their Saag and vegetables are so yummy! My personal favourite was the Ghevar which you have to preorder. Sweet Ghevar was delicious. So are their Thalis. Udaipur being a foreign tourist hub had wonderful continental dishes, chocolates, coffee, drinks and cakes. I loved the food there as well. Even tried Dosa in Udaipur which was okay!!! Fishes are not that available, chicken is and if you are vegetarian Mewar is heaven! Traditi

Indus Saraswati: A Mystery

A Railway route was being laid by the British Government in parts of West Punjab and Sindh (Present Day Pakistan) in India. They came across a mound amidst the plains near the village of Harappa. Digging through the plain they discovered burnt bricks, of the exact shape and size. So many of them, as though there underneath the mound lies a huge wall of some fort. The Railway work was stopped and ASI took over. A few years before this, an Italian youth had discovered some weird-looking seals at a site at Kalibangan. Unfortunately, before he could report it to the ASI chief, he was taken ill and died. With this discovery, the Indian subcontinent that Britishers believed had flourished only a few years before Alexander (some put the date around 800B.C.) was forced to shift the date of the beginning of this civilization by almost a million years. The Vedas, Puranas and local folktales were something the Indians were proud of, now for the first time, they had proof of the actual historical

Maharana Pratap: The Sun of Mewar

Many of you have read my fan fiction as well as historical representations of the life and times of Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar. I provided small details of his life in many articles. But never have I ever made a separate historical post on him. It is very difficult to put together his life without the help of folklore because historical evidence is scarce. This one was requested and hence here it goes. Needless to say, this one is very special. This is a blend of history and folklore. Leave your love. ❤️ Background and Birth: The year was 1540. Mewar was under a cloud of uncertainty. Banbir, their ruler for four years now, was a very incompetent ruler who always spent his time in luxury, drinking and dancing with girls. The crown prince Udai Singh was rumoured to be killed by him. Chittorgarh was in darkness. Around March 1540, Mewar once again saw hope as some trusted generals along Mewar with Kunwar Udai Singh attacked Chittorgarh taking Banbir by surprise. He was soon to realiz

The Princess of Marwar

Historically we know nothing about Phool Bai Rathore except that she was the daughter of Ram Singh Rathore, granddaughter of Raja Maldeo Rathore and fifth wife of Maharana Pratap. There is no historical evidence of Akbar's alliance with her in particular however Maldeo did give his granddaughters in a marriage alliance with Mughals and other major dynasties. Phool Kanwar's cousin Maanwati Bai (Better known as Jodha Bai or Jagat Gossain) married Salim, Akbar's son and later emperor Jahangir. The Princess was in her chambers. The Mehrgarh Fort was in a quiet dark state and everyone feared what lay ahead. The men of the Rathore clan had gone to ally with the Mughal emperor Akbar. Rao Maldeo had decided that it was the only way to save Marwar's future. His second son Udai and youngest one Chandrasen supported his decision to save the country. But his heir and firstborn Ram Singh Rathore was a rebel. He was not going to bow down before the Mughals and lose his dignity. A

The Cortege That Shook The Raj: Kanailal Dutta

10th November, 1908 Around late morning, a procession of lacs made their way through the streets of Calcutta (Kolkata), India. Some were chanting “Vande Mataram” others blew conch shells and Ululation filled the air. Flowers were being showered from all directions and garlands made their way through the crowd, being thrown at the procession in the middle. Bhagwat Gita and Ananda Math (Novel by Bamkim Chandra) were offered. No, this was no “ Sobha Jatra ” or celebration. This was no religious festivities either. That dawn, the Alipore Jail, which opened only two years back, witnessed the hanging of Kanailal Dutta, a twenty-year-old member of the “Jugantar Dol” an anarchist group that was set up primarily by Aurobindo Ghosh (Later Rishi Arabindo) his brother Barindra and their associates. Kanailal hailed from Chandannagore and although he was not present in most of their meetings in Kolkata he was still one of their early members from Chandannagore, then a French province. “ Jai Kanai ”

The Reva Cries

Roopmati had watched the troops leave. She had stood behind the chief queen as she traditionally bid goodbye to her sons. She had waited for the Sultan to come to her. He did. He was confident that the sudden advancement of Akbar’s foster brother Adham Khan could be curbed. It was not war, just precaution. He reassured her. Malwa would never bow to the Timurids. And he would not let anything happen to her. To Her. Roopmati felt suffocated by her husband’s affectionate hug. She felt trapped in the scrutinising eyes of all the people in the palace. Angry blaming eyes. She tried to pace herself and sing but her voice cracked in fear. Her melody was drowned in tears. Every evening a messenger would come to the chief queen with the news of war. Roopmati was kept in the darkness. She was not told about anything. She knew the rumours. She was a witch. A temptress who caused doom to the Sultan of Malwa. She was a spy of the enemy planted in his life to destroy him. She wondered if he came back

A Journey To Discover Life

Search This Blog