The Naga Princess

The Nagas (symbolically snakes) were a tribe who were well acquainted with life in forests and on rivers. They were said to be the ones who ruled the waters. Historically speaking, the Nagas lived at around the North Eastern parts of Aryavarta, close to Manipur, and extended their villages up to the land of Burma. The Naga tribe staying in the current state of Nagaland are proof of this. Now, this brings us to the story. The Naga Chief was Kauravya, he ruled the waters of the Ganges. His daughter was Ulupi. Some say she was a widow at a tender age and some say she was unmarried.

The Pandava prince Arjun was roaming around Aryavarta in exile, for he had broken a promise and entered his elder brother's intimate room with their Shared wife. The punishment was this. He roamed all the way from Indraprastha to the mystic lands of Manipur and Nagaland. Ulupi like any other princess of that time desired the handsome and brave prince of Hastinapur. On hearing of his arrival to their land she was quite in awe at the thought of meeting him.

As Arjun sat in a clearing beside the river, lost in his thoughts, the sound of a woman's anklet broke his chain of thoughts. He looked up to see the beautiful Ulupi clad in finery. She smiled like the dazzling stars and her eyes were as dark as the night sky. The eyes were mesmerizing and captive.
" You must be the Prince of Hastinapur."
" How do you know me, Lady?"
" Who doesn't know you, My Lord? You are the greatest archer in the whole of Aryavarta." Arjun smiled modestly.
" Who are you, my Lady?"
" I am Ullupi, Princess of the Nagas. "
" Nagas?" His smile faded. The grip around his bow tightened. His family had a long-drawn love-hate relationship with the tribe. The Nagas were not to be trusted his father had told him.
" Yes my Lord, we live at the Ganges, do accompany me to my father's palace under the waters. He is Kauravya, the King of the Waters." Ullupi went on unaware, hoping he would come with her and she could convince him to marry her.
" I am sorry Princess, I can not accompany you to the Palace of your father."

" But..."
" I will prefer living like a hermit away from any palace luxury."
" But my Lord, not going with me will mean you are insulting our Royal invite."
" I can not help if you think so." Arjun was determined to stay away from the Nagas.

Angry at this rejection Ullupi lost her cool. She was too determined to take him back to her Palace. She took out a mystic powder and intoxicated him in moments. Before he could realise it, Arjun was unconscious in one of the rooms of Ullupi's palace. She was happy to have him. He came into consciousness only after a few hours and was surprised to find himself underwater. In a flash, he remembered what happened and a smile curved his face. He liked the Naga Princess' determination.

" The Princess of Nagas is arriving at the chambers."
He turned around to see the same girl, clad in simple clothes, balm in hand, an ever-smiling face looking at him.
" Here is a potion you can drink to get rid of your drowsiness." She handed him the bowl.
" I have never seen a girl like you. You make me unconscious and bring me here then give me this to clear my head. Why were you so determined?"
" I would not have let any Prince insult my father by refusing his invitation. Whoever he might be."
" You are a strong woman. I admire that."
" Not all Nagas are bad Rajkumar Arjun, like people, there are some bad Nagas and some good Nagas, your conception needed to be corrected."
" By kidnapping me?" He was amused.
" My father will be meeting you shortly." He watched her leave.

At the King's Chamber Arjun got a hero's welcome from the Nagas. The princess was indeed right about them being the good ones. At the gala dinner organised in his honour, the King took him aside and gave him a proposal. " Rajkumar, my only daughter Ulupi is in love with you, She wished to marry you and upon you agreeing to this proposal, the Nagas and all other living creatures in the water shall be your slave thereupon and the kingdom will belong to you. Please accept this proposal and oblige."
Arjun was taken aback. Marriage to a Naga? Was it worth hurting Panchali and his brother's sentiments? Wouldn't his cousins laugh at him for marrying a Naga? He looked at Ullupi across the room. But she has come a long way in his love, there was no turning back for her.

" I need some time to think and I want to talk to Ullupi." The King agreed.

The next morning, Ullupi came to his chambers with eyes clearly asking a lot of questions about why he called upon her.
" Ullupi, when you have heard everything about me, I hope you know that my loyalty to Panchali is irreplaceable, and no other wife can accompany me to Indraprastha."
" I don't wish to leave Nagaland for you too, Rajkumar, I will rule in the absence of my father, and am training in warfare to do so..."
" Then I can marry you."

The Nagas rejoiced in the grand wedding of their Princess and a son Iravan was born to them. Arjun left Ullupi and Iravan with his other wife Chitrangada, Princess of Manipur. When the Kurukshetra war broke out, Iravan, an eighteen-year-old lad was sent by his mother to fight for his father. However, Arjun could not remember either Ullupi or her son before selfishly asking him to sacrifice his head to the goddess Kali. Iravan who always wanted to please his father did so without hesitation. Upon losing her own son, Ullupi trained Chitrangada's son Babhruvahan in the art of warfare to make him an ideal king. Such was her training that during the Ashwamedha Yajna of the Pandavas, Babhruvahan killed Arjun with his arrow when he stopped their horses at Manipur. Ullupi hearing this rushed to the spot and saved Arjun's life with the Mritunjay Mantra she learned from the goddess Ganga herself. Ullupi met her long-lost husband and never even once blamed him for sacrificing their son. She stayed all her life in Manipur, helping her stepson with the administration of the land. A proud Naga princess, she never depended on Arjun, or expected his support, and was brave and independent enough to take care of herself.

Jauhar: All You Need to Know

“We have no Knowledge of the beginning and end of the world, the first and last of this ancient book has fallen out” Abu Talib Karim Rightly said by the poet laureate of Emperor Shah Jahan above, we do not actually know the beginning and end of anything in the universe, be it the traditions, culture or human race, or the world. What we know are fragments of the past we extract out of evidence. It is in vain to try and determine the first and last of something. For the past few months owing to some media hype on Jauhar, many of you had asked me questions. I tried to answer most of them. However, a lot remained unsaid and unwritten. Mostly because some things are impossible to put into words. But here I try my best. Today is a very significant day in history. On the 23 rd of February 1568, the world saw the last “Jauhar” of Chittorgarh, recorded in the medieval history of India. Akbar had invaded Mewar and the siege of four months ended in the Saka. There was no better day for...

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...

The Queen Mother of Mewar

Let me start by saying, this is a representation of history and folklore in my own words, trying to show how great a soul this lady was. And let me start with a line here. “Naari Ki Balidaano Ko Sadev Bhulta Aya hai Itihas.” Yes, most women lay forgotten in the pages of history, only alive through the folklore and local tales that fail to reach the pages of books due to a lack of historical evidence. Their names don’t remain, but their haunting hand prints on the fort walls before Jauhar, their names on inscriptions as daughter, wife and mother, often make us wonder, who were they, how were they and how were their lives! Historically, the only thing we know about Maharani Jaivanta Bai Songara, princess of Jallore and queen of Mewar is that she was the first queen of Rana Udai Singh II, the mother of most probably her only son Maharana Pratap and daughter of ally of Rana Sanga, Akshay Raj of Jallore. Apart from that her entire life has no historical existence and is spun on ...

The Warrior Bride

Kelwa/Kailwa is a small village situated around two hours away from Chittorgarh and an hour from Lake Pichola. It was mainly inhabited by the Rathores and ruled by the Chundawat clan, who were once the rulers of Mewar. One chief of Kelwa, was Rawat Sihaji Singh Chundawat. He was a very close ally of Rana Sanga. His son Jaga Singhji too died fighting for Rana Udai Singhji in one war with the Afghans in 1555 AD. Kelwa’s heir was the minor child of Jaga Singhji and his widow Sajjan Bai Songara Chauhan. Being from the clan of the Chauhan Rajputs, she was a warrior at heart. From the early age of about four, her only son was brought up under his uncle Naga Singhji, to fight for his motherland and serve it like all other Mewaris. Fatta (Patta), as fondly called by everyone was a deft warrior even before he reached his teens. His name and bravery spread across the land, to Rana Udai Singh’s ears in Chittorgarh. He was also the nephew to Ranaji’s close aide Rawat Chundawatji. Upon the order of...

Teeja Saka Chittor Ra

23rd February 1568. The sun rose on the eastern horizon, not with the hope of a new day. But, with the horror of what was to follow. The first rays of the Sun God were met by the chants of “Jai Bhavani!” that echoed in the air of Chittorgarh. The Mewaris knew it was time. Four months back, when the Mughals camped at the base of the fort, a helpless Chittorgarh had watched. Rana Udai Singh had left with his closest aides to make the new city westwards, his capital. If rumours were to be believed, he had left behind a cavalry of 8000 soldiers, under Rao Jaimal of Merta and Rawat Patta of Kelwa to look over the fort. He had also left behind some of his lesser queens and infant princes, as an assurance to the people that Chittorgarh was invincible. Their safety and hope had lived in Kunwar Pratap. Truth be said, they had already taken the crown Prince as their King. Ever since Ranisa had left with him till he became the Senapati, he had time and again proved to be a better lead...

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...

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 re...

The Navroz Incident

This popular folklore has been recreated from Col, James Todd's Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan. Names I have added, from my own historical research. This one is especially for Garima to thank her for the books and love! Yet another Veer Gatha from the dessert! Ps. This is folklore with no evidence of history, please remember that Bikaner, lying in the western part of the Thar, was a small yet independent state ruled by a clan of Marwari Rathores until Raja Kalyanmal surrendered to Akbar's Rajput Policies in 1571. His fourth son Prithviraj Rathore, being a great warrior and poet was respected as one of the "Nine Gems" in Emperor Akbar's court. Prithviraj, was the son of Kalyanmal's first wife and queen Rani Songaribai Rainawati, a cousin of Maharani Jaiwanta Bai of Mewar. Hence he was cousin to the valiant Pratap Singh of Mewar. He was also married to one of Rana Udai Singh of Mewar's daughters from his other wives, sister to Kunwar Pratap, Baisa Ja...

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 15t...

Charumati's Love

T his is written based on folklore. This is a representative work of fiction and not claiming any historical happening in the conversations. This is to show the spirit of the women of Rajputana. The year 1657. Shah Jahan had taken ill and was rumoured to be dying in Agra Fort. He was about eighty and the pressure of having an empire had taken a toll on his body. The seat of power was slowly shifting from Agra to Delhi since the prominence of the Laal Quila had increased and if the news spread was to be believed his sons were in a battle for the throne already. It was time each king chose sides once again. Dara Sikhoh was the eldest and the righteous Heir to the throne. He was believed to be a man who held high morals and was hence respected by the enemies and alliances as well. Aurangzeb was his sibling and the youngest of the brothers. Short tempered and cunning he was always dreaded by the court. As Shah Jahan took ill, Aurangzeb took this as a golden opportunity to wage ...

A Journey To Discover Life

Search This Blog