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 Jaswande. Many regard Jaswande as Raja Kalyanmal's lesser wife or wife of the crown prince Rai Singh of Bikaner, but Todd's journal clearly mentions the Mewari princess as wife to Prithviraj. In 1572, Prithviraj along with his wife Jaswande Baisa had made the Agra Fort his home, to serve Akbar, as per the order of his father, rather unwillingly for the sake of Bikaner.

Navroz or the year's celebration in Agra Fort was always held for nine days in the bazaar of the fort where all Rajput ladies, nobles and harem girls set up stalls of handloom, handicrafts and jewellery from their native lands for the Royal Ladies to buy. It was by the Emperor's rule that no man could enter these fairgrounds, except for the Emperor himself. According to Abul Fazl's accounts, the Emperor "praised" the beauty of the Rajput women in this fair.

As per the rules, quite reluctantly most Rajput women followed the orders and Jaswande Bai was no exception. She had heard Mewar's insult time and again in the Mughal fort, but her brother's name shone brightly even on the mouth of his enemies, such was his valour.

Rana Pratap Singh had just ascended the throne in 1572 and was highly disappointed when the Rathores of Bikaner, the Bhattiyanis of Jaisalmer, and Surjan Singh of Sirohi, Boondi all his relatives, accepted the Mughal supremacy.

This was around 1577-78AD, post-Rana's glorious defeat at Haldighati when the Emperor was soaking in the fake victory and glory from the news of Rana's death. He was roaming the fairgrounds, maybe after a few drinks when he chanced upon Jaswande Bai and was mesmerized by her beauty.

That evening when after the fair, Jaswande Bai was walking home alone through the narrow dark lanes of the Agra fort, in the shadow and light she could see someone block her way. It was the emperor Akbar himself. She turned to leave and found soldiers guarding her way. The Emperor said praises to her beauty and wished to make her his for the night. He had no idea who she was, all he knew was none of his courtiers would dare to protest against him.

" Do you even have the slightest idea who I am Shahenshah-e-Hind?" Her tone was fearless and challenging making the Emperor smile. Naive Rajputani, she was standing before the Lord of the Land.
" I am a wife to Rajaji of Bikaner, one of your nine gems."
"Wife to Prithviraj?" Akbar had smiled faintly. No, a small state like Bikaner and a warrior poet were not his concern that night. With a faint fearless smile at the lady's challenge, he dispersed the guards. He always admired the Rajput spirit in some way...
He inched closer but froze. Within a flash of a moment, something was out of her waist and on his neck. He recognized the cold touch of the Khanjar (Dagger) quite well. She held it bravely at his neck and down to his chest. He was speechless. Taking a step back the Rajputani smiled.
" You don't know who I am, for I am the Rajkumari of Mewar. sister to Maharana Pratap Singh, a Sisodia blood and soul. I will kill the enemy, or die, never surrender, it's not in my blood. We are Mewaris who jump in the Jauhar pyre, never surrender."
Akbar knew he had made a wrong move, he took two steps back and walked away in silence.

Upon hearing his wife's plight, Prithviraj was shrouded in guilt and shame. Being a Rajput, a blood of the Rathores and Chauhans he could not even protect his wife's honour. He immediately wanted to let the man who could take revenge know. His wife stopped him.
"I don't want Mewari blood to flow for me, I know my brother, he won't spare the Turk hearing this, and I know at any cost, all of Mewar will fight for me. But right now, Mewar needs the boiling blood, for her own protection and independence, Our mother needs protection, not me." Prithviraj had agreed to the cause.

Akbar

In a few months, Akbar's bubble burst when he realized that the attacks on the Mughal encampments on the Mewari soil were not a deed of Amar Singh as his courtiers suggested but of the Maharana himself. He also realized that although the Rajputs were on his side, most of them wished well for the Maharana. His spies had informed him of the Maharana's difficulties in the forests of Bhilwara and his mind's confusion to surrender.

Prithviraj was in shock. He had risen before the Mughal court with a confident smile saying "No Shahenshah, I know my brother, he would rather die than surrender."
"Ah! an admirer of Partap here too."
The emperor had taunted. "An admirer of bravery" smiled his courtier.

On reaching home, Prithviraj had immediately written in secret to his cousin. The contents of the letter are still debated to date. The folklore version says it said:

"Patal Sun Badshah, Bole Mukh Hunta Bayan,

Mihir Picham Dis Mann, Ughe Kasabh Rao Uth,

Patakun Munchiyan Paan, Ke Patakun Nijh Taan Karad,

Dije Likh Deewan, In Do Mahali Baak Ikh."

It means,

" The mouth of Pratap has begun to say Badshah,

Oh Rao, has the sun started rising in the West as well?

Should I Keep my hands over my Mustache or Should my body fall with my own hands?

O Deewan, write an answer and choose between the two."

Pratap promptly replied to his cousin with a poem in return:

"Turak Kahasi Turakado, Inn Mukh Sunn Ikling

Uga Jiya Hi Ugasi, Prachi Bichh Patang,

Khushi Hunn Pithal Kamadh, Patako Muchiyan Paan,

Jete Hai Pachatan Patto, Kilama Siir Kewaan"

It means,

"Lord Eklingji will always make my mouth call him a Turk,

The sun will rise in the East always.

Be happy and put your hand on your moustache,

Till Pratap stands on his feet,

His sword will keep hovering over the Invaders."

Todd's version however suggests a broader letter.

“The hopes of the Hindu rest on the Hindu;

yet the Rana forsakes them but for Patta ( Rana's pet name for his friends) all would be placed on the same level by Jalaluddin.

For our chiefs have lost their valour and our females their honour. Akbar is the broker in the market of our race: all has he purchased but the son of Uda; He is beyond his price.

What true Rajput would part with honour for nine days? (meaning Navroz)

Yet how many have bartered it away? Will Chittor come to this market, when all have disposed of the chief of the Ivhatri?

Though Patta has squandered away wealth, this treasure he has preserved Despair has driven man to this mart, to witness their dishonour.

From such infamy, the descendant of Hamir alone has been preserved.

The world asks whence the concealed aid of the Pratap? None but the soul of manliness and his sword: with it well has he maintained Kshatriya pride. This broker (Akbar) in the market of men will one day be overreached; he cannot live forever. Then will our race come to Pratap, for the seed of the Rajput to sow in our desolate lands? To him, all look for its preservation that its purity may again become resplendent”

According to this, Prithviraj had clearly indicated at the dishonour of Rajput women and the secret support to Pratap from his kins. Prithviraj was very happy to get this response from his cousin, knowing he was the last hope of Rajputana and later letters between the two further indicated how even some of Akbar's Rajput allies and Hindu kings had their hope rested on Pratap's hands to liberate the Rajputs of Mughal influence.

However, the tale of Jaswande, and many more, untold, maybe less fortunate Rajput women remain untold in history. Jaswande's tale is popular in the Mewari Veer Gathas and it is often believed that when she was in trouble Maata Chamunda appeared before her, and saved her from the hands of the Emperor. True, or not, Todd concludes that her bravery was indeed something to be praised and showed the high self-esteem and dignity of the Mewari women.

Comments

Bijolia: Her Home

Bijolia is situated in the current Bhilwara district of the state of Rajasthan, 55KMs from Bundi town and 105 km from Chittorgarh on the Bundi-Chittor Road. Previously, a part of Mewar this small town has its own history and tales. For a start, it was ruled by the Punwars or Parmer Rajputs from the 11th to the 13th Century. In the 13th Century, it went under the rule of the Chauhan dynasty who made a fort at Bhilwara and thus the capital of Bijolia shifted from Bijolia town to Bhilwara fort. The Punwars sought refuge in Mewar. The Chauhan rule ended soon and Rana Kumbha brought Bijolia under Mewar's rule. The Parmers served as Rao in Bijolia as a representative of the Mewar Royals. The Bijolia Inscriptions are equally famous but sadly the town is not a tourist site especially if you travel by bus or car. The Jain Temples that are made around the 14th and 15th centuries are an example of Mewar's rich architecture. There is no good place to stay in Bijolia. A few hotels and guest...

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...

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 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 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...

Love or Obsession?

The next morning the Jahaj Mahal was woken at dawn by the sound of constructions on the roof. The women flocked to the lawn to catch a glimpse of what was happening. A pathway was being cut to the hill. On top of the hillock a pavilion was to be built, the soldiers informed. A pavilion for what? The women contemplated. “Rani Roopmati’s view point of the Reva.” Suddenly all eyes of the palace were on her. Roopmati stood there stunned. Baz Bahadur had called his best builders and chosen the highest point of Mandu to build a pavilion for his new queen. If she stood on its edge and looked at the horizon she could spot a thin silver line right where the sky met the land. The Reva. The queens were displeased. A pavilion for her? What about them? Where did she find the audacity to ask for it? But their surprises were not over yet. By mid-day builders arrived to dig out the lawn. “What is happening?” One of the concubines gasped. “Our beloved flowers are being plucked out. Why are you digging ...

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...

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 Kan...

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...

Kumbhalgarh Gogunda: Witness to Turmoil

Walls of Kumbhalgarh Kumbhalgarh was built atop a cliff 6kms from Kelwara, by Rana Kumbhakarna Singh of Mewar. He was looking for an alternative capital with the constant attacks on Delhi making Chittorgarh vulnerable to the Western invaders. It is the second most important fort of Mewar. After Mokal, Kumbha's father was killed he sought refuge here on this hill, with his mother and planned to build a fort here. But the walls were not standing. Worried, he was advised by the priests to visit a Saint at Ranakpur Village. He did so and the saint said that the Amba Devi Temple on this hill is very powerful and to build a fort he needs to give a man as a sacrifice. Kumbha in a fix asked who will do this for me. The Saint said " I will But listen to me carefully. First, at dawn, you come to me. I will not talk to you, Follow me silently. When I first start walking, start the boundary walls there. Where I stop first will be the first Pol. Where I stop second will be the next. On ...

A Journey To Discover Life

Search This Blog