Skip to main content

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.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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
Post a Comment
Read more

Women In Epics of India

  Satyavati: She was the adopted daughter of a Fisherman, rejected by her King's father. She dreamed of running the kingdom because she was born a princess and refused her rights. She was the mother to the extremely talented Krishna  Daipayan  who she rejected as he came on the path of her dreams. She mesmerized the emperor with her beauty. She made  Devabrata  into  Bheeshma . The king died soon. Her arrogance led to the fall of her spoilt sons and yet she desired more. She brought up her grandchildren with desires that later lead to  Adharma . She was  Satyavati ,  Princess of Matsya, Queen of Hastinapur. Draupadi Yajnaseni: She was born to be used as a tool of revenge, she knew it and had no say. Her  Swayambhar  was a flaw as only he could win the archery contest. She was his winner's prize. He shared her with his brothers because his mother said so. She was the direct reason behind the greatest  Dharma Yudh . She was disrespected for her polyandry and insulted time and aga
Post a Comment
Read more

The Annals of Rajputana

Col. James Todd’s Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan describes Rajputana through History, Geography, Mythology, Folklores, Veer Gathas, Traditions, Cultures, Heritage, Rules, Valour and its people. However, one must remember that he was commissioned to write the narrative and his resources are not based on historical evidence. However, it is worth a read and very interesting. The following excerpts are from his book. Please take note that Todd's accounts are based on hearsay, stories and commissioned by royals and hence aren't treated as historically accurate. However, his book is important as it is the first English-language book to have extensive work done on Rajputana. Rajputs are commonly believed to be people from Rajasthan, however, their branches have spread far and wide into Punjab, Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharastra and even parts of Bengal. The initial origination-based clans/tribes had been subdivided first in the book Prithvirajraso by Chand Bardai, but howe
Post a Comment
Read more

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 leader than h
Post a Comment
Read more

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
Post a Comment
Read more

Rao Raja of Bundi

  Chattrasal Singh Hada of Bundi (1632 to 1658) Rao Raja Chattarsal Introduction Raja Chattrasal Hada who is referred to in books often as Chattar Sal or Satr Sal was the crown prince of Bundi when his grandfather Rao Ratan Singh enjoyed the highest Mansaab under Jehangir’s reign. Rao Ratan Singh for his contribution to the wars and services to protect the interest of Emperor Jehangir was given the honorary title of “Sarbuland Rai”. He also actively helped Shah Jahan during his rebellion against the emperor because of Nur Jahan's petticoat government. After his death, his second son Madho Singh was the rightful heir but he nominated his grandson Chattarsal instead because he was the grandson of his first son Gopinath who died in an imperial war. The Rao Raja ascended the throne of Bundi, at a ‘young’ age as mentioned in the Shahjahan Nama. His date of birth remains unknown. His uncles were granted the Jagirs of Kota and Palaita, while he was accepted as the king in the areas of Bun
Post a Comment
Read more

One Bullet? Not Enough!

  “NOTHING COMES WITHOUT SELF SACRIFICE... NEVER GIVE UP, EVEN IF WE FACE OUR OWN END...” ~ Matangini Hazra   The year was 1869. For most of India, it is famous as the year when Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born to change the face of India's struggle for freedom. But in a corner of Undivided Bengal, the villagers of Hogla in Tamluk, the district capital of Medinipur, witnessed the birth of a girl child to Thakurdas Maity and his wife Bhagabati Devi. One can only imagine the birth of a girl child to a loan-ridden poor peasant in a village back then perhaps meant no celebration. It meant the burden, of having no heir, providing for this child and of course arranging for her dowry.    She was named Matangini literally meaning “The Female Elephant” but a name attributed to the consort of Lord Shiva, Adi Shakti.  The Birth Place of Matangini is now renovated into this building. Courtesy: Midnapore. in The official records show her date of birth as the 17th of November 1869 whereas som
Post a Comment
Read more

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
Post a Comment
Read more

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
Post a Comment
Read more