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 a 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 mesmerised 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 blocking her way. It was the emperor Akbar himself. She turned to leave and found soldiers guarding her way. The Emperor praised her beauty and wished to make her his for the night. He had no idea who she was; all he knew was that 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 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 recognised 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 by 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 realised 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 realised 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 about 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 moustache, 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 always 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 he has 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 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 resting on Pratap's hands to liberate the Rajputs from 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.

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 b...

A Chivalrous Emnity

“Ranisa. Hukum” There was a hint of urgency in the maid in waiting’s voice as she rushed to the clearing where the tents were set up. Rani Pur Bai Solanki, the second queen, frowned at her sudden, alarming voice. “Hush, Rama, the children are...” She checked the children’s tent, alarmed. They slept during the day and stayed awake at night, because the forestland was not safe, neither from animals nor the enemies. “Ranisa, forgive me, it's Kunwarsa... He is back... but...” Pur Bai’s face lit up with a smile of hope that didn’t last long. “But?” “What is it? What’s wrong?” The Maharani of Mewar had walked out of her camp, with the other queens in tow. The maid bowed before her. “It’s Kunwarsa.” “He is back?” She frowned. He was not supposed to be back so early until his father reached Dholan. “So is Ranaji.” The maid looked scared. “There is a court called in an emergency. I came to inform you that Ranaji wanted everyone to be present.” “Jija...” Pur Bai could see the tension mountin...

The Emperor's First Wife

Ruqaiya Sultana Begum was born to Babur's second surviving son, Hindal Mirza, and his wife, Sultanam Begum, in 1542 C.E., merely a few months after Hamida Banu gave birth to the heir Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar. She was well-versed in Persian, Urdu and Arabic and was attracted to poetry and music. Being a proud descendant of the Timurid clan, most of Rukaiya's childhood was spent in Kabul, near the Bagh E Babur, built by Babur himself. From early childhood, she had seen the struggle of her family to regain their lost power in Hind. In 1551 C.E., just after her father died young at a battle for Humayun, leaving her and her mother in the harem of the emperor, it was Hamida Banu who wanted the marriage of Rukaiya to her first cousin, Akbar. Theirs was the first in-house marriage of the Mughals, soon to be followed by many more in the generations to come. At the mere age of nine, she had married the crown prince, and when Humayun won back Lahore, she was fifteen. At the mere age ...

Coins, Books, Sources: History of Mewar

The books, as stated by Todd, are all in the private libraries of the Rana at the City Palace, Udaipur, along with the ancient original manuscripts preserved with their secrets to date. Here is a list of books and sources he mentioned: 1 . Khoman Rasa: Khoman was an ancient term for "Prince". It was first borne by the sons of Bappa Rawal, the founder of the Mewar Dynasty. It is claimed by Todd as a modern compilation of Mewar's history by the Ranas of Udaipur, for their own private libraries. It traces the genealogy of Mewar back to Lord Rama and also mentions important events such as the influence of the Sultanate on Mewar, the sack of Chittoor by Allauddin Khilji, Rana Sanga's bravery and the wars against the Mughals by Maharana Pratap Singh. 2. The Raj Vila s , in the Vrij Bakha by Maan Kubeswara, who is known as "The Lord of Rhyme" 3. Raj Ratnakar by Suddasheo Bhat Both of these were composed during the time of Rana Raj Singh of Mewar, who, like his...

Sisodiya: Kings, Queens and Princes (1538 - 1597)

I am back with another History post, this time it is on the wives and sons of Rana Udai Singh II of Mewar, his son and heir Maharana Pratap and Rana Amar Singh. This is a continuation of the Sisodia Family History I posted some time back. The information has been taken from Annals of Mewar by James Todd, Maharana Pratap by B.N. Rana, and Maharana Pratap by Rima Hooja. Udai Singh II was the son of Ranisa Karnawati and Rana Sangram Singh. He was born on 4th August 1 522, at Chittorgarh and died on 28th February 1 572 at Gogunda . He was the Ruler of the Sisodia Dynasty. He is believed to have 56 sons and 2 5 wives, apart from the many insignificant queens in his Rani Mahal. Here is a list of his main queens and their sons. Maharani Jaivanta Bai Songara of Jalore was his chief queen and consort. Her son is Maharana Pratap. He was married to her before he went to war with Banbir, as her father, Akshayraj Rao, was a friend and ally of his father, Rana Sanga. Saj...

The Kaali Effect

!!BOOM!! The shopping mall echoed with a noise. The buzz grew silent. Fear crept in. Until somebody shouted, " It's just a Balloon!" The buzz grew again, the shopping continued, the romantic couples continued their walks, and the food court filled up with the aroma of the orders... A few decades back, people used to laugh carefree at a balloon bursting or a tyre booming in the streets or in various crowded areas. Now, in the back of everyone's head, a loud noise always brings the same thoughts... Another year, another city, another crowded place, Several innocent lives. They don't spare religious places either. For the sake of mankind? Religion? Politics? Power? They only know. Who are they? Nobody knows. It is said that the demon Kaali, who ushered in KaliYug, decided to reside in a few things. Addiction, Wealth, Desire, and Anger are some such things he resides in. This is KaliYug, where an innocent child's balloon makes adults fear the extremes. What is d...

The Warrior and Princess

Dasharatha was very protective of his sons. He had got them after almost a lifetime of waiting and yajnas, so they were his lifeline. Ram, the eldest, won hearts with his humble, generous ways. Bharata, the second, was his favourite queen's brave son, and Laxman and Shatrughan were the twins to the lesser queen, who followed their brothers like shadows. They were a peaceful, happy family. Sage Vasistha was their Kulaguru, teaching them the Vedic hymns and the righteous ways of life. The Princes grew up in the luxurious, protected premises of the palace. The King of Mithila, too, was childless. Mother Earth granted him a daughter. Sita grew up learning and curious, followed by the king's second daughter, Urmila and their cousins Mandavi and Shrutakirti. They grew up knowing the natural ways of life, and their father took them to learn from men to know more about man and his natural instincts. The princesses were curious and always questioning the traditions, and the Princes lear...

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 also 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. Fateh Pratap Singh Chundawat or 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 of Ranaji’s close aide Rawa...

A Journey Called PrAja

Love is a relationship based on trust and understanding. It is also a bond that is made up there. People often ask, "Why them?" I end up telling them some folklore. I end up telling them about how she actually was his shadow in the forests, in bad times. Because love passes all its tests in the worst times when you don't give up on each other. So, here's to My Pratap and His Ajabdeh! Ps. This is about the show Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap on Sony by Contilloe Starring Faisal Khan, Roshni Walia, Sharad Malhotra and Rachana Parulkar. This is NOT their real story. The show aired from 2013 to 2015. Ajabdeh, the simple, strong yet gentle samantputri, was starstruck seeing the down-to-earth Kunwar Pratap, the crown prince of Mewar. She was clueless that he held the key to her heart, her lost mala that destiny had chosen him for. Na na na na na Chan Chan Chan Chan na na na na! A comedy of errors followed, as she threw the pail of water on him, fumbled at his presen...

Nawab E Bengal

Background: Nawab Alivardi Khan was ruling Bengal at the peak of Nawabi rule, expanding his strong empire. He had successfully suppressed the Marathas and had given a strong message to the British East India Company’s rising influence at Calcutta. Highly aware of the British Colonial policies across the globe, Nawab Alivardi Khan was strict with his policies and stronghold over Murshidabad, the then capital of Bengal (including present-day Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, and Bangladesh). He had two daughters and no sons. Amina Begum was the elder one, followed by Ghaseti Begum. Amina had three sons with her husband and courtier, Ahmed Khan. The second son, Mirza Mohammad, fondly called Siraj-Ud-Daulah (light of the country)by his grandfather, was born in 1733C.E. He was his grandfather’s favourite because he was born while he won over the Marathas. Alivardi Khan never let the “fortune child” of the family out of his sight. Siraj grew up accompanying his g...

A Journey To Discover Life

Search This Blog