The Other Princess

She was born to the King and Queen of Mithila after they waited decades for a child. Having adopted a girl child already, King Janaka accepted yet another girl child with open arms, unlike King Dasharatha who was desperate for sons, so much, so that he gave away his only daughter for it. She was named Urmila, meaning the waves of Passion. From her very childhood, she grew up listening to tales of bravery and sacrifice, legends and Gods from the sages who were patronized by their father. The sisters were taught to be brave enough to question all the rights and rituals than blindly follow them like most others. Janaka was too happy to answer all of his daughter's curiosities. She used to travel to various Ashrams of well-known hermits with her father and sister.

One such time she was visiting the annual Yajna of the King-Priest Vishwamitra. They arrived there, amongst other Kings and Royals of Aryavarta and were shocked to hear how time and again the demon Taraka and her son Marich lead a group of Demons to vandalize the Yajna. This time round the buzz was that some princes were here to kill her. A terrified Urmila asked her elder sister, " But killing is so wrong, why will they kill her?" They went to the Hermit Vishwamitra himself with this query. Vishwamitra gladly explained, " Because he who defies Dharma deserves to be punished." King Janaka was eager to meet the brave princes who were to kill the demon. Vishwamitra introduced them to the Princes of Ayodhya, Ram and Laxman. Both very quiet and obedient by nature, they touched Janaka's feet. Janaka had made his choice, if only this eldest one could string the bow of Shiva...

The demon arrived at the Yajna, and the horrified princess' witnessed the killing. The princes were invited back to the palace by their father. She was in awe of the younger one, he followed his brother around obediently, silently trying to protect him too, acting as a friend, more than a brother. Many thought him not worthy, less talented and even spineless enough to follow his brother around but she saw it differently. It was the same love she felt for her elder sister, overprotective and dependent, she was like that too. Urmila was slowly falling for Laxman, the silent warrior.

In the palace garden, she was picking flowers for her garland when she spotted him practising his tip with the arrow. She wanted to talk to him, but he would shy away. The conversation would be awkward. She turned around, stopping her trail of endless thoughts.

The next day at court, the buzz was that Ram would try to string the bow of the Lord. Urmila rushed to Sita's side. She was well aware of how much Sita wanted Ram to succeed. They had gathered around the bow to watch Ram try what others have failed miserably at. Taking the name of the Lord, his Guru and his Parents, Ram lifted the bow with ease. A gasp escaped Urmila's mouth as she saw him closing the strings. With a loud noise, the bow broke into two. Everyone stood amazed and confused, while Laxman had this big proud smile on his face. Urmila smiled too. For she was happy her sister now had her chosen Groom.

The Palace was decorated for the occasion, and the city celebrated in joy as King Dasharatha arrived to meet his son's bride-to-be. There he noticed all four Princesses Sita, Urmila and their cousins Mandavi and Srutakirti were brought up in an equally impressive way by Janaka. The princesses served the King like their Father. Impressed, Dasharatha had a proposal for Janaka. He wanted all four princesses for the four sons. A daasi rushed into the Rani Mahal to inform them. Urmila was to wed Laxmana. She could not believe this was true.

The wedding was a fairy tale one with many guests, celebrations and rituals that followed. Mithila and Ayodhya celebrated for a month. It was time to leave their parent's home for Ayodhya. The sisters were happy they had each other at their husband's homes. The city, the people, and the palace, all were so similar yet so unfamiliar. The queens accepted their sons' brides with open arms. They always wanted daughters and they were happy to have the princesses at their Palace. Sumitra, Laxman's mother was a commoner married to the king. She was so humble and down to earth that Urmila and Srutakirti were never uneasy at the palace. Sita lived on Queen Kausalya's premises and hence they only met at rituals and meals.

They were not wives to their husbands yet, they met occasionally mostly at festivals. Whenever Laxman met Urmila all they talked of were their brothers and sisters. A few months passed by blissfully as the sisters learned the Ayodhya ways of life. One day, news from Queen Kaikeyi's court shook the Palace. Ram was the foremost choice for a crowned prince not only because he was the eldest but also the most talented among the brothers. But Kaikeyi wanted Bharat's coronation and Ram's exile. What followed was days of complete darkness for Urmila for fourteen long years.

Without a thought, Sita and Laxman decided to follow Ram, wherever he went. Urmila wanted to follow her husband too, but Laxman was not sure if their parents were safe with Kaikeyi. Bharat's intentions were now questionable to Laxman as well, although he and Satrughna were away and unaware of the happenings. Holding Urmila's hand. Laxman told her, " Listen to me, my work is in the forest, protecting my brother, if you follow you will become a responsibility as well as a distraction. Stay here, somebody needs to look after our mothers and father when we are gone, they will be devastated."
" But how will I spend fourteen years without you?"
" By waiting for me. Count the days, they will pass quickly."
As they rode away in a chariot, he didn't turn back to look at her, maybe because her teary eyes could make him weak. She watched the dust cover their tracks as she wiped away her tears. Urmila took hold of the situation and took care of the ailing Dasharatha and his queens till his sudden death.

Fourteen years she spend, doing her duties as his wife, never meeting him. When the news of Sita's kidnap and the impending war reached Ayodhya, Urmila was once again shrouded by uncertainty. For her sister, her husband, and their future. She prayed days and nights, sleepless, in worry.

At last, the news of their victory was a relief. They were coming home. Ayodhya was lit in lamps. People celebrated their King's homecoming. Inside the Rani Mahal, after more than a decade Urmila was happy, dressing up in her bridal attires for her husband. They were teenagers when he left, and now they were man and woman ready to reunite. As their chariot arrived, she followed their mothers out for a glimpse. Tears were in everyone's eyes as the mothers reunited with their sons and Kaikeyi begged for forgiveness. Urmila met her husband after a struggle so long that she did not remember what happiness was until now. She welcomed him with Aarti and they united that night.

Laxman Kila

A few years later, twins were born to them and Laxman shifted away from Ayodhya to present-day Lucknow. Angad and Dharmaketu were ideal sons to her and Laxman. As for Laxman, He served his brother till his last breath. She, however, came across as a lesser-known yet strong woman who lived and fulfilled her promise to him for fourteen years, alone. She is a woman who sets an example as an Independent and strong-willed person, much like women of today.

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 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 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 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...

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 ...

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 reckles...

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