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 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 patronised by their father. The sisters were taught to be brave enough to question all the rights and rituals rather 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 led a group of Demons to vandalise 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 aim 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 in two. Everyone stood amazed and confused, while Laxman had a 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 parents' home for Ayodhya. The sisters were happy they had each other at their husbands' homes. The city, the people, and the palace were all 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 was their brothers and sisters. A few months passed by blissfully as the sisters learned the Ayodhya way 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 spent, doing her duties as his wife, never meeting him. When the news of Sita's kidnapping and the impending war reached Ayodhya, Urmila was once again shrouded by uncertainty. For her sister, her husband, and their future. She prayed day and night, sleepless, in worry.

At last, the news of their victory was a relief. They were coming home. Ayodhya was lit by lamps. People celebrated their King's homecoming. Inside the Rani Mahal, after more than a decade, Urmila was happy, dressing up in her bridal attire for her husband. They were teenagers when he left, and now they were a man and a 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.

Rakhi Tales

The year was 1535 CE. The Rajmata of Mewar, widow of Rana Sanga, was in a dilemma. On one hand was an attack from Bahadur Shah of Gujarat as a threat to her capital, Chittorgarh, and the throne of her beloved teenage son Vikramaditya. On the other hand, there was the son of her husband's archenemy, Humayun, who could be of some help. Rani Karnavati wrote a letter to Humayun, who was in the east at that time. Along with it, she sent a Rakhi, a thread of brotherhood, asking him, as a sister, for protection against the enemy. But the road was too long and time, of great essence. Humayun arrived at Chittorgarh, in response to her letter, keeping his end of the bargain but a little late. Rani Karnavati had already performed the Jauhar. They never met. Humayun established Rana Vikramaditya on the throne of Mewar, as he had promised as a brother, and returned to his post. Two dynasties, political rivals and sworn enemies, from Sanga-Babur to Pratap-Akbar and even Raj Singh-Aurangzeb, yet ...

A Veranda Vendetta

“Outrage in Calcutta; Terrorist Raid, British Officer Murdered” Read the headlines of The Times on Tuesday, 9 th of December, 1930. 1930: A significant year 1930 was a very significant year in the history of India’s Freedom Struggle against the British Raj. The Indian National Congress went ahead to declare the 26 th of January as India’s Independence Day, celebrating it nationwide; the Civil Disobedience Movement was officially started by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, and Subhas Chandra Bose was arrested for participating in the same. On 18 th April, Surya Sen, better known as MasterDa, had done the unthinkable, raiding the British Armoury with his students and fellow teachers at Chittagong. He was still on the loose, yet to be found. In this year of growing protests against the colonisers, an incident emerged that shook the British at their old capital. The Bengal Volunteers Corps was a group of volunteers organised in the 1928 Calcutta sessi...

Bijolia: Her Home

Journey to Bijolia: Lost Kingdoms and Timeless Temples of Mewar Bijoliya translates to a stop between two cities. Nestled in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district, Bijolia sits 55km from Bundi and 105km from Chittorgarh on the well-travelled Bundi-Chittorgarh road. Once part of Mewar, this seemingly sleepy town guards a rich and layered past: it was ruled from the 11th to the 13th century by the Punwars (or Parmar Rajputs) before falling under the Chauhan dynasty, who shifted the region’s capital to Bhilwara and constructed the imposing fort there. After a brief Chauhan rule, Bijolia was reclaimed by Rana Kumbha and became an integral part of the Mewar kingdom, with the Parmars serving as local Raos, representatives and stewards of the royal house. Despite its history and the famed Bijolia inscriptions (a treasure for historians), Bijolia has never found a seat on Rajasthan’s primary tourist circuit, especially if you’re venturing out by public transport or private car. While a handful of...

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...

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 Hidden One

In the grand fort of Daulatabad, a princess was born in 1638 to Emperor Aurangzeb and his cherished consort, Dilras Banu Begum. She was christened Zeb Un Nisa, her very name meaning “ornament of womankind.” The youngest of her sisters, Zeb Un Nisa, grew up surrounded by the opulence of the Mughal harem at the Red Fort, under the spiritual guidance of her Sufi uncle Dara Shikoh and her wise aunt Jahanara Begum. From her earliest days, she was captivated by poetry, spending hours immersed in literature, her mind dancing among the verses of Persian and Urdu poets. As she blossomed into adulthood, Zeb Un Nisa cultivated her own literary voice and gathered the greatest poets of the Mughal Empire in her private council. Adopting the pen name “Makhfi”, the Concealed One, she wove magic with her words, always returning to one intoxicating theme: Love. Her father, Emperor Aurangzeb, was the most powerful man in India, unyielding in his faith and rule, yet also deeply affectionate towards his ...

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 ...

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...

Mewar: Parting Words

The journey through Mesmerising Mewar ended the night I boarded my train from Udaipur, my heart weighed down by the memories I was leaving behind. As the city lights shimmered in the darkness, I found myself turning back at every chance, reluctant to bid farewell to Mewar, a place that felt less like a travel destination and more like a forgotten home. Sometimes I wonder if my love for the place comes from another life. My parents certainly think so. With the city’s silhouette fading behind me, it felt only right to share my last thoughts: the flavours of the cities, the hills of Aravallis, the moments that made those 15 days feel like a dream, a dream I had dreamt a long time ago, to see his world, through his eyes. His home. I’ll be forever grateful for. The Food: Soul of Mewar Udaipur is a feast in every sense! I dove headfirst into plates brimming with local aloo sabzi, peas cooked with a gentle sweetness, and the signature Rajasthani Churma that seemed to melt away any tra...

The Idea of Independence

Independence is not merely about a free country, a flag or a democracy or a monarchy as the power seat of a region. It is a feeling and a choice. Entitlement to one’s own opinion and rights. Often, a reason to reform. Independence is about individuality and mass. As we grow up, we often write essays on “My Inspiration.” The word inspiration is, in reality, deeper than we understand at that young age and is more often than not merged with our childhood ideas of an ideal man, an idol, or someone who helps us, namely, our own teachers or parents. Some of the students even mug up essays that tell the tales of the lives of Swami Vivekananda or Mahatma Gandhi. But it takes us years, or even perhaps a lifetime, to be mature enough to know and understand the true meaning of inspiration and idol. When we do, it is then that we choose ones that appeal to our morals, thoughts and souls. I remember Independence Day as a child. Every 15 th of August used to be about our locality dressed up in ...

A Journey To Discover Life

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