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.

Uttara's Hope

This is part of the "Uttara Series" You will find under the Mahabharata. The series is also available on Wattpad. She was clad in white attire. Her churamani and jewellery were all taken away. She sat numbly in front of his dead body for a whole day, pregnant with his heir, looking at his face as though he was asleep. He had told her more than once that this day could come and that she had to protect their heir. He feared her future without him. That one day turned the fifteen-year-old Princess of Matsya into an aged lady. She became quiet and aloof. Her only concern now was her baby. Her baby wiggled in her womb. She remembered him saying, " I will always be with you." All she wanted now was a son like his father. But she knew all Hastinapur wanted was an heir to the throne. The war had ended five days after his death, and they were back in the palace of Hastinapur victorious. She, for the first time, entered her real in-laws' home, but without him. All sh...

Asuras are not Demons

Demons in the Abrahamic religion are not the same as Asuras of Hinduism. Originally deities of Iranian origin, they were seen in the tribal context as no different from Devas but as counterparts to maintain balance. In early epics and Puranas, asura meant a chosen leader of great capacity. Only later, perhaps due to the Iranian link, their image declined. It was with the Brahmanas that the sharp divide appeared: devas as divine, asuras as evil. Puranic myths demonised them mainly to assert the superiority and immortality of devas, while asuras were cast as symbols of the "other." Since Tribes still worshipped them and embraced their power of negativity, being important to balance, they soon became synonymous with tribes, which was not the case mythologically. There are instances of Bali or Ravana being Kshatriya or Brahmin Asuras and competent kings. Indian demonology itself is vast and layered, shaped by surviving tribes, each with unique myths. Celestial, aerial, and terres...

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 have been killed by him. Chittorgarh was in darkness. Around March 1540, Mewar once again saw hope as some trusted generals, along with Kunwar Udai Singh, attacked Chittorgarh, taking Banbir by surprise. He was soon ...

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...

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...

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 ...

Mewar: Origin of Guhilots

Origin: Lord Rama had two sons, Labh and Kush . The Ranas of Mewar are descendants of the former. Labh had built his capital at Lah-Kot (Lahore) , and the branch from which the Mewar blue blood arrives resided there until Kanaksen (Often traced as the founder)moved to Dwarika, Saurashtra. "Sen" was used as a title term for many decades by this Suryavanshi clan until it later changed to "Dit" or "Aditya", names of the Sun. Aditya was changed to Guhilot permanently after the expulsion from Saurashtra when they settled in the Ahar valleys (Aravallis). The Sisodia clan sprang from a Prince of Chittoor who had killed a hard chase hare (sissoo in local dialect). The branch often used " Ranawat ", meaning "Royal Blood", as a title, but over time, Sisodia emerged as the retained branch name. Kanaksen wrestled dominance of the Parmar race and founded Birnagar in AD 144. Four generations hence, Vijay Sen ...

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...

Rani Padmini: The Valiant Queen

This story is a retelling of some parts of Malik Mohammad Jayasi's Padmavat, which was a historical fiction poem written in 1540, an odd 200 years after the siege of Chittorgarh by Allauddin Khilji. Historically, the Rajputs of Mewar didn't keep accounts of their queens, even by name, so the name Padmini or Padmavati was made up by Jayasi to represent the women of Chittor who chose the Jauhar. Historically speaking, Allauddin Khilji wanted the trade route to Surat for himself, which went through Mewar and Rana Ratan Singh, a patron of art, was not known for his military skills. So when Khilji surrounded the fort, the only way out was the Saka and Jauhar. Rani Padmini's Jauhar, as it is now popularly called, is also not the first Jauhar Khilji witnessed. The Jauhars of Ranthambore and Jaisalmer happened before he attacked Chittorgarh. Also, the act of Jauhar happened as early as the Greek invasions of Porus's state, when it is described as the "Mass immolation of Sa...

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 ...

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