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. At this moment the only hope he had was a king who had not allied with the Mughals. He took the official seal and immediately sent a messenger to Udaipur. Rana Udai Singh of Mewar was his hope. He looked over at his worried queen. His daughters Phool Bai and Asha Bai had been reading in a corner. He worried for his daughters. Like the princesses of others, he would not push his own daughters into the darkness of the Mughal harem. A guard came rushing in on a dark horse with the news. The princesses gathered eagerly in the courtyard, their faces covered by Dupatta. The guard was addressing Kunwar Ram Singh.

" A Mughal alliance will only be fulfilled in a marriage with one of our princesses Hukum. Raoji has ordered you to bring the princess to the Khema."

" Which Princess?" her mother asked.

" Rajkumari Phool Kunwar Baisa."

" No Never!" She saw her father shout at the guard as she rushed into the andarmahal, tears rolling from her cheeks.

She has heard of the infamous Mughal, his innumerable Rajput wives who found a place in his harem and remained insignificant. Not everyone was as lucky as Harka Bai. She was too vain to be a wife at a Mughal harem. She overheard maids whispering that the proposal will eventually be accepted. After all, Rao Maldeo had ordered so to his son.

Helpless, scared and humiliated Ram Singh paced his room. Phool had locked herself in the room she shared with her younger sister and the young and clueless little princess was trying in vain to bring her Jiji out. Ram Singh stared at his wife, scared as she asked "What now?"

"I will find a way, I will not let them marry her to a Mughal... I... I..." He knew soon, that his father would storm into the Rani Mahal in fury, defy his pleadings and take his daughter away. There was very little time.

" I have a suggestion and that is worth a try."

" What is it?" he looked at his wife, eyes filled with hope.

" Why don't you write to Kunwar Pratap? He is in Kumbhalgarh and he seems more efficient than his father now."

" What will I say?"

" Tell him the situation. I think he will provide aid because it's Akbar. He has helped other Rajputs also."

Rajkumari Phool Kanwar stopped at the threshold as she heard her mother. Ram thought about it. What else was an option now? Marwar and Mewar were bordering states but not in the best of terms. But he had heard of Kunwar Pratap's valour and dignity. He was the only hope to save his daughter.

" And..." Her mother continued "I think knowing your future is in trouble he might marry her for the alliance as well. Udai Singh is not keeping well, Kunwar Pratap will soon be the Rana of Mewar."

" No." Phool Kanwar was firm with her answer, as her parents stared at her. " He already has four wives. She knew his love and dedication to the commoner queen consort. She did not want to be a fifth. But what if he took her father's letter as a wedding proposal? She had another thought in mind.

In the Kumbha palace of Kumbhalgarh, Kunwarani Ajab De Punwar got a letter from a Rajkumari she only heard of. She grew worried at the letter in hand. Another Rajput ally with the Mughals. That too Marwar. The future was in trouble. Kunwar Pratap was in his courtroom discussing their next move with the nobles. Ajab De rushed in.

" Ekanth." She ordered. He was taken aback. Rarely does she interrupt his meetings for her own problems?

" What is it, Ajab De?" He was shocked. His ministers were puzzled too.

" Kunwarsa I have an important matter of the state to discuss with you. It's urgent." She appeared dignified in front of the nobles. He ordered them to disperse.

" Important Matter of the State, Ajab De? Since when do you keep such news?" He appeared amused. He was proud of how much she had grown and matured over the past few years.

" It is no time for this, Kunwar Pratap." She was scolding her childhood friend, ignoring his glances. " Read this. " She handed him the letter.

" I will send an army immediately, to bring Kunwar Ram Singh and his family to Kumbhalgarh. He has written to Daajiraj already, that's what we were discussing here with Rawatji. Kumbhalgarh will be safe for them. Ajabdeh, you make arrangements for their arrival." He was rushing out when she stopped him. " I have another request."

" Your requests are always such that they put me in trouble." He replied back. After all every time there was a talk of marital alliances Ajab De came with these " Requests".

" Rajkumari Phool Kanwar is in danger. She does not want to be trapped in his harem."

" I know, they will be safe here." He reassured her.

" What if they come for her? Rao Maldeo's army?"

" What do you want Ajab Deh?"

" A marital alliance with Marwar will be good." She said with a determined look.

" What? You want me to... Ram Singh Rathore is rebelling against his father, this is no relation with Marwar anyhow." He was puzzled.

" I know Kunwarsa but a girl can not stay here all her life like that, can she? Please meet Ram Singh Ji and bring the family back with you."

" What makes you care about a princess you barely know Ajab?"

" that could have been me and you would have done this for me, wouldn't you?" He had no answer. She continued amused. " I heard she is the most beautiful princess of Rajputana..."

" Ajab De, you know that I...."

" Yes, you love me and these are only marriage alliances. Now go, and bring her home." She took the aarti thali and put Tilak on his forehead.

" I will not talk alliance unless Ram Singh Rathore Ji insists so for the honour of his daughter." He reminded her before leaving.

The small group from Marwar had arrived and Kunwar Pratap had welcomed them to Mewar. Ram Singh Rathore was aware of his father's fury. And he had indeed caused humiliation by opposing his decision. But Ram Singh Rathore was a true Rajput blood who looked beyond his duties as a son, towards his duties as a Rajput.

Kunwar Pratap was indeed impressed by the man. He had brought with him a handful of men to offer, but in these situations of uncertainty, any help was welcome. Ram Singh Rathore was satisfied with the warm hospitality and also wrote a letter to express his thankfulness to the Rana in Udaipur. He also mentioned his desire for a marriage alliance with the crown prince.

" He can protect us all. You see how he honours women." Her mother had said " Don't even look up at them. He treats his wives and children so well." Phool Kanwar had to agree.

Kunwar Pratap upon his father's will to strengthen the bond with Ram Singh Rathore, married his Fifth wife Phool Kunwar Rathore and Kunwarani Ajabdeh Punwar with his chief consort and choice of a bride for himself. His other wives before Phool Bai were Jaso Bai, Pur Bai, and Champa Bai. Kunwar Pratap's second son, Chand Singh was born to her along with two other sons and Ajab De gave birth to Bhagwandas later. Unlike what many believe Phool Kanwar Rathore was married to the Crown prince of Mewar because her father sought asylum in Mewar to escape Maldeo Rathore, his own father whom he rebelled against and Phool Kanwar hence wasn’t the most important alliance of Maharana Pratap. She had two more sons with the Maharana.

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