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 learned to uphold traditions without question. Sita was Mother Earth's blessing to Janaka, and Ram was Agni's blessing to Dasharatha.

Ram and Laxman were the chosen princes taken to be trained by the sage Vishwamitra. He wanted the princes to help him kill a dangerous Demon Taraka Rakshasi in the forests where he used to perform his annual Yajnas. A reluctant Dasharatha let his sons venture into the dangers. Ram and Laxman learned the arts of warfare. However, something told their guru they were no ordinary princes. At such a tender age, barely fourteen, the Princes learned quickly. Their tip was perfect. Soon, they were ready. Vishwamitra had invited many Kings, Princes and other learned men to his Yajna. Upon reaching there, the brothers decided to explore the beautiful Ashrama of the learned Guru. They came to the garden and saw some princesses making garlands and picking flowers, their backs towards them. Laxman realised that all the life he had lived with brothers, his heart craved a sister he never knew he had.

The preparations were on for the Yajnas, and the eager Princess Sita was asking Vishwamitra the significance of the rituals. Standing a little distance away, the prince of Ayodhya was in awe of how this Princess was eager to know the reason behind everything he had never ever questioned. The demons were heard coming, and the learned men feared the worst. Every time, men were killed, and the Yajnas were destroyed by these demons. But this time was different. The young Princes stuck a bow on their arrow. Sita watched a brave prince chant some hymns and attack the mighty demon army. Two brothers bravely defeated the demon clans. A smile appeared on Sita's lips. He was brave but not vain.

As the Yajnas were completed successfully, Ram looked around to spot the Princesses ready to leave. He wanted to talk to her, but he had never talked to a lady before. He turned back towards his hut.
" Don't you think it's wrong?" Her voice startled him.
He turned back and saw her standing, her face demanded an answer. " You killed a woman, wasn't it Adharma?"
" What she was doing was Adharma. Punishing a wrongdoer is never Adharma. Dharma is not based on gender." She seemed satisfied with his answer and smiled. He smiled back at her, palms folded.

In the distance, Rishi Vishwamitra smiled. Destiny had spoken. He offered Janaka and the Princes of Ayodhya a trip to Rishi Gautama's ashrama. The eager parties agreed. During the journey, they crossed rivers, dangerous forests and clearings. Ram noticed how easy the princesses were in their surroundings. Urmila walked up behind her sister, " The younger one is quieter than the older one, even." She seemed displeased that, so many times their eyes met, Laxman always shied away. Never even smiled or greeted her.

Reaching Rishi Gautama's ashrama, they were greeted by a huge rock. Eager, Sita asked, " Rishi Var, what is this rock? Why is it standing here?" Ram had the same question in mind. Rishi Vishwamitra narrated the tale of how Indra tricked Ahalya, Gautama's wife, into believing he was her husband, and thus Gautama accused her of infidelity and turned her into a stone. Later, when he realised that his wife was not at fault, he repented and blessed her. That the touch of a righteous man's foot can bring her back to life. Hearing the story, the princes and princesses were stunned. Urmila had a question in mind, " Why is fidelity so important for humans? Demons and animals have more than one partner, then why not men?" Rishi Vishwamitra responded to the eager group of youngsters before him, " Because our behaviour distinguishes us from animals. We are the most advanced creatures of god, we should respect and love only one partner through life, that's humanity."
" I will always be faithful to one wife," vowed Ram.
" But what if your wife does not think the same?" Ram was about to answer it when Sita responded, " If she is righteous, humble, and a follower of Dharma, she will follow his path and be his faithful wife too." A smile appeared on Ram's face. They thought alike.

Upon Rishi Vishwamitra's request, he put his foot on the rock, and Ahalya came back to life. An embarrassed Rishi Gautama was summoned, and his forgiving wife held his hand as they started life afresh. Watching the happy couple reunite after this long separation filled Ram's heart with happiness. Sita looked back at him with a smile. This was love.

Sita's father noticed this. He invited the Prince back to Mithila to try his hand at a bow. Whoever stung it would marry Sita. However, Ram was unaware of the prize. The Princess looked on, her heart pounding in her throat, for she had already chosen him. What if he couldn't tie the bowstring? He looked into her concerned eyes and lost his concentration for a second as an excited crowd looked on. He strung it too tightly, and the bow broke in two. Till then, no great warrior could even lift the bow, let alone string it. Janaka was happy to hand him his daughter.

Sita garlanded Ram with the Jaimala. Petals were raining on them, conch shells blew, and the people cheered as he looked into her eyes; they spoke volumes. She was happy to be his. His family was called upon for the royal weddings as they stood side by side, greeting the subjects of Mithila, happy to have chosen each other, clueless about what the future held.

The separation that would be spoken of for so many years to come, Sadness, anger, agony, humiliation, war, separation, and death came between them ever since they got married, but till the last day of their lives, they were faithful to each other, respected and loved each other and were inseparable at heart.

Even today, Ram and his Sita are worshipped as a couple all across India for the strength and faith they had in their relationship. For this is what people desire, his valour and her dignity. Yet, most lack respect for each other and the immense trust they had in their strained relationship.

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 Buddhist Empress of India

Many historians believe that although Devi was the first wife of Asoka, his Buddhist queen, Asandhimitra, was not the same person. However, some also theorise based on Buddhist and Jain stories that they were in fact the same person, and the reason for that is that they don't seem to appear in the timeline together. Devi disappears when Asandhimitra arrives at the scene rather abruptly to do her charitable work. Hence, I personally believe they were one and the same. This story, however, is a retelling of folklore and not history. Please do not consider this piece of fiction as history. The whole village of Vidisha Nagari was buzzing with activity. Every home was being cleaned, and cooking preparations were on. The youngest prince of Magadha was coming to a halt the night at their village on his way to Ujjain. Great unrest was reported at Ujjain, and the youngest prince, as the general of this region, was being sent by the emperor to solve the issue. The villagers were scared as th...

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