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Rajputana Chronicles

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The kingdoms of Rajputana, an umbrella term coined by the British to unite the proud rulers of western India and parts of eastern Pakistan, have a rich and complex history that continues to fascinate historians. Far beyond the popular folklore, each state, region, and king carries a unique story woven through medieval times, marked by valour, sacrifice, and political intrigue.

This series delves into the historical truths drawn from contemporary writings on the Rajputs. It explores primary sources for the controversial tradition of Jauhar, once a desperate act of self-immolation, now viewed through a critical lens; the storied land of Mewar with its kings, coins, and fearless warriors; the eerie mysteries of the ghostly Bhangarh fort; the fierce Battle of Haldighati and its debated outcome;  Rajput women in Mughal court and the tale of a Raja of Bundi, a trusted aide of Dara Shikoh.

Rajputana Chronicles offers a compelling journey beyond myth and legend, bringing to light the real stories of courage, loyalty, and legacy that shaped this iconic region.





Mewar:








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The Reva Cries

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Rani Padmini: The Valiant Queen

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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...
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