The Royal Rajputs

The Royal Rajputs
Strange Tales & Stranger Truths

Manoshi Bhattacharya

200000 words, footnotes, timeline of the kings of Rajasthan and Delhi, 19th Century travelogue, 20 maps, bibliography, index, glossary of Indian terms.



Introduction:

Young James arrives to find India nervously awaiting a military takeover – yet another in her long sanguine history. The merchants of Britain strike the jackpot. Starting from the uncertain beginnings of a career in the East India Company’s army, James Tod discovers his passion for survey. But the highlight of his career in India is his appointment as political agent to the western Rajput states, which awakens his interest in the genealogy and the history of the Rajputs.



Mewar:

Tod arrives to find the court of Mewar in mourning. The Maharana, beleaguered by the current situation in Rajasthan, has been forced into pronouncing a death sentence upon his sixteen-year old daughter. The tale unwinds… We are transported to the 2nd Century AD, and the descendents of Lord Ram wander through Punjab and Gujarat, creating glittering legends, losing royal titles and living in obscurity until Bappa Rawal Guhilot snatches the throne of Chittaurgarh. After several ups and downs, Rawal Ratan Singh, with the legendary beauty – Padmini, by his side, ascends the throne. Her face is the cause of Mewar’s woes for Sultan Allauddin Khilji is determined to have her. The eighteen-year old queen eventually leads the women and children of Chittaur into the flames of Jauhar. Padmini, as it turns out, is no more than a myth and though Allauddin did indeed sack the great fort prompting Chittaurgarh’s first Jauhar, it was not for lust but for a vision far greater - that of securing a trade route. The Guhilot throne passes into the hands of the Sisodias. The story continues examining many legends until the age of the Mughals when the documenting of history receives a boost. Yet bardic tendency to add colour never pales. Jahangir is victorious eventually over the Sisodias, the last of the independent Rajputs. For years, Rana Pratap, despite having lost his kingdom, had held out against Akbar, spawning admiration and envy while Maan Singh craved Pratap’s surrender. Why did Maan Singh, crown prince of Amber – the great general who created Akbar’s Indian empire, find it so necessary to overcome a fellow Rajput who had fallen upon hard times? Jahangir and Shah Jahan turn out to be more than sympathetic towards the Mewaris. But their graciousness is salt to an open wound and no sooner does Aurungzeb mount the throne that the Rajputs break out in open rebellion. The story of Mewar ends with depredations by foreign marauders and Marathas and the arrival of the British – one-time trade allies, now colonial masters.

Marwar:

Setram and Sihoji ride into the land of death - Maroo. The Rathores deny their ancient roots and instead fabricate a beginning from the ashes of Kannauj. They struggle to gain recognition battling tribals and Bhati Rajputs who for centuries have laid claim to the title of Desert Lord. Suddenly there is a chance to grab at the throne of their overlord for the child that sits upon the coveted throne carries Rathore blood. The result is a falling out with the house of the Sisodias, the seperation of Marwar and Mewar forever. Jodha starts afresh and builds a new capital - Jodhpur. His brothers and sons father their own clans and the equations that are set in those early days are to last forever. Thus will the descendents of Jodha’s eldest brother, the thakur of Bagri, always be the first to anoint a new Rathore king and the sons of Champa and Kumpa retain their place as the premier nobles of Maroo. The sons of Jodha rally to Maharana Sanga’s side on that fateful day at Bayana when Babur takes on the Rajput forces. The victorious Mughal erects a pyramid with the heads of the slain and declares himself – Ghazi. The stories provide an insight into the popularly held concept of Sati – so vilified today. When Jodha’s great-grandson, Ganga, dies, he is joined on his pyre by five of his queens. Yet Padmavati, Maharana Sanga’s daughter, chooses not to be one of them. She is allowed to return home to Mewar. Sanga himself does not force Sati upon his unfortunate daughter-in-law, Mira – the self-proclaimed bride of Lord Krishna. It is clear that Sati is a choice that the woman makes. Ganga’s successor, Maldeo, succumbs to Akbar. These are elderly men, experienced in the craft of diplomacy and war, who cow down before the youth. But in the long run Marwar is saved, as its kings accept Mughal offices and win for their people peace and prosperity. The gallantry of the Rathores fills their annals with swashbuckling tales and legends of love that overwhelm the visitor to the desert. The story of Marwar ends with Tod paying Ajit’s great-grandson a visit. He discovers an intelligent man who puts up a guise of insanity to keep his scheming nobles at bay.

Bikaner:

Jodha’s son, impatient to test his fortune, builds for himself the junior Rathore kingdom of Bikaner. But destiny hands to him heirlooms that belong with the head of the Rathore clan or perhaps it is the will of Karni Mata who laid Bikaner’s foundation stone herself. Her temple at Deshnok, a haven for divine rats, still draws devotees from around the world. But Bikaner, prone to attack lying out in the open desert, sees wisdom in joining hands with Akbar. Its princes rise to become distinguished generals.



Bundi & Kota:

The Hada Chauhans, offshoots of the Chauhans of Ajmer, are deprived of their kingdom by Allauddin Khilji and receive sanctuary in Mewar. Gradually edged out, they become confined within a valley - Bundi. Mewar continues to demand unending loyalty but the Hada spirit cannot be subdued. Rao Hamoo chases Maharana Lakha away and Kumbho Bair Singh Hada, who despite being in the Maharana’s personal service, insists upon defending a clay model of Bundi that has been set up only to be destroyed and appease the miffed sovereign. Rao Narayan Das springs to the defence of Chittaur and wins himself the hand of a princess. The ancient Chauhan fort of Ranthambhor, lost for centuries, is returned to Bundi and to celebrate, a wedding is held within its precincts. Within days, the armies of Akbar knock at its doors. A treaty is negotiated and Ranthambhor changes hands yet again marking the beginning of the Hada-Mughal alliance. Though legend speaks of Akbar’s impatience with Rao Raja Bhoj, who refuses to shave his moustache despite an imperial command, the bond remains firm. Kota is carved out of Bundi and made independent when Jahangir wishes to honour a younger son of the Bundi Rao.

Amber & Jaipur:

Princess Heera weds Akbar and changes the destiny of her people. Mirza Maan Singh and Raja Sawai Jai Singh get to play roles of a lifetime. Jai Singh and Ajit of Marwar are contemporaries and when Ajit dies Jai Singh is quick to snatch the new raja of Marwar - young Abhay, for his daughter. But the scholarly father-in-law and brawny son-in-law are often at loggerheads, much to the amusement of the Mughal court. Jaipur suffers the rise of the Marathas and its share of changelings and malicious gossip. Raja Sawai Jagat Singh competes with the raja of Marwar for the hand of the princess of Mewar driving the poor girl to suicide. Jaipur resists the British and is the last to sign a treaty with them.

Jaisalmer:

Soon after the great battle of Mahabharat, Lord Krishna’s descendents are ousted from Dwarka. They travel west and set up kingdoms in Afghanistan. Ghazni belongs to them and the proof lies in a wooden throne that they treasure. Though the ancient capitals of Tanot, Deorawal and Lodurva lie in ruins, Jaisalmer maintains its distinction as the oldest fort in Rajasthan to remain in continuous occupation. Its rawals make their money looting imperial caravans and despite severe retaliation will not give up their lucrative trade. Love and magic blossom on the desert sands and tales of tantra are woven to explain their unaccounted wealth. Their women are remembered in song - Padmini - queen of Chittaur, Mumal - whose ready wit enchanted the prince of Umarkot and the graceful Maru - who drew to her side Dhola prince of Narwar. Rawal Sabal Singh is the first to join the Mughals but the court of Jaisalmer like that of Bundi and Kota falls prey to domineering ministers. It all ends on a happy note – the kingdoms are at peace and Rajasthan celebrates a triple wedding.