RAABTA

Legend has it that Pratap had to struggle for his father Rana Udai Singh's approval on his wedding to the daughter of Bijoliya's chieftain's daughter, Ajbante Kanwar Punwar. It is so because he was the crown prince and his first queen was supposed to be the next queen of Mewar. Hence, his father expected his first bride to be a powerful princess who would aid his political needs. But stubborn as he always was, Kunwar Pratap had other plans. The water of the Bhimlat was still. The sound of the waterfall could be heard in the silent afternoon in the dense forest. A pebble caused ripples in the water and alerted the horse gazing nearby. He looked up at the source of the stone. Then began grazing peacefully once again. The source of the stone, however, was far from being peaceful. His face wore a frown as he stared around restlessly for the umpteenth time. He sat unmindful on the large rock on the bank of the water body, watching the ripples closely, lost in thought. The sou...

The news had spread like wildfire. Udai Singh's spies were suspicious of the story of a Bhil boy who had killed a tiger. It was an unimaginable feat by a tribal lad. Something was amiss. Udai Singh sent his soldiers to see for themselves. The soldiers hovered around the Bhil villages for weeks until the Bhils confronted them, fearing for their own safety. The soldiers could not confirm the news, but the spies could guess what Udai Singh feared.  "He is going to rebel." He said to a worried Dheer Bai. "That is why he has befriended those Bhils." "If you fear treason, Ranaji." Dheer Bai seized the chance. "You can keep him under house imprisonment somewhere away from Chittorgarh." Udai Singh looked reluctant. "The chiefs will see it as my weakness." He grunted. "I will tell my spies to keep an eye on them." "It's unsafe to stay here anymore." Pratap stopped at his morsel, hearing his mother speak. She was fanni...

The Bullock cart stopped in the middle of the forest. The scorching heat of the summer sun over the head. It made the woman sweat. It had been a long time since she had been outdoors in the summer sun this way. Kunwar Pratap was holding the reins of the cart. He was in a simple white angrakha and a red pagri. Those that commoners often wear. He glanced over his shoulder at his mother. She looked tired in her simple green lehenga. Her face was covered in a semi-transparent dupatta. "Do you need to stop for water?" He enquired. Jaivanta shook her head at her concerned son. He was barely twelve, yet he spoke like a protective man. They had stopped twice on their way from Jallore to Bhilwara. Once, they had bought this commoner attire from a local market. They had paid a young woman handsomely for buying it for them. Then they stopped for the night at a traveller's den on the way. These traveller's dens were made by Sher Shah for traders who stopped on their way to Surat....

"Jija, your fear has blinded you." Dheer Bai's words to Jaivanta Bai made everyone gasp. The entire Rani Mahal of Chittorgarh had gathered in the hall. Jaivanta Bai had accused Dheer Bai of poisoning her son's milk. "I know you did it." Jaivanta's lips trembled. Her eyes were teary with fear. A copper glass of milk lay spilt across the floor. Kunwar Pratap stared at his mother in shock. "Your wet nurse was seen around the milk." Dheer Bai let out a soft chuckle. "Just because Jagmal's nurse was around, it does not mean..." "You hate Pratap. I know you do." Jaivanta Bai spoke firmly. "Why will I hate him? He is like my son." Dheer Bai defended. "Like..." Jaivanta shook her head. "It is not the same." "Ranima." Kunwar Pratap held his mother's hand. "I am fine." "If your servant did not notice the slight change of colour, the milk would have killed you." His mo...