RAABTA

This was originally written as a Short Story, but it feels better to include this chapter in The Legend of Maharana Pratap, the series, as it is one of the most important and impactful chapters of his life that made him who he was. “Tomorrow will be a new dawn, of new hope, and a new beginning. Tomorrow will be the best. Because Tomorrow, there will be no tomorrow.”   The cold night was silent. The stars twinkled like a sheet of golden sequins spread across the midnight sky.  The camp tents below had green flags flying high. The Shahenshah E Hind was having a good night’s sleep in the peace of an almost seized victory. He dreamt of sitting on the throne of the fort the next day as the invincible, and who knew, perhaps, he could catch that nightmare alive. Kunwar Pratap Singh had stolen Jalaluddin’s dreams and turned them into nightmares. His otherwise not-so-efficient father would have surrendered long ago. Rumour had it that he had escaped with his closest kin to some lakesid...

1567 CE Udai Singh II had decided to move his capital to the new city down south. After months of tedious work, it is finally ready on Lake Pichola. But it would mean leaving behind Chittorgarh, their home since Bappa Rawal's time. Not only memories, but the pride of the Sisodia Clan was attached to it. But he needed to move his family to safer grounds. The history of their family was always full of turmoil, death and struggle. But he was determined to keep his family safe. For the first time, a Rajput King was thinking of his family before his subjects. He called his sons and chieftains for a meeting. After much discussion, it was decided that they would move out of Chittorgarh, leaving it in the care of Patta Sisodia, Jaimal Rathore of Badnore and Kalla. Kunwar Pratap was not in favour of the escape and was firm on maintaining his station at Kumbhalgarh. Rawat Chundawat convinced him that he was their future. He should be out of danger to save Mewar in the future. The discussion ...

Ajabdeh sat quietly on the palace balcony, her baby sound asleep on the Jhula . Unlike traditional Princesses, she did not let her firstborn be taken care of by Dai Ma . After all, she was the future Maharani and had to make sure the heir to the throne was safe. After all, she was one of the few to know how manipulative her stepmother-in-law was. The Bhatiyani Queen hated her husband. Suddenly, she heard footsteps and grew alarmed. "Baiji Sa..." She was relieved to see her Daasi .  " Yes, what is it?" She asked, eagerly. " Maharani Sa sent you a message to be ready. Kunwar sa and Rana ji will be arriving back in Chittor any time soon, and it's been twenty-one days, so Maharani Sa wants you to welcome Kunwarsa yourself." As the Daasi left, she picked up her newborn, kissed his forehead and whispered, " Kunwar Sa will see you for the first time." Her eyes twinkled with joy. He had written to her continuously these last few months when he cou...