The Difficult Times

Background:

Rana Pratap rose to prominence as the new hope for Mewar in February 1572. His subjects and chiefs had a lot of faith in his ability to remove the Mughal influence from Rajputana. In the year 1573, in the months of February, June and November, Raja Man Singh, his father Bhagwan Das and Todal Mal came to persuade the Rana on alliances respectively. Although he received the fellow Rajputs cordially, their purpose remained unsolved. These frequent visits to his court from alliances of Akbar made Gogunda vulnerable as a capital. He decided to move himself to a small village at Girwa, about 8 miles from Haldighati. Not being able to reach him anymore, Akbar's chieftains were forced to prepare for war against the Rana. Under the leadership of Man Singh, Akbar's army reached Haldighati, the chosen battlefield on the banks of the Banas River. The brave Rajputs having only half the army's strength fought bravely and an injured Rana was taken to safety by his favourite horse Chetak before the horse died of the injury. After the battle, Pratap was devastated, at the loss of Chetak, and many of his loyal chieftains and decided to concentrate on regaining several parts of his empire from the smaller outposts of the Afghans and Mughals. He moved to Kumbhalgarh Fort, his birthplace with his five queens and children. In the years 1577 and 1588, he managed to take back four major Mughal outposts near Kumbhalgarh forcing the Mughals to retreat. However, Akbar decided to send his expert chief to kill Pratap in a sudden attack. Knowing these intentions from his spies, on midnight of 3rd April 1578, Pratap and his family abandoned the Kumbhalgarh fort for a life of exile, away from Mughal eyes. The Mughal army managed to seize Kumbhalgarh but found it empty much to their dismay.

The story:

The royal family dressed as commoners to avoid being identified. Danger lurked in every corner of the mountains and forests and they had to be alert. They were now at Dholan. Amar, who was a nineteen-year-old youth now, kept a strict eye on his younger brothers Chand Singh, Bhagwan Das and his three sisters. He was responsible for their safety. Ajabde, Solankhini Bai, Champa Bai, Jasobai and Phool Kanwar Bai cooked and looked after the family and a few soldiers who accompanied them, like any other normal housewives. It was extremely difficult for the princesses who had lived lives of luxury in palaces to cope with this. Ajabde was the protective elder sister to all of them, making sure they were comfortable and their difficulties did not disappoint the Rana.

She cooked and cleaned and taught the children the VeerGatha of their forefathers. Rana Pratap was busy meeting his chieftains in disguise. They brought them a supply of Bajra and vegetables. Sometimes the supply would run low, and Ajabde starved silently, not letting the Rana know, fearing he would change his mind and surrender. One day, the family gathered to eat the day's meal. Rana Pratap sat with his favourite son by his side, his children surrounding them. He could not help but notice how Ajab De's health was deteriorating over the months. He was indeed worried, Suddenly something struck his mind.

" You people have your meal, I am not hungry today, I will go see how the army is getting along with the day's exercises." He ordered his wives and stepped out. Two rotis each and a plate of vegetables are not what any princess desires. He knew some of them secretly resented marrying him. Ajab de happily spread the food for her sisters.

" You won't eat with us Jija?" Phool asked her, holding the empty leaf plate meant for Ajabde.

" I will eat later, Behena, after I do the puja. " She stepped out of the tent. Away from their sight, she went into the bushes looking for wild fruits. They did not have enough Bajra, her thoughts trailed.

" What are you doing here?" She got shocked as she put a berry in her mouth. It was him.

" Kunwar Pratap, I..." She stammered. " What are you doing here?"

" I knew you were hiding something, I just knew it." He sounded disappointed. She could not look him in the eyes.

" You remember Ajabde..." He continued looking at her. " You and I had a deal, whatever happens, we will be in it together, no matter how tough."

" Kunwar..."

" No, you are going to listen to me, I know you won't eat without giving enough to your children and sisters."

" We don't have enough resources Kunwar Pratap."

" Now we are talking. You should not starve. Ajabde, what if you fall ill?" His voice filled with concern as she looked at him, his eyes moist." I can't lose you."

" Kunwar Pratap I can..."

" Here..." He took out a roti from his hand, " from today, we will have one each."

" When did you...?"

" I saved mine, I am Rana Pratap, I can do this." He smiled at her.

That day, in the clearing, Rana Pratap and Ajabde shared the heartiest meal they ever had together.

Days passed by, and the supplies were reduced, they had to look for alternatives in the wild, leaves and fruits that were edible were cooked and served. One day as Ajabde was making Roti, she gave two to the youngest princess. The princess, happy to get two rotis after so long, ate one and kept the other for later. However, as she left it unattended, a wild animal came and stole it. The princess cried for her roti as her mothers consoled her

The sight filled Pratap with regret. He remembered how luxurious his life was at her age and how he could not provide even two rotis for his daughter. He walked away from the scene. Ajab De followed him into his tent. He knew she would come.

" I am thinking of surrendering."

" No, Kunwar Pratap, why ..."

" You saw what happened. She is a princess, she should have the life she deserves. You know how luxurious my days in Chittor were, I could not give her anything."

" Rana Pratap Singh, she is a princess, and a royal family should always be ready to sacrifice everything for their motherland. Our Veer Gathas teach us that. She is a child Kunwar sa, she does not understand the cause. You are not only her father. There is a country full of people who believe you will free them of Mughal dominance. You need to think of them too."

" Ajab De whenever you talk like this it makes me admire you even more. " She looked into his eyes and blushed.

There were noises in the clearing and Amar came out. " Daajiraj, I feel the same way Rani Ma does, we can not surrender to the Mughals no matter what." His proud parents looked at him with pride. He had the nature of his mother and the bravery of his father. They could not be prouder.

Akbar's spy had seen what had happened, he immediately left for Agra with the news that Pratap was thinking of surrendering. Akbar waited for this news for so long, that he rewarded the spy and let him go. One such alliance of Akbar, present in court that day was Prithviraj Rathore, a poet and royal Rajput, first cousin to Pratap. (His mother's sister was Prithviraj's mother.) He was shocked to hear this. Away from the hawk eyes of the Mughals he wrote to his cousin:

"Patal Sun Badshah, Bole Mukh Hunta Bayan,

Mihir Picham Dis Mann, Ughe Kasabh Rao Uth,

Patakun Munchiyan Paan, Ke Patakun Nijh Taan Karad,

Dije Likh Deewan, In Do Mahali Baak Ikh."

It means,

" The mouth of Pratap has begun to say Badshah,

Oh Rao, has the sun started rising in the West as well?

Should I Keep my hands over my Mustache or Should my body fall with my own hands?

O Deewan, write an answer and choose between the two."

Pratap promptly replied to his cousin with a poem in return:

"Turak Kahasi Turakado, Inn Mukh Sunn Ikling

Uga Jiya Hi Ugasi, Prachi Bichh Patang,

Khushi Hunn Pithal Kamadh, Patako Muchiyan Paan,

Jeete Hain Pachatan Patto, Kilama Siir Kewaan"

It means,

"Lord Eklingji will always make my mouth call him a Turk,

The sun will rise in the East always.

Be happy and put your hand on your moustache,

Till Pratap stands on his feet,

His sword will keep hovering over the Invaders."

Prithviraj was very happy to get this response from his cousin, knowing he was the last hope of Rajputana and later letters between the two further indicated how even some of Akbar's Rajput allies and Hindu kings had their hope rested on Pratap's hands to liberate the Rajputs of Mughal influence.

Life in exile was one of the most important parts of his life with Ajab De and his life as a king. Although historical records have no proof of this letter, most of Rajputana's folktales are found as Veer Gathas of Kings and queens and this letter is very popular among them. The next few years showed great success for Pratap as he regained Kumbhalgarh and a few other prominent places with the help of Amar Singh and also finally in 1585 AD the Mughals decided to leave Mewar, keeping an outpost at Chittorgarh, and peace was restored in Mewar once again. However, Pratap's life remained difficult with the untimely demise of Ajabde some five-six years later.

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