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.

Comments

Protisruti

প্রতিশ্রুতি বন্দিতা মা কে জড়িয়ে ধরে যেন প্রাণ ফিরে পায়। “ভাল আছিস?” জিগেস করে সুমতি। বন্দিতা হঠাৎ খেয়াল করে আগের মতো তার মুখ দেখেই তার মা আর তার মনের অবস্থা বুঝতে পারেন না। তার সাথে হঠাৎ মনে পরে কত অনায়াসে অনিরুদ্ধ বোঝে যে তার মন খারাপ। একবার জিজ্ঞেস করেছিল সে স্বামীকে, কি করে তিনি বোঝেন তার মন খারাপ। ছোট বন্দিতাকে তার মতন করে বুঝিয়েছিলেন তার স্বামী। আজ বন্দিতা বড় হয়েছে কিন্তু সেই প্রশ্ন সে আর করতে পারেনা। বন্দিতাকে খাটিয়ার উপর বসিয়ে এর মধ্যেই সুমতি যায় তার জন্য মুড়ি মুড়কি আনতে। বন্দিতার চোখ পরে পায়ের নূপুরের উপর। তিনি বলেছিলেন “তুমি খুশি হলে তোমার নূপুরের আওয়াজ অন্যরকম হয়, আর তোমার মন খারাপ হলে অন্যরকম।” বন্দিতা নূপুরটা বাজিয়ে দেখেছিল সেদিন। আজকে সে জানে পার্থক্য তার নূপুরের শব্দে নয়, অনিরুদ্ধের পর্যবেক্ষণ শক্তিতে। আবার কেন তার কথা ভাবছে সে? বাড়ি এসেছে মায়ের কাছে। আর ভাববে না সে, হয়তো দু তিন দিন পর ত্রিলোচনবাবু পাঠাবেন বিহারী কে বন্দিতাকে বাড়ি নিয়ে যেতে, ততদিন মায়ের কাছে একটু শান্তিতে থাকুক না সে। দুপুরে আম দুধ দিয়ে ভাত দেয় তাকে সুমতি। “তোর প্রিয় খাবার দেখ, মাম...

Answers

Aniruddha could not work all day. It started raining heavily outside, the curtains of the room swayed in the gusty wind, and things around the room toppled over. Koeli came to pick them up, to see if he wanted to eat anything but Aniruddha wanted to be left alone. Countless questions and fears raced through his mind. Bondita never went home like she did that day. Rather, once a year, even before Jamai Sasti, she checked the household chores a hundred times. If Batuk had a test, if someone was sick, she was reluctant to go. She just packed a bundle so quickly and left for her mother’s place. Had she distanced herself from Aniruddha? Was it his fault? Anirudha started thinking. Could she not take him as a husband because he pushed her away and hurt her? Aniruddha repented for his actions. If indeed Bondita denied their relationship knowing the truth behind it, could she be blamed? But was that why she was pretending to be asleep even though she was awake that night? What did she think ab...

Promises

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Choices

The winter rains and gusty wind were unpleasant weather for Adhiraja Ishaan Dev. The Suryapalian capital was far more tropical weather of the plain lands than that of Neelambargarh, situated on a plateau rather close to the Heemdevi. It rained more in Neelambargarh, and the winters were cold. The wine did very little to comfort him as he kept the lamps of his chamber lit in an attempt to feel warmer. On the contrary, he observed how Priyambada complained that the winter isn't cold enough. It had been a quarter of the moon cycle since Maharani Priyambada met Kumari Advika of Mait. Although Ishaan Dev was eager to know what the ladies did talk about, he wasn’t sure whether to ask Priyambada. So he waited for her to tell him something, anything! But Priyambada seemed to act like the meeting never happened. She didn’t even disclose anything to Smriti as per Kumar Viraj. Ishaan Dev was perplexed. What was talked of in the meeting? Worse, did Advika mention him? She must have. The last t...

Going Home

Bondita's Mama came to Tulsipur to meet his daughter. He was a poor man and wore a short dhoti and a Batik shirt. It was wrong to come empty-handed to the daughter's house, so two pots of sweets accompanied him. Reluctantly, he had to go to Roy Chowdhury's house. They were the Zamindar of Tulsipur, the master of the father-in-law of Sampoorna, they needed to be respected. Apart from that, the fate of the sister and niece who he was reluctant to shelter and spent day and night rebuking them about had turned, the same sister now handed over some money to him by the end of the month, because of the kindness of Aniruddha Babu. He did not have the luxury of pushing Lakshmi away. Hence it was necessary to come to the landlord's house to meet his niece. In their house servants also dressed better than him; Look at the fate of the girl . Where he had arranged for her to stay in a corner of an old man's house, now Bondita was living a queen’s life. Zamindar Trilochan Roy Ch...

Uttor

উত্তর সারাদিন কাজে মন বসেনা অনিরুদ্ধর। বাইরে অঝোরে বৃষ্টি হতে থাকে, ঝোড়োও হওয়ায় ঘরের পর্দা দোলে , জিনিসপত্র এলোমেলো হয়ে যায়। কয়েলি আসে ছোট মালিকের জিনিস গুছিয়ে দিতে, তিনি কিছু খাবেন কিনা শুধোতে কিন্তু তাকে চলে যেতে বলে ঘরে খিল দেয় অনিরুদ্ধ। একা থাকতে চায়। তার মনে আনাগোনা করে অসংখ প্রশ্ন এবং আশংকা। যে ভাবে বন্দিতা স্বেচ্ছায় মায়ের কাছে গেল আজ, সেরকম সে কোনদিন যায়না । বরং বছরে একবার জামাই ষষ্টিতে যাওয়ার আগেও একশো বার বাড়ির কাজকম্ম দেখে শুনে যায়। বটুকের পরীক্ষা, কারুর শরীর খারাপ হলে তো কথাই নেই। সেই বন্দিতা আজ হঠাৎ বাড়ি যাবে বলে কি তাড়াতাড়ি পোটলা গুছিয়েছে। এতই কি দূরে চলে গেছে সে অনিরুদ্ধের থেকে? তা কি তার নিজের দোষে? ভাবতে থাকে অনিরুদ্ধ। সে দূরে সরিয়ে দিয়েছে বলে অভিমান না কি তাকে স্বামী রূপে গ্রহণ করতে পারেনা বন্দিতা? অনিরুদ্ধ পশ্চাতাপ করে। সত্যি যদি বন্দিতা সব জেনে তাদের সম্পর্ক অস্বীকার করে, তাকে কি দোষ দেওয়া চলে? তবে কি তাই সেদিন রাত্রে জেগে থাকা সত্যেও ঘুমের অভিনয় করছিল সে? কি ভেবেছে সে অনিরুদ্ধের ব্যাপারে? কেন চারিদিক বাছবিচার না করে এমন করল অনিরুদ্ধ? নিজের প্রতিজ্ঞ...

Adornment

The rainy night had given way to a rather pleasant summer morning in Suryapali. The temperature was no longer soaring and a gentle breeze blew through the plains of Suryapali. The sun peeped out through the floating clouds occasionally. Priyambada walked into her chambers after a luncheon to find trays laid with drapes and jewellery, waiting for her. “The Maharani sent this for some celebration in the evening,” Vrinda spoke, bowing at her mistress who nodded silently. Priyambada eyed the trays and exhaled. She wasn’t sure if anyone talked to Ishaan Dev about the rituals. She dismissed Vrinda and decided to read the scripture. As Priyambada sat down on the edge of the bed, scripture in hand, her thoughts travelled to the happenings of the night and she inhaled as her throat felt dry. Why did he stop? Did he feel that he had offended her? Priyambada wondered. She walked up to the attire laid down for the evening and picked up the drape wrapped into a bodice and wrap-around skirt. They w...

Ghore Fera

ঘরে ফেরা বন্দিতার মামা মেয়ের সাথে দেখা করতে আসেন তুলশিপুর। গরিবের ঘরের ছা পোষা চেহারা তার, পরনে খাটো ধুতি ও ছিটের জামা। মেয়ের শশুরবাড়িতে খালি হাতে আসা অন্যায় তাই দুটি মিষ্টির হাড়ি সাথে। অনিচ্ছা সত্তেও রায় চৌধুরী বাড়িতে যেতে হয় তাকে। তারা তুলশিপুরের জমিদার, সম্পূর্ণার শ্বশুরের মনিব, তাদের সম্মান করে চলা মঙ্গল। তা ছাড়া যে বোন ও বোনঝিকে আশ্রয় দেওয়া নিয়ে দিনরাত কথা শোনাতে বাঁধতো না তার, সেই বোন এখন মাস গেলে তার হাতে টাকা তুলে দেয়, অনিরুদ্ধ বাবুর দয়ায়। হাতে আসা লক্ষ্মী পায়ে ঠেলার বিলাসিতা করার মত মুরোদ নয় তার। অগত্যা বোনঝির সাথে দেখা করতে জমিদার বাড়ি আসা। এদের বাড়ির চাকররাও তার থেকে ভাল পোশাক পরে; ভাগ্য দেখো মেয়েটার। কোথায় কোন বুড়োর বাড়ির এক কোণে পরে থাকার ব্যবস্থা করেছিল সে, এখন বন্দিতা রাজরানী। জমিদার ত্রিলোচন রায় চৌধুরীর যাকে পছন্দ নয় তাকে তিনি সেটা বুঝিয়ে দিতে দ্বিধা বোধ করেন না। বন্দিতার মামা তার তেমন এক অপছন্দের পাত্র । বৌমার মুখে তিনি যা শুনেছেন তারপর বৌমার তাদের প্রতি টান দেখে আশ্চর্য হন ত্রিলোচন বাবু। কিন্তু কুটুম্ব তারা। হাতে কর...

Trust

Ishaan Dev woke up at the sound of the hourly bells and trumpets and found himself alone in bed. It took him some time to realise that he had perhaps overslept as he looked confused, half asleep first at the hourglass and then at the sun rays coming into the chambers through the swaying curtains. He sat up to suddenly remember the happenings of the night, as his eyes travelled to the blood stain on the sheet and he sat in contemplation for a good few minutes. He finally had his moment with Priyambada and it was nothing like he had imagined it to be. A part of him that yearned to touch her and taste her was satisfied enough to realise that his longing for her was not only physical. When bodies entwined in the union, and he had pushed himself in, as he had with a hundred other women before her, something in him felt a different sense of completeness and fulfilment that he realised was missing from his life. He had seen Priyambada react to the sensations that were completely new to her, m...

Gratefulness

Aniruddha did not return home that night, he informed on the telephone that he was stuck in urgent work so he would return home the next day after spending the night at the client's house. Bondita spent a sleepless night. What would she tell Barrister Babu? And why would he believe it? She was lost in her thoughts twisting and turning in bed all night. She was hurt. Was her husband so reluctant towards their relationship that he did not wish to return home because of her? Once he was busy with some work and was pacing in the study room. Bondita was a child. Her Jetha Shoshur Moshai had taught her to serve her husband. She used to see Bihari take a cup of tea to the study room every day. Despite Bihari's resistance, she picked up the cup of tea that day. "Don't do this, Ginnima ," Bihari was terrified. “Barrister Babu does not like to talk or be disturbed during his work. If he gets angry, I will lose my job.” Bondita ignored his words and entered the study room w...

RAABTA

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