Colours and Fun

The Palace was decorated for the wedding, the guest rooms were filled with renowned guests, and the family was busy with the wedding preparations. Rana Uai Singh, Raja Surajmal and Rawatji sat discussing matters of the state with Kunwar Pratap. The Ranimahal was filled with the laughter and giggles of princesses, queens and noblewomen. Everyone was eager to meet Ajabde, keeping her busy since the morning. Heer sat pretty in a white and gold lehenga while Shakti wore a white dhoti. The Ranimahal was separated into two groups: the bride and the groom.

Maharani Jaivanta Bai had made sure the royal tailor made dresses for every occasion, not only for the bride and groom but also for the newlywed Pratap and Ajabde. For Haldi, Ajabde was wearing a white lehenga like Heer's with a marigold yellow dupatta and pink borders. Pratap's white kurta had the same pink borders, and his turban matched his wife's dupatta. Ajabde wore her own wedding jewellery that made her look as gorgeous as the bride.

The Haldi powders and paste were first taken to Shakti. Jaivanta Bai, Sajja Bai and all other relatives were smearing Shakti with Haldi as he sat blushing, and Ajabde smiled, remembering her own wedding. She came forward, and Shakti smiled at her, putting forward his cheeks to his Bhabisa, making everyone laugh.

"Kuwaranisa will take the Haldi to Heer."

" Ji Ranima."

" Where is Kunwar Pratap?" Sajja Bai asked.

" He must be hiding somewhere, fearing the Haldi." Chakrapani smiled.

" Aree, you are here!" Ajabde hugged Saubhagyabati, whose baby bump was starting to show. Jaivanta Bai greeted them. Then she told Chakrapani,

" Now it's your job to drag him out of Rajkarm and make him enjoy the wedding, Chakrapani."

" I will do that, Maharanisa." Ajabde smiled at Jaivanta Bai before leaving with the Haldi.

" Aree... Bhabisa..."

" You want to say something, Kunwarsa?" Shakti had caught Ajabde in the corridor.

" Woh..."

"You want to say something to Heer Baisa?"

Shakti was a little hesitant, then he handed Ajabde a mala of Heer's favourite flowers.

" I got this for her hair..." Ajabde smiled and nodded, and took the gift for Heer.

"Jija, you are here!" Heer hugged Ajabde. "You look beautiful. " She swiftly handed Heer the gift while hugging, and she hid it beneath her dupatta. Jasobai saw that and smiled.

The Haldi ceremony was done; all the ladies were in the common hall, smearing each other with the remaining Haldi. Jaivanta Bai remembered she had kept some Haldi to dry on the roof of the Private Mahal of the family.

"Kuwaranisa, go fetch the remaining haldi too if it's there on the roof." She ordered.

" Ji."

" Chaliye Baojiraj!" Chakrapani was dragging Kunwar Pratap by the hand away from the kings and nobles.

" Aree, where are you taking me, Chakrapani?"

" I am following Maharani Sa's Aadesh Baojiraj!"

" What?"

" Yes, to keep you away from Rajkarya till the wedding, so I'm taking you to the Ranimahal!"

" Chakrapani, stop!" Kunwar Pratap let go of his grip." I have no work in the Ranimahal Chakrapani. The ladies are busy with the rituals there. I am going to my room!"

" But... Baojiraj!" Chakrapani was calling in vain at the retreating figure.

"Ohho!" Pratap was talking to himself. " If I go there, then Shakti can attack me with the haldi, the whole Mahal is filled with haldi, where will I go?"

Ajabde was picking up the powdered and dry paste Haldi in a bowl when she sensed his presence. He was a little taken aback seeing her there as he looked here and there to see if anyone was watching before he approached her with a smile. An idea struck Ajabde's mind. She smiled to herself.

" Ajab..." She turned around, throwing powdered haldi at his face, surprising him. His face and Kurta were smeared in Haldi as he looked at his wife giggle.

" What just happened?"

" You got smeared in Haldi." He couldn't help the little haldi on her left cheek as she laughed.

" Accha?" He took a handful of Haldi from the one spread on the floor.

" Nahi Kunwarsa!" She ran to the other end of the roof. Her payal made tinkling sounds, and he ran after her. Her dupatta was flowing.

" Why are you scared?" He caught her by the hand and pulled her close, and used his other hand to smear her face, neck and hair with the Haldi powder.

" Kunwarsa!" In a flash, she threw what remained of the bowl at him. He sat down, hiding his face with his palms.

" Aah, my eyes, Ajabde!"

" Are you all right?" Worry crept on her face as he pulled the haldi spread on the cloth on the floor and rained her with it, laughing.

" You tricked me!" She complained as she realised all the Haldi was now on the floor. But a Rajputani never loses. Her eyes caught a glimpse of the bucket of water nearby. She rushed to it before he could grab her.

" Ajabde No!" She splashed him with the water as he got drenched.

" You are in big trouble, Kuwaranisa!"

" No No No!" He grabbed a pail of water and splashed her lehenga. Now, as they ran, their footsteps made footprints across the floor of the roof. They ran about, throwing whatever they could find at each other, from dried leaves to even mud from the pots. Their laughter rang through the silence of the roof.

Jaivanta Bai wondered what was taking Ajabde so long; maybe there was no haldi left, and her Agyakari daughter was making some more. She walked up the stairs, followed by Sajjabai and her Bhabisa. They stopped hearing the laughter of the duo. Never had she heard Kunwar Pratap laugh so loud, let alone Ajabde. The trio exchanged a surprised look.

Jaivanta Bai stepped out on the roof to find it smeared in water and Haldi and mud, and their footprints everywhere. Kunwar Pratap's Pagri lay undone in the water. She travelled towards the sound of the laughter as she caught a glimpse of the sight before her. Pale in hand, Ajabde was ready to throw some water, and Kunwar Pratap was standing opposite her, in warrior stunts with what appeared to be some mud he picked up from a pot. The duo froze at her sight as Sajjabai and Mamisa stepped forward and exchanged a surprise look. Jaivanta Bai had a serious face on as she looked around the messed-up rooftop, and Ajabde hid behind Kunwar Pratap, dropping her pail and trying to put her dupatta back on. Both were dripping wet, smudged in Haldi and mud.

" Ranima... woh...." He opened his mouth as he spotted his undone pagri and went to grab it, exposing Ajabde, who was standing, red and staring at her own feet.

" Kunwar Pratap, go and have a bath." Jaivanta Bai was trying hard not to laugh. Ajabde walked past Pratap and them and ran down, followed by an embarrassed Pratap. The trio broke into laughter.

After a bath, Kunwar Pratap was in a Royal Blue kurta and was adjusting his red turban when Ajabde came in, in the same blue lehenga, her open hair wet and hanging from one side. Eyes met when he smiled. She had a worried look on her face.

" What happened?"

" Chi Chi Chi, Ranima saw us, with Majhli Ma and Mami sa. What will they be thinking of me?" She hid her face with her hands, making him laugh.

" Ajabde, you were there with me, not a stranger..."

" It's all your fault, Kunwarsa!"

" My fault?"

" Yes!"

" Who started it?" He folded his hands and stared at her as she looked away.

A daasi came in announcing, " Rajkumarisa is calling Kuwaranisa."

Ajabde left a smiling Pratap, who made his way to Shakti's room. Shakti was getting dressed for the wedding with Chakrapani's help when Pratap walked in. He was setting his brother's turban straight as the duo smiled at him. Ajabde entered the room rather awkwardly as Heer smiled at her.

" Jija, what happened on the roof?" Heer giggled.

" Woh... Hum... I need to go give Kunwar Shakti something." She left embarrassed.

" Dadabhai, whatever happened today ... has spread like wildfire!" Shakti kept a serious face as Chakrapani chuckled.

" You want to get married or not?" Pratap eyed his brother and then his friend.

Ajabde's entry made them all turn as she handed Shakti the neckpiece.

" Look, he is threatening again, Bhabisa!"

" Stop complaining like a kid, Bhai."

" Leave him alone, Kunwarsa."

" But Ajab... I..." He nodded and left, followed by Chakrapani.

" Waise Bhabisa! People really enjoyed the Haldi. Didn't they?" Shakti chuckled as Ajabde turned red and was about to leave when Chakrapani came back to announce, " They are calling the groom to the Mandap." Ajabde smiled and followed them out to see Kunwar Pratap waiting.

As they walked ahead, he gave her his hand, saying, " Chaliye."

She took it before carefully leaving it once they arrived at the corridors leading to the halls. He smiled and walked past her to Shakti as she smiled to herself. It truly was a Haldi she would remember!

Queen of the Heart

Kunwar Pratap was in the Dangal Sthal practising his moves. Ajabdeh decided it was fair to know his strength before she summoned him. Sword in hand, in a white female warrior attire with only her face visible, she hid behind one of the large watchtowers of the Dangal, watching him move. She heard Rawatji say, "Your left hand is still weaker than the right one with the moves. Both should be perfect." A smile curved her lips. Knowing an opponent's weakness always helps, which is one rule of war she always remembered. Kunwar Pratap swung his sword with his left hand and turned around. He could sense someone watching; his sixth sense was never wrong. He looked around. Ajabdeh again peeped at the grounds to see that it was empty. He had left. She walked towards the empty ground, sword in hand. Suddenly, the cold blade of a sword was felt on her neck. She stopped still. " So someone was spying on me." His voice had a hint of taunt. " No, I was ... walking by......

The Legend of Maharana Pratap: An Introduction

Itihas ke Har Panne Ki Ek Bohot Bada Uddesh Hota Hai Jo Aap Aur Main Kabhi Samajh Nahi Paate. Shayad, Meera Bai Ki Bhakti Ki Panna Dhai Ke Sahas Ki Chittor ki Jauhar ke askon ki Ek Bohot Bada Uddesh Tha. Ek Pratap Ka Charo Or Phelne Ki Mewar Ke Suraj ki Roshni Ki. Mewar, a land in Rajputana, is nestled between the serene Aravallis. With its beautiful lakes and forestland, the yellow soil that witnessed warfare, and the mighty temples that stood as a testament to the Bhajans of Meera Bai, its history and folktales reflect stories of bravery, rebellion, and loyalty. Rana Sanga, the most famous of rulers who sat on the throne of Mewar, died unexpectedly, leaving Mewar in a state of uncertainty. Here is where this story begins. The year was 1535 CE, and Mewar's capital, Chittorgarh, stood invincible on the plateau surrounded by the Aravallis. The danger that loomed large after the king's demise was to the throne. Ratan Singh, the king's secondborn, was coronated rather quickly...

His Wife

" Where is the Kesar, Rama? And the Kalash?" Ajabdeh looked visibly displeased at the ladies who ran around. " They are at the fort gates, and nothing is ready yet!" She exclaimed. She was clad in a red lehenga and the jewellery she had inherited as the first Kunwarani of the crown prince. Little Amar ran down the hallway towards his mother. " Maasa Maasa... who is coming with Daajiraj?" His innocent question made her heart sink. " Bhanwar Ji." Sajja Bai called out to him. " Come here, I will tell you." Amar rushed to his Majhli Dadisa. " Ajabdeh." She turned at Jaivanta Bai's call. "They are here." " M... My Aarti thali..." Ajabde looked lost like never before. Jaivanta Bai held her stone-cold hands, making her stop. She patted her head and gave her a hug. The hug gave her the comfort she was looking for as her racing heart calmed down. Jaivanta Bai left her alone with her thaal. " Maa sa!" A...

Scheme of Things

The ousting of Shams Khan and his troops from Chittorgarh earned Kunwar Partap Singh overnight fame across the land as tales of his bravery made their way through the dunes and hills, across rivers and borders to lands far and beyond. At thirteen, he had commanded an army troop to take over the fort of Chittorgarh and restore Mewar’s borders to their former glory. People started comparing him to his forefathers, the great Rana Kumbha, who built forts across Mewar and his grandfather, Rana Sanga, who had united all Rajputs against external threats. As bards sang praises of the prince, gossip soon followed. Gossip was the most entertaining one could get in the mundane city lives and village gatherings, and it often travelled faster than the fastest Marwadi horse. So alongside the tales of his absolute bravery and how he hoisted the Mewari flag on the fort, were the stories of how his life was in danger, the king and queen did not quite get along and how he was made to live in poverty by ...

One Night

Happy Valentine's Day, readers! Hope you put your self-love and your love for reading right at the top when you celebrate today! The night was eerie; the veil of stars shone in the clear sky, occasional clouds travelling with the wind, playing hide-and-seek with the crescent moon. The leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, and somewhere in the forestland, the call of an animal broke the silence. Owls hooted somewhere, and in the darkness, one could see across the arid land, beyond the water of a lake, a fort wall was lit by the torches of the guards who were awake and alert. The sandstone castle in the middle of the small township was asleep. The corridors of the Mardana Mahal, where noblemen and princes were stationed, were heavily guarded tonight. The prince of Mewar was travelling through this small town, on one of his many campaigns. The square-shaped palace had an inner courtyard for the ladies. Opposite the Mardana Mahal was the Andar Mahal, where the women resided. They shar...

The Queen

“Some remain immortal in deeds, others, in the hearts of their loved ones.” Kunwar Partap had left Kumbhalmer a little reluctantly with his chieftains to claim the throne that was rightfully his, at his father’s funeral at Gogunda. It did not come as a surprise to either Maharani Jivanta Bai or Ajbante Baisa that Rani Dheer Bai had tried to put her son on the throne of Mewar and ally with the Timurids. As Amar Singh rode away, excited, beside his father, Ajbante stared at them go, with a heavy heart. Today was the start of a new journey, a new title and new responsibilities, but all she could gather was that her baby was not a baby anymore. She felt the way she felt when she had first come to the house, alone in a crowd. A sudden tap on her shoulder jolted her from her thoughts as she turned to see Rajmata Jivanta Bai standing before her with questioning eyes. “What is it that worries you today, Ajbante?” Jivanta Bai asked, reading her face, “Is it not some sunshine after ...

My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda amidst uncertainty and chaos. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rawat Chundawat, and some other chieftains stopped the ongoing Raj Tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhatiyani hadn't expected Kunwar Pratap to show up, that too, despite her conveying to him his father's last wish of crowning Kunwar Jagmal. Twenty-one days after Udai Singh's death, she was finally close to a dream she had dared to dream since Jagmal was born. He was not informed about the Raj Tilak as per Dheerbai's instructions. She eyed Rawat Ji. He must have assembled the chiefs to this revolt against her son, against the dead king. No one except them knew where Kunwar Pratap was staying. It was for the safety of his family. " What are you doing, Chotima?" A disappointed voice was directed at her. She could stoop down so low? For the first time, an anger...

Legend of Maharana Pratap: Kika

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....

Legend of Maharana Pratap: Childhood of a Prince

Kunwar Pratap was eleven. He was a slender boy, fair but tanned in the sun. His curly hair was like his father's. He had brown eyes like his mother. He would go around the fort all day with Shakti and interact with commoners. Everyone in Chittorgarh loved the prince. He helped the needy. He assisted the handicapped. He never behaved differently with the rich and the poor. He was kind, gentle and chivalrous. Jaivanta decided it was time for him to attend Gurukul. As a Rajput prince, Pratap was going to train in warfare. Sajja Bai insisted that Kunwar Shakti join him for his training as well. It was time that the boys stayed away from the palace luxuries and learnt the hardships of life. The Rani Mahal had gathered at the Badi Pol to see the princes off to their Gurukul. Sajja Bai wiped away tears. Jaivanta Bai blessed them. They touched her feet. "May you become warriors and protect Mewar." The Gurukul was at the foothills of Chittorgarh, not far from home. Yet it was far ...

Legend of Maharana Pratap: A Prince in Exile

"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...

RAABTA

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