Our World

Holi in Surajgarh was always traditionally colourful and nice, with delicious homemade sweets and Thandai and lots of childhood memories. The people were too happy to find the Royal Family back in Surajgarh for Holi. Away from the media and news, these simple people who still looked up to the Royals always wanted them to come back home, unaware of the happenings of the fast lives in the cities. Their small world would celebrate Holi like never before this year. Surajgarh was decked up as soon as it knew Ranisa was coming on Holi. Ranisa, much like Ajabdeh Baisa, was their god-sent angel, who solved problems like miracles, and the people loved and respected her. Jaivanta did a Khamma Ghani to the crowd in her elegant, gracious way that always mesmerised Ajabdeh. She smiled, inspecting the latest happenings with the Panchayat, much to Jaivanta's delight.

"Jija, we are here for the holidays, so please don't talk about work." Shakti dragged her away as she said, "But..." Patta met them with a not-so-convincing smile as Ajabdeh asked, "What happened to you?"

"Nothing." He frowned as she looked suspicious.

"Everyone can rest till Holika Dahan. Rukaiya especially." Hansa spoke up. "And you?" Rukaiya looked down as she scolded."Mausi scolded her; she kept me on my toes all the time. Now it is her turn." Sau giggled. "Aarchi is coming with Mausi" Ajabdeh smiled at the baby. "Say bye to everyone." She walked away talking to the baby in her room, while the others went to theirs. Pratap was playing ball with Brownie when he heard Shakti and Patta with Jalal in the corridor.

"What is cooking here?" He frowned. "Jalal, if you do some mischief with them, I swear I will..."

"No... I am responsible." He made a serious face. "Pratap trusts me." Pratap frowned at his smile. Jalal quickly walked away to his room as Pratap watched Shakti go to him. Jalal frowned at Rukaiya's pale face as she was sitting in bed and having water.

"Ruk, are you okay?" He asked worriedly. "Just a little nausea..." She smiled faintly.

"Umm... is it normal?" He hated it when the doctor and the patient were the same people. It worried him that she would always hide something.

"Yes, it is." She giggled. "Do you remember my senior, Dr Mahamanga?" "She seemed very motherly to you." Jalal smiled. "She will be looking at me." Rukaiya smiled. "Relieved?"

"No, sleep." He frowned. Rukaiya giggled at his worried face as he kissed her forehead and repeated, "Sleep."

"Aww, Aarchi..." Ajabdeh was playing with Aarchi, who was smiling at Mausi. Pratap entered, smiling at the scene."Look at her!" Ajabdeh smiled excitedly. "I think she got a little taller?" Pratap looked clueless as she put a kajal tika on Aarchi's forehead.

"Nazar na lage meri princess ko."

He sat down beside her, staring as she smiled at Aarchi. The baby started crying as Ajabdeh promptly picked her up, saying, "Aww, what happened...." She cradled Aarchi as Pratap frowned at how at ease she was with the tiny baby. "Are you hungry? Is Aarchi hungry?" She said, worried and got up.

"Go to Kakasa, I will bring your food from Mamma!" She promptly placed Aarchi on his lap as he tried to protest and ran out. Pratap looked terrified, eyes wide at the door as she ran."Oh God...err...." He looked terrified as the baby moved. "Hi, Aarchi." He managed a smile, but the baby pouted and started sobbing. He remembered how Ajabdeh was cradling her, and that made her stop.

"What do I..." He looked petrified. "Ok....erm... Aarchi... hush..." He tried in vain. Jalal walked into the room, amused.

"Look who is taking care of Aarchi!" He smiled. "Jalal!" Pratap was all smiles as he handed Jalal the baby.

"What I... she is crying...." Jalal looked scared. "Stop her, come on!" Pratap smiled, relieved. "Practise."

"Pratap! Yeh... umm... hush-hush... Aarchi... hush...." He tried in vain as the sob turned to cries, and Ajabdeh said, "I'm coming, baby, Mamma is making your food..." The baby cried louder as they looked at each other. "Hahaha! What's happening here!" Shakti smiled, amused at the duo.

"She is a baby, not a battlefield. Let me try." Pratap and Jalal were happy to hand Aarchi over to Shakti, who thought the baby would feel good if he twirled her. He used to twirl Patta all the time. Only he was a two-year-old and not a month. But Shakti gathered that all babies are the same. Two whirls and she stopped as the men smiled at each other, Shakti more proudly. A moment of silence later, the cry was louder than ever.

"I should hurry." Ajabdeh looked worried as Sau smiled.

"Let me see Pratap's condition now." She giggled as Chaks agreed."Aarchi is..." Heer entered, spotting Aarchi on Shakti's lap as the three looked terrified. Aarchi was all red from crying.

"Three grown men can't hush a baby?" Heer looked disappointed as she took Aarchi and tried to make her stop, as she sobbed softly.

"Bhaijaan, I didn't expect this of you!"

"What did I do?" Jalal frowned. "Pratap made her cry." He pointed.

"I didn't..." Pratap defended as Ajabdeh rushed to the baby with the feeding bottle, and Sau and Chaks smiled in tow. Heer and Aarchi left for the baby room as the trio looked terrified at Chaks and Sau.

"Welcome to our world." Sau giggled, amused. "It's terrifying," Pratap said wide-eyed. "Petrifying." Shakti agreed. "Oh no!" Jalal could see himself in the next few months. "I need to start looking for a new place after Rukaiya throws me out." His serious tone made them all laugh at his pale face.

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...

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......

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...

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...

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....

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...

Begum Sahib: Forbidden Love

2nd June 1634, Burhanpur. " My heart is an endowment of my beloved, the devotee and lover of his sacred shrine, a soul that enchants mine." The Raja of Bundi had arrived at Burhanpur after a win in the war of Paranda. He had met the crown prince Dara and was honoured with a sword and elephant before he came to pay his respect to the Padishah Begum as per the norms of the court. Jahanara was writing in her room. Her maid came with the news, “Begum Sahib, the Raja of Bundi has arrived at court; he is at the Bagh to pay you his respect.” “Tell him to sit in the courtyard of my bagh, I will be there.” She had risen from her place, covered her face in the veil of her dupatta and walked to the place where he waited. “ Begum Sahib," he had acknowledged her presence with a salutation. She returned the bow with a nod. She was sitting inside the arch while he was on the other side of the Purdah, the sun shining over his head as he took his seat on the velvet carpet th...

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...

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