Of Faith and Fate

Series Announcement!

Historical Fictions are special, so here is one, short but special tale close to my heart after a really long time!

This story is a special one because it is completely historical fiction with very little connection to the fan fiction I have written previously. However, I have maintained the sequence of events, reading history books on the context.
This is not a story of a man and a woman, their love and trust. This one is about the tests time often puts people through, forcing them to change.

My protagonists in this one are hence, two princesses of the same age.

Ajabdeh Punwar or Ajbante Kanwar Baisa, as she is locally called is the princess of a very significant district of Bijolia in Mewar. Bijolia lies in the seat of political events, at the border of Bundi and Mewar. Having her lineage from the mighty Chauhans, her forefathers once ruled Mewar. Her father is an officer in the army of Mewar under Rana Udai Singh and she is a lady of principles, mature for her age, eager to learn and serve her people. A marriage full of promises of a bright future as the Maharani to the crown prince is set to change her life completely, in ways she had never imagined.

This is not the first time I will be telling you the tales of these people. Kunwar Pratap of Mewar, his journey from being Rana to Maharana, Maharanisa Ajabdeh Punwar, her faith and support. Their valour, sacrifices and battles. But this is the first time, I decided to omit the drama, and concentrate on who they were and what they stood for. Not much is known about this lady, except that she was the Queen and Mother to the heir. But from Folklores and local stories, Ajabdeh comes alive, as his pillar of strength. In my imagination, she is the perfect reflection of his soul and his mother’s character. Otherwise, he would have never ‘chosen’ to be with her. This is her story.

There are two sides to each story, everyone says. And I agree. We may believe or support one, and discard another. While Rana Pratap’s determination and love for his motherland remains on one, the other side of this coin is the Mighty Timurid Dynasty that struggled to rise to the power of Hind. There is a young thirteen-year-old Prince who suddenly becomes an emperor. Jalaluddin Mohammad becomes Akbar for his people. And amidst the most influential characters in his Haram, is his first wife, Shehzaadi Rukaiya Sultana Begum. Not much has been written about her because she fails to give him an heir. But she remains his chief consort throughout her life. This is her story too.

Rukaiya Sultana Begum, the Princess of the Timurid dynasty has her lineage from Ghengis Khan and Timur the Lame. Babur’s granddaughter from his son Hindal Mirza is all set to become the empress of Hindusthan. She is married to her first cousin. But her innocence is at stake in this dream and power struggle. She is yet to learn how to be politically influential and diplomatic. In her quest for existence, she fears losing herself, or worse, her loved ones. Will she be successful in becoming what her family expected of her or will she be just another forgotten name in the largest harem of Hindustan?

Let's take a short journey through the lives of these two women while their Men made History!

Ps. I will keep adding footnotes of historical references and information throughout the story to keep you updated with the historical events I have used. At the end of the story, I plan to post a chronological table of the chapters as well. Hope that you all will love this tale as much as I do.

Bibliography

The following Books had been consulted while writing this Historical series.

Mewar and The Mughal Emperors by G.N. Sharma
War Strategies of Maharana Pratap by L.P. Mathur
Mughal Empire by R.C. Majumder
Akbar the Great Mogul by Vincent Smith
Daughters of the Sun by Ira Mukhoty
Episodes from the Life of Akbar by Shireen Moosvi
Private Life of the Mughals of India by R. Nath
Maharana Pratap by B.N. Rana
Tuzk E Jahangir translated by Oxford University Press
Shahjahan Nama translated.
Annals and Antiquities of Mewar by Col. James Todd

Index page. Of Faith and Fate

Comments

The Zamindar’s Wife

"O Bou , looks like you have invited the daughter-in-law of the Zamindar house too!” Uma Thakuma said in a slightly displeased tone. Sampurna looked up at her mother-in-law, worried. Her age was not more than twenty-two, but she had been married for a long time though nobody kept track of years in villages. After such a long unfruitful marriage, there was a reason for happiness in the family, today was her Sadhpuron . How could she have not invited the little sister who was her nearest relative in the village, to her baby shower? Even when Bondita was the daughter-in-law of the Zamindar's house, did it erase their blood relationship and grow into merely their class division? Her mother-in-law lowered her voice when she said, “Even if you invite her, she will not come. They are our God, have you ever heard that God comes down to earth to the house of the poor, my child?” However, Uma Thakuma’s tone was different when she saw Bondita, the daughter-in-law of the Zamindars. &qu

Jomidar Ginni

জমিদার গিন্নি ENGLISH TRANSLATED VERSION HERE “ ও বৌ, বলি ও বাড়ির বড় গিন্নিকেও ডেকেছ দেকচি! “ খানিক ক্ষুব্ধ সুরে বলে উঠলেন উমা ঠাকুমা । সম্পূর্ণা মুখ তুলে শাশুড়ির দিকে চায়। বয়েস তার একুশ বাইশের বেশি হবেনা কিন্তু বিয়ে হয়েছে বহুদিন , তা বছরের হিসাব পাড়াগাঁয়ে কে রাখে? বিয়ের এতদিন পর সংসারে খুশির কারণ এসেছে। অনেক দুঃখের দিনের পর আজ সাধ পূরণ তার। প্রাণের চেয়ে প্রিয় ছোট বোনটিকে বাদ দেয় কি করে সে ? হোক না বন্দিতা জমিদার বাড়ির বড় বউ, তাতে কি রক্তের সম্পর্ক মুছে গিয়ে বড় হয়ে দাড়ায়ে শুধু তাদের শ্রেণীগত বিভাগ? শাশুড়ি মুখ বেঁকিয়ে বলেছিল, “ডাকচো ডাকো বাপু, কিন্তু সে আসবেনা। তারা আমাদের ভগবান, তা শুনেছো কোনদিন ভগবান গরিবের ঘরে এসে দাড়িয়েছে, বাছা?” তবে জমিদার বাড়ির বড় গিন্নি বন্দিতা কে দেখে উমা ঠাকুমার সুর যেন অন্য রকম। “ঈয়ে .. মানে ও বৌমার নিজের পিসির মেয়ে কিনা তাই.. “ ইতস্তত করে বলেন বাড়ির গিন্নি। “জমিদারের বউ, তাই লোকে সাহস করে দু’চার কথা বলেনা কিন্তু বিয়ে তো হল অনেকদিন।” উমা ঠাকুমা চোখের কোন দিয়ে দেখলেন কেমন দেবতার আগমনে সরগোল পরে গেছে। সম্পূর্ণার দিকে আর কারো দৃষ্টি নেই। “তা বাচ্চাকাচ্চা তো হ

Unexpected

" This is your room Ranisa." Hansa opened the door to the well-furnished large guest room of the Bijolia Palace. The diyas were lit and the room was neat and clean. " Your Daasis decorate the rooms well." Jaivanta Bai looked around. " Oh, Ranisa. all these... " Hansa smiled proudly. " All these are done by my daughter." " Your daughter?" Jaivanta Bai smiled surprised. " Milwayiye ." Jaivanta Bai was eager to meet her. " Ajabde! Ratan!" Hansa called as the girls came in. 13-year-old Ajabde preferred a simple lehenga in a pink and blue Dupatta clad over her head. She was the first one to calmly bend down and touch Maharani's feet as a five-year-old Ratan came running. " Ajabde is very talented in sewing, gardening and home decor. She can also...." " Maa Sa...." Ajabde's soft protest stopped Hansa as Jaivanta Bai smiled. " Accha, I won't tell but these are your good talents, right?

Towards You

Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde were friends. He didn't feel awkward sharing his plans and thoughts with her anymore. She was more than happy to advise him on everything. She was happy he listened to her advice before taking or discarding them, be it on what to wear to Padmavati's Sagai or how to befriend the revolting Bhils. He loved the way Ajabde always used metaphors from Puranas and Ramayanas to explain the toughest things so easily. She expressed herself so well, so easily that it amazed him. The Afghans were now led by Mehmood Shah. They have made secret territories in the forests and waited to attack. Rawatji and his spies had confirmed the news and Udai Singh had warned Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. And his spies clearly suggested that in no way could he win, especially with Kunwar Pratap leading his troops. He was having second thoughts about the war. One of his aides

The Promises

“Love comes unexpectedly, like a gust of wind in the summer afternoon.” The morning was gloomy at Bijoliya. Rawat Chundawat and Rao Ramrakh Punwar sat with dejected faces that showed that they had been insulted enough for their idea of peace by the Rana. Kunwar Partap sat rubbing his hands with a frown. Kunwar Shakta fumed at his father’s irrational behaviour. “I apologize.” Kunwar Partap broke the silence “On his behalf, for your insults.” Rao Ramrakh looked up at the crown prince joining his hands before him, in shock. “No No Kunwarsa!” He held his hands humbly “You need not apologize. Ranaji is right. This is his decision, we cannot…” His words faded out as Rawatji placed his hand gently on his shoulder. “It cannot be his decision if it is Mewar’s future at stake Raoji.” Kunwar Shakta fumed. Kunwar Partap shot him a warning glance that made him stop. Kunwar Shakta was angrier at what Rawatji mentioned. Their father had even gone to the extent of breaking personal ties

Abhi Naa Jao

“ Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahe koi Nishaan Mera... Mehfoos Haato Mein Rahega Yeh Jahan Mera.” Ajabdeh’s head hurt. The last thing she remembered was that she had lost contact with the base as well as Jalal. Her device had some technical glitch and she had no idea when either Major Singh or King was going to arrive with backup. She saw the gang load their boxes into small trucks and decided to go ahead with the mission all by herself minus the backup. She had no time to wait for them. They needed to be stopped from escaping. Since the day she wore the uniform, Ajabdeh had never cared about her life. Yet that day, when she was putting the silencer on her gun, her eyes stopped briefly at the name on her faded Mehendi and her heart skipped a beat. In a moment, she believed he would understand. She sighed and took a deep breath before charging. Major Pratap Singh had never done this before. He had defied the order of his senior to retreat after their cover had been blown by Captain

The Marriage

“The knots of destiny were tied, fate sealed, and she knew she had lost her in him, as souls entwined.” As soon as Ajbante Kanwar tilted the bowl of rice at the threshold of the Kumbha Palace at Chittorgarh, she felt a deep surge of emotions inside her. It had been a long journey from the time she had dreamt this dream to a struggle of the mind and heart, and finally, she had seen in his eyes a sense of respect she was looking for, for who she was. Today, the corner of her red veil was tied to his stole as she crossed the threshold into the Sisodia house, her soul knotted to him, for eternity. She felt like all her prayers had been answered. Ajbante Kanwar was however alert ever since she stepped inside the Ranimahal. From as much as she had heard of the Ranimahal, from her mother, newcomers were often tested here. It was a game of tactful survival and diplomacy; she had to make sure Kunwar Partap was proud of his decision. Her words and moves were to be accounted for very

She Left...

The war was over and so were the hopes of regaining Chittor. The Battle at Haldighati had robbed the Rana of all his wealth, and brave men, and bruised him for life. Trying to match up to Akbar or rather Raja Man Singh's army with one-third its strength had cost his bravery dearly. He had lost his friend and companion. He had brushed past death. The only good thing that this war ensured was that Akbar accepted that he cannot have Mewar. His army retreated and left the country in peace after almost two decades and seventeen wars. This war gave something else too. Kunwar Shakti came to help his brother in his time of need. He lived up to his brother's expectations of being loyal to his family. A heavy-hearted Rana Pratap Singh was overseeing the construction work on his lost friend's memorial right where he died, trying to save his master. The Bronze statue of the life-like Chetak stood tall but was no match for the void Chetak has left behind. He was lost in his thoughts as

What was That?

As Days Passed By... Kunwar Pratap was by now used to being called Aswapalak by everyone as Ajabde still stumbled upon “Kun…” and “Pr…” once in a while. He had managed to take time out and tell her about the letters he received. His mother was fine, and everyone missed him, he felt happy. She smiled at his childlike enthusiasm, as he read out parts of Majhli Maasa’s letter. Two days went in a flash as Ajabde got busy taking care of her friend’s wedding. Everyone was in praise of the way she single-handedly took care of every detail so easily. Ajabde was dressed in an orange and gold lehenga and minimum jewellery for the wedding. She had taken up the task of dressing up the bride all by herself. She had put the dupatta on her friend’s head as Saubhagyawati blushed and Ajabde smiled a satisfied smile. She held her friend’s stone-cold hands reassuringly as the nervous bride managed a smile. The sound of drums filled the air and Ratan came shouting “The groom is here.” Ajabde

RAABTA

Search This Blog