Skip to main content

The Turmoils of War


“Uncertainties often bring out the true character, and ego often burns down the image of a man.”

Maharani Jivanta Bai frowned a little at the messenger who stood at her threshold. She was not an official letter bearer, but a maid. Her veiled face could easily pass her as one of the maids of the Chittorgarh Palace itself, but Maharani Jivanta Bai’s keen eyes knew she wasn’t one of them.
Kunwar Partap was seated on the couch in her room, savouring some freshly picked mangoes, when the sound of the girl’s anklet alerted him.

“Ghani Khamma.” The girl seemed uncertain. Kunwar Partap’s hand stopped before he picked up the last mango.
“I… came with a message from…” Before the girl could complete her sentence, Kunwar Partap had walked up to her and snatched the letter from her hand.
“You may go.” His voice was monotonous. The girl stared at him, a little scared, from behind the veil, bowed to the queen and left in a hurry. From the sound of her anklet, it was evident that she was running down the corridor towards the gates.

Kunwar Partap was standing at the threshold, still inspecting the letter that had arrived. It did not take his mother a moment to realise that it did not contain an official seal.
“Who was that?” Her question was more of a firm doubt.
“A messenger.” Kunwar Partap frowned a little uneasily.
“I could see that. Who sends you a letter without a…”
“Ranima.” Kunwar Partap cut her short. “I am sorry. I will be back.”
Before Maharani Jivanta Bai could react, he was gone.
“Hai Eklingji. I hope everything is fine.” She let out a prayer.

Her husband had brought home a new bride. Veer Bai Jhalla was going to cause a war between Rajputana’s biggest forces, everyone believed. The poor girl was being blamed for the lust of men; Jivanta Bai felt pity for her. At the same time, she was concerned for Mewar. Maharani Jivanta Bai knew that it was Kunwar Partap who wished it to be untrue, especially with the forces of Afghans and Turks posing as impending threats to the Rajputs. She had seen him worried about the security of the borders. A war with Marwar was simply not on his agenda. With Kunwar Shakta away, Kunwar Partap wanted someone to support him in his decision to enter peace talks. He was spending most of his time with his most trusted chieftains talking over the matter. She was sure from his face that most of them thought only war could be a fitting reply to Marwar.
She called her maid in waiting, “Find out where that girl came from.”
“Ji Maharanisa.” She watched the maid leave with a sigh.

Closing the doors of his chamber carefully, Kunwar Partap smiled relieved. For the past year, he had received these letters. They were not addressed to him; neither did they mention the name of the sender. Yet, he replied only once, urging the sender to keep him updated each week. Was it because he had nothing to say? Or because he knew somewhere in a corner of his heart who sent those? He was concerned about border safety, and each week, these letters gave him insight into the movement of the Afghans and Bundis within the Bijoliya borders.

He opened the letter. Over the past year, the formality of long letters had shortened into just what needed to be told.
Khamma Ghani. I am fine. The family is doing well, too. Is there really a quarrel in the family there?” He couldn’t believe the letter had three sentences. He couldn’t help but smile. Over the years, the letters had a strange code to them, codes only he understood.” I” referred to Bijoliya and “Family” to the borders. He frowned at the last sentence. The letter was smaller than usual. Was it because he didn’t reply to them, or was she doubtful that someone else could also read them? He sat down unmindfully. Did she fear spies? He stared at the last sentence. The talk of an impending battle with Marwar was doing the rounds. She had asked him a question. Maybe because she wanted to know about the securities. Kunwar Partap unknowingly praised her intelligence.

Khamma Ghani.” Ajbante’s hand brushed the ink blot on the paper. Ever since the maid arrived with the letter from Chittorgarh, Ajbante had excused herself on the pretext of a headache and locked herself in her room. He actually answered her. Or did he answer the informer? Did he even know it was her? Something in her believed he did.
The quarrels are getting serious. The family is in trouble.” Her heart thumped in her chest. What she heard from behind the curtains of her father’s meeting was right then he confirmed it right then. The war was going to happen. She had heard her father talk of how the war was going to decide Mewar’s future and that of Kunwar Partap. It was an important war for him. He had won three wars in the past two years, but this was a great battle. Somewhere, Ajbante had her doubts. Did they actually need a war with Marwar exactly when the Turks were conquering the seats of Lahore and Dinpanah back then? The fifteen-year-old Jalaluddin Mohammad had a great army, they said.
Men, she gathered, had their adrenaline rushing at the scent of warfare. They were up in arms over every smallest issue that could even be resolved with a peace talk. Ajbante cursed her thoughts. Being a Rajputani, she couldn’t possibly think of peace talks, could she? She had heard the men gathered in their courtyard talk of how this was going to be the war they had waited for a long time. A knock resounded, startling her from her thoughts. A maid had arrived with another letter from Mandalgarh. Ajbante opened the box, kept carefully hidden behind her clothes, and placed the letter under the pair of bangles, with the other two letters in it, with a smile, before opening the letter that had arrived with a royal seal.

Khamma Ghani Rajkumarisa.” She smiled while reading the letter. “Mandalgarh seems to keep me occupied more than I thought it would, and with the impending war, I have been busy. However, I must express my gratitude for the wonderful handmade rakhi you sent me for my success. And I hope you have liked the Kachli I gifted you last time. Although I must admit I know nothing about women’s choices, and it was Maasa who chose that one for the Kunwarani of Mewar.” Ajbante’s smile faded a little as she let out a sigh “I am also writing to inform you that Dadabhai is not in favour of the war. He is currently at Salumber to talk to Rawat Saidas Chundawat of Salumber about it, and they will probably head to Bijoliya to do the same with Rao Ramrakh Punwar. Wait for your special guest, Bhabisa. Thank me later. Kunwar Shakta Singh.

Ajbante stared at the letter for a moment. Her throat was dry, and her eyes suddenly wore a smile that refused to go. Was it because he was also not in favour of the war, and their thoughts were alike? Or was it because Kunwar Shakta gave her news she couldn’t imagine!

At dinner, Ajbante Baisa decided to tell her father that Kunwar Partap could be arriving with Rawat Chundawat to talk to him about something important. Rao Ramrakh Punwar was, however, clueless about what the urgency was. The frown on his face refused to go, and it troubled Hansa Bai as well. Knowing that Kunwar Shakta would never pass on information without surety, Hansa Bai ordered the palace to be cleaned and prepared for the arrival of the guests. If he were at Salumber, as Ajbante informed, it wouldn’t even take him a week to arrive at Bijoliya.

Deep into the night, Ajbante stopped in the dark, empty corridor at the light coming from one of the map rooms. She tiptoed carefully to the threshold to watch her father sitting there, with a rather serious face and two maps spread before him.
“Not enough men…” She heard him murmur. Smiling faintly, she walked back to the kitchen where two maids were cleaning up after a day’s work.
“You wanted something, Baisa? You could call us.” They sounded alert. She shook her head with an “I want to do this myself.”
Rao Ramrakh smiled faintly, watching his daughter knock at the door. Ajbante rarely disturbed him at work, unlike Ratan Baisa, and she always came with a sense of peace for him, just like her mother.
“Ajbante.” He managed to take the frown off his face, reading her worried eyes, “You haven’t slept yet?”
“So haven’t you, Daata Hukum.” She smiled a calm smile, handing him a glass of cold buttermilk. Then she sat across from him on the floor, with the map in between. “Do you think this is right, Daata Hukum?” She frowned at the map.
“What is?” The man stopped at his sip and stared at his daughter.
“The war.”
“If Ranaji decided…”
“But ...” Rao Ramrakh frowned at Ajbante, cutting his words short. That was so unlike her.
“Pardon me.” She realised her urgency and rubbed her hands together. Rao Ramrakh smiled.
“What do you think, Rajkumarisa?” His words made her smile, for they had a tone of respect in her insight that her father always trusted.

Kunwar Partap was happy that Rawatji agreed to his suggestion of urging the Rana to have a peace talk. They had arrived at Mandalgarh at midday to be greeted by Kunwar Shakta. All they needed now was for Raoji to agree before the four of them headed to Chittorgarh with the proposal before it was too late. Kunwar Shakta was in a sudden rush to start for Bijoliya upon their arrival. The battle was a lost cause. Especially when they heard that the Afghans had joined the other side. Udai Singh had eyes on one of Haji Khan's dancing girls when he tried to negotiate terms with the Afghans, and it did not go well in his favour. Rawat Chundawat had witnessed how the odds turned against them with Udai Singh's one attempt to take away Haji Khan's dancing girl. 

Kunwar Partap frowned at him, making Rawat Chundawat ask, “What is the hurry, Kunwarsa? We can go there tomorrow. Rao ji is not leaving for Chittorgarh now.”
“Yes, Rawatji, but Badi Ranima always say that why not do things today than leave them for tomorrow?” He hoped that he had managed to affect Kunwar Partap with his words, but it was in vain.
“We will rest here tonight after an inspection of the camp. I want to check things myself. We will start for Bijoliya at dawn.” He couldn’t help but admire how stubborn his Dadabhai was.

They had assumed the Bijoliya palace would still be asleep in the wee hours of dawn, but Kunwar Partap was a little surprised to find Hansa Bai waiting to welcome them to the palace.
“It looks like someone already informed them about our arrival.”
Rawatji’s words made Kunwar Partap shoot a suspicious glance at Kunwar Shakta, who was quick enough to ignore his glance and walk up to greet Raoji.

Kunwar Partap got off his horse and walked up to greet Hansa Bai with folded hands and a faint smile. As Hansa Bai welcomed both the princes to her palace with a guest’s welcome of traditional aarti, Kunwar Partap’s eyes wandered over the threshold. He realised it the minute his eyes had travelled to one of the Jharokhas inside the hall, and Ratan Baisa smiled at him. Realising his mistake, Kunwar Partap was quick to focus on the red and blue carpet that lay beneath his feet while Kunwar Shakta wore a victorious smile.

After the refreshments were served and the maids left them alone in the hall, Rao Ramrakh Punwar smiled at the guests.
“You should rest in your allotted chambers; we can talk before lunch, Kunwarsa.” He addressed Kunwar Partap as Kunwar Shakta savoured the sweets.
“I think we should talk before we go to rest, Raoji.” Rawat Chundawat spoke on behalf of the prince.
“Is it something serious, Rawatji?” He asked.
“I think there should be no war.” Kunwar Partap’s words made Ramrakh Punwar stare right across him at the threshold, surprised. Kunwar Shakta’s eyes travelled with his to his right, and he stole a glance at Kunwar Partap as Rawatji smiled with “Ghani Khamma Ajbante Baisa.”
“Khamma Ghani Mamasa.” She had smiled from behind the veiled face as she helped the maid put down the silver plates full of fresh summer fruits. “Please help yourself, Kunwarsa.” Kunwar Partap looked up at her veiled face, thinking the words were addressed to him, while Ajbante placed a plate in front of a smiling Kunwar Shakta.

“Dhanyavaad Baisa.” His words made Kunwar Partap look away, with Rao ji apologising.
“I am sorry, Kunwarsa, my daughter interrupted.”
“No, Raoji, Baisa is a wonderful host.” Rawat Chundawat smiled in admiration “And a good warrior too, I have heard.” His words made Ajbante smile faintly as she stole a glance at Kunwar Partap’s unreadable face.
“She helps me a lot in administrative decisions and…” Raoji smiled.
“Daata Hukum...” Her soft words came almost like a protest against her father praising her.
Ajbante Baisa had turned to leave, behind the maid who had walked away a minute ago and stopped at Rawat Chundawat’s gesture at her father’s praises.
“We would like to know your views on this, then, Baisa, isn’t it Kunwar Shakta?” Rawatji smiled.
“Yes, I was very impressed by her observations at the Gurukul. What do you say, Dadabhai?” Ajbante stared at him, nodding slightly as she smiled at the approval and stood her ground beside her father, facing him.

Kunwar Partap continued, “I think this war should not happen.” His eyes were fixed on Raoji hopefully.
“Why do you feel so Kunwarsa?” Raoji frowned “We are well equipped. If you think we are going to lose this…”
“Yes, we are well equipped, but now that the Turks are imposing a threat over our head, the Afghans are breathing down our neck, a war between the biggest states of our land will perhaps help them.”
“Because, like in the time of Rana Sanga, we can only fight invading Turks united in the cause under one banner?” Raoji asked, a little surprised.
Kunwar Partap smiled in appreciation.
“Exactly what I believe, Raoji. I am glad you feel the same.”
“It’s not me, actually…” Kunwar Partap frowned at his words and noticed someone else clear her throat, making Raoji stop between his sentences as he asked,  “...Anyway, how can I help to stop the war, Kunwarsa?”


Around mid-1556, Mewar and Marwar got involved in a clash of egos in which Kunwar Partap was the Senapati of the Mewari Army. The war lasted 18 days and ended in a treaty. Mewar was in a bad position owing to the Afgans led by Haji Khan supporting Maldeo and Marwar. As a aftermath of this battle, Marwar lost Ajmer to the Mughals, and Mewar lost Sirohi briefly as well. After this war, Pratap fought two more wars before his marriage as Senapati, one at Dungarpur being particularly famous. While some say a similar story of Udai Singh being mesmerised by a dancer, another version of the Dungar war suggests that Udai Singh had insulted the ruler of the land, who were actually allies of Mewar, and he decided to join Marwar and later the Mughal side. Whatever the reasons were, Udai Singh failed to be diplomatic in forming allies or maintaining them.


Popular posts from this blog

Purnota: Chapter Twenty Eight

“I… made tomorrow’s schedule.” Bondita cleared her throat. She was about to leave the study room after she had made the next day’s schedule for Aniruddha to check when he entered the house. He seemed preoccupied, as he did not notice her presence and walked towards the study room, only to stop at the threshold and spot her pretending to arrange the files. Aniruddha moved away from the threshold towards his desk, making space for her to leave as he removed his glasses and placed them down.  “You should take that job in Kolkata.” Bondita stopped but did not turn as he continued. “It's a good opportunity to make contacts in the High Court and get paid well.” Bondita’s throat dried as she did not respond. “Thamma can stay here, you can visit on weekends.”  He wanted her to leave; what more could she say? She walked away without exchanging any words. Aniruddha sat in the high chair, watching her leave as he sighed. He clasped his hands together, realising they were sweaty. He sudde...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty One

“Please, Sir, we were going to show the evacuation notice to the lawyer.” The older man with a salt and pepper beard and a bald head pleaded with the Judiciary official, who handed him a paper of illegal occupancy. The NGO stood on the ground of the property that belonged to the Bhowmicks. Their lawyer, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, had sent a notice of warning and evacuation that the NGO did not pay heed to. The man in charge looked least concerned at the plea of the older man. His hands were folded, eyes teary, as the men who came with the Bull Dozer to knock down the one-storey house with thatched roof broke down the board of the NGO.  “Why did you not show the notice then?” The man rebuked in a gruff voice. “Because we thought it was some mistake.” Another man, relatively younger and calmer, came forward from the crowd that stood there watching as he spoke. “We got the land as a gift from Mr. Bhowmick some eleven years back to make the school for the orphans.” “Then where is the dee...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Two

Bondita got down from the local train with a duffle bag and her hoodie tied around the waist of her dark green Kurti, which she teamed with white leggings and a white dupatta. The weather at Canning seemed hotter and humid than Chandannagar, and at first glance, Bondita spotted the spring blooms of Krishnachura painting the tree at the station red. She picked up her bag and looked around the crowded station. Someone was supposed to come and get her. She dragged her bag through the crowd and finally reached the gates. The rickshaws, vans and small autos were shouting out names of different places, names that appeared like images in her memories. “Bondita Malkin?” She turned to see a woman in a checked printed saree worn above the ankle with a Ghomta over her head and the Anchol tied to her waist. Bondita nodded as the woman in her forties surprised her by touching her feet. Bondita jolted away in shock. “What are you doing?” She asked with raised brows as the woman took her duffel bag. ...

Purnota: Chapter Twenty Nine

“Boro Malik is waiting for you.” Bihari’s words made Aniruddha look confused. “He has something to talk about.” Aniruddha eyed the watch on his left hand; it was past dinner time. He stepped into the house to find voices in the living room. He walked in curiously and found Trilochon speaking to a guest. “There he is!” Before Aniruddha could answer Trilochon’s queries, his eyes fell on the guest. Saudamini stood up, turning to him with a formal smile. She looked different with the Sindoor and Shakha Pola, a Tant saree and a gold chain around her neck. Aniruddha was a little surprised to see her, and it showed on his face, perhaps as Trilochon briefed him that Mini was here to sell off the property belonging to her father and wanted some legal advice. Aniruddha nodded, smiling back at her as he directed her to the study. “Oh, Mini is here to sell off the house.” Bondita looked wide-eyed at Kalindi and shook her head. “Why did you not tell me that before? I will go see her now.” She was a...

Towards You

The Afghans, after Sher Shah Suri's untimely demise, were at loggerheads for power. Their troops near Mewar were now led by Mehmood Shah. They secretly captured territories in the forests and waited to attack Mewari camps when the time was right. Rawat Chundawat and his spies had confirmed the news, and Udai Singh sent a warning to Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now that it was out in the open, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. His internal rebellion against his commander did not help his cause. 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. It was then that one of his aides suggested a perfect plan. Maharani Jaivanta Bai had decided to go to the Mahakaleshwar Temple near the outskirts of Chittorgarh, in the forestlands of Bhilwara. They had travelled a long way and across the Gambhiri river that meandered during...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Three

Aniruddha stepped out of his room, in a wrinkled Kurta, with a towel and toothbrush, to almost bump into Bondita, who was hurrying out of her room, trying to wear her watch on the go. He stopped before she barged into him and spotted her in one of Thamma’s Dhakai sarees. It was a white-on-white saree she had worn with a quarter-sleeved black blouse. Her hair was bunned with a claw clip, and she wore a small black Teep complementing her Kajol-drawn eyes. She looked slightly startled as she stopped at his dishevelled appearance and looked away at his stare. “Why are you…” He cleared his throat to do away with his morning groggy voice, “Dressed up?” Bondita shook her head at his words. “Because I have camp today, the NGO representative is waiting downstairs.” At her words, Aniruddha nodded and promptly held her wrist to check her watch. Bondita eyed his index finger and thumb, briefly brushing around her wrist as he suppressed a yawn. “But… It's 7 AM.” Bondita smiled, amused at his wo...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty

Bondita was up early when she heard Thamma in the washroom and did not wait for her alarm clock to ring. She stared at the clock, wondering when it would be a decent time to run to Saudamini’s house and knock. She even took out some chocolates from her purse to give to the child when she went to see her. She had so much to catch up on and apologise for. She had quickly dressed in a white Salwar Kameez, added a pearl stud to her ears and headed for Mini Didi’s old home, paying no heed to Kalindi lamenting about the mess in the bedroom. It felt like Deja Vu as she pressed the bell and waited in front of the green door before she heard footsteps on the other side. “Mini Didi!” Saudamini was startled by Bondita’s hug as soon as she opened the front door. “Bondita?” Saudamini held her by the shoulder, inspecting her with beaming eyes. “My God, Bondita!” She exclaimed. “How beautifully you have grown!” Bondita’s eyes fell on the boy, about twelve, staring at her with surprise as she let Sau...

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...

Purnota: Chapter Twenty Seven

A week had passed since Binoy left, and Bondita found herself trying to get used to Aniruddha’s bouts of aloofness. On one hand, she was glad that Binoy and Aniruddha had talked things out and seemed to be on talking terms, but on the other, since Binoy left, she could not help but notice Aniruddha pushing her further away. He barely talked to her except for work, and she did not know what she had done wrong to deserve this coldness. She wished he would talk to her, and she could tell him that he was hurting her, but she kept a brave face and decided not to. At work, she was informed by her Senior Lawyer, Mitra, about the promotion Aniruddha had suggested for her. “A promotion?” She was surprised as he nodded. “Yes, from assisting him to having a cubicle downstairs.” Mitra thought it was good news for her, given how the Boss’s temper ran. Bondita smiled faintly. He also informed her that he would let her know for sure that week. Her desk would be moved soon. Aniruddha was away for a ca...

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!" ...