RAABTA

“Some remain immortal in deeds, others, in the hearts of their loved ones.” Kunwar Partap had left Kumbhalmer a little reluctant 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 had stared at them go, with a heavy heart. Today was a 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 thought as she turned to see Rajmata Jivanta Bai standing before her with questioning eyes. “What are that worries you today Ajbante?” She asked reading her face “Is it, not some sunshine after days of storm...

“Some dreams are once broken often come back as haunting nightmares.” The Padishah Begum received the news of the birth of a baby boy to Harka Bai at Sikri. She had arranged for a feast and celebration at Lahore and thanked the Almighty herself for this happiness. She prayed that the boy was safe. Hamida Banu had herself sent a messenger to the Padishah Begum at Lahore. The ladies celebrated for a week. The Padishah Begum had given away coins, and clothes to the needy and new clothes to the kin. The Emperor was on his way to Sikri as well. She had smiled at the happy faces savouring the wine and sweet dishes. She greeted and congratulated everyone around the Harem. The Timurid blood would be safe on the throne.   Jalal had visited once in the past few months, giving her the good news of Harka Bai conceiving again. He feared that people were conspiring at Agra. Hence, Harka Bai’s firstborns died, unnaturally. Ridiculous rumours were spread, about the Emperor killing his o...

“Ruins do not only speak of carnage, and might. They also scream out a thousand unsaid emotions of the past.” Ajbante Kanwar Baisa had never seen Kunwar Partap so visibly shaken . She feared his reaction. He had just reached Kumbhalmer from the outpost at Kelwara and she had been at the gates to welcome him. He had moved aside her aarti in silence and stared right into her eyes, making her heart skip a beat. She had followed his gaze to the entrance of the fort, where a badly injured Rajkumar Shallavan stood, helped by two soldiers. He had come from Chittorgarh. As soon as he was in sight, his wife, Maan Bai lost her composure and ran to him. Ajbante Kanwar watched Kunwar Partap walk away towards the courtroom, as she nodded at a more scared Pur Bai to take away Maan Bai to the inner palace and arrange the Gwalior prince’s first aid. They did not know what had happened. But it was something dreadful. She had thanked the Lord Eklingnath after a soldier came to say Kelwara was saf...

“ It is usually the closest people who teach us harsh truths of life.” The Padishah Begum received a firman from Agra that shook her to the core. Maham Anga was dismissed from her services as the chief advisor to the emperor and her son Adham Khan was killed owing to his attack and killing of the veteran noble and Khan E Khana Ataga Khan. This kind of open bloodshed at Agra worried Rukaiya about the Shahenshah’s security. The firman also contained the news of the pregnancy of the new bride, Harka Begum. With a clap of her hand, Rukaiya Begum called upon Abdul. “Arrange for a caravan to Agra, I am leaving at dawn.” “Padishah Begum, should we send a letter to the emperor?” “There is no need for that, do as I say.” The eunuch bowed and left. Rukaiya Begum wrote down a firman citing Hamida Banu Begum as the acting head in her absence at Lahore. At Agra, the Hindu Queen was receiving special attention from the maids who had accompanied her from Amer. The Emperor had order...

“The best of our characters are often reflected in our children.” Kunwar Shakta had visited the court at Udaipur after a Turk marriage offer was turned down by Rana Udai Singh for the third time for one of his Princesses. The Ranimahal at Chittorgarh buzzed with rumours of him warning his father about the consequences of enemity with the Turks and also about the impending doom of Mewar. He had apparently irked Kunwar Partap by suggesting a peace alliance with the Timurids was beneficial to Mewar. Rana Udai Singh in his anger had banished him from his court. Kunwar Shakta had sworn not to be associated with the royal family any further and to join allies with the Turks. Rawat Chundawat was calm enough to pacify the angry prince and offer him to shift to Bassi and give his decision a second thought. However, Kunwar Partap had refused to abandon Chittor defying his father’s orders for a shift to the newly founded capital with his Ranimahal. He wanted to stay at Chittorgarh which was...