Escapade

Rajkumari Priyambada ran through the dark forest. The rain and mud made it difficult for her to wade through as her drape wrapped around her legs, was soaked and muddy, hugging her body, making it difficult for her to run faster. Desperate to get through without getting caught, Priyambada lifted her clothes to her knees and ran as fast as she could. She could feel her breath and heartbeat over everything, but had to go on. Her knees were weak, and her injured head still throbbed. She thanked her stars for paying attention in self-defence classes. A fire in the tent gave the enemy no option but to vacate it and douse its flames. That occupied them enough. Now all she had to do was find her mother and go across the border to her maternal uncle’s kingdom. Once she reached there, she would be safe. Perhaps mother and brother are already there. Her thoughts ran as fast as she did. She didn’t know how she would find her mother, but she was not ready to surrender without a fight.

Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev Varman inhaled sharply, watching the soldiers douse the fire that engulfed the tent using buckets of water from the riverbank. The princess’s allies Devdoot and Urvi stood bound in chains.
“How did she find something to light a fire with?” His voice boomed through the night. “Who helped her?” He took his dagger out of his waistband and held it to a shivering Devdoot’s neck. He seemed a little too thin to be the bodyguard of the princess, but it seemed like he was trusted enough with it. And Ishaan Dev found his body language quite feminine for his liking. The young man had his eyes lowered and his head bowed. Ishaan Dev checked his temper. He already regretted sparing the infant prince. The wails of a mother begging for the life of a four-year-old in her arms disturbed him. She was ready to trade her state and her daughter for the life of her infant son. She oddly reminded him of the women he had left behind back home, his mother and sister. He didn’t go near the acquired prize, but he could see she was barely of age. He had agreed to take the risk of letting the Wind clan's infant prince survive, under his terms. He was perhaps not as ready for war as he thought he was. He was not ready to kill a four-year-old as a potential threat.

If he didn’t try to find her, there was a good chance she would be eaten by some animals that night, and if she survived, she would never find her way to her mother. He had made sure of that. Was she even a threat? Ishaan Dev grunted. He knew his conscience wouldn’t let him be.

“Bring me my horse.” He instructed, picking up his sword. “Let’s find her before she gets preyed on by the wolves.” Urvi looked up at his words as he mounted the sturdy white stallion, Vidyut, and rode off into the darkness.

Priyambada was alerted by the sound of approaching hooves as she sought an ambush in the ruins of an ancient temple in the darkness of the night. Her only escape. She had run inside and hid behind the black-stoned Phallus. She knew the architecture around was quite familiar to those in the fort. Did that mean the enemy was still within the borders of Neelambargarh? She folded her hands to the Lord. He knew how to keep her safe. He had always protected her. She closed her eyes and sobbed.

“Save me, O Lord!” She whispered. “Save Neelambargarh from these evil people!”

Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev pulled the reins of his horse as he came by the ancient temple. Something seemed to draw him towards it as he alighted and walked up the broken moss-covered steps of the temple, to only be met by a large hooded snake. The sound of the sword swinging behind her made Priyambada gasp in alarm as Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev cut the approaching snake into two; “God have mercy.” He spoke under his breath, realising he was standing before the one who wrapped the snake around his neck. The next thing his eyes fell on was the shadowy figure behind it. The sight of Ishaan Dev had filled Priyambada with chills to her bones as she couldn’t feel her legs anymore to escape. She was trapped with the black-stoned Phallus between her and her impending doom, Ishaan Dev. On whose side the Almighty was, Priyambada wondered.

She looked more fragile than he remembered when he had first set eyes on her in the tunnel. She was still unconscious as he was told when she was brought to the camp. He hadn’t shown any inkling of interest in his prize. The enemy was killed, the kingdom was soon to be his, and everything else came in addition to that. Even this pain of a responsibility he had taken up in one weak moment, seeing a pleading mother’s tears. He cursed himself for that. His father didn’t approve, but neither did he stop the prince. Perhaps Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev was aware that his son would eventually learn from such mistakes. Now, Ishaan Dev wished his father had stopped him. This was his doing. He looked into the blank but fearless eyes looking back at him. Her body could look as fragile as an injured prey, but her eyes were fierce.

“How dare you escape?” He jolted her with his heavy voice as he crossed over and picked her up, grabbing her upper arm forcibly. It hurt her. He knew it did. He just couldn’t care less. His eyes had primitive hunger in them. Of revenge, anger and the unfinished lust he had to give up on for… this? He expected her to fear him. Surrender to his might. Ishaan Dev was taken aback as she struggled to free her hand. Her other hand reached for the trident that stood beside the stone statue. Anticipating her move, Ishaan Dev landed her on the ground with a resonating slap.

“Now I see why enemies shouldn’t be treated with respect. You don’t deserve any.” His voice did very little as her jaws tightened. She removed the locks of hair falling over her face and looked up at him. “Accept your defeat like a true royal and surrender to your fate!”

“Then treat me like you should. A piece of meat. To have the pleasure of taking and killing.” She stood up with a little stumble to face him. “Or perhaps killing first, before having?” Ishaan Dev inhaled at the sheer audacity of the girl. How old was she? His mother always said only the bravest and boldest gave a fight till the end. Which one was she?

“What happened? Kill me already. It is better than living every day around all of you.” Her voice was challenging. Ishaan Dev’s eyes lit up. Was he admiring her? Rajkumari Priyambada could not tell. The man looked in his early twenties, rugged and fair. His hair fell to his shoulders in waves, and there was a mark on his chin, perhaps a permanent mark left from the blade of a sword in the past. He wore stubble, very unlike men his age, who preferred a moustache. Ishaan Dev stepped forward, closing the gap between them, trying to intimidate her. But Priyambada stood her ground, unnerved. His lips curved just a little. Was he smiling? Amused? Taunting? Priyambada frowned.

“Oh, trust me, had I wanted, you would have been dealt with this very moment. I don’t spare betrayals.” The sound of more hooves approaching made Priyambada feel weaker on her knees. Her body was giving up on her. She knew there was no escape from this torture any time soon as Ishaan Dev stepped back and the guards surrounded her.

"But killing you will be like sparing you. I would prefer to imprison you so that you remember the lesson of messing with me every day you breathe and survive." She struggled in the arms of the two soldiers who now caught hold of her as her hawk eyes watched the prince mount his horse and leave, gesturing at the soldiers to follow him back to the camp, without sparing a single glance at her.

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...

Happy Ending

Dheer had a sleepless night. Yes, she had killed the Maharani, but to seek revenge for her son. Jagmal was all she had for a dream, and Rana Pratap's first decision was to banish him. He had never been that tough with his other brothers who went with Akbar, then why him? Just because he wanted to be a king? Just because they brought a false letter and bought a few witnesses? Her son died in Ajmer, so young. And she had always blamed Ajabdeh Punwar for Rana's hard decision. After all, ever since she came as a support for Jaivanta Bai, she had been like his shield, even though creating misunderstandings didn't help Dheer Bai Bhatiyani. Ajabdeh had done the impossible, showing him the real face of his Chotima. What bothered Dheer now was whether he remembered anything, and most importantly, if she did. Dheer had turned pale at the song and smile Pratap gave, but if he knew she had killed Ajabdeh, it meant Survi remembered her walking to a dying Ajabdeh and confessing that ...

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...

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......

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!" ...

To Protect You

Kunwar Pratap was in the court with Rana Udai Singh. The Mughals were conquering a huge part of the north courtesy of Bairam Khan and Mewar on their routes to the ports of Surat. " Daajiraj, we need to secure the roads leading to Agra and also towards the west. The attack-prone areas should always be under surveillance." " Yes, Ranaji. Baojiraj is right." Rawatji agreed. In the Rani Mahal, everyone was preparing for a grand lunch. Ajabdeh was making a drink for the princes and princesses, and in a hurry, she forgot to add the Kesar and Badam on top. As she served the smaller princes, including Kunwar Jagmal, Dheerbai came to inspect her eldest son's food. " What is this? Who made this? Kokoiaji?" She stormed to the kitchen with a bowl of sweet dishes. " Kunwaranisa did." Came a scary answer, from Veer Bai. " Ajabdeh Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabdeh walke...

Begum Sahib: An Introduction and chronology

Note to the readers: Women behind men in history fascinate me. I had been reading about the mothers and wives who changed men’s fortunes. But what about daughters and sisters? A few months back, I was looking for books on Mughal Ladies, mainly Noor Jahan and her work. In the bibliography credits, I had chanced upon “The Life of A Mogul Princess” By Jahanara Begum, the daughter of Shah Jahan. I had no idea about the book and thought it was another autobiography. Previously, I had read only about how she was imprisoned along with her father at Agra, and her involvement with Dara Shikoh, her younger brother, in connecting the two realms of Hinduism and Islamism and the establishment of Sufism. All of these and the chronological events of history can be found in various books. As I read each page of her diary, cross-checking each point with Jagunath Sircar’s “History of Aurangzib” and R.C. Majumder’s “Mughal Empire” as well as numerous other sources on the Mughal Harem, I discovered ...

The Adventure of PI Ved: The Case in London

There is something funny about the phrase “as dead as a doornail.” Why? Because I am dead and I don’t look like a nail of any sort. I lie on my living room carpet, hands stretched out, the knife stuck to my back...such a backstabber. I hated them all my life! And what is the purpose of killing me? It is not like I would have lived much longer, I was eighty-five, for God’s sake! I lay here, the blood turning thick as I stared at the painting on the wall. It is such a hideous painting. I bought it for so much money, I was duped. I am waiting for the morning when my caregiver arrives to discover me on the floor. But I feel they are still around, looking for something. Searching every room. It is around 7 AM that she rings the bell. She bangs the door. She yells out, “Mr Smith!” Oh no, she is going back. Come back here, you fool! The criminal must still be upstairs. I hear them come down the wooden staircase and exit from the back door. Now the useless caregiver lady is back. Oh, she ...

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 ...

Sibling's Day

Shakti always had a very strict sibling equation with Pratap. Though they were only two years apart, the siblings had very different tastes and preferences. For Shakti, Pratap's disciplined and well-planned life looked like he was missing out on a lot of things. He sometimes didn't even approve of how impulsive Pratap was when he was emotional. Shakti, on the other hand, prioritised experiences over plans. He never found a need to feel deeply for anything the way Pratap did, and over the years, mostly in Pratap's absence from the family, he had managed to find a way with his parents. But he didn't really have any other elder sibling figure. All his cousins' sisters were close to him and younger. But with Ajabdeh, he had developed this very strong connection over the past few weeks. As a child, Shakti's playmate in the house used to be Sajja, while his father worked, his mother ran NGOs, and Pratap was always found with his head in a book. Ajabdeh was up for an...

RAABTA

Search This Blog