The Throne: Prologue

Kavi Akhilesh Ranjan had heard about the patronage of Neelambargarh’s Rajputra Mrintyunjoy Dev Varman from the bards who had visited the capital city recently. Being from a small village on the fringes of the forest of Dhuari, he had travelled for over a month to reach the state hoping to find work. After all, his farmer father knew little about poetry but much about how useless it was to feed a poor family.

Throughout this time, he had managed to put together a piece, scribbling down his ideas as he abandoned home and travelled across the state, and finally put down his words in verses, in neatly cut-out paper leaves. Today was the day he had been waiting for. The Rajputra, about eighteen, looked much younger than his age but his eyes had an intelligent spark. Akhilesh Ranjan waited patiently for his turn in the garden where the Rajputra met with eminent and amateur poets. He had heard from a fellow traveller that he held such gatherings for musicians too. God Bless the soul that patronizes art!
Akhilesh Ranjan cleared his throat as he stood up and bowed to the prince when the courtier called his name. The prince nodded with a smile of approval and closed his eyes. He opened his leaflets and began to recite.

“The sun that shone brightest in the east,

Reached the west weary, in need of rest.
The darkness seemed to engulf his might,
Doubts shrouded his mind and pride.
The stars aligned as he roamed,
A gust of wind brought him home.
A beauty of art, as brave as the sword,
Could the Sun ignore such warmth of hope?
He spread his shine, wherever he went,
Rose as though from the West again.
But his shine couldn’t outdo Hers
She, who lived in his home and heart.
Hear the tale of such Bravehearts,
Come hear this story of immortal love.”

And thus begins our story...

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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 princip...

Preparation

It has been a tradition since time immemorial in the face of the earth that the men marched to war, seeking glory for their states and kings, adorning their bodies with bruises no less gaudy than the most precious gems of the land, while the women waited and prayed for their safe return. No war was easy or certain. At least that is what they grew up learning. But does it stop the war? Or the need for power? Absolutely not. The royal blood demands shedding it. Kumar Viraj could have left Maanwari as a child but Maanwari had not left his veins. That was perhaps why he was braver and more skilful than men his age. When Adhiraja Ishaan Dev offered him Neelambargarh’s mighty troops to capture Maanwari, he knew they would surely outnumber his uncle’s one by hundreds. But he made sure he refused Adhiraja's personal help. Battles made Ishaan Dev’s adrenaline rush. He wanted to lead Kumar Viraj to victory. But when Kumar Viraj said that it would only demean his claim to be ready for the thr...

Eternally Yours

Ajabde woke up to find neither the pillow nor the husband beside her. That was really unusual. Has she overslept? No, it was dark and the first birds were singing. She sat up to find that he had neatly arranged the pillows and made his side of the bed and put his blanket over her. She checked the changing room. No, he was not there, but unlike other days his clothes were not in a mess. She freshened up and reached the dressing table. His brooch was not there. Where is he? Has the war... Her heart skipped a beat. What if he had left and not even woken her up? " Daasi? Daasi?" She called as one of them walked in. " Ji Kuwaranisa?" " Where is Kunwarsa?" " He left early in the morning for Dangal and then a visit to the village. Do you need anything?" " No, You may go now." She put on the sindoor in a worry. Maybe something urgent has come up. She walked to the Puja room and was shocked. Her garlands were made, the Chandan was in place and ...

The New Capital

“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...

What If...

Ajabdeh, played all night with the newfound puppy who was already keeping her on her toes. First, he jumps into the trolley bags and inspected her clothes, alarming Heer and making her laugh. He had fallen in love with a pink lingerie Ajabdeh tied to his head like a bow, laughing harder as he tried to open it, going in rounds. Heer saw her carefree laughter with a smile. She may not like the guy, but he did make her sister laugh. Heer shook her head. Something in her felt really awkward as she cleared her throat to ask "Jija??" "Hmm?" "Do you... umm... like Kunwar Pratap?" Heer looked scared to ask. "What?" She frowned and then smiled as the puppy licked her face. "Of course I like him! He is a friend." "Jija I meant..." "Good night Heeriye." She hugged her sister then picked the pup up and snuggled in her blanket as Heer stood watching. "Let's name you baby?" She heard Ajabdeh talk. "Umm...

Understandings

After counting days, Ajabde was happy that she was going to Bijolia. She knew how eager her mother and Ratan would be to know about her new life. She couldn't wait to hug her mother and feel like... Home. She was selecting gifts for her parents and her siblings as per Ranima's instructions. Then suddenly an idea struck her mind. Her new family welcomed her with so much love and support. Especially Ranima and Majhli Maa Sa. She wanted to give them something. Suddenly she remembered that Ranima had loved her embroidery work on dupattas back in Bijolia so she called a Dasi and ordered some plain Chunris and embroidery threads. She had a lot of work to finish in a day before leaving. Kunwar Pratap came back into the room to see her on the floor, right in the middle of the room with red, green, yellow, and pink all sorts of dupattas scattered. " What's all this?" He asked not sure if he should be asking. " I am making gifts. For Ranima, Majhli ma, Rani Dheer Bai...

Neelambargarh

The fort of Neelambargarh was named so because it stood on a cliff above the low-lying plains surrounding it as if it was ready to touch the sky. The fort was surrounded by hilly forestland on three sides and extensive plain lands used for agriculture on another. The road winding up to Neelambargarh was guarded by three gateways and a secret tunnel, known only to the Neelambargarh royal family, led down from the five-storey palace to the river in the forestland. The kingdom of Neelambargarh was known across the land beyond the Heemdevi Mountains for its art and architecture. True indeed, like the myths it held, the stone walls of the fort and the castles shone in the sun like fire swayed by the wind. The gateways had extensive architecture and tales of Neelambargarh’s rich past and kings, engraved in stones, alongside nymphs and the several forms of their chief deity, The Wind, and his tales of miracles. Above the gate in local scriptures was poetry written in honour of the past ...

Sadh Puron

Rasmo ka mela yaha pe khel rahe hai saare Aaja shamil ho isme zara thoda muskura de Seven months into her pregnancy, Bondita realised, almost to her amusement, that there were certain prejudices that even Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury gave in to. Ever since Koeli arrived, to help her out, as instructed by Kakababu, to her utter surprise Aniruddha gave in to Koeli putting a kajal tika behind her ear every time she stepped out, to avoid bad omens. He even willingly gave up the bedroom at one phone call from Trilochan insisting that the woman needs her space during her pregnancy. He ended up having a makeshift mattress as a bed, in the middle of the living room in the apartment, and he was more than willing to sleep there while Koeli stayed with Bondita. Although she liked to have the entire bed to herself, she sometimes missed their pillow talks. Aniruddha also made sure the household never ran out of supplies of pickles and sweets. Koeli didn’t lose a turn to tease Bondita about how th...

Patralekha

Mujhse ye rishta jo, aa usse hai sawaare Chal sayane se thoda nadan bann ja tu Ashapurna walked out of the room with questioning eyes as Somnath shook his head. He had called Aniruddha as soon as Bondita complained of pain and uneasiness. He was already off to court and his house owner had reassured him that the news would reach him soon. He was supposed to come with the allopathic doctor. “I think it is time.” Ashapurna almost whispered to Somnath as Koeli rushed in with wet towels to comfort Bondita who appeared in a lot of pain. “Talk to Jetha Shoshur Moshai, please.” Somnath nodded and rushed downstairs where Batuk paced the room as Trilochan and Binoy sat on the couch. Ashapurna’s mother had taken Ashutosh with her for the day as soon as she heard. “What do we do now?” Somnath broke the silence. “She was not due so soon.” Batuk frowned as his uncle gave him a disapproving stare making him stop. “Som, go and call Dai.” He insisted as Somnath remained frozen in his place. “We c...

Trouble In Paradise

Kyun na jaane teri chinta ho rahi hai mujhe Har ghadi ab kyun hai dhyan tera. "Eyes on the road." Aniruddha scolded almost in a reflex, putting his right hand vigilantly over the steering wheel. Bondita's painted hands were on the wheel but her eyes kept wandering to the cattle on either side of the road. "You can't be distracted while driving. You will kill someone." He said in a rather monotonous voice. His hand didn't leave the steering wheel nor did his eyes leave the road. But he made sure instinctively that his hands stayed furthest away from her touch. Bondita breathed in as the morning breeze hit her face. She had removed the saree from over her head when they had stopped by the road to exchange places. "If you push the car into a tree again, it's your last lesson." He had warned while she giggled. Bondita couldn't tell Aniruddha why she was distracted the last time. It was almost dusk and while he instructed her on the wheel,...

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