“Baisa, there is a letter for you.” Kasturi, Rajkumari Ajbante Kanwar’s personal attendant, had a scroll in her hand as she frowned. The only people who wrote to her were her friend Saubhagyawati and Daata from war. Both of them were in Bijoliya. She took the scroll from Kasturi as a shiver ran down her spine.
Rao Ramrakh Punwar attended the celebration of Rajkumari Padmavati's grand wedding. He had come home and told stories of the grandeur. He had received a sweetmeat gift to take back home as well. As the children indulged in it, Ajbante Kanwar had thought that maybe the celebration had caught up with Kunwar Partap and he was unable to write the letter he had promised. But a week had passed since the Bidai entourage had left Bijoliya and she had not heard from him. Ajbante Kanwar cursed her expectations of taking his words literally and found herself in tears one night. She had been scared when she realised that the lack of communication hurt her. She attributed it to her lack of friends and putting too much importance and respect on his words. A strange fear loomed in her heart. The fear of being caught… caught in tears, hurt, dejection, and heartbreak. She cursed herself for being swayed. She repeatedly reminded herself that there was no way he ever suggested anything to her to make her feel the way she was feeling. It was all her fault. She had tried to divert attention to Balwant, who had learnt to talk and run around the corridors indulging people in his broken sentences. She went about her chores like she always did. Yet she could not really forget. At the end of the day, she would shed a tear or two for a letter that did not come in her name. Hansa Bai noticed her pale face and enquired worried about her health. The old Daima did a Nazar Utran for her. She overheard her parents, concerned that it might have to do with all her friends getting married and Daata promised to look for a groom more urgently. Ajbante made her heart believe that a husband was the healing she needed for her sudden bouts of loneliness. But she still waited. Waited for a glimpse on the horizon, a letter, unsealed and anonymous.
Now that it was in her hand, she trembled. It was a paper scroll wrapped in a red velvet cover but instead of the usual royal seal on it, it was glued shut. She eyed the maids, dismissing them as she shut her door close and locked it before lighting the lamp at her reading desk and opening the scroll.
Ajbante, it read. The informal tone made her smile as her heart thumped in her chest. I apologize for not writing any sooner. I am now stationed at Kelwara moving to Kumbhalmer soon. I have been appointed as the chieftain of the Kelwara region and will be stationed at the Kumbha Mahal of the fort. In case you write to me, do so here. It may take longer than it does to reach Chittorgarh but be rest assured if you address it to Kika at the said address, it will reach me. How are you, princess? Has Rao Ramrakh Ji found any luck in finding you an alliance yet? If so, make sure you keep your promise to write about it to me. Has Bhai Balwant learnt to talk better than when I saw him? Tell Kunwar Akhil to practise his sword skills well. Have you taken Bijli out since I left? If not, I urge you to bond with her. And please ask your Guruji to teach you the sword as I suggested. I will wait to hear about your progress. I have been doing fine, well, as fine as a homesick man does alone. Sometimes when after a day’s work I sit down to read, I remember Ranima fondly. I feel no shame in admitting that I miss her and Chittorgarh. Yesterday, I was reading about Rani Karan Devi, the queen consort of Raja Samadarshi of Mewar. She had lost her husband in the battle against Mahmud Ghori and placed her young son on the throne of Mewar. She united all Rajput Kings against the huge army of Qutb Ud Din and marched to war. She died a valiant death. You see, princess when I read of her, she reminded me of you. It may feel odd when you read this, but I feel so while writing because it makes no sense, no head or tail as to why she, someone entirely opposite your nature, would remind me of you, but I couldn't help wondering if you were that brave. Before you delve into self-doubt, let me answer, that you are. Otherwise, even after being aware of all the realities of marriage, you would not have looked forward to it the way you do. I will wait to hear from you.
Kika.
Ajbante Kanwar held the letter near the lamp watching it burn. The flame danced on her pupils as she smiled, took out a fresh paper and ink and sat down to write to him.
Kunwar Partap was practising at the Dangal Sthal of Kumbhalgarh with Sarang when the letter reached him. Unsealed, as he checked it, a smile formed on his lips. His guards were a little taken aback that the prince abandoned his training mid-way, telling them the bath could wait, as it ran cold and he found himself in his bed chamber, breathing heavily as he read the letter.
Kika,
Pardon me for the audacity to call you so informally but I am just following your instructions. You promised me that you would share the news of the wedding and I found myself waiting for your letter. Had I known that you were stationed elsewhere I would not have troubled my attendants with checking every messenger that came to the palace. I feel embarrassed. Do tell me about the wedding when you feel like it. Congratulations on your outpost and I hope you are safe and well. If you are homesick, might I suggest bringing one of the regular cooks from Chittorgarh to serve your troop? Food heals a lot of homesickness. I know nothing more about it, for I have not been outside the palace premises without my usual entourage to provide you with any further comfort about staying away from home. Balwant has indeed learnt more and he will be reading soon. Akhil follows your orders diligently for he wants to grow up and serve in your army. He hopes to be your best soldier someday. I heard the Turks were planning an alliance with Marwar. Daata seemed shaken by it, he said that Ranaji was worried. If that is true, any alliance from Marwar for me is out of the question. Daata says that limits the prospects but he is hopeful. He spoke of a certain Rai of Surajgarh who would be a potential good match. He is yet to make any proposals there. So it is probably another one of those which yields no result.
I have been taking Bijli outside and we have bonded well. She does not throw me off her back anymore. I have also asked Guruji for sword lessons although the injuries I sustained did not make Maasa too happy. But I will continue my lessons to be a true Rajputani. I have read about Ranisa the way you mentioned, the vision of her yielding a sword and slashing enemies on the field is vivid in my imagination from the Veer Ganthas I once read. I hate to disappoint your high thinking of me but I am in no way as brave as she was.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Ajbante Kanwar.
Kunwar Partap put the scroll in between his clothes in his trunk and wondered for some time. Then he summoned Rawat and asked him to background check the Rai of Surajgarh. He had his doubts and rightly so.
Ajbante,
There is no need to apologize for informality between friends. I had indeed promised to share my experience of the wedding but I figured Raoji must have told you everything and I am not sure what new things I can tell you except for Bhai Shakti’s antics that kept me alert. I have been injured in a practice session since your last letter, so pardon me for the bad handwriting. I am glad to know Akhil is ambitious to serve Mewar. We need a future generation like him. Now for this reason I have been keen to write to you despite my injury. I had taken the liberty to look into the said proposal of Rai of Surajgarh and my trusted chief tells me that although Rai put forward the word to priests to look for a bride for his son, unfortunately, he has been looking to marry a prospective bride himself. His son appears to be ailing and he is in dire need of an heir. So please be careful if Raoji decides upon such a match. May I remind you that the women of Rajputana have been brave enough to reject or accept proposals of their own will since time immemorial? The likes of Rani Padmavati, and Rani Samyogita, women you perhaps look up to have chosen for themselves. So never feel guilty about choosing what is right for you. It is not against your Dharma. As for my comparison, all I can say is that women are far braver than men even if they are fortunate enough to never go to battles. Your mind, heart, emotional maturity and calmness speak volumes about your bravery. I have not compared in vain, neither have I imagined you to be someone you are not. Somehow, I hate to admit how you underestimate your potential, princess. See the way I see, you will find a brave soul the way I did, under your character of grace and softness. It is not your weakness that you are empathetic or kind. It takes more bravery than unkind cruel souls who slash necks at every disagreement to be as compassionate and understanding as you are. Whenever you doubt your worth, see yourself the way I see you. You will know what you deserve.
Kika.
Kika,
Daata had indeed heard the same gossip that you confirmed about the Rai and I owe you thanks for saving my life, more than once now. I heard that Marwar and Mewar are on the brink of war and you have been summoned back to Chittor? If that is the case, I am not sure if the letter will find you. I hope your injuries have healed. I will pray to Lord Eklingnath Ji that there is no bloodshed but if war is indeed unavoidable, I will pray for your safety. Your praises have found me in a new light that I have never seen myself in. I have a newfound confidence and I thank you for that. I may sound like I am boastful perhaps even bashful when I say this, but Guruji has praised my sword skills as natural and I have been taking Bijli out to the forest to practice in peace by the Menal. But I should stop if war breaks and I find it no longer safe to travel thus far alone. I am eager to know your views on the impending war. I don’t feel like diverting your attention elsewhere but since I promised, Daata has received a proposal from Toranmal, the eldest son of a chieftain in Bhilwara for my alliance and he will judge the man himself if they travel to war together. He has given up on the interstate alliance because he is unsure of where Bundi’s loyalty lies as well. That makes me anxious about the Rajkumarisa in Bundi. I heard that Rajkumar Surjan Singh is yet to be crowned as heir apparent. Hope that you can keep in touch while at war.
Ajbante.
Ajbante,
Your messenger intercepted me while I was travelling back to Chittorgarh and I am glad that he did. I will look into Toranmal and his prospects once I am on the battlefield and he reports under my command. I thank you for your prayers but as you know by now, unfortunately, war is avoidable. If you ask for my honest opinion, I feel the war was avoidable. With Jalaluddin Mohammad and his competent Khan E Khana, Bairam Khan breathing down our neck, the last thing we needed was this war. I have not met Veer Bai, the newlywed wife of my father who was betrothed to Rao Maldeo Rathore. But I fail to understand the need for my father marrying this Samant Putri at the risk of stirring a war between Marwar and Mewar who upon joining forces could have been undefeatable. I have tried in vain for peace talks both kings refuse to indulge in so you understand my frustration. To add to this, Kunwar Shakti has strongly opposed the Rana resulting in his ousting from the family. To my relief, Rawat Chundawat of Salumber, whom I respect like a father figure, stepped in, asking to be his guardian and took him to Baasi which is a village near Chittorgarh. I hope things mend between Daajiraj Hukum and Bhai Shakti at home. I thank you for your best wishes and prayers and have received the Rudraksha Mala you sent along with your letter. I promise to never part with it through the war. Perhaps I will not be able to write now, from the war front. So don’t reply to this letter until you hear from me again. It will avoid misunderstanding if your letter is misplaced. With hope, Jai Mewar, Jai Eklingji.
Kika.
Ajbante Kanwar held the letter she read for a hundredth time, close to her chest as she said a soft prayer, a lone tear falling on her cheek as she heard a messenger come in.
“The first day of war is over, Raoji is safe.” She heard him bow to her mother and say as the ladies thanked the Lord. She called on Kasturi in a hurry who intercepted the messenger before he left to offer him water. Rajkumari Ajbante Kanwar paced the length of her room as she waited for Kasturi to come with news from the war front, all the while chanting the Gayatri Mantra. She stopped as Kasturi bowed with the news.
“The royals are safe. Ranaji suffered minor injuries. Chittorgarh is safe and far from the battlefield. Kunwar Shakti had joined with troops from Salumber. Kunwar Partap is commanding the army.” She nodded as the maid left and she thanked the Lord for the day.
