Legend of Maharana Pratap: Childhood of a Prince
Kunwar Pratap was eleven. He was a slender boy, fair but tanned in the sun. His curly hair was like his father's. He had brown eyes like his mother. He would go around the fort all day with Shakti and interact with commoners. Everyone in Chittorgarh loved the prince. He helped the needy. He assisted the handicapped. He never behaved differently with the rich and the poor. He was kind, gentle and chivalrous. Jaivanta decided it was time for him to attend Gurukul. As a Rajput prince, Pratap was going to train in warfare. Sajja Bai insisted that Kunwar Shakti join him for his training as well. It was time that the boys stayed away from the palace luxuries and learnt the hardships of life. The Rani Mahal had gathered at the Badi Pol to see the princes off to their Gurukul. Sajja Bai wiped away tears. Jaivanta Bai blessed them. They touched her feet.
"May you become warriors and protect Mewar."
The Gurukul was at the foothills of Chittorgarh, not far from home. Yet it was far enough from the amenities and luxuries of royal life. Students stayed in simple huts. They dressed the same. In orange angrakhas and red Safa Pagri, the distinction between King and Subject was over. Pratap liked interacting with the sons of Rawats, Senapati and Samants. They came from all over Mewar. Some of the places he had not even heard about.
Pratap was eager to learn. In the Gurukul, the boys first learnt discipline. They woke up at dawn. They made their beds. They washed their clothes. They took a bath in the river with commoners. They picked flowers from what was available in the forest. They prayed. After meditation, they would attend classes. Sanskrit scriptures were taught by teachers. They also learnt mathematics. A Guru from the Rathore clan who lived near Achalgarh was selected to train the prince. His clan had trained the princes of Mewar since time immemorial. Guruji was strict with his lessons. He first tested the prince's discipline and character. They had races and competitions. Soon, Pratap had learnt to throw the spear. He practised with a bow and arrow. He could use his sword on dummies. He was not afraid of any challenges. The Guru was impressed with Kunwar Pratap and heaped praises on him. He was the only student in the Gurukul who could use both his hands to throw a spear. The more the Guru praised Kunwar Pratap, the more Kunwar Shakti grew jealous of his brother. He wanted to do everything Pratap could do better. The princes befriended another prince in the Gurukul, Surjan Singh of Bundi. They became friends. Soon, the training was over. It was time to go back home. Kunwar Pratap and Kunwar Shakti could not wait to be home. But Pratap could see that Shakti looked absent-minded. Something was bothering him.
Pratap came to sit beside his brother as they packed their bundles to leave the hut.
"What is wrong, Kunwar Shakti?" He asked at last. Kunwar Shakti sounded low.
"I fear when we go back, Daajiraj Hukum will be disappointed with me." He confessed.
"Why, Bhai?" Kunwar Pratap shook his head. "Everyone will be thrilled to see you after a year."
"But when everyone comes to know you fared so well and I did not..." Kunwar Shakti was disappointed. "I am just average. No matter how hard I try..."
"Kunwar Shakti, you know the biggest strength of the army is not the leader." Kunwar Pratap reassured him. "It is the soldiers. Are they also not average?" Kunwar Shakti smiled at his brother's logic. He knew that Kunwar Pratap was lying to him. He knew that his brother was only trying to cheer him up. That day, Shakti realised that he competed with his brother. But he loved him dearly. His respect for Pratap made him want to be like him.
The palace was decorated, and drums rolled when Kunwar Pratap entered the premises. Kunwar Shakti followed him among the cheering crowd. They were accompanied by their Guru, who bowed to Udai Singh. In the courtroom, all the chieftains were present. The queens waited eagerly in the jharokha. Guru ji walked up to Udai Singh, sitting on the throne, and bowed.
"How have the princes fared, Guruji?" Udai Singh asked, with folded hands.
"Kunwar Pratap has been the best student." Guruji beamed. Kunwar Pratap smiled humbly. He looked up at the Jharokha, knowing his mother was there. He had made her proud. " He can throw the spear with both hands." The court gasped in awe as Udai Singh smiled. "That is a tremendous feat." Guru Ji was proud. "His targets are accurate. He has also been adept in administration and war strategy."
"And Kunwar Shakti?" His father's question made Kunwar Shakti step forward and lower his glance. The whole courtroom had eyes on him. Kunwar Pratap reassured him with a smile.
"He has fared well, too," Guruji spoke. " He will make a good soldier." Kunwar Shakti looked up at his father. There was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. Udai Singh rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He rewarded the Guruji with clothes and offerings. Then he turned to Kunwar Pratap.
"I am proud of you." Pratap looked up at his father, a little shocked. He had never received any affection or praise from him. He touched his father's feet humbly. Kunwar Shakti waited for his turn. But Udai Singh asked the court to dismiss.
Kunwar Shakti smiled as he hugged his mother. Sajja Bai was proud of him. She was happy that he was home. She did not care how he fared in Gurukul. Now he would continue his studies and training in the palace. She was happy. Jaivanta Bai received Kunwar Pratap with a hug. He touched his mother's feet.
"I have something for you." Kunwar Pratap narrowed his brows at his mother's words.
"What is it, Ranima?" He asked eagerly.
"This sword belongs to Rana Sanga." Jaivanta Bai smiled. "He had given it to my father after a battle. I have kept it since you were born. Today, you deserve to have it." She placed the sword in his hand. The leather sheath contained the sharp sword with an ivory handle carved like the face of a lion. Kunwar Pratap touched it on his forehead.
"With this, I vow to protect Mewar." He said proudly.
Rani Dheer Bai Bhattiyani paced her room. She watched her son building blocks in the corner. He was barely three. Not old enough to know the cause of his mother's worry. In the last few days, wherever Dheer Bai went, there were praises of Pratap. In the temples, the priests talked of him. In the kitchen, the cooks made their favourite dishes. In the arena, people praised his skills. Even Udai Singh praised him. Dheer Bai had successfully kept him away from his sons till now. Dheer Bai was losing control. She needed to do something. She needed to do it soon. She sat down beside Jagmal, playing on the mat.
"Do you understand why I am worried?" Dheer Bai sounded troubled. She narrowed her eyes at the child. "All my efforts are for you." She kissed the baby on his cheek. He responded by hugging her.
"Someday, my son will be king of Mewar. I promise you, Jagmal." She hugged the boy.
"Ranisa." The wet nurse of Jagmal gasped. She was in a dark room with Rani Dheer Bai. Dheer Bai was in tears.
"Please, you love Jagmal as much as I do." Dheer Bai pleaded.
"Yes, Ranisa, I do." The wet nurse agreed. "But I can not do this. If I am found out..."
"How will you be found out?" Dheer Bai looked agitated. "They will always think it is an enemy."
"If I poison his drink, I will be hanged." The wet nurse gasped.
"Tell me the truth." Dheer Bai turned away angrily. "You also love Pratap more, don't you?"
"No, Ranisa." The woman pleaded. "My loyalty lies with you."
"Then do as I say." Dheer Bai shook her head.
"But your son is his... ninth son." The woman gulped. "What will you do for the rest of them?" The woman was scared. Dheer Bai smiled.
"He also has twenty-five wives! But I am his favourite." Dheer Bai sighed. "Once Pratap stops impressing him, I will take charge. Losing Pratap will turn him more to me." She pushed the pouch of poison into the wet nurse's hand.
