“I can’t believe this.” Kunwar Shakti spoke aloud what was on everyone else’s mind. Kunwar Pratap held a scroll from his father as he read aloud the instructions. They were supposed to go on a battle with Dungarpur because the Rana liked a dancer girl he wanted to “possess” there, and he was refused by the king.
“We can’t be making enemies because he liked a dancer, Dadabhai.” He waited for his brother’s reaction. “Please tell me I am right?” Kunwar Pratap’s glance made Kunwar Shakti stop. The Rawat of Salumber and the Rao of Bijoliya were present there, and the last thing Pratap wanted was a rumour that the prince did not agree with the king. He cleared his throat. They were sitting in the Haveli at Kelwara, where Pratap was posted. Ever since his return to Chittor and the not-so-successful war against Marwar, both princes were posted away from home. Receiving the instruction at Mandalgarh, where Shakti was posted, he wasted no time gathering the two chiefs and arriving at Kelwara, knowing he would do as his brother instructed.
“We… have to get an army ready.” Pratap gathered. Shakti looked disappointed.
“We can’t afford to make such enemies with the Timurids knocking at our door,” Shakti spoke more firmly than he intended. “Last I heard, their commander, Bairam Khan, was looking towards the route to Surat. You know sooner or later they will come for us.”
“Bhai Shakti.” Pratap tried hard not to lose his cool. “I think you are forgetting that we are mere senapatis in Mewar’s army. He is the king.” Shakti stared at the Rawat of Salumber, who cleared his throat.
“I agree with both of you, Kunwarsa. While we can never question the orders of Ranaji, such missions can only weaken Mewar.” He eyed the Rao of Bijoliya, who agreed.
“Then what do you suggest?” Kunwar Pratap asked.
“A conference with the king of Dungarpur.”
Ajabdeh’s hand trembled at the letter that had arrived for her without a royal seal. She opened it quickly after she closed the door of her chamber. He spoke of how the talks failed, and that meant they were going to war. Ajabdeh sighed. He had not spoken of any further talks of alliances in the letter, nor had he hinted at them. Lately, all his letters talked of was how he roamed the forests near Kelwara and Ranakpur, and it reminded him of his time with the Bhils and, in turn, Bijoliya. But he was worried that such meaningless wars would weaken Mewar against bigger enemies.
Kunwar Pratap was welcomed back to Chittorgarh with much pomp and grandeur after a successful mission. They had won the battle, but he refused the dancer girl now offered to the Rana of Mewar. He was welcomed by Jaivanta Bai with aarti, and his sisters and Jagmal came to greet him at the gates. Sajja Bai enquired about Shakti, who had not been home for a long time. Pratap decided not to worry her further with Shakti’s feelings towards their father. But as soon as he had settled in his chamber for the week, he had heard his sisters whisper about Rana Udai Singh’s plans of alliance by getting him married. The Solankini Princess, Sajja Bai’s niece, was one of the contenders. Kunwar Pratap opened his trunk and inspected the letter he had received on his way home. She had congratulated his win and prayed for his safety. Something churned in his stomach as he remembered his promise to her. Kunwar Pratap decided to see his mother.
Dheer Bai could not believe her ears. She was determined to do something about Kunwar Pratap during his week’s stay here and was very disturbed by how much her husband was praising his firstborn’s leadership skills lately. But almost like an answer to her prayers, Jaivanta Bai had sought an audience with the Rana and infuriated him with a very strange prospect. To marry the heir to the throne to the Rajkumari of Bijoliya, his chieftain’s daughter.
Kunwar Pratap eyed his father, silently pacing the room as his mother stood by him.
“Is that your final choice?” Udai Singh asked. Kunwar Pratap lowered his gaze at his father’s tone of rebuke. He nodded, silently. There was a decorum they maintained between the king and themselves, and never had Kunwar Pratap imagined that he would be standing in front of his father, answering him about his choice of a bride.
“It can’t be.” The king’s words made him look up as his mother tried to intervene.
“But…”
“There is no but, Jaivanta.” His father stopped his mother. “He is not just any person. He is the future of Mewar, the heir to the throne. His first queen will be the Maharani of Mewar. Have you forgotten the implications of that, or has your love for your son blinded you enough for you to forget your duties?” Jaivanta Bai pressed her lips and did not speak. Kunwar Pratap suddenly felt a rush of blood as he tightened his fist. Nobody talked to his mother in that tone. She was silent because of him.
“If he marries a Samant girl, it will make us a laughing stock.” Udai shook his head. “It will imply a state as great as Mewar could not find a worthy alliance for its prince.”
“I’m sure Kunwar Pratap will not be the first to choose a bride…” There was a taunt in Jaivanta’s voice that startled Pratap. He realised he had never quite been in the middle of one of his parents’ many disagreements to know how they spoke to each other. He felt embarrassed to be present there but could not leave.
“He will be choosing a Maharani for Mewar. You think a Samant Girl is fit for that?” Udai Singh sounded displeased. “From Maharani Padmini to my mother, every one in that position has been an epitome of grace and sacrifice. Can a Samant Putri understand what that means?” Jaivanta was about to speak up when, to her surprise, Pratap answered his father.
“She can.” He said firmly. “You don’t know her.”
“Yes, I don’t wish to.” His father made a face as if shocked at his audacity. “All I know is that the future king of Mewar needs proper alliances.” He sighed as he stared at his firstborn and his wife, who looked upset. A sudden fear of them leaving again, allowing the people to scrutinise him, dawned on Udai. He cleared his throat.
“I am not saying don’t marry her. Maybe after two alliances…” Kunwar Pratap’s jaws tightened at his words as Jaivanta gasped.
“What makes you think their family will wait that long? She is only two years younger than Pratap. They would want her married by fifteen.”
“Then I can’t do anything.” Udai Singh shrugged. “I have to be a king first, and Kunwarsa has to be …”
“What if I am not king?” Jaivanta stared at her son in disbelief as Udai Singh froze in his spot. They briefly shared a bewildered glance at each other.
“What?” Udai Singh asked as Kunwar Pratap looked up at his father.
“What if I renounce the claim to the throne?” He asked. Jaivanta shook her head. “You will not do any such thing. Mewar wants you to be…”
“For the Samant Putri?” Udai Singh sounded almost rhetorically sarcastic. “You will leave your claim for her?”
“Ranima.” Kunwar Pratap turned to his mother. “You always told me to honour my promises. That makes a true Rajput. I made a promise to protect my motherland. I don’t need to be king to keep my promise.” Jaivanta shook her head. “But Pratap, you can’t spend your entire life serving the motherland without any expectations. Whoever becomes king can have clashes with you; we won’t want that for Mewar.”
“This is absurd.” Udai Singh rebuked. “I understand you are young and impulsive…”
“No.” Kunwar Pratap stopped him as he looked determined. “I am not impulsive. I thought this through before I promised her.”
“You promised her?” Udai Singh’s brows shot up. “Without telling us anything?”
“If you expect me to decide for Mewar, being its king, I think I can decide on whom I want to marry, Daajiraj Hukum.” A shiver ran down Udai Singh’s spine as he stared at his firstborn. The more he spoke, the more rebellious he sounded. Udai could never imagine standing in front of his parents, speaking in the manner that he did. He could never imagine wanting to leave the power and throne for a girl. What did he mean he promised her?
“So she knows you want to marry her?” Jaivanta asked, worried.
“She must be thrilled… Who in Bijoliya could have imagined…” Udai Singh rebuked.
“She refused.” Kunwar Pratap shook his head. “She reminded me she was not greater than the motherland.”
“She is more intelligent than you are.” Udai Singh shook his head.
“And that is exactly why she is my choice. I convinced her so. I promised to come for her.” Kunwar Pratap eyed his mother’s face. She had a hint of pride in his choice and his ability to stand up for it. Jaivanta smiled. “If you promised her…”
“I must keep my promise. I would not harm her dignity even if it means leaving my claim…” He looked up at Udai Singh’s pale face.
“And nothing can change your mind?” He asked at last as Kunwar Pratap shook his head. “If you remove me from my duties, I will leave immediately for Bijoliya.”
“He will not do any such thing.” His mother scolded. “I’m sure Ranaji knows your value in the army and the lives of people of Mewar?” His mother’s words were a gentle reminder to Udai Singh that he could not allow the public to think he had a fallout with their favourite son over his choice of a bride, and his ego let him jeopardise their future. He remained silent for a while and sighed.
“Fine.” Kunwar Pratap’s eyes lit up at his father’s words. “Summon the Rao of Bijoliya.”
It is famously said that Ajabdeh Punwar was Kunwar Pratap’s first rebellion. One of the many against his father, against norms, and later against enemies. After the battles of Harmada and Dungarpur, he married her in the year 1557CE. Not a lot is known about their private lives historically, but that doesn’t mean we cannot explore them through fiction. So the next time we come with a chapter, we will explore the other side of a warrior, the one who listened to his heart, was impulsive and sometimes a dreamer. Because you can’t be a rebel without being emotionally invested in your causes. And Ajabdeh was his biggest one.
