The legend of Lankan princess in Rajasthan lives on

by Nagalingam KUMARAKURUPARAN

Rajasthan is the land of Rajputs, or the land of Kshatriyas (Warriors). Rajasthan lies in the hot dry part of North Western India. Rajputs are men with features reminiscent of regal past.

They are the descendents of valiant warrior clans, who once thrilled to the clash of steel, the wind that whipped past and the steeds that strained at the bits. These warriors call themselves Rajputs - the sons of kings.

The bards sing of valour, of love and of great battles fought since time immemorial. One of the songs captivates our hearts. It is the tale about a beautiful Lankan Princess Padmini who married the Prince of Mewar Rawal Ratan Singh.

The Princely state of Mewar occupied the southern corner of Rajasthan, ruled by one of the oldest dynasties in the world, which is steeped in antiquity, tradition, valour and romance.

Ramayana

The great ancestor of the kings of Mewar, or so claim the bards, was Lava, the son of Lord Ram, the hero of the epic Ramayana. Having abandoned his father's kingdom in Ayodhya, Lava had travelled to western Punjab where he developed a township Lav Koot (Lahore), where his decendents the Ikshavahu Suriyavamshis the dynasty of the Sun, ruled.

Ratan Singh of Mewar came to the throne in AD 1302. His coronation took place at the Chittor Fort.

Rawal Ratan Singh ruled Mewar but for one year. By his side was Padmini, the beautiful Princess from Lanka.

She was as radiant as the lotus she had been named after, and she was renowned throughout the land. Unfortunately, Princess Padmini's fame and beauty had reached the ears of the Mohammedan Emperor Alla-Ud-Din Khalji who had become the Sultan of Delhi. He was determined to have her for his harem.

A direct attack on Chittor would have been of no avail, for the great fort in Rajasthan stood its ground firmly. Alla-Ud-Din-came instead as a friend.

He sent word to the Rajputs that he would be satisfied with a mere sight of the princess, and he would henceforth consider himself a brother to Padmini. Relying on the famed Rajput word of honour Alla-Ud-Din entered the fort lightly guarded.

Padmini was reluctant to meet him and her husband decided that the Sultan would have to make do with the glimpse of her reflection upon the waters of a pond, keeping the queen out of direct line of vision. But the reflection itself was bewitching.

The eighteen-year-old Queen of Chittor was indeed a treasure among women.

A glimmer of desire lit the Sultan's eye. In a flash a gemstone was cast into the water. The ripples broke the spell and the Sultan was stunned into recovery. Khalji was still firm in his resolve to capture Chittor.

It is said that Khalji had to give up his pursuit with the intention of returning on another day.

Alla-Ud-Din Khalji invaded Chittor but was beaten back. He was furious and he threatened Chittor with destruction. The Sultan made another attempt to capture the princess. When the Rajputs came to know the evil intention of the Sultan a call was sent out and Rajputs from far and near rushed to its defence.

The siege

A siege of Chittor began, the likes of which had never been witnessed before. The city remained secure as long as its defendants lived. But there was no end to the tragic news that kept pouring in, one by one the best warriors of Chittor were lost.

For six months, the fort withstood the siege. Then provisions ran low. A terrible battle followed. Despite all the aid that poured in, it soon became evident that the fort could no longer be saved. Paying no heed to the wounds Badal the nephew of Padmini, who had earlier accompanied her on her journey from Lanka, and now a stripling of twelve, escaped to announce to the women that Chittor could no longer be saved and it was in despair.

The code of honour was announced. A great fire was lit and ‘Sacrifice’ was commanded.

Husbands bade farewell to wives and children, promising faithfully to meet them the next day in heaven. “Tell me Badal, how did my husband behave,” Padmini asked her nephew.

Badal stood beside Padmini and recounted to her the manner in which her lord conducted himself during the battle.

Padmini smiled farewell to the boy saying, “I follow his steps as a humble gleaner of his sword, my lord will chide me for my delay” and sprang into the fire along with other Rajputs’ mothers, wives and daughters to save themselves from dishonour.

Lotus

The beautiful lotus flower that once adorned the royal court of Chittor perished in the fire.

By the dawn of August 25, 1303 the men of Chittor had been set free, earthly bonds no longer stood in their way.

A terrible battle raged. The valiant Rajputs fought to the last man. Chittor fell into the hands of the enemy.

The romantic - tragic episode in the history of Mewar has since been recited by the bards of Rajasthan throughout the past centuries.

The subterranian cavern where the women of Chittor sacrificed their lives to the fire is still held sacred.

The legend of Chittor Rani Padmini still lives on in the hearts of Rajputs.

The inscriptions on the wall of Chittor fort still stand testimony to the tale of a Lankan princess who sacrificed herself to guard the honour of the Rajputs.