Queen Padmini of Chittor- a corner of Indian history.
This is a chronicle of desperate valor, with tragic end. All Hindus are saddened by it, yet feel proud of it.
Padmini was the Queen of Chittorgarh and had matchless beauty. The tales of Her beauty reached the ears of Allaudin Khilji, muslim sultan of Delhi. He desired to possess her, but it was easier said than done.
So he personally went there and besieged Chittorgarh. He sent message to Rana Rattan Singh, Padmini's husband, to say that he would spare the city if he could meet its famous queen. Even this was turned down. The compromise finally reached was that the sultan could look upon Padmini's reflection if he came unarmed into the fort. Accordingly, the sultan went up the hill and glimpsed a reflection of the beautiful Padmini standing by a lotus pool. He thanked his host who courteously escorted Allauddin down to the outer gate-where the sultan's men waited in ambush to take the Rana hostage as a ransom in exchange of Padmini.
Pals, that was unthinkable!! Honoured Queen raped by Allauddin? No. NO.
Rajputs decided to meet the devil with his own fires. A messenger informed the sultan that the Rani Herself would come to him, but demands a fitting reception for Her entourage. So 100 curtained palanquins set off down the hill, each carried by six humble bearers and bearing 1 warrior disguised as women. A total of 700 warriors. Once inside the camp of the the sultan, they broke out and played havoc. Soon, of course, all perished.
The die was cast. Chittor could not hold out. Surrender was unthinkable. The Rani and Her entire entourage of women, the wives of generals and soldiers, sent their children into hiding with loyal retainers. They then dressed their wedding fine , slid their farewells, and singing ancient hymns, boldly entered the mahal and performed jauhar ie enetered the FIRE. It is a historical truth.
The men, watching with expressionless faces, then donned saffron robes [a sign of DO OR DIE, mostly die], smeared the holy ashes of their women on their foreheads, flung open the gates of the fort and thundered down the hill into the enemy ranks, to fight to the death.
7,000 Rajputs persihed in that battle to the FINISH. What a pyrrihic victory for Khilji, a DESERTED city!! What did he get, except a heap of ashes?
PS: We do not know the names of other women. But we call them Padminis. Thousands of Padaminis.
Padamaini, means LIKE LOTUS, is quite a popular name for females. She is a Goddesss for us Hindus.
This is a chronicle of desperate valor, with tragic end. All Hindus are saddened by it, yet feel proud of it.
Padmini was the Queen of Chittorgarh and had matchless beauty. The tales of Her beauty reached the ears of Allaudin Khilji, muslim sultan of Delhi. He desired to possess her, but it was easier said than done.
So he personally went there and besieged Chittorgarh. He sent message to Rana Rattan Singh, Padmini's husband, to say that he would spare the city if he could meet its famous queen. Even this was turned down. The compromise finally reached was that the sultan could look upon Padmini's reflection if he came unarmed into the fort. Accordingly, the sultan went up the hill and glimpsed a reflection of the beautiful Padmini standing by a lotus pool. He thanked his host who courteously escorted Allauddin down to the outer gate-where the sultan's men waited in ambush to take the Rana hostage as a ransom in exchange of Padmini.
Pals, that was unthinkable!! Honoured Queen raped by Allauddin? No. NO.
Rajputs decided to meet the devil with his own fires. A messenger informed the sultan that the Rani Herself would come to him, but demands a fitting reception for Her entourage. So 100 curtained palanquins set off down the hill, each carried by six humble bearers and bearing 1 warrior disguised as women. A total of 700 warriors. Once inside the camp of the the sultan, they broke out and played havoc. Soon, of course, all perished.
The die was cast. Chittor could not hold out. Surrender was unthinkable. The Rani and Her entire entourage of women, the wives of generals and soldiers, sent their children into hiding with loyal retainers. They then dressed their wedding fine , slid their farewells, and singing ancient hymns, boldly entered the mahal and performed jauhar ie enetered the FIRE. It is a historical truth.
The men, watching with expressionless faces, then donned saffron robes [a sign of DO OR DIE, mostly die], smeared the holy ashes of their women on their foreheads, flung open the gates of the fort and thundered down the hill into the enemy ranks, to fight to the death.
7,000 Rajputs persihed in that battle to the FINISH. What a pyrrihic victory for Khilji, a DESERTED city!! What did he get, except a heap of ashes?
PS: We do not know the names of other women. But we call them Padminis. Thousands of Padaminis.
Padamaini, means LIKE LOTUS, is quite a popular name for females. She is a Goddesss for us Hindus.
