#chittorgarh

𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘: || Kesariya ||~ The Saffron Shade of Love

𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐑: This story is a fictional account on the marriage of Maharana Pratap with Purbai Solankini, the Princess of Solanki Clan. She was originally known as Pyaar Kanwar Solanki, and her name changed after her marriage. It's strictly fictional and bashing in comments or in my Asks as anons is not allowed other than constructive criticism.

ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀʟɪꜱᴛ | ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ

Maharani Jaiwanta Baiji Songara took the flower from the copper plate nearby and pushed it on the needle, making it roll down in the white string of the Garland she was making. The Maharani of Mewar was as generous as the flow of the River, always giving and never asking. But there was one thing Jaiwanta Baiji was picky about.

The Pooja of Her Krishna.

And thus, the Queen of Mewar was stringing garlands of white Jasmine flowers along with her sister-wives, the other wives of her Husband Maharana Uday Singh, namely Sajja Baiji Solankini and Karamati Baiji of Marwar, Maharana Uday Singh's second and third wife respectively, his fourth wife Veer Bai Jhala having gone to the temple of Eklingji to pray for the beloved son of Mewar, Kunwar Pratap Singh Sisodiya who was stationed at Kelwara.

"Jija! Here." Sajja Baiji said and gave the newly strung garland to Jaiwanta Baiji, the dusky skinned beauty of Jalore taking it and admiring it. "Jija, I see you thinking about something a lot nowadays. What happened? You look worried." Karamati Baiji asked.

It was a known fact to both that why Jaiwanta Baiji thought a lot. The Songara Chauhan Princess was worried about the ammunition help that would be needed for future help. Maharana Udai Singh remained firm on his resolve to surrender to the Mughals, but some other Rajput kings did not consider it appropriate to fight against the Mughals. This was the reason that Mewar had less military force, due to which the Mewari Rajputs had to pay a heavy price in the future.

"I'm just worried about ammunition, Karamati Behna. We know that some of our family are openly with us, and some are against it. How will we fight the Mughals until we get enough military forces?" Jaiwanta Baiji placed forth her worry.

"Jija, why do you worry about this? Ranaji will find a good solution. And about ammunition, I'm here right? My Father Rao Prithvi Singh Solanki won't stay behind in helping Ranaji." Sajja Baiji said in a soothing tone, which eased the worry in Jaiwanta's heart. Just as she could string another flower, her maid walked in.

"Khamma Rani sa Hukum!" She bowed. "Rana sa Hukum as for you three's presence in his Private Chambers main room. He awaits you with Rawat Chundawat ji." She told them and the three Queens of Mewar looked at each other with furrowed eyebrows, wondering why he would need all of their presence at once.

They all looked at each other, as Amar came in running exactly then for Jaivanta Bai. She laughed softly and scooped the three year old into her arms and took him with them, knowing that seeing Amar will calm Ranaji down too.

Rana Uday Singh meanwhile was agitated, worrying his lower lip between his teeth as he paced around the map of Rajputana. "We need ammunition, Ranaji. Kunwar Pratap is in Kelwara with our Army, and Bhils of Van Rajya are with us all thanks to him. But we still need an entire army at our dispatch for our war against the Mughals." Rawatji said.

Rawat Sai Das Chundawat was a great and able commander for Mewar, who also worked as a Strategy Planner and a Advisor to Maharana Uday Singh. The History of Mewar said that originally, the Chundawats were the sub-caste od Sisodiyas. Their progenitor Chunda Singh was the original heir of his Father Maharana Lakha, but gave away the Throne to his younger step brother Mokal Singh Sisodia.

"I know, I know Rawatji. But you know what happened to the letters we sent. Some replied in agreement, some in disagreement and some weren't replied." Maharana Uday Singh said in a frustrated tone, just as the two heard the sound of anklets.

"Dadajiraj!” came the cheery voice of Amar, who ran straight to his grandfather’s arms, as the latter’s three wives entered, looking at their husband and understanding the tense situation.

"Bhanwarji!" Uday Singh smiled automatically as he picked up his grandson and kissed his head. "You were with your Dadisa?" He asked.

"I just went to her, Dadajiraj," said the three year old, his smile the same as his mother's, though everything else was a copy of Pratap.

"Bhanwarji, as much as I wish to talk to you and spend some time with you, I have something very important to discuss with your Dadisas. Why don't you go to your Maa sa Hukum?" Uday Singh said gently.

"Hukum Dadajiraj" Amar Singh slipped out of his hold and joined his palms in a greeting to everybody and left in search of his Mother.

"Ranaji, what happened?" Jaiwanta Baiji asked once she was sure Amar Singh had gone. "Jaiwanta Baiji, I need to talk to you about something important. I have discussed this new Battle plan with Rawatji for the war against Mughals but.." Rana Uday Singh trailed off looking away with a sigh.

"But?" Jaiwanta Baiji asked as Sajja Baiji and Karamati Baiji exchanged glances.

"But we are short of ammunition Jaiwanta Baiji.." He sighed, finally telling her his worries.

"Do you have any Kingdom in mind to form an alliance with?"

At this question of Jaiwanta Baiji, everyone looked at her. When the Queen shared a glance with other spouses of Kings, the other two knew what she was implying.

"Alliance?" Uday Singh furrowed his brows and looked at Jaiwanta Baiji. "I don't understand Jaiwanta Baiji." He said quietly. He did understand it very well, he just wanted her to say it clearly.

“To get a larger army and ammunition, we need to form an alliance,” Jaivanta said gently. “Shakta and Heer’s marriage strengthened the bond with Jalore, but what about Toda?”

“Toda?" Uday Singh blinked confused before looking at Sajja Baiji who stepped up. "Ranaji, my niece Pyaar Kanwar Solanki. She is the daughter of my younger brother and his first wife who died early, and my brother was martyred. She was mainly raised by my brother's second Wife Mumal Baiji and my Father Rao Prithvi Singh Solanki." Sajja Bai said. "She is around 2 or 3 years younger than Ajabde." She told him.

Rana Uday Singh nodded with a hum as he reminisced about the shy and timid Toda Princess whom he had seen ages ago when Sajja Baiji's brother was alive. "Will Kunwar Pratap agree? He's very protective of Ajabde Baisa." He asked.

"Why won't he when Ajabde Baisa convinces him?" Jaiwanta Baiji smiled innocently, making Rana Uday Singh look at her incredulously. "Jaiwanta Baiji, Ajabde Baisa is the eldest daughter in law of Mewar. She must understand that as the future Heir Kunwar Pratap has to marry multiple times, what is asking her then?" He asked.

"The same reason as you ask Dheer Behna before doing anything." Karamati Baiji piqued in with a sweet smile. Uday Singh froze, turning to look at Karamat Baiji and sighed. "Karamati Baiji, I ask you all too" He was cut off.

”Before you ask Dheer? I am your first wife!” Jaivanta Bai said with a frown.

"I am not saying that!!" Uday Singh said immediately, his eyes widening in the fear that Jaiwanta Baiji will get upset with him. Although she was never one to get upset, he had his own experience with her. But wait, WHY was he being reminded of those experiences now? They had a Son who had his own Son! Uday Singh mentally shook his head. Calm Jaiwanta Baiji first.

"Jaiwanta Baiji, I mean to say that I take your Paramarsh- I mean you fours too before asking her!" He tried to calm her down.

”You do? Then why are you questioning why Ajabde’s permission is needed?” Jaivanta fought back with her husband, glaring at him. Rawatji looked at the scene unfolding in front of him incredulously, standing quietly with an amused smile. The only person who can win against a stubborn Maharana Uday Singh was his first wife— Maharani Jaiwanta Baiji Songara of Jalore.

Uday Singh saw through it and sighed. Putting his hands on hips, he shook his head exasperated. "Jaiwanta Baiji, I can never win against you. Okay, you go and ask Ajabde, and I will write to Pratap only after getting her agreement." Uday Singh said.

Jaiwanta Baiji smiled victoriously, looking at her Sisters. "Then Ranaji, we must go back to our work." She said and took her leave, her feet turning towards Ajabde's room.

I proud to be a #Rajput

Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan, India

Aman Channa wrote : Chittorgarh Fort, is one of the largest forts in India and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fort was the capital of Mewar, the fort sprawls over a hill 180 mtrs in height and spread over an area of 692 acres.

The fort covers 65 historical structures, which include four palaces, 19 large temples, 20 large water bodies (existing) and 2 towers.

Image 1 - on the far ground you can see "Kumbha Shyam temple, on the left is the "Northern Johar Gate" and in the center you can see the "Samadhishwara Temple" and in the foreground is the Gaumukh kund

Image 2 - has the Victory tower in the center, the Fateh Prakash Palace on the far end and on the foreground is the Pashrvnath Temple.

Image 3 - has all the monuments mentioned above and Kumbha Palace on the far left.