𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐈: Pratap's Dilemma
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. It's strictly fictional and bashing in comments or in my Asks as anons is not allowed other than constructive criticism.
"Ajabde? Are you here?" Jaiwanta Baiji asked as she stood at the threshold with Sajja Baiji. The Two Queens were here to talk to Ajabde about the alliance, and wondered how she would react.
"Raani Maasa, Majhli Maasa!” Ajabde got up with Amar, the baby giggling seeing his grandmother, but half asleep and comfortable in his mother’s arms to leave it. Jaiwanta and Sajja Baiji awed the little boy, their little Patta.
"Ajabde, are you busy? Oh, looks like Bhanwarji is sleepy. It's fine, we will come later." Jaiwanta Baiji said gently, looking at Ajabde’s tired eyes. "No no Rani Maa, come in. Amar Singhji will sleep off soon,” Ajabde said softly. “Kuch kaam hai?”
"Ajabde, we have to talk about something important to you." Jaiwant Baiji said gently, gesturing to the Couches. Ajabde smiled confusedly but nodded, walking to couch with them. "Ji Raani Maasa?" Ajabde sat down with Amar in her arms, the baby clinging to her pallu tightly.
Jaiwanta Baiji and Sajja Baiji exchanged a glance. "Ajabde, you know well that we are short of ammunition and army." Jaiwanta Baiji took a deep breath. "Sajja Baiji told us that her Father has a big army in Toda, and I suggested an alliance." She said softly in the end, watching Ajabde's expression falter.
Ajabde felt pain fill her heart, when she read between the lines of Jaivanta Bai's words. She had expected it, but had also not realised how much it would break her when such a situation came up. She slowly nodded.
:Jaiwanta Baiji nodded slowly before speaking. "Pyaar Kanwar Solankini. she's niece of Sajja Baiji and granddaughter of Rao Prithvi Singh Solanki of Toda, Daughter of his eldest son and first daughter in law, she was raised by her younger stepmother mainly. I have seen her since childhood, you will love her." She said softly.
”Alright, Rani Maa sa. I understand,” Ajabde said softly. Her words surprised both the Queens, although mildly.
"Ajabde, think again. I don't want you to be hurt. Not that Pyaar Baisa will come between you two- I know her like I know my Shakta." Sajja Baiji said and gently held her knuckles. "But think again."
"Majhli Maasa, I’m not worried about Purbaisa coming between him and I, I don’t know if anyone can ever,” Ajabde said softly. “But I understand. I am Kunwarani of Mewar. I only worry about his reaction.”
"Kunwar Pratap, but why him?" Sajja Baiji asked, but Jaiwanta Baiji understood. Uday Singh had been a hard nut to crack when Sajja Baiji's rishta came for him.
"Majhli Maasa, he won't accept it easily," Ajabde said gently. "He will worry about me, and not pay attention to anyone else in anything but a friendly manner." Ajabde said and Jaiwanta Baiji smiled.
"Ajabde, I know you can make him understand." The hidden meaning was understood by the other two. It was needed for the Kingdom, and potential enemies like Mughals. They had heard about the alliance between Jalaluddin and the Amer Princess Harkha Bai, and realised that Jalaluddin wanted to marry Rajput Princesses to gain momentum in his taking over of Rajputana.
"I will, Raani Maasa. I planned to, anyway," Ajabde cradled Amar close to her, needing her baby boy's comfort. "Ajabde, why don't you write a letter to him?" Sajja Baiji suggested as Amar hugged his mother. "I will, Majhli Maasa. I will,” Ajabde said softly, knowing both mothers had noticed the tears forming in her eyes.
"Ajabde.." Jaiwanta Baiji said softly as Sajja Baiji stood up and hugged her. Both knew how much it was hurting Ajabde, but they also knew that she would have to toughen up. Pratap was heir to the Throne, he had to marry multiple women.
Ajabde hugged Sajjabai tightly, smiling through her tears. “Don’t worry Raani Maasa, I will ensure Kunwar Pratap marries Rajkumari Pyaar Baisa. This is my promise to you both.” Sajja Baiji smiled softly. "We trust you, Ajabde." Sajja Baiji kissed her head, wondering how Ranaji and Ajabde would manage to convince Pratap.
Once they left, Ajabde sat on the couch all while hugging the yoing Amar Singhji, who had fallen asleep as tears brimmed her eyes. Ajabde’s heart clenched painfully at the thought of another woman beside Pratap, her beloved husband. Yet, she swallowed the rising bitterness, knowing their duty to Maatrabhumi outweighed personal emotions.
Her mind raced through memories of their life together, the unspoken love and shared battles, but the reality of their kingdom’s need was undeniable. An alliance through marriage could strengthen Mewar’s defence, and Pratap’s role as Crown Prince demanded such sacrifices. Ajabde reminded herself that their bond was deeper than titles or ceremonies. With tears held back, she resolved to accept this, knowing they both served a higher purpose.
"Rawat Kakaji, you here?" Pratap came out with a smile along with Chakrapani, wondering what was Rawatji doing here instead of being by his Father's side.
"Kunwar Pratap, I bring an important message for you from your Daajiraj and your Maasa. Also, there is a letter from Ajabde Baisa as well." Rawatji said, his tone serious.
"What is it?" Pratap said and forwarded his hand to the inside of the tent. "Please come inside." He said and they walked in.
"Here is the letter." Rawatji said in a tensed tone, and handed Pratap a scroll. "A serious message?" Pratap asked, worried, taking both letters and opening the one from his father, scanning through it and freezing. "A second marriage? Why?"
Rawatji sighed softly. "We need more army to fight Jalaluddin, and no one is willing to go against the Mughals. The only person who can help us is Toda's King Rao Prithvi Singh Solanki. That's why Maharanisa has suggested an alliance." Rawatji said.
Of course. Of course she would have agreed. They both had vowed to put their Maatrubhumi first and foremost. Taking a deep breath, Pratap looked at Rawatji."So I am to marry someone I do not know, Rawat Kaka?" Pratap asked softly, now needing his father figure. "And what about my Ajabde? How will she feel?"
"Here." Rawatji said and Pratap took the scroll with shaky hands, already knowing the contents.
Pratap sat in his tent, the letter from his father, Rana Uday Singh of Mewar, resting heavily in his hands. His heart weighed down by its contents, yet his mind was a battlefield of conflicting emotions. The letter had come with a simple command: a marriage alliance with Pyaar Kanwar Solankini, Princess of Toda. His father’s words spoke of strategy, political strength, and the need to fortify Mewar’s alliances in these turbulent times. Pratap understood the reasoning—he had lived by the same ideals his entire life, putting Mewar and its people above all else. But this… this felt like a betrayal of the heart.
As a warrior, he had faced countless enemies, both on the battlefield and within the political arena. But nothing could have prepared him for the internal war he now fought. His thoughts drifted to Ajabde, his wife, his partner, his confidante. She had always been by his side, understanding his duty as a Rajput, as a warrior. But what was her heart enduring through all of this?
A second letter sat unopened on his desk. Ajabde’s handwriting, so familiar and comforting, now seemed to mock him. With trepidation, he unfolded her words, knowing she had sent this to convince him to accept the alliance. As he read, his heart ached.
Jai Eklingji Ki! I hope you and our army are doing well, Hukum. I know you remember that on our wedding day, we both took an oath together, and promised each other, to put our MaatruBhumi first, to put our people first, before ourselves. That is why I am writing to you today, to give you permission to marry Rajkumari Pyaar Kanwar Solankini. I, in fact, urge you to do the same. The strength of our army will be renewed further, and this is a first step to the Rajputana unity both you and I have envisioned since our childhood.
Hukum, we both know our Rajdharma comes first, and here, your dharma is to marry Purbaisa, and mine is to encourage you to do the same. As your Kunwarani and your wife, I wholeheartedly accept this alliance, and hope you will honour it like you do everything else.
Further, I have heard that the Princess is kind and gentle, and a lot like Majhli Maasa. She will be a happy addition to our family, and our Amar Singhji will get another person to dote on him.
Ajabde’s letter was written with care, each word laced with quiet strength and an unspoken pain. She spoke of duty, of how this marriage could strengthen Mewar’s defences and bring peace to their kingdom. She acknowledged that such decisions were never easy, but she believed in him, trusted him to do what was right for their land, for their people.
Pratap could feel her struggle in every line, even though she hadn’t said it outright. She had accepted this, not because she wanted to, but because she understood the larger picture. Yet he could feel the wound this decision had carved into her heart. Ajabde was strong—stronger than anyone else he knew—but she was human, too. And he knew that this decision, no matter how selfless, had hurt her deeply.
His hand trembled slightly as he set the letter down. He could almost see her, sitting alone in their chambers, trying to muster the courage to write those words, forcing herself to ignore her own pain in the name of Maatrabhumi. The thought twisted his heart. He was not in favour of this alliance, not even for a moment. He had never wanted to share his life, his duty, with anyone but her. They had fought together, built their future together, and she had never asked for anything in return except his loyalty. Now, he was being asked to give that loyalty to someone else in the name of political strategy.
But he knew he had no choice.
Pratap was a son of Mewar before all else. He had been raised with the belief that the kingdom always came first, even above personal desires. His father had made that clear. But for the first time, Pratap felt the crushing weight of that belief pressing down on him, suffocating him. He had to agree to the alliance—there was no other way to secure their kingdom’s future.
Yet the knowledge that he was hurting the one person who had always stood by him made his heart bleed. Ajabde’s quiet acceptance made it even worse, for he knew that she would never express her pain. She would support him, just as she always had, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t break something inside her.
With a deep breath, Pratap resolved to speak with her. He needed to tell her that this decision, while necessary, was tearing him apart as well. He couldn’t undo the path set before him, but he could, at least, make sure she knew that she was still the queen of his heart—no matter what alliances were made for Mewar’s sake.
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