COMPILED BY LONDON SWAMINATHAN

Post No.7503

Date uploaded in London – 27 January 2020

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PADMINI, queen of Rana Rattan Sing of Mewar , and a  lady of exquisite beauty, has been deservedly given an exalted place in the epic of Rajput chivalry by col. Tod and also by Malik Mohammad Jayasi in his Padmavati, a classic work of Hindustani literature . The traditional belief is that the immediate cause of Alauddin Khilji’s invasion of Chitor was his infatuation of Padmini.  History records the chivalrous role of Padmini and a number of other women of Mewar at the time when the famous citadel of Chitor was besieged by Alauddin.

The valiant Rajputs offered a heroic resistance against his onslaught for eight months; but at last to give way in view of the superior numerical strength of the Delhi army.  Before the final surrender of the citadel , however of 26^th august , 1303, hundreds of brave women , under the leadership of Padmini plunged themselves in to the fire of JAUHAR – self immolation – to escape pollution and captivity by the Muslim invaders.

The funeral pyre was lighted within the great sub terranean retreat in chambers impervious to the light of the day, and the defenders of Chitor beheld in procession the queens, their own wives, and daughters , to the number of several thousands.

This is the greatest sacrifice of women in the history of the world. This is the bravest act of women the world has never seen.  The fair Padmini closed the throng, which was augmented by whatever of female beauty or youth could be tainted Tartar lust. The women were conveyed to the cavern for security. They were saved from dishonour. Thus Padmini and several thousand Hindu women preferred heroic death  to a disgraced existence.

HEROIC SAMYOGITA

In the bardic traditions of Rajasthan there are thrilling references to the selfless patriotism and heroic exploits of her daughters. The bards’ folk songs are echoing in the walls of the mighty forts. Every stone and sand particle in the surrounding Thar desert are reverberating with the glorious sacrifices they made.

The first example in this category is Samyogita (RANI SAMYUKTA), daughter of Jjayachandra, the ruler of Kanauj. She married Prithiviraj in a swayamvara. When Mohammad of Ghor marched with reinforced troops for the second time to meet his adversary Prithiviraj on the Tarain near  Thanesar, she is said to have armed her lord for the encounter and exhorted him with the following words—

“To die is the destiny not only of man but of the gods; all desire to throw off the old garment; but to die well is to live for ever. Think not of self; but of immortality; let your sword divide your foe and I will be your arthaanga (other half) hereafter”

Prithiviraj fought with reckless valour, but was at last overpowered and killed by the Muslim invaders. True to her vow, the devoted spouse sacrificed her life by mounting his funeral pyre.

We praise Gargi Vachaknavi of Vedic lore as the oldest and most intelligent woman in the world. And in the same way we can praise Rani Samyukta as the most intelligent and bravest woman in the historic period. She and Rani Padmini will inspire Hindu women for generations to come.

Xxx subham xxx