The Sun of Mewar

The Chivalrous Enemy

"Ranisa. Hukum" There was a hint of urgency in the maid in waiting's voice as she rushed to the clearing where the tents were set up. Rani Pur Bai Solanki, the second queen, frowned at her sudden alarming voice.

"Hush Rama, the children are..." She checked the children's tent alarmed. They slept during the day and stayed awake at night, because the forestland was not safe, neither from animals nor the enemies.

"Ranisa, forgive me, it's Kunwarsa... He is back... but..." Pur Bai's face lit up with a smile of hope that didn't last long. "But?"

"What is it? What's wrong?" The Maharani of Mewar had walked out of her camp, with the other queens in tow.

The maid bowed before her. "It's Kunwarsa."

"He is back?" She frowned. He was not supposed to be back so early until his father reached Dholan.

"So is Ranaji." The maid looked scared. "There is a court called in an emergency. I came to inform you that Ranaji wanted everyone to be present."

"Jija..." Pur Bai could see the tension mounting on her face.

"What did Kunwar Amar do?" The Maharani stopped the queen with a hand gesture and asked the maid.

In a clearing a few feet away from the camp stood the tall banyan tree under which the Maharana had called on his court. It was a mid-monsoon afternoon in 1582 A.D. in the dense forestland of the Aravalli. In front of the displeased Maharana stood his twenty-two-year-old heir to the throne, head bowed. A whisper ran through the courtiers who exchanged clueless glances and the leaves rustled in the moist breeze.

"Where are they?" The Maharana's gruff voice led to silence. He stared at his son from the corner of his eyes. "Where are they?" He asked a little louder.

"They... they.... in the palanquins." He pointed at a line of palanquins standing heavily guarded.

"What did I instruct you to do?" He looked up at his father's words.

"Tell me!" His voice echoed through the forest as the ladies appeared in the clearing behind the palanquins to witness the court in order.

The Maharani exchanged a puzzled and disappointed look with her husband, before stepping towards the largest of the palanquins and carefully removing the veil. The lady inside looked scared and gasped at her. She looked a few years older than her firstborn. She gently put on a dignified smile and gestured at the lady to step out. She did so, along with a small child on her lap, and a daughter around eight or nine. The Mughal jewellery and attire of the ladies were hard to miss. The other queens who stood behind the Maharani caught a glimpse of these fair-looking Turkish women with sharp features, from behind their veils.

"I am the Maharani of Mewar." The scared women stared at the elderly lady who stood in front of them. There was a hint of warmth in her voice that seemed to ease her. She bowed in courtesy like she had been taught all her life in the Mughal Harem to bow to the royals. Her daughter quickly followed, making the queen smile.

"I am Mah Banu Begum, wife to Khan E Khana..." She stopped alarmed. This was enemy land. The status of her husband could be a threat.

"Abdul Rahim, son of Bairam Khan. I know. What is your name?" The queen had smiled at the child, offering him a fruit he refused.

"Jana..." the princess whispered.

"These are the rest of the Harem." Mah Banu Begum almost whispered indicating at the line of palanquins.

"Daata Hukum, I..." Kunwar Amar Singh stopped at his father's stare.

"I told you to distract the Khan E Khana at Sherpura while I move..."