One-Sided Love that destroyed a Nation

The story begins with Maharaja Samar Simha, who ruled the kingdom of Mevad from Chitrakuta Mountain( where fort of chittod is located.) to Kumbhalner (present day Kumbhalgarh.) He was the ruler of Rawal branch of Rajputs.

At the time, two major families ruled the region of Mevad, the first family was the Rawal family of Samar Simha who controlled the Chittod fort. The second family was the Rana family that ruled Kumbhalner, which was located down southwards.

In 1302, Maharaja Samar Simha gave the throne to his son, Raja Ratan Simha.(Later the surname changed from Simha to Singh.) At the time he had heard about the princess of the Sinhala region (Present day Sri Lanka). The name of the princess was Padmini, later known as Padmavati. She was described by all the poets as well as historians as the most beautiful woman on the earth.

Author note : It was said that he obtained her information by a talking parrot named Hiraman

He set out for a Quest to obtain her… and finally managed to win her hand in marriage. Little did he know that while marrying a beauty, he would be inviting a disaster in his kingdom… A disaster named Allaudin Khilji…

At that time, Allaudin Khilji was the main general of Khilji Dynasty. He had already captured most of the region in modern day Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

After his conquest, he heard rumors of a queen of Chittod as the most beautiful woman… Curiously, he set out towards Chittod to see her beauty for himself. 

When he reached Chittod and requested an audience with Rani Padmini, he was at first rejected. Then he gave warning to the king that if Rani Padmini did not show herself, he will declare war against Chittod.

Hopelessly, Rani Padmini allowed him to see her reflection in a mirror. But, when Allaudin Khilji saw her reflection, he was instantly bewitched by her otherworldly beauty and asked her to marry him then and there.

Rani Padmini outright refused him and told him that she was already married and to forget about her.

Dejectedly, Allaudin Khilji returned to his army camp but Rani Padmini's image still lingered in his mind. It was said that he was so bewitched by her beauty that he started smiling sillily. 

He urged Rani Padmini multiple times, but was rejected every time. Then in 1303 he decided to attack the kingdom of Mevad and laid out a siege on Chittod just to obtain her..

---

Here, in the fort of Chittod, the atmosphere was gloomy. Alauddin Kilji's forces surrounded the fort of Chittod for six months. He had already stopped all the rations outside of the fort. Raja Ratan Simha was in a perilous situation where his people were dying of starvation.

At that time, a messenger of Allaudin Khilji arrived requesting an audience with the king…

The messenger told Raja Ratan Simha that Allaudin Khilji wanted to have an audience with him for a peaceful treaty. The king believed the messenger and despite disagreement of other Rajput warriors, decided to meet Allaudin Khilji.

This was one of the most idiotic decisions in the Indian history. As when Raja Ratan Simha met Allaudin Khilji, the latter asked him for Maharani Padmini's hand in marriage. He also told Raja Ratan Simha Rawal that if he did not agree, then he (Allaudin Khilji) would declare war against his kingdom.

Raja Ratan Simha still refused Allaudin Khilji's proposal so, Allaudin Khilji arrested him and sent a second messenger towards the fort of Chittod.

His message to the fort of Chittod was loud and clear,

"Hand over your Queen and surrender to me otherwise your king will be executed publicly…"

Author note : This is where the Rana branch Rajputs called Ratan Simha a coward who fled war… 

When Maharani Padmini got the news, she immediately requested the Rana branch of Rajputs who were protecting the fort to attack the Arab forces and to help her in bringing back her husband from the claws of Alauddin Khilji.

Accepting the Queen's request, Rana LakshmaSimha of Rana branch marched towards the camp of Alauddin Khilji. Little did they know, this was exactly what Alauddin Khilji wanted. He wanted the Rajput forces to come out of the fort as his forces were not designed for sieging a castle.

Unaware of this fact, Rana LakshmaSinha left the fort. With the help of brave Rajput Soldiers, he confronted the Arab forces. But, before they could reach the main tent, they received news that their king Ratan Simha was already shot dead by Allaudin Khilji. 

Still, in leadership of Rana LakshmaSinha, Rajput warriors decided to fight outside of the fort. This was one of the fiercest battles in Indian history as the Rajput warriors fought till their last breath but none retreated. Rana LakshmaSinha, along with 30,000 Rajput warriors died in the battle.

---

After hearing the news, Rani padmini along with her 15,000 noble ladies and maids wore red dress and marched towards a temple. The temple was called Samadhi Mahadev Temple. They took bath in a lake in front of the temple and one by one offered Dhoop to lord Shiva in the temple. 

After offering and praying for their Rajput family, all 15,000 brave women approached the "Jauhar Kund" where they jumped in burning flames. Burning themselves alive…. Just to keep themselves chaste. All 15,000 women decided that it was better for them to kill themselves than being captured.

It was one of the biggest Jauhars ever performed by women in world history. After Jauhar, the remaining Rajput warriors opened the fort gates and performed saka.

Tears filled in their eyes as they marched towards the upcoming Arab forces not to surrender but to face their deaths. To face the reality that they were unable to protect their women as they watched them engulfed by the flames and heard their screams.

In 1303, after 7 months of siege, Alauddin Khilji and his Arab forces captured the fort of Chittod. But, he was not happy at all. Ashes of 15,000 brave women lay in front of Alauddin Khilji who was fuming with anger. He ordered all the Arab soldiers to kill all the Hindus in the fort and to destroy every evidence of Hindus in the fort.

At the time, the fort of Chittod had 103 temples built inside it. Alauddin Khilji destroyed all of them just to vent out his frustration. But he was still unable to destroy one temple. Temple named Samadhi Mahadev temple where 15,000 women prayed before committing Jauhar.

It was said that as soon as the Arab forces entered the temple in order to destroy it, they fell unconscious and died instantly. 50,000 Arabs but not a single brick of the temple was touched by the Arabs. Those who tried, died miserably. 

For India, this was the end of the Rawal branch of Rajputs but the Rana branch survived giving birth to warrior after warrior to fight against Arab as well as Mughal invaders. Rana Kumbha, Rana Sambha, Maharana Pratap… were just a few of them… (more on them in next chapter)

(Author note : Samadhi Mahadev temple still exists in the fort of Chittod… One can search for it online.)