All of us grew up hearing tales about Akbar the Great, the greatest Mughal emperor. From abolishing the Jizya levy, which imposed taxes on non-Muslims, to fostering harmony within the community, honoring religious beliefs, and governing fairly, he did a lot for his people. Although all of these are true, Akbar had another side too. We know only about his gallantry and courage from what we have read. But did you know that he begged the Rajput princess Kiran Devi Rathore for pardon? Although the truthfulness of this tale is questionable, folklore and portraits continue to tell this tale. One of the tales as old as the 16th century is the one that involves consent.
As famous for their courage as the Rajput women were the Rajput men. Numerous historical accounts bear witness to their valor and unwavering fortitude. Every year, Akbar would host the Navroz fair in Delhi, where he would find attractive young women and sate his need for their bodies. At the Navroz festival, Akbar once noticed Kiran Devi strolling around the fair when he was looking for attractive women in burqas. He fell in love with Kiran Devi's stunning appearance, which reminded him of the tale of Hada Rani, who herself had sent her husband's skull as a token. Kiran Devi had been married to Prithviraj Rathore, a famous Rajput from the Bikaner family, and was the daughter of Shakti Singh, the younger brother of Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar.
What transpired in this event of history?
Akbar discovered his own servant's wife to be Kiran Devi. To provide an excuse, he sent Prithviraj Rathore to the war and employed his messengers in calling Kiran Devi to the palace. Kiran Devi now arrived at Akbar's palace, where she would surely be greeted. Akbar said it this way: "We want to make you our queen." As Akbar took a step forward, Kiran Devi took a step backward. Kiran Devi kept backing away as Akbar kept moving forward. How long, though, could she back off? She had her back to the wall. "Where will you go to escape?" "Such an opportunity won't come again," Akbar laughed. Your home is in our palace, not Prithviraj's cottage."
"How can I protect my honor from this monster?" Kiran Devi wondered. "Mother Earth, before going to a barbarian, take me in your arms like Sita." She had tears streaming in her eyes and was speaking in agony these words, and was gazing blankly at the ground when she saw a dagger. She took hold of the edge of the dagger and jerked it strongly. Akbar, having his feet twisted on the dagger, stumbled back and collapsed flat on his back the moment she did so. When he uttered, "Ya Allah!" Kiran Devi got a chance to regain her balance. She drew out her dagger, sat on Akbar's chest, and whispered, "Now speak, emperor, what is your last desire?" before placing it at the throat of Akbar. Is it to satiate your hunger for a woman or something else? In the isolation of the palace, Akbar was terrorized to see Kiran Devi screaming with anger and the knife to his neck.
This circumstance has been described by a poet using the following words:
The phrase:
"सिंहनी-सी झपट, दपट चढ़ी छाती पर,"
मानो शठ दानव पर दुर्गा तेजधारी है।
गर्जकर बोली दुष्ट! With मीना के बाजार में मिस,
छीना अबलाओं का सतीत्व दुराचारी है।
अकबर! आज राजपूतानी से पाला पड़ा,
पाजीΤलबूलती सब भूलती तिहारी है।
करले खुदा को याद भेजती यमालय को,
देख! "यह सी तेरे खून की कटारी है।"
Interpretation:
Her chest expanded with resolve like a lioness leaping,
Like the ferocious Goddess Durga herself riding the malevolent demon.
"Oh villain!" she cried, bellowing. In the marketplace of dishonesty,
You are a wretched liar who steals the innocence of the weak.
Akbar! You have to face Rajputani's anger today.
O Diwali trickster, all your trickery is forgotten.
Keep God in mind, deliver a message to Yama's residence,
Look! The dagger of your blood's karma is this thirsty one.
I apologize, Durga Mata." Akbar, the Mughal Emperor, stumbled. " I implore you to show me kindness. This nation will become orphaned if I pass away." "Oh!" Kiran Devi cried out, "Will the nation become orphaned? Was there no one's benediction over this nation's head when there were no invaders? "No, it's not like that," Akbar mumbled, "But today the country's situation is such that if something happens to me, it will be ruined." "Oh, stupid, you are destroying the nation; it will prosper without you."
"There are too many like Maharana, die-hard believers in independence," he reiterated, but once they have eaten their salt, Aryans never betray anyone. Kiran Devi declared, "Your husband pledged loyalty to the Ramayana till his dying breath, and you too had eaten at my residence during the banquet, so if you slay me now, would it not be betrayal or treachery?" Kiran Devi thundered, "Who are you, Rajan?" "To betray a traitor is no sin, Rajan." "Forgive me, although I may not be as clean as milk.
"Take an oath on your religion, pardon me as you would your cow, as forgiving is an essential part of Hindu religion." She softened slightly and said, "If you do not bring religion and the cow between your death and my dagger today, then I would truly lighten the burden of the earth by killing you. Don't compare sinners to our sacred cow." She went on to issue a warning: "The Sisodia dynasty of Mewar still stands tall, even if all of India bends down at your feet now. I'm descended from that royal family. My veins are filled with the blood of Rana Sanga and Bappa Rawal. We Rajput women are ready to kill and die for our honor, which means more to us than our own lives.
"You have to promise on your mother and the true oath of the Quran that you will no longer hold the Nauruz fair and that you would not defile any woman if you want to survive today. Even if you have sworn fealty to the Hindu religion and the cow, I will kill you straight away if you do not agree to this. I fear no death. Akbar felt painfully aware of the death that awaited him. The difference between life and death had become obscure. He took Kiran Devi's stipulations and swore by his mother.
Inspired by Kiran Devi's bravery and tenacity, Akbar vowed to treat all women worldwide as his daughters going forward. He pledged to immediately order the closure of the Nauruz fair and to bow his head in respect anytime he saw a woman, even if she were a newborn girl. Pativrata Veer Compassionate, Kiran Devi spared Akbar's life and quickly went back to her castle. By putting her life in danger, a loyal and brave lady not only saved her reputation but also kept other women from falling prey to his lusts in the future. The Nauruz fair indeed came to a close after that. It is commendable that this woman was bold enough to compel even an emperor like Akbar to shut down the fair.
Conclusion
A picture from the Jaipur Museum in the Junagarh fort depicts Kiran Devi pointing a dagger at Akbar, who is prostrate on the ground and begging for pardon. This is how she responded when Akbar approached her. Let's take a moment today to recall the power of our nation's women and to honor Kiran Devi Ji's bravery as a Rajput woman who refused to let anyone disparage her or her dignity.
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References:
- Maharana Pratap by Bhawan Singh Rana
- The Navroz Incident, Suranya Sengupta