Princess of the dawn

Chapter 1 - The journey

Amer Palace 1556

„We're invited to Dehli?" asked Rani Champavati surprised. She looked at her son. Bhagwant Das gave her the letter from his father, Raja Bharmal, which a courier had brouhgt this evening.
Her husband wrote from Dehli. Weeks ago he went to support his ally Haji Khan Pathan. With worry the Rani began to read. With every line, her eyes become bigger. Her husband was invited to the court of Dehli with all his relatives. She should come at Delhi along with his two other wifes, their sons and also Jodha. The young Mughal emperor Jalal-ud-din Muhammad has invited them to his great celebrations on occasion of his win at the battle of Panipat and his takeover of Dehli.
„The emperor came to know about my involvement in the peaceful surrender of Fort Narnaul and my helping to my friend Majnun Khan Qaqshal to join up with the emperor in Dehli" Bharmal wrote.

Also he wrote, that the invitation must accept. Immediately after the letter arrives, preparations should be made for a quick departure. Anything else would be an affront to the emperor. They cannot afford that in the current situation. They need the benevolence of the Mughal emperor as an ally to the ruler of Marwar, Rao Maldeo Rathore.

„Maasa, please prepare all for our journey to Dehli and inform Padmavati, Dayavati and Jodha. We will leave the day after tomorrow"
"What about Sukanya and Shivani?" she asked.
"They will stay here as fathers wish". Champavati nodded in yes and got up. She folded her hands to say good bye to her son and leave to Jodhas room.
Jodha, her 14 year old daughter was busy with painting roseflowers. After greeting her mother she asked curious:
"Which courier arrived here today? He wore Mughal clothes. Are we in danger?"
"Jodha, don't be so curious. That is not fitting for a princess." But she smiled saying this.
Jodha was her eldest daughter, her whole pride, the apple of her eye. She was a lovely girl with long black hair. She had a slim figure and her face was pretty beautiful. The people of Amer loved their princess very much. Despite her young years, she listened to the worries and needs of ordinary people and tried to help wherever she could. She helped selflessly and remained humble. But her delicacy belied her strong will and strength. From an early age she had participated in her brothers' sword exercises and she was very skilled in sword fighting. Nobody could beat her in archery and she read all about politics, economy and strategic warfare. She wanted to be there for her country in all matters. Her father was also very proud of her and her parents spoiled her. She knew how to get her way.

"Oh maasa, please tell me. I'm worried and scared."
"Don't worry Jodha" replied Champavati. "But I want to satisfy your curiosity. Your father is invited by the young Mughal emperor to the court of Dehli. He will get imperial favors for his help at Fort Narnaul. Your brothers and you will join us. We will leave the day after tomorrow. So be busy and prepare your luggage. And Jodha ... pack your prettiest clothes and jewelry. I want us to make a good impresion when your father is honored."
Jodha were speechless! A trip to the court of Dehli. To Mughal Emperor. News spread out, about his victory at Panipat and the took over from Dehli. Mughals are spreading back into Rajput. A little she was scared. The cruelest things were told about the young emperor, who was as old as she was. How was he? Arrogant and aloof? Friendly and benevolent? She called Moti, her maid and at the same time her best friend, to choose the clothes and jewelry to take with her. Moti was surprised when Jodha told her that she was allowed to travel to Dehli. And even more that she was allowed to accompany Jodha as her maid. While packing, the two chatted excitedly about the upcoming trip and what to expect.

On the way

After all preparations for the trip to Dehli had been made, palanquins and horses were ready to go. Jodha's brothers, Bhagwant Das, Khanghar Singh, Jaggnath Singh and Raj Singh were waiting at the head of the train for the departure. The women took their places in the palanquins and Bhagwant Das rode at the head of the procession. It was a splendid entourage that was on its way. Infront, soldiers cladded in saffron coloured clothes rode with flags. Then followed by the Rajas sons and other dignitaries. In the middle the palanquins with the women and at the end a crowd of servants, bullock-carts with their luggage and another large group of soldiers for security. Slowly the entourage began to move. The journey will took several days, over mountains and through forrest. Tents would be pitched at night. Jodha was sitting in her palanquin and pondering her thoughts. The even rocking of the palanquin made her sleepy. Shortly before evening hours, scouts looked for a place to camp and pitched the tents. It was a nicely place in a little green valley with a small river with rocks on the banks. But Jodha was too tired to notice the beauty of nature. Without dinner she went to her tent and lay down in bed exhausted. She bored the trip in the palanquin. She quickly fell asleep and fell into a dreamless sleep.

After a peaceful sleep, Jodha woke up just before sunrise. The first dawn appeared in the sky as she stepped out of her tent. The green nature in the first soft morning light layed before her eyes. Birds began their morning song and the first noises from the camp could be heard. Jodha went to the river, washed her face and hands, and started her morning prayer. Then she sat on a rock and watched the sun slowly rise and the nature wake up. Dewdrops glittered, little birds chirped in the trees and the first sun's rays warmed her skin. The little river murmured and slowly flowed by. Full of peace she went back to the camp . After breakfast they left the place. Jodha was bored again. This time Moti went next to her palanquin and they could at least talk to each other. When they reached the place for the night, Jodha went to dinner to her brother's tent. The brothers were already there talking to each other.
"Bhagwant Das, please, let me ride with you tomorrow. I'm so bored in the palanquin" she begged.
The brother was not thrilled.
"Jodha, I would prefer you to travel in the palanqhin. I know you, you will not rest until you have ridden wildly through the area."
Jodha pulled a face and pouted. Her brothers chuckled.
Khanghar said: "Brother, let her ride with us, we will take care of her and see that she doesn't do any nonsense".
Bhagwant struggled with himself but finally allowed it. Couldn't refuse his little sister a wish. Jodha smiled happily.
"Thank you, brother! This is going to be great."
"But not too wild," Bhagwant admitted defeated.
Everyone laughed.

The next morning Jodha was up early again. After her morning prayer, she ate some fruits and put on her white sword-practice-robe. Excited, she ran to the horses. Her white Marwari-mare Lathika looked at her trustingly with her big dark eyes as she lovingly caressed her head. Everywhere horses were diligently saddled and things packed. A servant brought Lathika's saddle and saddled her. Jodha mounted and rode to join her brothers at the head of the train. She enjoyed sitting on the horse and escaping the stuffy palanquin. She ignored the disapproving looks oft he three queens. There was a wide open ground ahead of them. Exactly to her taste.
"Raj, Jaggnath please let's do a little race. At our snail's pace you can fall asleep ".
The brothers looked at each other,smirked and nodded.
"Let's go," Khanghar shouted and the siblings stormed off.
With shining eyes, Jodha rode across the plain at a straight gallop. She enjoyed the wind that was blowing in her face. Her white turban came off and fluttered away. Bhagwant Das looked after them, shaking his head and smiled indulgently.
After a while the siblings came back to the entourage. Jodha very much enjoyed the ride. During dinner that evening, Padmavati and Dayawati gave her disapproving looks.
"You don't have your daughter under control, Champavati. Why do you let her ride so wildly with her brothers? She should slowly get used to her future role as wife," said Padmavati venomously.
Champavati was used to the side cuts of her husband's other wives and just looked haughty at them.
"She will soon enough, Padmavati," she snapped back.
"Will she behave the same way at the court of Delhi?" Dayawati interfered. "A tomboy with disheveled hair and common clothes? What impression will that make on the emperor and the court."
"Let it be my worry about that," replied Champavati, annoyed. "Jodha knows how to behave."
As always, the two didn't have a good word to say about Jodha. It was a thorn in their side that she was so spoiled by Raja Bharmal.
Serving the food finally put an end to the argument and diner went on peacefully. The rest of the trip was uneventful. Some days Jodha travelled in the palanquin, some days she rode with her brothers. She was very curious about Dehli.

Precap
The robe of honour

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