The Sun of Mewar

The Sun of Mewar: A History

Background and Birth:

The year was 1540. Mewar was under a cloud of uncertainty. Banbir, their ruler for four years now, was a very incompetent ruler who always spent his time in luxury, drinking and dancing with girls. The crown prince Udai Singh was rumoured to be killed by him. Chittorgarh was in darkness. Around March 1540, Mewar once again saw hope as some trusted generals along Mewar with Kunwar Udai Singh attacked Chittorgarh taking Banbir by surprise. He was soon to realize he had killed not Udai but Chandan, Dhai Panna's son. Eighteen-year-old Udai Singh was fighting his first war.

In the fort of Kumbhalgarh, about fifty-seven Kilometers away tucked in a small room with a dim lamp shining his queen consort Jaivanta Bai Songara was pregnant and waiting eagerly hoping for a son. Mewar was unaware of the news. The heir needed security. It was past midnight on Jestha Tritiya, the hot weather making the Queen sweat in her contractions. The hot summer of May was indeed unbeatable. Beside her were her trusted sakhis, maids, daima and perhaps Udai Singh's second queen, Sajja Bai Solanki. Everyone was praying for the smooth delivery of the heir.

It was 9th May 1540. The midnight silence was broken by the cries of a newborn. It was a boy. Mewar had a crown prince. The future was hopeful. The news made an ecstatic Udai Singh leave his court in Chittorgarh and come to see his heir immediately in Kumbhalgarh.

"Partap" his mother had whispered in his Naam Karan. Everyone smiled as the baby approved. Holding him in her arms Maharani Jaivanta Bai knew it was just a beginning of a long battle. The battle of a mother to teach her son right and wrong, a Rajputani to teach her son bravery and a queen to teach him to serve his soil.

(On Jestha Tritiya the purest day of Akshay Tritiya he was born somewhere between 12.49 a.m. to 1.45 am. Some sources debate it as 30th May 1540.)

Childhood:

Kunwar Partap or Patta as he was lovingly called by friends lived in Kumbhalgarh for the first three years of his life. Away from the court and politics of Chittorgarh his mother taught him and his younger brother Shakta, son of Sajja, the stories of Mythology and Ramayana. Kunwar Pratap was an intelligent and active child. At the mere age of three, he would impress his Ranima with his eager questions.

Chittorgarh had welcomed its soon-to-be favourite crown prince with joy. Udai Singh had decided it was now safe to move his family into Chittorgarh after he had made a peace treaty with the Afghans and given them a portion of the fort to encamp in. Ignorant of such political moves, Kunwar Pratap was happy with his new home. He had started practising swords with Shakti as part of their play. The wooden swords swayed so bravely that Jaivanta decided they needed lessons. The brothers were ready.

Around ten years of age, he had seen his father and mother fall out. The dignified and self-respecting Jaivanta Bai was never to compromise on her son's safety and lessons. She was perhaps disturbed by her husband's inclination towards the newly married and sly Dheerbai Bhattiyani, his third queen from Jaisalmer. The rumours were not accurately known but the difference was so huge between the Queen Consort and the King that she moved out of Chittorgarh with the clueless young prince in toe, leaving the Rana rather furious.

They stayed in Jallore, for some time. Here, for the first time from his grandfather, he had heard stories of his forefathers. The influential Rana Kumbha and his grandfather Rana Sanga, their sacrifices and bravery made an impression on the young prince. Jaivanta Bai was not a person to stay dependent for long. The lack of response from Udai Singh prompted her to move out of Jallore.

There are two versions of the story here. One says she lived in the foothills of Chittorgarh with Kunwar Pratap and Udai Singh knew about her whereabouts. In another, she lived in disguise in Bhilwara, in the forests of the bhils. They were not in favour of the Royals and that made Jaivanta Bai choose Bhilwara knowing Kunwar Pratap would be safe there. For the next two years, he lived among the Bhils and learned about life in the jungle. The bhils called him Kika and taught him the arts of guerrilla tactics and the bow and arrow. Their identity was well hidden until Kunwar Pratap managed to kill a Tiger with his Khanjar. That prompted the bhils to question his identity and eventually offer him help and support as their friend. Udai Singh wanted his son and queen back in the palace now. The support of the Bhils for his son could perhaps be a peace treaty with them.