47-48

एक दुखी परिवार –  47

Rajput Princesses into the Mughal Harems

The exchange of Rajput Princesses into the Mughal Harems (as a barter against their lost privileges) only highlights Rajputs as cowards and not as brave!

Predominantly belonging to three lineages – Suryavanshi (Solar Race), Chandravanshi (Lunar Race) and Agnivanshi (Fire Race) – Rajputs, are a kshatriya clan of indigenous India known for their bravery and courage through ages. Over the times, they have nurtured a warlike and military personality. However, the same warriors who carried the genes of might, power and valor were defeated by the Mughal invaders consistently, no matter how much they tried. This was then compensated by giving their sister’s and daughter’s hand to the Muslims rulers as a Quid Pro Quo – Exchange to retain their lost privileges.

Brave enough, why did they trade the lives of their own women to get back their pride and honor? Why did they sacrifice  the Rajput women into the Mughal harem, doesn’t this act make them cowards and rip off from the bravery tag? 

Well, time to have a fresh look at the “bravery of Rajputs” during the Mughal Era –

((Cont..)

एक दुखी परिवार –  48

Rajputs, the fiery Indian warriors 

When Muslim rulers tried to invade the territories of India, be it the Delhi Sultans or the Mughals – the Rajputs, the fiery Indian warriors in spite of showing enormous valour, always ended up in the losing end. Whether it was the defeat of Prithvi Raj Chauhan against Mohammad Ghori in the battle of Tarain or the attacks of Akbar against Rana Pratap, the Rajputs were always crushed by the Muslim invaders. 

Makes one wonder – “Did all these defeats played a vital role in altering their psyche in taking drastic steps to retain their prestige, privilege and power or was their fall of power also the fall of their pride?”

As we all know, the Rajputs during the Muslim era traded their sisters and daughters to re-establish their provinces which they lost in the battlefield.

So much so, a Harem was founded at Fatehpur Sikri. This might be a strategic establishment, to dilate Rajput chauvinism besides luring the lower versions of the power thirsty to make extreme compromises. Harem at Fatehpur Sikri  is an evidence of the Doubtful Bravery of Rajputs during the Mughal Era, besides the Mariam Zamani Palace, where all of Akbar’s Hindu wives resided. 

The marriage of Hira Kunwari, daughter of King Bharmal of Amer province (Jaipur) with Akbar is one such example, of how the Mughals had broken the ice. It was a historical alliance between the two drastically opposite communities and after this marriage soon the trend followed with many Rajput Kings and chieftains giving the hand of Rajput princess to the Mughals as wife or concubine. These princesses then became one of the several wives or one of the hundred concubines of the emperor and lived a life in Purdah as well as seclusion until their death. I see, for the sake of their happiness, the life of the women fraternity was sacrificed, did it really make the then Rajputs brave or was it an act of total cowardice?

Rajput are the kshatriyas and well-known over the ages for their sense of dignity, pride and act of heroism. However, if the Rajputs were so brave and full of self-esteem, why then they traded the poor princess to these lusty rulers and sex starved men? Why they forgot their age old culture of self-respect, dignity and admiration towards women in lust of the jagirs they lost?

(Cont.   .)