How many of you have heard of Kiran Devi Rathore? You can take a glimpse of her at the Jaipur Museum where a painting of the brave Hindu queen stamping her feet on Akbar’s chest with her dagger on his neck is displayed. In Rajasthan and particularly in Bikaner, she is a familiar name. However, the sad part is that she is hardly known across the country. There’s an interesting yet inspiring story about her. When Akbar tried to misbehave with her, she grounded and humiliated the Mughal ruler. Had Akbar not begged and or pleaded for his life, history of India would never have been the same. Hindus have always believed in the rules of Dharma, pardoning whoever begged for pardon. And Kiran Devi Rathore was no exception, she followed Dharma.
Since ancient times, the valour of Hindu women has been unprecedented. Women since ancient times enjoyed equal status with men. They were educated and trained in the art of warfare by choice. The Rigveda finds mentions about a Hindu warrior queen Vishpala, trained in the art of warfare. She lost a leg in the battle, however, she didn’t lose hope and an iron leg revived her spirit and she continued her battlefield tactics. This was only after Islamic invasion and later the British that the status of women went through a gradual decline. Despite all the adversities, their valour remained intact.
Written by leftist distortionist historians, Indian history books have profusely glorified Mughals especially Akbar, terming him as “The Great”. How can a barbaric invader who ordered the mass slaughter of more than 30,000 innocent Hindus including men, women and children in Chittor Fort be called great? How can a ruler who had a harem of hundreds of women be termed great? Historians have barely questioned Akbar’s objectionable behaviour.
Italian writer and traveller Niccolao Manucci talks about the nefarious and insidious modus operandi of Akbar in his book History of the Mogul Dynasty in India: From Its Foundation by Tamerlane, in the Year 1399, to the Accession of Aurangzeb, in the Year 1657. He says, “A policy which he employed to fix the Indians in his interests, was, to receive into the number of his wives their daughters, and to contract in marriage with the Raja’s princess of the Moghul blood. By means of these Maliometan women, he embroiled the Rajas in perpetual jars among one another.” The book was presented again by French historian, translator Francois Catrou.
Why did Akbar beg for his life?
In the 16th century, Akbar’s father Humayun conceptualised Meena Bazaar also known as Kuhs Ruz (day of joy). This festival was meant only for women and closed for the public. Only the daughters and wives of noblemen, commanders or ministers of the Mughal court, women of the Mughal ruler’s harem and Rajput ladies were allowed. Any woman among these could set up their shops where they could sell cloth, handicrafts, jewelry, home furnishing items, etc at high prices. The fair was held for a period of almost a week at different locations. The only male members allowed were the Mughal emperor and princes.
The Norouz Fair (New Year Festival) was held in Meena Bazaar at premises of Agra Fort where Akbar and some other notable men were invited. The Nouroz Fair was notorious for a tradition to pick beautiful girls for Mughal’s harem. According to Niccolao Manucci, on his visit and stay in India during the Mughal era, he saw and wrote how Meena Bazaar served as the platform to recruit women into the Mughal emperor’s harem. As per English traveller and writer Thomas Coryat, Mughal ruler Shah Jahan would catch the sight of pretty ladies in the fair.
Kiran Devi Rathore was the daughter of Shakti Singh, who was the brother of Maharana Pratap Singh. After the death of Maharana Udai Singh II, Maharana Pratap became Raja of Mewar. Shakti Singh who was a contender of the throne joined hands with Akbar. Kiran Devi was married to Prithviraj Rathore, the prince of Bikaner. Prithviraj’s father Raja Kalyanmal had already surrendered to Akbar’s policy of annexation in 1571. Bikaner thus became a vassal of the Mughal kingdom. Prithviraj served in the Mughal court of Akbar as one of the nine gems. He stayed in Agra along with his queen Kiran Devi.
Akbar entered the Norouz fair disguised as a Muslim woman. In the meantime, Akbar found Kiran during the event and praised her beauty in front of his trustworthy friends. Akbar chased Kiran and blocked her way when she was alone. He knew in advance that she was the daughter of his ally Shakti Singh. Despite this, he wanted to spend a night with her and offered her to be his mistress for a night.
Kiran meanwhile introduced her as the wife of Prithviraj Rathore who was one of the nine gems of Akbar’s court. Akbar asked his guards to leave the place and then he moved closer towards Kiran. Her introduction did not stop him from advancing further. At the very next moment Kiran instantly jumped towards Akbar and took out the dagger from her chest. She said the following to Akbar while pressing his chest with her feet.
“I am the Rajkumari of Mewar. I will kill the enemy, or die, but never surrender. We are Mewaris who jump in the Jauhar pyre, rather than fall in disgrace of surrender.”
Akbar wasn’t expecting it from Kiran and he instantly begged for pardon. Kiran put a condition that Nouroz Fair will never be held again with the condition of demanding women. Akbar agreed on it and thus Kiran pardoned him. Akbar walked away with silence.
Kiran Devi later narrated the incident to her husband, who felt ashamed. He decided to take help from his brothers and take revenge. Kiran Devi stopped him. Akbar never dared to approach her and never raised this issue.
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