Rani Padmavati, or Padmini, remains a captivating figure from history, though shrouded in both legend and controversy. Her story, passed down through various texts and oral traditions, continues to fascinate and inspire debate amongst historians and the public alike.

Biography/Wiki

Padmavati was a famed queen of Chitor (13th–14th century), renowned throughout India for her exceptional beauty. Numerous scriptures and manuscripts detail her beauty and intelligence. Legend says her beauty led her future husband, the King of Chittor, Rawal Ratan Singh, to overcome immense obstacles to marry her. Her beauty is also said to have spurred the Sultan of Delhi, Alauddin Khilji, to invade the Chittor Fort in 1303. However, many historians question the accuracy of these legendary accounts.

The queen of Chittor is revered in Rajasthan for her sacrifice in defense of her kingdom. She serves as a potent symbol of patriotism for the people of India.

Family, Caste & Husband

According to Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s “Padmavat,” Rani Padmini was born to King Gandharvsen and Queen Champavati of the Singhal kingdom (present-day Sri Lanka) in the late 13th century. A Hindu Kshatriya, she was skilled in martial arts and knowledgeable in the Vedas. She married Rawal Ratan Singh, the Rajput King of Chittor. Historical accounts do not mention her having any children. Notably, Rawal Ratan Singh was already married to another queen, Nagmati, before marrying Padmavati.

The Legend Of Rani Padmavati

While historical records of the time offer limited details about Rani Padmavati, numerous 16th-century and later texts describe her beauty and bravery. Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s 1540 CE poem is the earliest known account. Other sources include Persian and Urdu adaptations of Jayasi’s “Padmavat,” the Rajput ballad “Gora Badal Padmini Chaupai,” James Tod’s “Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan,” and various oral traditions.

These sources consistently portray her extraordinary beauty. Jayasi’s epic poem describes Padmavati’s birth in the island kingdom of Singhal. Her exceptional beauty made her famous in neighboring countries.

Padmavati owned a talking parrot, Hiraman, who studied the Vedas with her. Her father, fearing the bond between his daughter and the parrot, ordered its death. Hiraman escaped to Chittor, where he described Padmavati’s beauty to King Rawal Ratan Singh, prompting the King’s journey to Singhal to win her hand in marriage.

Cause Of Death

According to Jayasi’s poem and other manuscripts, Rani Padmavati died in a mass self-immolation (Jauhar) following her husband’s death in battle. This act of mass suicide also involved the King’s first wife and the women of Chittor. Facing Alauddin Khilji’s evil intentions, Rani Padmavati chose death over dishonor.

Facts

Here are some key facts about Rani Padmavati’s life and legacy:

• Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s “Padmavat” (1540 CE) is the earliest known written account of Rani Padmavati.
• Upon hearing of Padmavati’s beauty, Rawal Ratan Singh journeyed to Singhal with 16,000 soldiers to marry her.
• The rivalry between Rawal Ratan Singh’s two queens, Nagmati and Padmavati, is a recurring theme in various accounts.
• Raghav Chetan, a courtier banished for fraud (or, in some accounts, for spying on the royal couple), fueled Alauddin Khilji’s obsession with Padmavati.
• Amir Khusrau’s “Khaza’in ul-Futuh” describes the 1303 CE siege of Chittor, but makes no mention of Padmavati.
• Rani Padmavati became a symbol of Indian patriotism during the Swadeshi movement.
• Modern Indian writers, including Abanindranath Tagore, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Yagneshwar Bandyopadhyay, have referenced Padmavati and Khilji, though their accounts may be influenced by Jayasi’s poem.
• Numerous plays and films have been created based on Rani Padmavati’s life.