The story is about The Burning Queen : Rani Padmavati,
Alauddin Khalji, and King Rawal Ratan Singh, and the cruel and bizarre way, their lives meet. Alauddin Khalji’s desire for authority and
inevitably the throne, leads him to murder his father-in-law, by tricking him. So, foul is the plan, that Jalaluddin Khalji
meets his death, by a sword lashing at his neck, all of a sudden.
He had originally come, after getting
news of his daughter, being with child. He was told that his daughter, who happens
to be Alauddin’s wife, was pregnant. Despite the warnings from his followers,
he still makes his way there.
 |
| 18th Century Painting of Rani Padmini from Wikipedia |
In the whole course, a young princess at
a Sinhalese kingdom finds herself in the crux of the situation. Fortunately, she
is made to marry Rajput King Rawal Ratan Singh, whom she falls in love with. This happy turn of
events, occurred due Jalaluddin’s plans for the expansion of his Kingdom.
Originally, it was his father-in-law who had brought
Mongols to his kingdom and gave them a chance to convert to Islam. The idea was
clear in his head, the Mongols, followed by Rajputs and finally, down to the Southern,
most Deccan.
Meanwhile, Padmavati's marriage to an already
married King Ratan Singh takes place. So much in love with Padmavati, he was
that the face of Chittor was changed to welcome his new wife. He was married to
Nagmati and his new wife was bound to bring some jealousies and anger to his Chittor
palace. The kingdom had its share of harems and of course, the palace with all
its beauty and its secrets behind the walls.
Following this was Ratan Singh and his involvement
with the Raghav Chetana and Menaka incident. All he wanted to do was rescue
Menaka from what occured and have Chetana pay for the breaking of her wedding due
to Chetana’s illicit act. But he would not do so, and instead he manages to capture
Chetana and quickly orders his execution. But, unfortunately, Chetana manages
to escape, having the help of a so-called goddess!
Chetana finds himself in Delhi, and meets with
Khalji telling him of the stunning beauty that Padamvati is. He, of course is
not too interested straight away in Padmavati. But he does act on Chittor and
the war, he puts it through.
Within a few months, Chittor falls and Padmavati commits
jauhar (self-immolation) on hearing that Khalji is making his way over to take
her. The wicked gossip was spread by Nagamati that Khalji is doing this for seize
her.
 |
| Anuja Chandramouli |
What would follow this? Treachery, prejudice
and killings? Would all this prevent Chittor from being taken over? Would
jealousy be the ultimate cause of everything? Would Nagmati’s dream of killing Padmavati
serve its purpose? Would Ratan Singh be captured?
One tiny mistake: in Page 157, 'Our troops were waiting to harry them' :) Anuja Chandramouli has given us a
well-written ‘novel’. It’s no history but of course, there are a few snippets. It
is her imagination that gives this bird its wings.
You can Read this Book, right here.
No comments:
Post a Comment