Historical Romance: Rupmati and Baz Bahadur
The city of Mandu, once the illustrious capital of Malwa Sultanate (in Madhya Pradesh), is renowned as the city of two passionate lovers, Baz Bahadur, the Afghan Sultan of Malwa, and his beloved queen Rupmati. Baz Bahadur, the last Sultan of Mandu, was a poet and a musician.
Rupmati, also spelt Roopmathi, was equally talented as a musician, singer and poetess. Baz Bahadur was deeply attached to her and often composed verses in her honor.
According to folklore, Rupmati was a Rajput princess from Dharmpuri, the beautiful and accomplished daughter of Than Singh. One day, Baz Bahadur came to the valley of river Rewa (also known as Narmada) for hunting. While pursuing a deer, he heard a melodious voice. He followed the sound and reached the spot where Rupmati was singing and playing the bin. Captivated by her beauty and enchanting voice, Baz Bahadur expressed his desire to take her to Mandu. Rupmati replied, "When the Rewa shall flow through Mandu, I will be your bride." Baz Bahadur then built the Rewa Kund, a splendid reservoir, in Mandu. However, when Than Singh, Rupmati's father, learned about these events, he, proud of their lineage, demanded that Rupmati drink poison. Rupmati thus chanted the song of death. Just as she was about to drink the poison, Baz Bahadur rode up and took the bride to Mandu after defending her father.
The history of Rupmati, The Lady of the Lotus: Rupmati Queen of Mandu, A Strange Tale of Faithfulness, was written in 1599 by Ahmad-ul-Umri. According to Umri, Rupmati was the daughter of Jadu Rai, a Brahman from Sarangpur.
Bayazid, later Sultan Baz Bahadur, received the jagir of Sarangpur from his father, Shujaat Khan. He formed a close friendship with Jadu Rai. One day, Jadu Rai invited Bayazid to his house and arranged a grand feast. At the feast, the eyes of Bayazid fell upon Jadu Rai's beautiful daughter Rupmati, of whom he had heard from a companion, and instantly fell in love with her.
When Baz Bahadur became the Sultan of Malwa, he summoned Jadu Rai to his court at Mandu and bestowed upon him gifts of gold and the province of Sarangpur, and asked for his daughter's hand in marriage. Umri mentions that Jadu Rai gave his daughter in marriage to Baz Bahadur, but since no marriage ceremony took place, she was considered a mistress rather than a legitimate wife.
Rupmati's love for Baz Bahadur was so powerful that he became completely enchanted by her presence. He neglected his duties as a ruler, entrusting the affairs of the kingdom to his ministers while indulging in sensual pleasures with Rupmati.
Her perfection in the art of music so ravished Baz Bahadur that he permitted the government of his kingdom to dance at her finger tips....
She had so captivated him that every moment not spent with her was painful to him...
He so entirely neglected the state affairs, that many military persons left him, and the subjects began to make seditious movements.
By this time, a series of events have occurred in Indian history: Humayun's death and accession of his son Akbar (r: 1556-1605). When the news of Akbar's victory over Hemu reached Mandu, Rupmati advised her lover to give up pleasure and take effort to set the affairs of the kingdom in order.
Before going to the battlefield, Baz Bahadur had ordered his men to kill the women of his harem if he lost. When the news of Baz Bahadur's defeat reached his servants, they started murdering the women. However, before they could finish the task, the Mughal army entered the palace. The assassin of Rupmati struck her a few times, but she was rescued by the Mughal army.
Adham Khan seized all of Baz Bahadur's treasures, including the women of his harem. He had Rupmati's wounds treated and she recovered. It is said that she permitted her wounds to be dressed on receiving a promise that she should be sent back to Baz Bahadur. But Adham Khan's real intention was to claim her for himself. He now demanded Rupmati to transfer her love to him.
Rupmati tried to advise him, stating, "It did not become the glory of the conqueror thus to seek to disgrace the name and fame of the broken Afghans: for in the day of recompense heaven might bring down that very shame on the head of the conqueror."
Adham Khan decided to forcefully take her, but when she discovered his intentions, she escaped from the palace disguised as a flower-seller. Adham Khan sent his cavalry to capture her.
In spite of facing numerous difficulties, Rupmati managed to reach Sarangpur to seek help from her brothers. (Her father Jadu Rai was already dead and her mother had remarried to her late husband's brother.) In the following engagement, Adham Khan's men killed Rupmati's brothers and took her back to Mandu.
Once back in Mandu, Rupmati was carefully guarded and strict watch was kept over her in the palace. When Adham Khan renewed his overtures of love, she said, "My heart is tired of these your proposals. There is no hope that, what I gave to Baz Bahadur, the same I should give to you; to you, above all, who do commence your wooing by the murder of my brothers."
"Though the four quarters of the world unite to rob me of union with you, yet I will make sacrifice of all my earthly bliss, of all my hopes of Paradise and of all that therein is, for one minute of your love," Adham Khan replied.
Realizing there was no way to escape, Rupmati consented to receive Adham Khan after three days. She said that her sorrow would lessen by then. Adham Khan, believing that she had surrendered to his importunate lust, arranged a feast of pleasure on the second night.
Rupmati saw no chance of reunion with Baz Bahadur. On the third night, she adorned herself in the bridal dress Baz Bahadur had given her. She took her bin and sang sorrowful songs. Then she went to the bridal chamber and took poison of powdered diamond. Thus, Rupmati died, a martyr to faithfulness.
In the morning, when Adham Khan entered the bridal chamber, he found Rupmati seemingly asleep. He tried to wake her by holding her hand, but she had already passed away.
Nizam-ud-din Ahmad: "At the time of the rout the eunuch of Baz Bahadur wounded Rupmati with his sword; so that she might not fall into the hands of strangers. When Adham Khan summoned her, she, to preserve her honour, took poison and killed herself."
Nimatullah: "Rupmati, being brought before Adham Khan, covered with wounds, he took all possible care to have her cured, as well as the other wounded. But when Rupmati's wound had closed up, she swallowed camphor, and thus put an end to her existence."
What happened to Baz Bahadur?
L.M. Crump (translator of Lady of the Lotus) state that Rupmati's grave is located at Sarangpur. "Baz Bahadur's last wish was to be laid by her side on the island at Sarangpur, where she had awaited his coming for many long and lonely years. There each by other they yet sleep, those two great lovers once more united, the Lady of the Lotus and her Lord, in the middle of the lotus-spread waters."
In a note to the Legend of Mandoo, Capt. Abbott writes that Rupmati's tomb is preserved at Saharangpur in Malwa. The natives fondly believe that if any one call at that tomb 'Roop-Mati', the echo renders 'Baz Bahadur'. Unfortunately, the dome has collapsed, and the echo is no more.
According to Dorn, Baz Bahadur is buried in Agra near Alam Ganj.
The meaning of the name Baz Bahadur is brave falcon.
Rupmati, also spelt Roopmathi, was equally talented as a musician, singer and poetess. Baz Bahadur was deeply attached to her and often composed verses in her honor.
According to folklore, Rupmati was a Rajput princess from Dharmpuri, the beautiful and accomplished daughter of Than Singh. One day, Baz Bahadur came to the valley of river Rewa (also known as Narmada) for hunting. While pursuing a deer, he heard a melodious voice. He followed the sound and reached the spot where Rupmati was singing and playing the bin. Captivated by her beauty and enchanting voice, Baz Bahadur expressed his desire to take her to Mandu. Rupmati replied, "When the Rewa shall flow through Mandu, I will be your bride." Baz Bahadur then built the Rewa Kund, a splendid reservoir, in Mandu. However, when Than Singh, Rupmati's father, learned about these events, he, proud of their lineage, demanded that Rupmati drink poison. Rupmati thus chanted the song of death. Just as she was about to drink the poison, Baz Bahadur rode up and took the bride to Mandu after defending her father.
The history of Rupmati, The Lady of the Lotus: Rupmati Queen of Mandu, A Strange Tale of Faithfulness, was written in 1599 by Ahmad-ul-Umri. According to Umri, Rupmati was the daughter of Jadu Rai, a Brahman from Sarangpur.
Bayazid, later Sultan Baz Bahadur, received the jagir of Sarangpur from his father, Shujaat Khan. He formed a close friendship with Jadu Rai. One day, Jadu Rai invited Bayazid to his house and arranged a grand feast. At the feast, the eyes of Bayazid fell upon Jadu Rai's beautiful daughter Rupmati, of whom he had heard from a companion, and instantly fell in love with her.
When Baz Bahadur became the Sultan of Malwa, he summoned Jadu Rai to his court at Mandu and bestowed upon him gifts of gold and the province of Sarangpur, and asked for his daughter's hand in marriage. Umri mentions that Jadu Rai gave his daughter in marriage to Baz Bahadur, but since no marriage ceremony took place, she was considered a mistress rather than a legitimate wife.
Rupmati's love for Baz Bahadur was so powerful that he became completely enchanted by her presence. He neglected his duties as a ruler, entrusting the affairs of the kingdom to his ministers while indulging in sensual pleasures with Rupmati.
Her perfection in the art of music so ravished Baz Bahadur that he permitted the government of his kingdom to dance at her finger tips....
She had so captivated him that every moment not spent with her was painful to him...
He so entirely neglected the state affairs, that many military persons left him, and the subjects began to make seditious movements.
By this time, a series of events have occurred in Indian history: Humayun's death and accession of his son Akbar (r: 1556-1605). When the news of Akbar's victory over Hemu reached Mandu, Rupmati advised her lover to give up pleasure and take effort to set the affairs of the kingdom in order.
Akbar's Conquest of Malwa
In 1561, Akbar sent his generals Adham Khan Koka and Pir Muhammad to conquer Malwa. Baz Bahadur proved to be no match for the powerful Mughal army. He was defeated and forced to flee. Mandu fell into Mughal hands.Before going to the battlefield, Baz Bahadur had ordered his men to kill the women of his harem if he lost. When the news of Baz Bahadur's defeat reached his servants, they started murdering the women. However, before they could finish the task, the Mughal army entered the palace. The assassin of Rupmati struck her a few times, but she was rescued by the Mughal army.
Adham Khan seized all of Baz Bahadur's treasures, including the women of his harem. He had Rupmati's wounds treated and she recovered. It is said that she permitted her wounds to be dressed on receiving a promise that she should be sent back to Baz Bahadur. But Adham Khan's real intention was to claim her for himself. He now demanded Rupmati to transfer her love to him.
Rupmati tried to advise him, stating, "It did not become the glory of the conqueror thus to seek to disgrace the name and fame of the broken Afghans: for in the day of recompense heaven might bring down that very shame on the head of the conqueror."
Adham Khan decided to forcefully take her, but when she discovered his intentions, she escaped from the palace disguised as a flower-seller. Adham Khan sent his cavalry to capture her.
In spite of facing numerous difficulties, Rupmati managed to reach Sarangpur to seek help from her brothers. (Her father Jadu Rai was already dead and her mother had remarried to her late husband's brother.) In the following engagement, Adham Khan's men killed Rupmati's brothers and took her back to Mandu.
Once back in Mandu, Rupmati was carefully guarded and strict watch was kept over her in the palace. When Adham Khan renewed his overtures of love, she said, "My heart is tired of these your proposals. There is no hope that, what I gave to Baz Bahadur, the same I should give to you; to you, above all, who do commence your wooing by the murder of my brothers."
"Though the four quarters of the world unite to rob me of union with you, yet I will make sacrifice of all my earthly bliss, of all my hopes of Paradise and of all that therein is, for one minute of your love," Adham Khan replied.
Realizing there was no way to escape, Rupmati consented to receive Adham Khan after three days. She said that her sorrow would lessen by then. Adham Khan, believing that she had surrendered to his importunate lust, arranged a feast of pleasure on the second night.
Rupmati saw no chance of reunion with Baz Bahadur. On the third night, she adorned herself in the bridal dress Baz Bahadur had given her. She took her bin and sang sorrowful songs. Then she went to the bridal chamber and took poison of powdered diamond. Thus, Rupmati died, a martyr to faithfulness.
In the morning, when Adham Khan entered the bridal chamber, he found Rupmati seemingly asleep. He tried to wake her by holding her hand, but she had already passed away.
Account of Other Historians Regarding the Death of Rupmati
Abul Fazl: "Adham Khan sent people to search for Rupmati. When this news reached her ear her faithful blood became aglow, and from love to Baz Bahadur she bravely quaffed the cup of deadly poison and carried her honour to the hidden chambers of annihilation!"Nizam-ud-din Ahmad: "At the time of the rout the eunuch of Baz Bahadur wounded Rupmati with his sword; so that she might not fall into the hands of strangers. When Adham Khan summoned her, she, to preserve her honour, took poison and killed herself."
Nimatullah: "Rupmati, being brought before Adham Khan, covered with wounds, he took all possible care to have her cured, as well as the other wounded. But when Rupmati's wound had closed up, she swallowed camphor, and thus put an end to her existence."
What happened to Baz Bahadur?
Tomb of Baz Bahadur and Rupmati
Blochmann (translator of Ain-i-Akbari), mentions that Baz Bahadur and Rupmati are buried together, and their tomb stands in the middle of a tank in Ujjain. But there is no trace of any tomb at Ujjain.L.M. Crump (translator of Lady of the Lotus) state that Rupmati's grave is located at Sarangpur. "Baz Bahadur's last wish was to be laid by her side on the island at Sarangpur, where she had awaited his coming for many long and lonely years. There each by other they yet sleep, those two great lovers once more united, the Lady of the Lotus and her Lord, in the middle of the lotus-spread waters."
In a note to the Legend of Mandoo, Capt. Abbott writes that Rupmati's tomb is preserved at Saharangpur in Malwa. The natives fondly believe that if any one call at that tomb 'Roop-Mati', the echo renders 'Baz Bahadur'. Unfortunately, the dome has collapsed, and the echo is no more.
According to Dorn, Baz Bahadur is buried in Agra near Alam Ganj.
Notes
Rupmati became Baz Bahadur's queen without formal conversion to Islam.The meaning of the name Baz Bahadur is brave falcon.
Thanks.. wanted to know about these people since quite some time... somehow didn't check wiki on them :)
ReplyDeletePS. is there a way to follow/like your blog (blogspot) for wordpress users
Bhenchod jo real story hai woh chutye likhte nahi hai or aisi ghatiya love story dikha k rajput cast ko nicha dikhate ho chutiyo jo real books thina woh sab jaladi gayi thi warna asli itihas pata chalta rajput ladkiya tab johar karleti thi na ki aisa ghatiya love ye love nahi tha balki rani rupmati ne already poison le liya tha na ki unke pita ne bola isliye woh kabhi chahti hi nahi thi us bhenchod mulle ko bcz paheli bat ki maharana kabhi bahar nikalti hi nahi thiaryada thi rajputo me or tumne kya story banadi hai kaha ghant me se dekha hoga rani ko or rajput cast me ajtsk kisi ladki ne love nahi kiya us waqt bcz ku6 maryada thi tab abhi sab aisa hi lagega na sab ko bcz waha unki mahanta nahi dikhegi tum sabko ki rani ne poison leliya bt uske sath nahi gayi proud karna chahiye bt aap sab hindu ko olat ho hi nahi is liye aisi ghatiya story leke aate ho real books sab mughal me jala diya tha warna pata chalta real story kya thi or kya the Rajput.
ReplyDeleteStop spreading hatred. Some women burned themselves and some genuinely fell in love. End of story. And yes, many 'great' Rajputs also gave away (bargained) their daughters to keep their kingdom and money intact. So please come out of the small dark hole that you live in.
DeleteI am agree with you
DeleteNice blog Anjana. And Mr. Rana kindly use full stop or comma in ur writing so that people can at least understand what u r trying to say..
ReplyDeleteGood story it is but how authentic
ReplyDeleteNice story but so many confusion in your and other Hindi books.
ReplyDeleteGreat Story.. as it shows Rupmati's true love for her husband and on the other hand what to say about Baz Bahdur, who left her alone to fend for herself, in such a precarious situation..
ReplyDeleteAnyway she was not a Rajput Princess as you state but a shepherdess as mentioned on WiKi
इतिहास पुरतनकाल है नहीं बस एक लगभग तय की हुई तारीख, वो भी केवल इसवी लिखा होता है । इसके अलावा मध्कालीन भारत का इतिहास ग़ुलाम वंश से मुग़ल वंश बहादुर शाह जफर तक ही उप्लब्ध है वो भी उनके भाड़े के टट्टू जो लिख गये उनकी खैरात में दी गयी जागीरो के बदले लिखा हुआ है । अब अकबर जैसे अनेक बाद्शाह थे जो अंगूठा छाप थे वो क्या पढते और क्या लिखा हुआ पढ पाते ।जो इतिहास हम आज पढते हैं वो सब लिखवाया हुआ इतिहास है ना कि लिखा हुआ । अपना विवेक इस्तेमाल करें एक मनगढंत कहानी की तरह पढें और मस्त रहें । ये मुग़ल बादशाह इतने क्रूर थे कि इन्होने अपनी ही सगे लोगो के इतिहास को मिटा कर अपना इतिहास बढा चढा कर लिखा है । इसमे मोहम्मद जलालुद्दीन बिन अकबर सबसे चतुर प्राणी था जिसने अपने धन और वर्चस्व के दम पर दरबारियों को भाडे पर रखा और उनसे जो मन आया लिखवाया और उसे हम आज इतिहास समझ कर पढ़ रहे हैं ।
ReplyDeletethis is not true
ReplyDeleteI feel like you could've done better :P
ReplyDeleteWhich historians are u talking about..? Those who served at their kings and jamindars court.... oh cm'n yaar...its simple that if some one is feeding their life by the bread thrown by you its natural that the so called historian wull write the fiction only to prove his lord right and please his feeder.the history whixh we read ...specially about mugals...is adulterated and is a work of fiction. U.may be u Talk about akbarnama or all those fictions of amir khusuru..those all were servents and only obey their masters when it came to writing history.
ReplyDelete