RANI PADMINI : The Valiant Rajput Queen
Padmini was the queen of Rana Ratan Singh of Mewar in Rajasthan. She was
famous for her exquisite beauty. However, she also has an exalted place in
the Rajput chivalry. No woman in the history can match what Padmini did to
uphold the honor of Indian womanhood.
It is said that one reason for Ala'uddin Khilji's invasion was his infatuation
for Padmini. The history records the chivalrous role of Padmini and a number
of other women of Mewar at the time when the famous
citadel of Chittor was besieged by Ala'uddin.
The valiant Rajputs offered a heroic resistance against his onslaught for about eight months, but they were no match to the large army of Delhi. Before the final battle of the citadel, however, on the 26th of August 1303, the brave Rajput women, under the leadership of Rani Padmini, plunged themselves into the fire of JAUHAR (self immolation) to escape captivity.
The historical records show, "The funeral pyre was lighted within the great subterranean retreat, in chambers impervious to the light of the day, and defenders of Chittor beheld in procession the queens, their own wives and daughters, to the number of several thousands. The queen Padmini closed the throng. Then they were conveyed to the cavern, and the opening was closed upon them, leaving them to the final security from dishonor in the devouring fire."
Thus Padmini and other women of Chittor preferred heroic death to disgrace and rape.
