Wanderers Chapter 2- Achievement

First Rawat Chundawat, mentor and guide of Kunwar Pratap, prime minister of Mewar’s court, lost life in the recent seize of Chittorgarh Fort was sent. When the treaty was refused Kunwar Pratap was sent and again it was refused. Finally Rana Udai Singh himself went but once again the treaty was declined. It was indeed an achievement made by the warrior women, Baijilal, in absence of the warrior prince Pratap to befriend the Bhil head.

After continuous compulsion by the throne prince Kunwar Pratap the Kunwarani of Mewar, Ajabde had accepted to be trained in warfare in case any mishap in the palace. After rigorous practice and training under the disciple of Guru Raghvendra, Pratap, she perfected all the skills of warfare.

Under the absence of the king of Mewar, Rana Udai Singh and his sons, Kunwar Pratap, Kunwar Shakti and Kunwar Vikram there was an attack on the forests of Mewar and on the Bhils by the Afghans when Ajabde fulfilled the duties of Kunwarani.

She took charge of the forests and attacked them as a warrior woman, Baijilal. Trained under the most brave, Kunwar Pratap she used all the techniques taught by him. At least to prove that she was worthy Kunwarani she escaped from the palace in disguise. Her costumed perfectly suited her. The tilak and sword symbolized the Rajputanian spirit.

With maximum speed she rode her horse and left it near the entrance of the forest. She covered her face except her eyes with a cloth and rushed inside the jungle with the defense position.

Every attack was taken by her trained hands. She attacked and slayed many Afghans. The first line of control i.e. the control soldiers of outer most forest was defeated. The second line ran away with the attacks made by Baijilal.

“Koi hai....koi stri....sab ko maar raha hai....”

“Stri aur yaha..... na mumkin”

“Nahi hukum woh wahi hai.....sab par vaar kar rahi hai aur sab ka katla kar rahi hai”

“Kaun hai?? Woh bhi ek stri....”

“Jao usse pakad lao”

“Jo hukum”

This message of Baijilal’s entry reached the head of the troop, Badshah Khan’s ears. The minister Mansood Khan reached the second line of control. He attacked from the back unlike Rajputs who attacked on the front. Even though Ajabde was not aware she defended. But the net was thrown on her from all the sides. She was trapped.

She was taken there in front of Badshah Khan. He soon ordered to have her locked in a cage. She being an intelligent and brave woman planned her escape. When she was locked she played a game and acted as though she fainted. As soon as this happened she was taken care off so that they find out who she was.

Once she was unlocked and taken towards the tent for treatment she kicked the faces of the soldiers and grabbed the sword lying on the ground and stood in front of the head, Badshah Khan.

“Kayar Afghan, peet ke peeche vaar karte ho aur yaha maza kar rahe ho.... tumhe aaj hum sikhayehge ki yudh kya hota hai”

“Tumhare itni himath ki tum iss Afghan se aise baat kare.... tumhe aaj mein tamam karke hi rakunga”

“Toh aao vaar karo”

“Parantu tum kaun ho??”

“Hum ek sahasi virangana joh apne prajajano se prem karte hai aur unke liye kuch bhi kar sakte hai”

And he attacks. With twists and turns in the fight both fought with equal energy. But the twist came when he dropped his sword suddenly. As soon as he picked his sword Baijilal’s sword was on his neck. The sword slit through his throat and his head lay on the feet of the head of Bhils, Rana Punja.

“Joh koi bhi aap ho aap ka lakh lakh dhanyawad.”

“Kaka aap aise na kahe, humne toh humara dharm nibhaya” (holding his folded hands)

“Magar aap hai kaun??”

“Hum”(opens her face covering)

“Baisa aap??”

“Ji kaka agar Ranaji aur Kunwarsa Mewar mein nahi hai toh hume hi toh kuch karna hai”

“Ji Baisa…baisa batayiye ki apko kya chahiye humse”

“Kaka dharm nibhane ke liye hume kuch nahi chahiye”

“Baisa aise mat kahiye....kuch toh mangiye”

“Thik hai kaka hum apse sirf ek cheez mangenge bas apka aur Mewar ka mitrata”

“Baisa hum tyaar hai”

“Aagya dijiye”

She took their leave and went back to the palace.

She travelled in the palanquin while he rode the horse behind her. At one point the palanquin could not move forward because of the narrow way. It was almost evening and no more could they travel in the forest.

They decided to take a rest there near the lake. The horse and palanquin was sent back with a letter saying they might return quite late. It also said that Kunwar Shakti has to take care of the rest of the family in the forest.