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And so I am here to tell you my story. I am Padmavati, an Indian Princess of the thirteenth century. Whether I am just a myth or a legend to remember is still a controversy. But that’s not only the disputable fact around me.
Everything about me is a subject of debate, my beauty, my intelligence, my sense of individuality, my whole life and in the end my death too.
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I was born in Singhal kingdom of Srilanka. I grew up in the wilderness of the forests and was as free - spirited as the majestic birds that flew high over these forests. As a warrior princess I was adept in the science of politics and martial art.
Married off at a tender age to Raja Ratan Sen, the Rajput king of Chittoor, I travelled far to reach India and quickly transformed into this elegant queen of Chittorgarh , Rani Padmavati, whose tales of mesmerizing beauty and unrivalled wisdom spread throughout the country like wild fire in no time.
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Little did I knew that I would be questioned for the same beauty that was once applauded for? When the barbaric king, Aladdin Khalji of Delhi invaded my kingdom, smitten by my beauty, I wondered why the intensions of the cruel emperor were not questioned rather than holding me liable for the calamity that fell on the kingdom.
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My husband, Raja Ratan Sen had a great sense of Justice and followed what was right and ethical at all costs. My attempts to council him against the treacherous Aladdin Khalji were questioned by his ministers. “Women’s words have no say in state matters” they thundered.
Ultimately, a great war was fought outside the fort of Chittoor where my king lead his army of brave Rajput’s against the unsurmountable army of Khilji.
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They fought and died valorously in the war against Khiljis defending the honor of Chittor and its women.
With the Khiljis army entering the fort gates, I decided it’s time to fight this war myself. I wanted to make this war which khilji had won sacrificing thousands of his warriors, his greatest failure. He would never capture ‘Padmavati’ .Gathering all the women in the fort I proceeded to perform Jawhar, the act of self-immolation.
Death was indeed better than enslavement.
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Again my decision of choosing death over slavery is questioned till today. But that’s me, Rani Padmavati, a queen who lived on her own terms defying all norms and questions.