It is a true story but sounds like a fiction. This truth is stranger than fiction. This true incident took place in Udaipur about 200 years ago. It reveals the social conditions at that time, ideals and Rajput brand of bravery.
Omarkot was a small state in Rajasthan. There was an estate in it called Soda. Anar singh was the name of the fief (Thakur) of that estate but the people would not mind calling him Raja. The estate earned a small income. So, Anar Singh used to commit robberies in the areas around in disguise. Once, he went a bit far. He tried to rob the treasury consignment of his own king and got nabbed. The king took away his estate and banished him from the kingdom. Thakur Anar Singh retreated to a small village of nearby state with his wife and 12 year old son, Ajit Singh to live in anonymity.
A few years later, he died. His wife and son worked as labourers and stayed alive. After the death of his mother Ajit Singh was left all alone in the world. Inspite of poverty Ajit Singh was handsome, brave, intelligent and truthful. He was an ideal youth.
A brave girl named Rajbala was the daughter of a rich Rajput thakur Pratap Singh of Vaishalpur. During the better days of Raja Anar Singh, Thakur Pratap Singh had engaged his two year old daughter to the former’s son Ajit Singh. But now in different situation the boy was living in abject poverty. Pratap Singh had crossed off the name of Anar Singh when the latter had got banished from his kingdom.
Pratap Singh wanted his daughter now to marry in some prosperous thakur family and was trying to find a suitable groom. But Rajbala had a mind of her own and she wanted to honour her childhood engagement to Ajit Singh. She was a traditional Indian woman. She sent a message to Ajit Singh—’Long ago I accepted you as my man and I have not changed. I have learnt about your present status but that does not matter. You are handsome, healthy and intelligent. One’s financial status is not a permanent factor. It is up and down cycle. Without any hesitation you must come, marry me and let me be your life partner. Together we will face whatever future we are destined for’.
Ajit Singh happily sent the marriage proposal to her father Thakur Pratap Singh was not ready to marry his dear daughter to almost a beggar. He said to the messenger, “If Ajit Singh deposits an amount of Rs. 20,000/- with me, I can consider the proposal otherwise he should forget about my daughter.
Rs. 20,000 of those days were more than Rs. 50 lacs of today. It was an impossible sum. Ajit Singh was a sad youngman now. He won’t get that amount even all his life.
He gave the matter a lot thought desperately. Then, he remembered a big money-lender who once was a friend of his father. Ajit Singh went to him and narrated his tale and the situation he was facing. He said, “Sethji, presently I don’t have anything. But if you lend me Rs. 20,000 I will be able to marry Rajbala. That might open the doors of my fortune and I will repay your debt with interest.”
The moneylender as usual had a shark mentality. He agreed to advance the loan but on a condition that until the debt was not repaid Ajit Singh won’t start the sexual relationship with his wife although they may live or sleep under one roof.
Ajit Singh accepted the condition as he had no alternative. He married Rajbala and brought her home.
But at home Ajit Singh would sleep on separate bed. All day he would look gloomy and in a perpetual dilemma.
Rajbala could not understand her husband’s odd behaviour. She wondered if her husband was unhappy with her for some reason? Didn’t he like her? Or did Ajit Singh suffer from some physical deffciency?
She had a troubled mind. At last fed up with that unbearable situation, one day she asked Ajit Singh, “Master! I see that at night you sleep with a naked sword put between us. Often you sigh sadly and look forlorn. I am your life partner. You should not keep away private secret from me. Tell me your problem. I want to be helpful.”
Ajit Singh revealed his secret and the condition of the moneylender. He said, “Dearest mine! I am a Rajput who has to keep his word. I can’t betray my promise. But I don’t understand what I should I do?”
Rajbala said, “Master, I am also a Rajput. It is my duty as well to protect your word. But if we stay here we won’t be able to raise Rs. 20,000 ever. Something we must do.”
Rajbala and Ajit Singh discussed the matter for several days. They decided to go to some other land and seek job from a big ruler. They set out together. Rajbala had put a male dress. They looked a pair of youngmen. They went to Mewar and presented themselves to Maharana. After making his obeisance Ajit Singh said, “Your Majesty! We two are Rajputs. I am Ajit Singh and with me is my brother-in-law named Gulab Singh. We two pray for an opportunity to serve you. We will prove our worth to you and honestly earn our salary.”
Rana took them in his service. They were to get a lodging, food and clothing besides a salary of five rupees a month. They started duty honestly for the Rana. Rajbala went about in male disguise as Gulab Singh.
One day Maharana went to the forest for hunting along with Ajit Singh and Gulab Singh. The Maharana himself was on an elephant and rest of his bodyguards and soldiers were on the horses. Suddenly a lion attacked the elephant. The elephant went out of control and began to trumpet angrily. The life of Maharana atop was in danger. Before the elephant could charge at the lion the latter took a swipe at it with a paw and tore away a chunk of flesh from the forehead of its rival. The elephant ran about in pain and fury. The howdah atop it tilted about dangerously. The mahout tried his best to steady the jumbo. The soldiers stood around helpless. Seeing Maharana in grave danger Gulab Singh acted fast. She charged at the lion and killed it in one blow of sword. With the lion out of way the soldiers ran towards the elephant to help mahout regain control and ensure the safety of Maharana. No one paid attention to Gulab Singh alias Rajbala. She cut off the tail end and an ear of the dead lion, pocketed them and ran her horse to where Ajit Singh stood astride his horse.
Meanwhile, the elephant had been brought under control and Maharana was safely transferred to a saddled horse. The elephant needed rest and some medical treatment.
All praised the brave one who had killed the lion in a flash. No one had clear idea who had done it because all had their attention rivetted on the out of control jumbo and Maharana.
Maharana declared, “Who killed the lion? He deserves a rich reward. Come forward and lay your claim.’’ No one came forward.
Maharana said, “I had got a glimpse of that soldier. A close inspection will reveal who that brave soldier was. Each of you pass by infront of me. I will identify him.”
Maharana exclaimed as Gulab Singh was passing by, “There, there! You are the one who killed that lion to save my life!”
The soldiers informed that the dead lion had its tail and an ear missing. Gulab Singh was searched and the missing tail and the ear were found in his pocket. Now it was confirmed that the lion was killed by him.
Now Ajit Singh and Gulab Singh were appointed as body guards in private life of Maharana as well. The two were to live in palace itself. Maharana asked Gulab Singh to ask for his reward but the two prayed with folded hands that it was their duty.
Maharana was very happy with them. Rajbala continued to carry on her Gulab Singh act. The husband and wife still were living without sexual relationship to be true to the word given by Ajit Singh to the money lender. One day in the palace the queen suspected that Gulab Singh infact was a woman in male disguise. She interrogated the suspect and got the truth revealed. The queen told the Maharana about the secret of Gulab Singh. Maharana at once summoned Ajit Singh and hugged him endearingly. He was pleased with the bravery of Rajbala and the truthfulness of Ajit Singh to his word. Maharana gave Ajit Singh Rs. 25,000 and said, “Go, pay off your debt with interest.”
Ajit Singh paid the money to the moneylender and now he lived with his wife happily in marital bliss.
Rajbala holds her special place in the list of the brave women of India. Being brave and battle worthy is alright but to live with her husband yet exercise control over desires like a nun is remarkable achievement. It could have taken a lot of spiritual power. That is why in Mewar and a large part of Rajasthan Rajbala is even today worshipped like a goddess.
