The Queen's Tragedy

In a corner of the fort a local folklorist is speaking to a European traveller “You know of Romeo and Juliet; Of Solomon and Balquis-the queen of Sheeba, but have you heard of Queen Padmini of India? Padmini the innocent, the fair, Who came from the cinnamon shore Fairest of all maidens, the queen most innocent And how in Mewar we recall and recoil By the destruction of the fort of Chittor? Three fingers we count. Of the first I will tell you now ………” “I Listen” said the traveller. The news of the march towards invasion of Chittor travelled fast, from herdsmen, to milk carriers, to shepherds who were grazing their cattle, to womenfolk who gather around ponds and wells to fill their earthen jars with water, to the trained spies the news travelled fast and wide. To see an army marching in all preparedness for a battle is frightening by itself. What the poor peasants and denizens saw was no common sight. Cavalry on horseback with slings of thin iron chain flowing downwards from their helmets covering their faces. Their bodies clad in solid armor of iron and metal. Their chests covered by thick plates of iron, their arms by round circular plates, shoes of thick leather will muffle their footsteps and give hard protection. One hand carried an open sword sharpened to more than a razor’s edge, one swift slashing arched movement will inflict fatal injury if not death. The other, a round shield of hard metal seasoned to near perfection. Thousands of them marching onwards, many of them mercenaries ready to kill for almost nothing. All with one purpose-war and destruction. Infantry moved hither and thither, ahead and rear of mighty elephants. Army generals on elephants shouting orders at regular intervals. Infantry with lethal weapons of the time looked as if impossible to cut through. Sheathed sword, long spear in one hand and a shield in the other—this infantry looked deadly. Columns and columns of infantry moved onwards with set faces. The trumpets of decorated elephants, the neighing of horses, snorting camels and the rhythmic sound of thumbing marching army ran shivers around the bodies of people watching. Their innocent minds with one thought of Chittor and her people. It is amazing how people and countries get courage when faced with real threat. It seems to rise, as if nowhere making them stronger and more determined. If the innocent can do so then surely the valiant Rajputs can do better for this valiant race of people know not only how to fight but how to die to save their countries from such callous invasions.