Children we all know that Rajasthan is a land of Rajput warriors such as Maharana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan to name a few who laid down their lives to save the honour of their motherland. The sand dunes of Rajasthan are testimony of the great warriors who sacrificed their lives and brought glory to the land. One such story is of Kiran Devi the queen of Prithviraj Rathore, the King of Bikaner.
Akbar used to organise Nauroj Mela (fair) in his kingdom. People from other parts of the country and nearby kingdoms visited the fair for its grandeur. It was a fun time for the people. Not only did they shop but also entertained themselves in the fair.
It is said that Akbar used to disguise himself and roamed in the fair. His intention was to look for beautiful women who could be taken to his harem.
One day he set his greedy eyes on Kiran Devi who was also attending the fair with her friends. He was totally enamoured by her stunning looks. He decided to have her at any cost. He ordered his men to enquire about the lady. Following the orders of Akbar his men soon set out to enquire about her. They informed him that she was the daughter of Maharana Pratap’s brother Shakti Singh and wife of Prithviraj Rathore, the King of Bikaner.
Akbar started making devious plans to meet her. He sent one of his maids to bring Kiran Devi to his palace. Kiran Devi followed the orders of Akbar and came to Akbar’s palace. Akbar’s joy knew no bounds as the most beautiful woman he desired so badly was in front of him. Akbar professed his love to her.
Kiran Devi was stunned when she learnt about the king’s intention. Kiran Devi who was well-versed in weapons and self-defense pulled the carpet with a jerk on which Akbar was standing. Akbar fell on the ground and with a lightning speed she ran towards him and sat on his chest. She pulled out her dagger. Akbar in his wildest dreams had not imagined any women to be so adept to protect her honour. She asked Akbar what his last wish was. Akbar apologised and begged Kiran Devi to pardon his life. He told her that he would never lust any women and would never hold Nauroj Mela.
There is another version to this story according to it Akbar was so desperate to have Kiran Devi in his harem that one day in Meena Bazar, Akbar who was roaming in disguise wearing a burqa, caught hold of Kiran Devi’s hand. Kiran Devi immediately attacked Akbar and with a foot on his chest took out a dagger to kill him there and then. Akbar got so scared that he begged for mercy addressing Kiran Devi as Maa. Many poets of Rajasthan have mentioned this incident in their poems and is still sung in the various folklores of Rajasthan.
— Aniket Raja
