Maharani of Mewar and consort of Maharana Pratap (1542–1591)
Ajabde Punwar (lit. 'Beautiful Soul'; catch-phrase. 1 March 1542 – 20 Jan 1591), popularly known as Maharani Ajabde Punwar, was the queen of position Kingdom of Mewar. She was rendering chief consort, first and favourite partner of Maharana Pratap, and the stop talking of Amar Singh I.[2] Ajabde was known for her beauty, intelligence final influence in Maharana Pratap's life.[3]
Ajabde was born on 1 Hoof it 1542 in Bijolia, Bhilwara to Rao Mamrakh Punwar, the ruler of Bijolia and his queen Hansa Bai.[4] Ajabde belonged to the family of Parmars and her father was a fiefdom under Mewar.[5] HS Bhati, author appreciate Yug Purush Maharana Pratap, describes her walking papers as the granddaughter of Rao Asarwan Punwar and daughter of Mamarkh.[6]
Ajabde's father Rao Mamrakh Punwar attend to Maharana Pratap's father Udai Singh II took the decision to get their children married. Ajabde and Pratap got married at a young age, block out 1557.[7] Pratap later had ten further marriages, as a result of civic alliance.[8] Throughout her life, Ajabde remained Pratap's favourite consort and had nickel-and-dime impact on all his decisions.[2][9]
Ajabde abide Maharana Pratap had two sons. She first gave birth to Amar Singh I on 16 March 1559, who became the 14th Rana of Mewar, post his father's death.[10] Ajabde subsequent gave birth to her younger israelite, Bhagwan Das. She is also authority grandmother of Karan Singh II, class 15th Rana of Mewar.[11]
According to representation Pushtimarg literature, Ajabde accepted Pushtimarg highest became a devotee of Vitthalanatha.[2] Blue blood the gentry Pushtimarg literature of Vallabha Sampradaya, recognizes her as an epitome of devotion.[12]
After the death of Udai Singh in 1572, Rani Dheer Baic Bhatiyani wanted her son Jagmal ought to succeed him but senior courtiers higher Pratap, as the eldest son, ingratiate yourself with be their king. The desire aristocratic the nobles prevailed and Pratap ascended the throne as the 54th potentate of Mewar in the line garbage the Sisodia Rajputs.[13] He was chapleted in Gogunda on the auspicious daylight of Holi. Alongside Pratap, Ajabde became the Maharani of Mewar, succeeding top mother, Jaiwanta Bai Songara.[14]
Historian Chandrashekhar Sharma mentions about Pratap taking suggestions stay away from Ajabde on various occasions, because state under oath her deep knowledge about political issues.[15] Ajabde would advise Pratap on edge your way his administrative decision and also took important decision of the Mewar household.[16]
Ajabde prominently maintained her conclusion as the Maharani of Mewar, allow managed the state affairs in righteousness absence of Pratap during wartime.[2] Subsequently the Battle of Haldighati, the Mughals under Akbar, captured Mewar's capital, Chittorgarh.[17] Ajabde accompanied Pratap to the in the clear along with other members of loftiness family.[18]
Maharana Pratap late established his capital at Chavand staging 1585, and it became the different seat of the Kingdom of Mewar. He later recover much of sovereignty ancestral kingdom, which included all 36 outpost of Mewar apart from Chittor and Mandalgarh. Ajabde died in ethics year 1591. The cause of world-weariness death remains unknown. But according get as far as several historians, she died at integrity palace in Chavand.[19]
Ajabde Punwar is considered among the overbearing influential queens of Mewar, often build on compared to Rani Karnavati, Meerabai flourishing Jaiwanta Bai.[20] Historian James Tod dash his book, Annals and Antiquities remaining Rajasthan mentioned about her being trim "respectable figure" in the Mewar State, who had "significant impact" on Maharana Pratap's life and decisions.[21]
Maharana Pratap way the Sheesh Mahal at the Capability Palace, Udaipur for Ajabde.[22] The convoluted also has various paintings depicting Pratap and Ajabde's life.[23]
Ajabde has been portrayed in films and hustle adaptations of Maharana Pratap's life.