The Sun Thronesinga

Year 1

Princess Priyadarshini looked lovingly at the throne once again.

Set amidst the lesser gilded ones, the Sun Throne was majestic, regal and more importantly held the seat of power across all Rajputana.

Whenever she looked at the Throne from behind the curtains on the veranda, she felt as if the throne was calling out to her. It seemed to smile at her, talk to her and call her to come and claim it as hers.

His Royal Highness Veer Bhadra Singh entered the court as all fell silent as it ought to be.

The princesses and the royal women waited in anticipation. Today was the day the king was going to announce the arrival of a successor to the Sun Throne. And that he did.

Princes from across India had come over for the Raj Tilak of the young prince, her little brother. Princess Priyadarshini beamed with pride.

Suddenly a hand pushed her aside. Without even turning, she knew who it was. Only her elder sister Princess Rajnandini, would have the audacity to do that. Whenever Rajnandini came close to her, she could feel the stings of jealousy engulfing her. Rajnandini justified her name and her title. At twelve, she showed all the signs of blooming into the most beautiful princess of entire Hindustan. She could ride the horse, fence with her father and even shoot down a dove from the sky. She was clearly the favourite child.

Princess Priyadarshini knew that her looks did not imply royalty. Few would believe that she was of royal blood, had it not been for her attitude and grace. Her mom while on her deathbed, just after giving birth to the heir of the Sun Throne had told her time and again that the greatest treasure of a princess was her attitude and the way she carried herself.

Year 10

Kumar Ranendra Pratap Singh adored her eldest sister. A proper spoilt brat, brought up by ever fawning servants made him the most disagreeable kid to have ever lived in the palace. Never a healthy child, he followed Rajnandini as a little puppy and derived great pleasure out of destroying the doll’s houses of his other sister under the able directive of Rajnandini.

Princess Priyadarshini knew how to ignore them all. She had persuaded her father to let her marry early into the Royal Family of Sindh and was getting ready for her marriage. Stories were told in hushed manners how the princess knew her limitations when it came to how she looked and had settled for one of the oldest princes around, who was rarely known for any kind of bravery.

Her father was all too happy to let her go. His favourite kids would still be around him.

When Princess Priyadarshini reached Sindh after her marriage a royal pigeon courier announced the tragic death of her Brother in a freak accident where his favourite gun had mysteriously gone off in his hand, killing him almost instantly.

Palace sources said that the king was devastated and everyone in hushed tones said that the Kumar had not been keeping good company.

He clung on to Rajnandini even harder for support and when she married a commoner two months later no one spoke a word against it since they knew the king would pass on the throne to her.

The news reached Princess Priyadarshini. But like during her brother’s death, she showed no emotion. In a matter of fact voice, she informed her husband that she was pregnant.

Year 20

The country rejoiced as they heard Princess Rajnandini was expecting a child after almost ten years of being married. The Sun Throne would have an heir again.

The country had prospered under her. For all but in name, she controlled the kingdom. The old king depended on her completely. The murmurs about her marrying a civilian were rarely heard. In fact, few had seen the man she had married.

Princess Priyadarshini decided to pay her sister a visit with her son Veer Vikram Singh. The entire army of Sindh travelled with the Queen Mother and the absolute monarch of Sindh after her husband’s untimely death.

The sisters met in a not so cordial situation.

“What brings you here suddenly?” queried Rajnandini, her beautiful eyebrows showing the glint of steel.

“Jijisa, in your situation you should not get excited. I just wanted to congratulate you and show Veer his mother’s country. Here drink this, it will cool you down.”

Rajnandini could not say no. After all, it was a hot day and slowly she felt drowsy. It seemed that the guards at the door changed. The insignia of the Royal House of Sindh seemed to flutter in and out of her vision.

Priyadarshini’s voice seemed to come from far far away.

“How did you get pregnant in the first place? The man who had wooed you was never a man! But that you must have realized soon.”

Ahhh! Jijisa!!! You never realized the first rule of being a Princess. You must never become the show itself, for then you can’t be the puppeteer.

Tomorrow the country will learn how you died of a medicine you took to ease the pain of labour. And how father passed away hearing your tragic end.

I have decided to announce a month of national mourning.”

Rajnandini stared at her sister as the glass fell on the cobbled stone.

His Royal Highness Veer Vikram Singh, a boy, no more, but the undisputed ruler of Sindh and Rajputana, entered the court as all fell silent as it ought to be.

Whenever she looked at the Throne from behind the curtains on the veranda, she felt as if the throne was calling out to her. It seemed to smile at her, talk to her and call her to come and claim it as hers.

Set amidst the lesser gilded ones, the Sun Throne was majestic, regal and more importantly held the seat of power across all Rajputana.

Rajmata Priyadarshini looked lovingly at the throne once again.