Myth of Rani Karnavati’s Rakhi to Humayun
The tale of Rani Karnavati sending a Rakhi to Mughal Emperor Humayun is a widely circulated narrative in Indian popular culture. It presents a story of emotional appeal, brotherhood, and chivalry, often showcased in textbooks, films, and television. However, a closer examination of historical sources reveals that this account is likely fictional, with no support from contemporary records.
Rani Karnavati was the regent of Mewar during the minority of her son, Rana Vikramaditya, following the death of her husband, Rana Sanga. During her reign, Bahadur Shah of Gujarat launched a second invasion of Chittor. It is within this context that the Rakhi story is often placed—claiming that Rani Karnavati sent a rakhi and letter to Humayun asking for protection.
According to the tale, Humayun, who was then in Bengal on an expedition, immediately turned back to help Chittor. However, by the time he arrived, the fort had already fallen, and the queen had performed jauhar (self-immolation) along with other women. Moved by her sacrifice, Humayun is said to have defeated Bahadur Shah and reinstated Vikramaditya as the ruler of Chittor.
Lack of Historical Evidence
Despite the popularity of this account, no contemporary historian from the 16th century records such an incident. The earliest known reference to this story comes from James Tod in his 19th-century work Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan. Tod praised Humayun as a "true warrior" and claimed he honored the rakhi by attempting to save Chittor.
However, Tod’s works are known for historical inaccuracies and romanticized narratives. He is also credited with popularizing other unverified stories, such as that of Jodha Bai, despite no reliable Mughal source mentioning a wife of Akbar by that name.
Modern Historians and Rejection of the Story
Several modern historians have questioned the authenticity of the rakhi story:
- Satish Chandra, in History of Medieval India, stated: “No contemporary writer has mentioned the story, and it may not be true.”
- Archana Garodia Gupta and Shruti Garodia, in The History of India for Children (Vol. 2), noted that Humayun reached Chittor months after Bahadur Shah had already taken it, and by then, massacres and looting had taken place.
- Banerji, citing Muslim policies, explains how Bahadur Shah viewed his attack on Chittor as religiously justified (jihad) and did not expect Humayun, another Muslim ruler, to intervene.
These accounts suggest that Humayun had no genuine intention to defend Chittor and instead waited for Bahadur Shah to weaken before attacking Gujarat to settle his personal political grievances, not out of allegiance to Rani Karnavati.
Political Reality Behind the Conflict
During Bahadur Shah’s siege of Chittor, Humayun’s envoy, Mohammad Jama, had taken refuge in Gujarat. Shah’s refusal to hand him over angered Humayun, leading to a Mughal attack on Gujarat. While Humayun was indeed present in the region, he did not intervene during the actual siege of Chittor.
According to reports, Sadr Khan, a minister of Bahadur Shah, assured him that Humayun would not act against a fellow Muslim fighting against "infidels". This suggests that the idea of Humayun rushing to protect a Hindu kingdom out of rakhi-bound obligation is inconsistent with the political and religious dynamics of the time.
Conclusion
The Karnavati-Humayun rakhi story lacks support from primary sources and appears to be a myth popularized by later writers, especially James Tod. Like the tale of Jodha Bai, this narrative has been romanticized and repeated without proper verification.
Contemporary and modern historians widely agree that Humayun’s actions were politically motivated, not guided by a sense of rakhi-bound duty. Therefore, the rakhi story is not a historical fact, but a secular myth woven into India's collective imagination.