Born: Unknown, India
Died: Unknown (possibly 1303)
Country most active: India
Also known as: Padmavati
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Padmini was the wife of Rama of Chitor, Rajputana. The name of her husband, Rama Bhin Simgha, a very proud general and a well known administrator. Padmini was very beautiful and the fame of her enchanting beauty reached the ears of the Mogul Emperor of Delhi, Allauddin Khilji, and he was very much attracted by the description of poets of the beauty of this Rajput Queen. The Rajput Princess fought very valiantly against the Mohammedan Conqueror, who had never subdued Bhin Simgha. She maintained the Independence of Chitor against many Mohammedan invasions. This time, inspired by the beauty of the enchanting Queen, the Emperor gathered together an army and marched against the small principality of Chitor with a double intention of subjugating Bhin Simgha the proud Rajput King and also of capturing the most celebrated beauty of the then India — Padmini.
The Fort of Chitor was besieged and the valiant heroes of Rajput came, falling in battle one after the other, provisions were failing in the fort, and the prospect of saving the honor of the women seemed to be very little. Padmini suggested to her husband the proposal of a truce, the price of which was going to be her honor. Rajput King did not consent and gathering together the surviving heroes he marched out of the fort and attacked the Mohammedan army but he was captured and made a prisoner by the invaders. Message came to the fort of the defeat of the King s army and his captivity. An ambassador from the Mohammedan camp brought the proposition that if Padmini would surrender and come to the camp of the Mohammedan Emperor the siege would be raised and the independence of the country would not be interfered with. At last it was agreed that the Mohammedan Emperor would come to the fort for a visit to the Queen. The Emperor himself was very much in doubt, knowing the custom of the heroic, that he would not be able to capture the Queen alive. The Queen also suggested that she would not appear in person before the Mohammedan Emperor, but she ‘would stand before a mirror and the Emperor could look at the reflection. The Emperor agreed to the proposal. The interview was given. He was so fascinated with the enchanting beauty of Padmini that he resolved to capture her at any cost, the siege continued. At last Padmini sent another messenger to the Emperor proposing that she would surrender, provided her husband would be set free. She also asked permission of the Emperor to go to his camp with all her attendants following her to her new home with the Emperor. The Emperor was happy beyond measure at the prospect of at last being able to capture Padmini, the Queen of his dreams. He consented to the proposal. Here in the Rajput camp, Padmini gathered together the remaining few of the valiant Rajput fighters concealed them fully armed in palanquins. Passing for women attendants the procession of the Queen and her fifty attendants in the palanquins arrived at the Mohammedan camp.
Padmini came out from her palanquin, met the Emperor and demanded the release of her husband. Bhin Simgha was brought before the Queen and set free. The Queen on the plea of bidding her last farewell to the King dressed him in the royal attire which she brought with her from the fort. Bhin Simgha stood before her fully arrayed as a Rajput General, all of a sudden the Queen blew a whistle and out came the fifty warriors concealed in the palanquins and attacked the Mohammedans. A deadly battle was fought. The Mohammedan camp was taken by surprise while they were getting ready for a wedding. This was one of the deadliest battles ever fought. Confusion ran rampant and the Mohammedan army was routed and put to flight. The Emperor himself was killed. Padmini and Bhin Simgha went triumphant back to the fort.
IW note: There are multiple versions of Padmini’s story; please see Wikipedia or another resource for alternate accounts.