Come February, and the air is thick with love. Flower shops burst with bold red blooms, restaurants are decked with vibrant pink hearts, and hotels flaunt chic Valentine’s getaways. But flashback a few centuries to a world alien to speed-dial romance, swipes and emojis. A world where cobblestones gleamed in the moonlight, clandestine meetings were held behind looming fort walls, blood was shed for forbidden romances, and monuments were built over heart-wrenching tragedies. Relive the most epic love sagas from India set against the backdrop of iconic landmarks. Written with ink dipped in intrigue, passion and sacrifice…enough to make the heart skip a beat.
Delhi: Prithviraj and Samyukta
Legend says that in the 12th-century, Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan and Sanyogita, daughter of the Kannauj king, Jayachand, fell in love after seeing portraits of each other. Jayachand, who opposed the match, organised a Swayamvar (assembly of suitors) for his daughter’s marriage and installed a statue of Prithviraj as a doorman to mock him. Defiantly, Sanyogita garlanded the statue when Prithviraj sprang out of a hiding corner, and they eloped on horseback. Remains of Prithviraj Chauhan’s Qila Rai Pithora walls can be seen scattered across South Delhi.
Chittorgarh: Padmini and Ratan Rawal Singh
The haunting love story of Rani Padmini and Raja Ratan Rawal Singh unfolded in the 13th-14th century within the majestic walls of Chittorgarh Fort near Udaipur in Rajasthan. The kingdom’s serenity took a dramatic turn when the Mughal ruler Alauddin Khilji triggered a relentless siege on Chittorgarh, driven by an insatiable desire for the beautiful queen. In a profound act of valour and sacrifice, Padmini committed an act of “Jauhar” (self-immolation) to safeguard her honour.
Mandu: Roopmati and Baz Bahadur
Mandu, a picturesque town in Madhya Pradesh, resonates with the 16th-century love story of Rani Roopmati and Sultan Baz Bahadur. Roopmati, known for her golden voice and ethereal beauty, became the Queen of Malwa after marrying Baz Bahadur. Their idyllic life of music and poetry was cruelly interrupted when Adam Khan attacked Mandu. Baz Bahadur was assassinated, while Roopmati ended her life by poisoning herself. Mandu’s architectural marvels, including Jahaz Mahal and Roopmati’s Pavilion, still echo ballads of this ill-fated romance.
Agra: Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal
India’s most captivating symbol, the Taj Mahal, was built in the 17th century to immortalise the eternal love between Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. The pristine beauty of the marbled monument stands as Shah Jahan’s grand tribute to his wife, the mother of his 14 children and the love of his life. The ethereal white marble, intricate carvings, and symmetrical gardens create an enchanting spectacle, drawing visitors from across the globe to marvel at its flawless splendour.
Pune: Bajirao and Mastani
Pune’s historical fabric is interwoven with the love story of Peshwa Bajirao and Mastani. In the 18th century, Bajirao, the charismatic Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, fell madly in love with Mastani, the daughter of Bundelkhand’s Maharaja Chhatrasal and his Persian-Muslim wife Ruhaani Bai. Their love was destined to face family hostility and societal opposition. Mastani’s residence at Shaniwar Wada in Pune symbolises their impassioned romance.