It is Rakshabandhan festival today and some connection with Mughals being the originators of Hindu festivals has to make the news. Most often it is some alleged historian doing this. But today, Rajya Sabha MP and founder-chairperson of Infosys Foundation Sudha Murty has hit the headlines but not for her simplicity. This time she is ignorantly propagating lies about the origins of the Raksha Bandhan festival and linking it to the Islamic invaders.
In a video on her X handle, Sudha Murty says, “Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is a very important festival according to me, where a sister ties a thread indicating that in case of my difficulties, you should be always there to help me or siblings are so important in life. It goes back. Rani Karnavati was in danger. Her kingdom was small, it was attacked by somebody else. She did not know what to do. She sent a small piece of thread to King Humayun, a Mughal emperor, saying that I am in danger, please consider me as your sister and please do come and protect me. Humayun did not know what is it. He asked, because he came from a different country. So he asked what is this, the local people said, it is a call of a sister to a brother, like an SOS and that is the custom of the land. He said, ok if that is the case, I want to go and help Rani Karnavati. He left Delhi and he came to her kingdom, but he was a little late. In those days, there were no aeroplanes, he has to come only by horse. She was no more. But this idea of when you are in distress, send a thread indicating somebody should come and help means a lot and even today, particularly in northern India, this is a custom that a sister will travel any distance to tie the Rakhi or rakshabandhan. And the brother should give her something which you hold in his hand.”
This story has been mainstreamed by alleged historians and has also made its way into textbooks in some schools. However, Sudha Murty is wrong. Here’s the truth.
Rani Karnavati, queen of Mewar’s Rana Sanga, assumed leadership after her husband died in 1528. Following the brief reigns of her sons Ratan Singh and Vikramaditya, she took control due to a lack of support for Vikramaditya from Rajput chiefs. Facing the threat of invasion by Gujarat’s ruler Bahadur Shah, Karnavati appealed to Rajput leaders for unity. Her call was successful, bringing the Rajputs together under her command. She sent her sons Vikramjit and Udai Singh to safety in Bundi, her maternal home, while preparing to defend Mewar against Bahadur Shah’s forces. Karnavati’s leadership demonstrated her political acumen and ability to unite the Rajput chiefs in a time of crisis.
Origins of the myth
Colonel James Tod, a 19th-century East India Company officer stationed at the Mewar court, documented the story of Rani Karnavati in his book “Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan.”
He describes Rakshabandhan as the “festival of the bracelet,” explaining its significance in Rajput culture as a symbol of protection and adopted brotherhood. Tod portrays Humayun as a “true warrior” who honored his promise to Karnavati by repelling Bahadur Shah’s attack and reinstating Vikramaditya. Notably, Tod’s account also introduced the myth of Jodha-Akbar, which has since been popularized by Bollywood movies and Hindi TV serials, despite lacking historical accuracy.
Historical facts
Historical evidence challenges the popular narrative of Rani Karnavati sending a rakhi to Humayun and his subsequent rescue of Chittor. Contemporary historians do not mention this incident, and later scholars consider it a legend.
The truth appears to be quite different. Humayun did not respond positively to Karnavati’s appeal for help. Instead, he advanced to Gwalior and stayed there for two months. Humayun sided with Bahadur Shah, possibly influenced by religious solidarity. Bahadur Shah appealed to Humayun using Islam as a rallying point.
The first siege of Chittor ended in a treaty on March 24, 1533, without Humayun’s intervention. Correspondence between Humayun and Bahadur Shah reveals that the Gujarat Sultan asked Mughals not to interfere, citing his actions as jihad against “kafirs.”
Humayun’s attack on Gujarat was motivated by Bahadur Shah’s refusal to return Mohammad Jama, not to defend Chittor. Even when in Gujarat, Humayun did not rush to Chittor’s defence.
Humayun’s eventual defeat of Bahadur Shah was driven by political motives, not by any promise to Karnavati.
This historical account contradicts the romanticized version of Hindu-Muslim unity popularized by some historians and media. Unfortunately, lies always take centrestage and are furthered very easily. Truth always remains hidden but not for long. It is up to us Hindus to learn the truth and not absorb what is taught to us and what the mainstream media narrative is. Celebrities and the rich who have a lot of influence on society such as Sudha Murty must ensure that they speak the truth and not continue to propagate what they probably heard over the years and through their school textbooks. It is high time everyone in this country unlearns history and take in the real history of our Bharatvarsha.
Sudha Murthy comments are totally wrong. She must think before commenting. As a hindu she supported story of involvement with a muslim tyrant Humayun. There are several instances of Rakhi tying among Hindus. She should have read and then written. Rakhi is Hindu festival and no muslim is involved.