Holi is a festival of color, joy, and unity. But, not in all the annals of history. Sometimes it is also a weapon of war. Rabindranath Tagore‘s 1988 ballad gives a sneak-peak into the strategy of war in the poem Holi Khela!
My translation of Tagore’s 1899 ballad ‘Horikhela’ based on the events on the day of Holi in 1646 between Rani Roopmati of Bhunaag and Kesar Khan, the Pathan who had routed her husband from Kota. Have a read. 1/7 pic.twitter.com/be3EFb0mw1
— Aparna Mitra (@aparnamitra0) March 21, 2022
Somewhere between 1545 and 1576, the Hada Rajputs of Kota turned this festival into a battlefield, luring their Islamic oppressors into a trap that would be remembered for generations. This dramatic event was later immortalized in Rabindranath Tagore’s prose, but its historical roots lie in the fierce Hindu resistance against Islamic rule.
The Kota Betrayal: When Holi Became a Trap
In 1545, Kota fell to the Afghan Pathan rulers of Malwa. Brothers Kesar Khan and Dokar Khan overthrew the Rajput King Bhunag. Thus, as the ballads state, the Rajput queen, Rani Rupmati was forced to flee to Kaitun (Khaitunpur). However, the Rajputs did not accept defeat. The beautiful Rajputani devised a daring plan to reclaim her kingdom.
Rani Rupmati sent a letter to Kesar Khan, inviting him to play Holi with the Rajputanis in Kaitun.
Bards state that the temptation to get up close with the Rajput Queen was irresistible to Kesar Khan. Why? Because he was enamored by tales of the queen’s beauty. And her very name already bewitched him. Hence, Kesar Khan accepted the invitation by the Rajputani. Expecting a festival of colors and merriment, he arrived with his soldiers, eager to celebrate.
What awaited him was not joy, but death.
The Rajput Ambush: Blood in the Colors of Holi
As Kesar Khan and his men entered Kaitun, they were met by Rajput women in veils. Thereafter, these Ghunghat-covered, Ghaghara-wearing figures greeted them with garlands and showers of abir (gulal). Laughter and dance filled the air, but something felt odd—
The “women” were unusually tall, broad-shouldered, and strong.
Kesar Khan began to suspect a trap, but before he could react, the “queen” came closer and threw a fistful of abir into his eyes, blinding him. In an instant, the veils came off. The “women” were Rajput warriors in disguise. They unsheathed their swords and slaughtered the unsuspecting Pathans. Kesar Khan and his men, caught in the midst of what they thought was a celebration, were wiped out. The Rajputs put to death one of the Pathan brothers in a victory as dramatic as it was poetic.
The Message of Holi Khela: War, Not Submission
This Holi Khela was not an isolated incident. Throughout history, Hindu resistance against Islamic rule took many forms. From open battles to covert operations masked as celebrations – Hindu warriors fought the Islamic forces of conquest.
However, this time in Kota – Holi, the festival of color, became a symbol of defiance in the face of oppression.
The Rajputs of Kota used intelligence, deception, and unwavering courage to turn their oppressors’ lust and arrogance into their downfall in 1576. The Hada Rajputs slowly eroded the Pathan influence and won back the city of Kota. The lesson of Kaitun is clear: Hindus did not submit – they fought back with every means available.
The Legacy of Hindu Resistance
The story of Holi Khela is a testament to Hindu resilience. The Rajputs’ cunning victory at Kaitun mirrors countless other tales of bravery. Whether it was Shivaji Raje’s guerilla warfare against the Mughals or the Sisodias’ unyielding stand at Chittorgarh – Hindus gave it their all!
Today, Holi is a time of joy, but history reminds us that it was once a time of strategic vengeance. The colors of Holi are not just for play – they are the colors of sacrifice, courage, and a warrior’s resolve to reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
Sources:
The Historical dates taken from –
https://www.kotahgarh.com/architecture.html
https://aipublications.com/uploads/issue_files/5IJLLC-FEB20224-Muslim.pdf
The Story inspired by
https://www.pinkcity2india.com/raj/kota/html/history_kota.html