The sun rose that day not merely as a celestial event, but as if Surya Deva himself had paused to witness destiny.
Rajgarh woke beneath a sky washed in gold. The fort ramparts were wrapped in silk draperies; mango leaves hung in festive torans; lamps burned ghee-scented flames along every corridor. Conches sounded from temple towers as priests chanted ancient mantras that had crowned kings since forgotten epochs.
Today was the day.
The House of Rajgarh would welcome its new Yuvrani — Crown Princess Anushka Devi of Bengal.
The Palace in Celebration
Rajgarh transformed into a living tapestry.
Musicians filled the courtyards. Sarangi, shehnai, and nagada answered each other in playful rivalry. The markets swelled with people, children climbing trees just to glimpse the royal procession. British officials in stiff uniforms stood awkwardly, unable to understand the sacred thunder of faith and tradition that animated the land beneath their boots.
Within the inner zenana, women moved like streams of silk.
Hennaed hands. Bridal laughter. Whispered blessings. The fragrance of attar, rosewater, sandalwood.
Princess Anushka Devi sat at the center.
Her saree burned crimson like a living flame. Golden fish motifs shimmered in waves across the silk — symbol of her Bengali royal lineage. Jewels draped across her wrists, arms, and neck, yet it was her eyes that held the truest adornment — resolve.
A lady whispered:
"Maharani-sa-to-be, are you afraid?"
She smiled faintly.
"A lotus does not fear the lake into which it is set."
But within her heart, she whispered:
Rajgarh… today I enter not merely as bride… but as fate.
The Procession of the Crown Prince
Across the palace in the warrior courtyard, the Crown Prince mounted his decorated stallion.
Samrat Veer Singh wore a royal sherwani of deep red, embroidered in golden sunbursts. A jeweled sword rested at his waist — symbol of both protection and judgment. His face was serene, but his heart moved like a restless monsoon cloud.
Aditya Pratap Singh clapped him on the shoulder.
"Walk steady, Yuvraj. Today the eyes of rajya and vilayat are upon you."
The youngest, Aarav, shouted:
"And don't trip!"
Laughter rippled across the guard lines. The Crown Prince only smiled and rode forward.
The drums roared.
The baraat flowed like a river of light through the city. People showered flowers upon him. Elders blessed him. British officers stood beside elephant riders and horse archers — emblems of two worlds colliding.
The Wedding Pavilion
At the heart of the palace gardens stood the Mandap of Surya-Kamal — pillars carved with lotus and sun motifs, covered in marigold and jasmine garlands. The sacred fire waited at its centre, flickering softly, as though aware it would soon bind destinies.
The royal family took their seats.
Maharaja Virendra Dev Raj leaned upon his armrest. Maharani Aishvarya Devi, Queen Regent, radiated composed majesty; Maharani Lalima Devi, Queen Consort, fought unspoken tears of wonder.
The princesses arrived first.
Mrinalini in violet — intellect glowing in her gaze.Charumati in crimson — gentle hands folded in prayer.
The crowd hushed.
The shehnai rose.
The Bride Appears
Princess Anushka walked beneath a canopy of flowers.
Her steps were slow, graceful, unhesitating.
Every jewel on her body sang in the sunlight — but power walked with her like a shadow. Servants held her veil. The queens watched.
Lalima Devi whispered:
"She is like Lakshmi descending."
Aishvarya Devi murmured:
"Or like Durga arriving with a trident hidden behind her smile."
The bride and groom faced each other for the first sacred moment.
No crowd, no music existed then.
Only two minds measuring each other.
Samrat bowed his head slightly.
"Princess Anushka Devi, welcome to my world."
She answered gently:
"Rajkumar Samrat Veer Singh, I do not enter your world. I enter our future."
Something shifted in the air.
Even the priest looked up for a heartbeat.
The Sacred Rites Begin
The priest's voice rolled like ancient thunder.
"Bring forth the garlands."
They exchanged them — once, twice — laughter erupting as Aarav mischievously lifted Samrat by the shoulders to avoid the garland. Aditya Pratap Singh frowned in mock sternness; Mrinalini tried not to laugh; Charumati clapped.
The garlands rested over their hearts.
Bound.
Then came Kanyadaan.
The King smiled as he placed Anushka's hand into Samrat's.
"Take her hand,
O son of my house,
and know you do not receive merely a bride,
but the honour and destiny of Bengal itself."
Samrat bowed deeply.
Anushka lowered her lashes — and behind them burned ambition no priest could sanctify.
The Vows Around the Sacred Fire
They rose.
The fire leapt, as if impatient to devour the offerings of fate.
Seven vows. Seven circles. Seven unseen daggers of destiny.
First Circle — Promise of Provision
Samrat:
"By Agni Dev, I vow:
I shall provide food, shelter, and safety for our house and people."
Anushka:
"I vow:
I shall guard this household as fortress and womb of legacy."
Yet her inner voice added:
And someday, this fortress shall be mine to command.
Second Circle — Strength and Protection
Samrat:
"I vow to protect you against all danger."
Anushka looked directly into his eyes.
"And I vow to stand beside you in battle — or before you."
He blinked.
Aishvarya Devi's gaze sharpened.
Third Circle — Wealth and Prosperity
Samrat:
"Let prosperity grow beneath our rule."
Anushka:
"Let kings bow to the prosperity wrought by my hands."
The British Resident shifted uncomfortably.
He understood that tone.
This was not a shy bride.
This was a future sovereign.
Fourth Circle — Family and Children
They walked again.
Samrat:
"May noble children bless our lineage."
Anushka:
"May they inherit a throne unshackled by foreign yokes."
The priest faltered for the first time.
He knew what she meant.
She knew he knew.
She did not care.
Fifth Circle — Duty and Dharma
Samrat:
"We vow to walk in dharma."
Anushka:
"Let dharma be my sword."
Her voice was not loud.
Yet the fire rose higher.
Sixth Circle — Trust and Loyalty
Samrat:
"I give you my loyalty."
Anushka smiled slowly.
"And I give you my truth."
Hidden within her truth
lay storms he could not yet fathom.
Seventh Circle — Eternal Bond
Together:
"In seven lives we walk together, by fire and fate."
The flames roared.
The world trembled.
Sindoor and Mangalsutra
Samrat lifted the vermilion powder.
His hand did not shake.
He placed it in the parting of her hair — bright, vivid, imperial.
She closed her eyes.
And whispered silently:
Witness me, Agni Dev.I shall not only bear crowns…I shall forge them.
He tied the mangalsutra.
She bowed — not submission, but acknowledgment.
The people cheered.
The cannon fired salutes.
The temple bells burst into ecstatic chorus.
Blessings and Feast
Courtiers bowed.
British officers offered stiff congratulations.
Aishvarya Devi blessed her:
"May your steps echo through history."
Lalima Devi embraced her.
"May love not forsake you."
Aditya said:
"Welcome, Yuvrani."
Aarav exclaimed:
"Bhabhi-sa, I want sweets every day now!"
Charumati hugged her quietly.
Mrinalini whispered to her:
"Your eyes hold storms."
Anushka responded gently:
"Pray your kingdom knows how to sail."
The Night of the Vows
When the moon rose high and the palace fell quiet, the Crown Prince and his new bride stood upon the balcony of the Palace of Mirrors, looking out over Rajgarh.
He said softly:
"You are no ordinary queen, Anushka Devi."
She answered:
"And you are no ordinary husband."
He studied her.
"What do you vow truly — beyond ritual words?"
She did not hesitate.
"I vow that I shall not allow this kingdom to kneel — not before British crown, nor any man."
He felt both pride and unease.
He took her hand.
"Then we shall rule together."
She turned to him.
Her eyes shimmered like blades wrapped in silk.
"Yes," she said tenderly.
But within her heart, in a whisper meant only for destiny, she completed the thought:
Together… for now.
And thus the wedding was sealed.
Not merely a union of two hearts—but the ignition of an empire yet to be born.
The fire of vows still smoked in the air.
The drums slept.
The kingdom dreamed—
unaware that the bride
had not come to wear the crown…
…but to claim it.