The Story of Padmavat

Padmavat tells the tale of Queen Padmini of Chittor, a woman of extraordinary beauty and intelligence, whose fame spread far and wide. When Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, learns of her unparalleled beauty, he becomes obsessed with possessing her. Determined to conquer Chittorgarh and claim Padmini, Khilji lays siege to the fort.

Despite intense battles and strategic efforts by Chittor’s ruler, Raja Ratan Sen, the fort eventually falls. Rather than surrendering to Khilji, Queen Padmini and the women of Chittor commit jauhar (self-immolation) to protect their honor. While the tale is often perceived as a historical romance, it is essentially a Sufi allegory, where Padmini represents divine beauty, Ratan Sen symbolizes the devoted seeker, and Khilji embodies worldly temptations that must be overcome in the spiritual journey.

The Legacy of Padmavat

Malik Muhammad Jayasi, a Sufi poet from present-day Uttar Pradesh, composed Padmavat in the Awadhi language. The narrative weaves history, legend, and mysticism, centering on the tale of Queen Padmini of Chittor, her beauty, and the tragic siege of Chittorgarh by Alauddin Khilji. Though many interpret the poem as a historical romance, it is fundamentally a Sufi allegory, illustrating the quest for divine love through metaphors of worldly sacrifice and devotion.

The text employs Persianate storytelling techniques and Indian poetic traditions, blending bhakti and Sufi thought. It emphasizes the impermanence of material beauty, the illusions of worldly power, and the soul’s longing for spiritual union. Jayasi, deeply influenced by Sufi ideals, portrays Padmini as an embodiment of the unattainable divine, while Khilji represents ego-driven material desires.

Naval Kishore Press and the Revival of Padmavat

The 19th century witnessed a significant transformation in the dissemination of Indian literary classics, thanks to the advent of printing technology. One of the key players in this movement was Naval Kishore Press, established in Lucknow in 1858 by Munshi Naval Kishore. The press published Padmavat in 1880 in both Hindi and Urdu, making it accessible to a much wider audience.

So immense was the popularity of this story that it was adapted into a play in Paris at the Opera Theatre in 1923, and later inspired numerous Bollywood films. The role of Naval Kishore Press in popularizing Padmavat cannot be overstated—it facilitated its distribution not just in India but also across Europe, Persia, and other countries, ensuring its continued influence on global literary and artistic traditions.

The Enduring Impact of Padmavat

Padmavat continues to inspire discussions on literature, history, and cultural identity. Over time, the poem has been interpreted through various lenses—romantic, nationalist, and spiritual. Its adaptation into regional folklore, theater, and modern retellings reflects its lasting relevance. The Naval Kishore Press edition remains a crucial reference point for scholars studying Awadhi literature and Indo-Persian cultural synthesis.

In an era when digital archives are making rare texts more accessible, the legacy of Naval Kishore Press in preserving Padmavat reminds us of the critical role printing played in shaping literary history. Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s epic, a product of medieval Indian mysticism, continues to find new readers, proving that its wisdom and poetic beauty transcend time.