Rawal Ratan Singh
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Rawal Ratan Singh (ruled 1302-03 AD) was the 42nd ruler of Mewar, a state that then covered part of the present-day Indian state of Rajasthan. He was a rajput belonging to the Guhilote clan.
[edit] Wars
Ratan Singh's ruled his state, Mewar, from the citadel of Chittor. He was married to Rani Padmini, who was renowned as a peerless beauty. In 1303, Ala ud din Khilji, ruler of the Delhi sultanate, laid siege on Chittor. Then he sent word to Rawal Ratan Singh that if he is allowed a glimpse of Rani he would leave. By this time, the situation inside the fort was getting bad. Rawal discussed this with his advisers and they agreed that they can show Padmini's face in a mirror to the sultan. The meeting took place and afterwards out of courtesy when Ratan Singh was walking Khilji out of the palace, Khilji's men captured Rawal Ratan Singh. Khilji sent a message to the fort that Ratan Singh can be spared by exchanging Rani Padmini. Padmini discussed this with Gora, her maternal uncle, who was a Chauhan rajput. Gora told her not to worry and that he would go and bring back Rawal Ratan Singh and Sultan is not brave enough to stop him. Padmini's nephew Badal who was just sixteen also assured her. A message was sent from the fort to Khilji that Padmini would come with 700 of her servants in "palanquins" and that no muslim soldier should peek inside the palki to outrage the modesty of the women. Letter also said that before Padmini meets khilji she would like to talk to Rawal Ratan Singh. Khilji agreed. All the palki's had the best rajput warriors with two swords each. When Padmini's palki, which was occupied by Gora, reached Ratan's tent he asked Rawal to mount the horse and go back to the fort. Then Gora gave a signal and every rajput came out of the palki and attacked the muslims who were cut to pieces. Gora reached Khilji's tent and was about to kill the sultan when khilji moved his concubine in front of himself. Gora, being a rajput could not kill an innocent women and these few seconds were enough for Khilji's guards to kill Gora from behind.
