Which Muslim king was infatuated by the beauty of Rani Padmini?
VerifiedAnswer: Alauddin Khilji
Explanation:
The story of Rani Padmini and Alauddin Khilji is one of the most famous tales from medieval Indian history. Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi from 1296 to 1316 CE, was known for his military conquests and expansion of the Delhi Sultanate across much of the Indian subcontinent.
According to historical accounts and literary sources, particularly the epic poem "Padmavat" written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540, Alauddin Khilji became obsessed with Rani Padmini of Chittor after hearing tales of her extraordinary beauty. Rani Padmini was the queen of Maharawal Ratan Singh, the ruler of Chittor in Rajasthan.
The legend describes how Khilji's desire to possess Rani Padmini led to the siege of Chittor in 1303 CE. When his attempts to win her through deception failed, he laid siege to the fort city. The story tells us that Rani Padmini, along with other women of the court, chose to perform jauhar (self-immolation) rather than face capture and dishonor at the hands of the invading army.
While historians debate the exact historical accuracy of some details in this tale, Alauddin Khilji's siege and conquest of Chittor is a documented historical event. The story has become an important part of Rajasthani folklore and represents the conflict between the expanding Delhi Sultanate and the Rajput kingdoms during the medieval period. It also symbolizes the Rajput values of honor, courage, and resistance against foreign invasion.
