Summary Cuckold

Author: Kiran Nagarkar

Type: Literary Fiction

Subject: At the centre of Cuckold is the narrator, heir apparent of Mewar, who questions the codes, conventions and underlying assumptions of the feudal world of which he is a part, a world in which political and personal conduct are dictated by values of courage, valour and courtesy; and death is preferable to dishonour.

Characters: Maharaj Kumar, Bhoj Raj,

Summary

Bhoj Raj Singh Sisodiya (1495 – 1526) as he is known in the history and folklores of Mewar, a province of Rajasthan, was the first born son and heir apparent of Rana Sangram Singh who fought with Babur in the famous Battle of Khanwa (1526). His other identity is that he was the husband of saint poetess Meera Bai. Meera Bai is one of the most prominent figures not only of the Bhakti Movement in the subcontinent of India but also as a woman character in the history of the land. She was married to him at a very young age and that is where the story of “Cuckold” starts from. It takes us on a parallel journey of a man proving to be the heir of a mighty kingdom his father set up and his wife who rose to a goddess-like status almost overnight.

Not much is historically known about this prince who lived most of his life in the shadows of his father and wife, and has been probably assumed to have died in the war Mewar fought against Babar’s army at Khanwa. He finds mention in some of Meera Bai’s poems and songs, as a companion, confidant and friend.

Hence, there is probably ample scope of fictionalizing his life. Bhoj Raj in the book “Cuckold” by Kiran Nagarkar is regarded as Maharaj Kumar. He is the central character of the story involving not only his private life with his hard to understand better half but also the political aspect of the land, involving the threat from Timurids (Mughals), Ahmednagar (Kingdom of Gujarat) as well as the Lodis in Delhi and the Rulers of Malwa (Mandu).