Folklores and folk songs about two brothers - Aalha and Udal - have entertained the people of Bundelkhand for over 900 years! Interestingly, these two heroes were not even kings. They are considered the personification of Rajput ideals - brave and strong as soldiers and extremely loyal to their king and motherland.
The story is that Raja Paramaldev of Mahoba was one of the mighty Chandela kings. His wife Queen Malinha had two sisters. King Paramaldev married both of them to his two loyal noblemen - Bachhraj and Jasraj.
Jasraj was married to Deval Devi. They had two sons - Aalha and Udal. When these children were still quite young, Jasraj was killed in a battle fighting in the name of his King. King Paramaldev and Queen Malinha brought up Aalha and Udal as their own sons and gave them all the love, education, training and facilities befitting for princes. But their mother Deval Devi never let Aalha and Udal forget their position. She ingrained loyalty in them and taught them that for all the kindness and love the King and Queen showers on them, it is their duty to be ready to lay out their lives for them.
The boys grew up to invincible soldiers and won several wars and battle for the Chandela King. The Chandela empire grew under their skillful mentorship. This made Malinha's and Deval Devi's brother (and Aalha-Udal's maternal uncle) Maahil quite jealous.
He kept plotting against them but always failed to harm them or their reputation. Once when Aalha and Udal had been away on a battle, he succeeded in convincing King Paramaldev that the brothers have grown arrogant and think that the King's glory is only because of them. He instigated the King to take the test of their loyalty.
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King Paramaldev summoned Aalha and Udal immediately. Surprised at such an urgent summon, Aalha-Udal summoned to the King's court. The King asked them what they think of him? Aalha said, "O King! Your are our father, mentor and lord. We are always ready to lay out our lives for you." The King smiled and said, "If that is so, could you give your horse to me?"
In medieval India, giving up one's horse and sword was considered an ultimate insult for a Rajput warrior. Aalha was confused. If he gave up his horse, he would have to live with the insult and would be mocked at. If he didn't give up the horse, the King will consider him disloyal. He was still thinking about what to do, when the King roared, "Don't you want to give up a mere horse for me?"
Aalha hung his head and politely shook it in "No."
The King was furious. "After all I have done for you, you deny me a mere horse. Is this how you claim to be most loyal subject? You are a liar too."
This was too much for Aalha. He roared too, "O King! My father laid out his life for you. Udal and me have done all we could to expand your empire and keep your enemies under control. We have defeated several Kings in your name. We have always considered you our Master and our Lord. But you seek to insult us? As a Rajput warrior, you know that we cannot give up our horse to you. If we have lost place in your heart, we do not deserve to live on your land. We will leave your kingdom right now."
Aalha and Udal just took their sword, their horse and their mother with them and left the kingdom. Still, they hoped that the King would realise that the allegations he had made against them were baseless and would send someone to call them back. But no one came.
Dejected, they went on. As the neighbouring kingdoms came to know about Aalha and Udal, they started inviting them to their courts and made several offers to them. King Jaichand's son managed to win them over. His polite behaviour and respect made Aalha-Udal join King Jaichand's court.
At the same time, with Aalha-Udal gone, Chandela empire became riddled with revolts and internal struggles. Prithviraj Chauhan who was a noted warrior himself was expanding his own empire. Some of his soldiers had camped near Chandela empire. They had a fight with Chandela soldiers and since Chandelas were more in number they managed to slew Chauhan soldiers easily.
To take revenge, Prithviraj Chauhan and his mighty army attacked Chandelas. When it became clear that only Aalha-Udal can control the situation now, King Paramal Dev sent Chand Bhat to call them back. At first, Aalha and Udal refused to came but Deval Devi intervened. She said, "Irrespective of what has happened, you still owe duty to your motherland. You cannot forget all the good King Paramaldev has done for you all your life just because he misbehaved once. If you are true sons of your father, go and win back the glory of your King."
Aalha and Udal joined the war. It was a gruesome battle. At the end of it, only Prithviraj Chauhan, Chand Bhat and Aalha remained alive. Everybody else was dead. After that, no one knew where Aalha went. Prithviraj Chauhan, who did not have a trained army anymore, was soon killed in the same battlefield in a battle with Mughals.
It is said that Aalha has become immortal with the blessings of Goddess Sharda at Maihar. It is said that he comes to worship the Goddess in the night and leave clues of his presence.
Aalha songs and stories are told in such an engaging manner that one becomes full of bravery, valour, and patriotism. If you visit Bundelkhand, don't forget to listen to these folk songs.
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