Jaipur, May 29 – Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade has sparked a renewed discussion on the accuracy of Indian historical narratives, particularly regarding the marriage between Jodha Bai and Mughal Emperor Akbar. Speaking at an event in Udaipur on Wednesday, Bagade asserted that this widely accepted historical account is flawed, stating that there is no reference to the marriage in the Akbarnama, the official chronicle of Akbar’s reign.

Bagade emphasized, “It is said that Jodha and Akbar got married and a film was also made on this story. History books also say the same thing but it is a lie.” He further claimed that the marriage was not between Akbar and Jodha Bai, but rather that a king named Bharmal arranged for his daughter, who was a maid, to marry Akbar. This assertion reignites the debate surrounding the historical context of the marriage, which took place in 1569 between the Amer ruler Bharmal’s daughter and Akbar.

The Amer kingdom, located near present-day Jaipur, was governed by the Kachwaha Rajputs until Sawai Jai Singh II moved the capital to Jaipur in 1727. Bagade criticized British historians for distorting the history of Indian heroes, claiming their narratives were initially accepted without question. He noted, “The British changed the history of our heroes. They did not write it properly, and their version of history was initially accepted. Later, some Indians wrote history but it was still influenced by the British.”

In addition to questioning the marriage narrative, Bagade challenged the historical assertion that Rajput ruler Maharana Pratap wrote a treaty letter to Akbar, labeling it as misleading. He argued, “Maharana Pratap never compromised with his self-respect. In history, more is taught about Akbar and less about Maharana Pratap.”

Despite his criticisms, Bagade expressed optimism regarding the future of historical education in India. He noted the initiatives under the new National Education Policy aimed at equipping the younger generation with knowledge of their culture and history. “In the new National Education Policy, efforts are being made to prepare the new generation for future challenges while preserving our culture and glorious history,” he stated.

Bagade also paid tribute to Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji, recognizing them as symbols of patriotism. He reflected on the historical significance of their births, noting, “There is a gap of 90 years between their births. Had they been contemporaries, the country’s history would have been different. Both are seen with the same vision of bravery and patriotism.” In honor of Maharana Pratap, an equestrian statue has been erected in Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, further commemorating his legacy.