The Rakhi. — ' The festival of the bracelet ' is in spring,
and whatever its origin, it is one of the few when an intercourse of gallantry of the most delicate nature is established between
the fair sex and the cavaliers of Rajasthan. Though the bracelet
may be sent by maidens, it is only on occasions of urgent
danger or necessity . The Rajput dame bestows with the Rakhi the
title of adopted brother and while its acceptance secures to her
all protection of a cavaliers servant, scandal itself never
suggests any other tie to his devotion. He may hazard his life in
her cause, and yet never receive a glance in reward, for he
cannot even see the desired object who,as brother of her adoption
has constituted him her defender.
But there is a charm in the mystery of such connexion, never endangered by close observation, and the loyal to the fair may well attach a value to the public recognition of being the Rakhi-band Bhai, the ' bracelet-bound brother '. The intrinsic value of such pledge is of Scripture the same notion is referred to.The mother of Sisera asks " Have they not divided the prey ; to every man a damsel or two ? ' Badaoni says that Humayun hesitated to
interfere because Bahadur was attacking an infidel never looked
to, nor is it requisite it should be costly, though it
varies with the means and rank of the donor, and may be of
flock silk and spangles, or gold chains and gems. The acceptance
of the pledge and its return is by the kachhli, or corset, of
simple silk or satin, of gold brocade and pearls.
There is nothing similar in Europe, and as defending the most
delicate part of the structure of the fair, it is peculiarly
appropreate as an emblem of devotion. A whole province has often
accompanied the Kachhli, and the monarch of India was so pleased by this courteous delicacy in the customs of Rajasthan, on
reciving the bracelet of the princess Karnavati, which invested him with the title of her brother, and uncle and protector to her infant Udai Singh, that he pledged himself to her service, "even if the demand were the castle of Ranthambhor."
Humayun proved himself a true knight, and even abandoned his
conquests in Bengal when called on to redeem his pledge and
succour Chitor, and the widows and minor sons of Rana Sanga.
Humayun had the highest proofs of the worth of those courting his
protection ; he was with his father Babur in all his wars inIndia
and at the battle of Bayana his prowess was conspicuous, and is
recorded by Babur's own pen. He amply fulfilled his pledge,
expelled the foe from Chitor, took Mandu by assault, and, as
some revenge for her king's aiding the king of Gujarat, he sent
for the Rana Bikramajit, whom, following their own notions of
the gift of the Rakhi.
The author, who was placed in the enviable situation of being
able to do good, and on the most extensive scale, was the means of restoring many of these ancient famihes from degradation to
affluence.The greatest reward he could, and the only one he would, receive, was the courteous displayed in many of these
interesting customs. He was the Rakhi-band Bhai of, and received ' the bracelet ' from, three queens of Udaipur, Bundi, and Kota, besides Chand Bai, the maiden sister of the Rana ; as well as
many ladies of the chieftains of rank, with whom he interchanged letters. The sole articles of ' barbaric pearl and gold,' which
he conveyed from a country where he was six years supreme, are
these testimonies of friendly regard.
Intrinsically of no great value, they were presented and accepted in the ancient spirit, and he retains them with a sentiment the more powerful, because he can no longer render them any service.
The Rakhi Sanskrit of raksha,protection is primarily a protective amulet assumed at the full moon of Saawan (July -August). It was worn on this date to avert the unhealthiness of the rainy season. Even Jahangir and Akbar too followed the custom, introduced by their Hindu ladies.
