Rani Karnavati
Rani Karnavati, d. 1535, Rajput princess. One of the wives of the famous Rana Sanga of Mewar (d. 1529) she exercised considerable influence over her husband, who promised her the fort of Ranthambhor for her sons, Vikramaditya and Uday Singh, before his death. She took the fort in the name of her minor sons, and also the crown jewels which the Maharana had captured from the ruler of Malwa. She was asked to return the jewels and to go back to Chittor, after her step-son, Ratna Singh came to the throne. She refused and even sought the help of Babar, which led to worsening of the relations between her and her step-son. When her step-son died in 1531, her son, Vikramaditya became the ruler. He proved quite worthless and a coward, but Rani Karmavati was able to control the situation. When Bahadur Shah of Gujarat invaded Mewar in 1532, she was able to buy peace by surrendering the crown jewels to the Sultan and by paying a huge indemnity. In 1535, Bahadur Shah again attacked Chittor, and though she made a gallant defence, the Rajput forces were overwhelmed, and Rani Karmavati burnt herself to death (8 March 1939).
