the story of Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji finds its mention in the Padmavat, a Awadhi language poem written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi. The poem deals with the relation between Chittor king Ratansen, Queen Padmavati and the sultan of Delhi, Alauddin Khilji. The tale describes Padmavati as a “perfect woman”, of beauty “no such was ever seen upon the Earth.” King Ratansen, who had heard about her charisma longed, to marry her. He finally married Padmavati in a swayamvar and brought her to Chittor.
Among Ratansen’s many subjects was musician Raghav Chaitanya. The king banished Chaitanya from the kingdom after he found out about his illegal activities. To take his revenge, Chaitanya reached Khilji’s court in Delhi and informed the Sultan about Queen Padmavati’s unparalleled beauty. Fascinated by Padmavati’s description, Khilji made his way to Chittor in order to acquire her.
Some literature from the period suggests that Khilji’s request to see the queen was turned down as Rajput culture forbade women from meeting strangers. Khilji then waged a war against Chittor but failed to capture the fort. Ratansen, meanwhile was killed. Khilji again invaded Chittor and marched his way inside the fort to look for Padmavati. However, Padmavati and several other women had by then ended her life in jauhar (self-immolation) to get away from Khilji.
However, the truth of the incident has been debated over the years. While some call it a fable, Khilji’s subjugation of Chittor is indeed a part of history. Many historians also believe that Khilji’s invasion of Chittor was an attempt to expand his kingdom rather than a quest for Padmavati.

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