Panna Dai Biography 
Panna Dai was a royal maid of Rani Karnavati of Udaipur, who rescued infant Udai Singh II, the future ruler (and father of great Maharana Pratap) of Mewer. Panna’s name is always remembered for her loyalty and her great sacrifice of her own son to rescue Udai Singh. If she has not rescued infant Uday – the long reign of the House of Mewar would surely have ended, as Uday was the only son who was alive in the dynasty.
Not much is known about her childhood. She was born into the Gujjar community. She was a loyal maid of Rani Karnavati, wife of Maharana Sangram Singh and helped Rani in political matters. Maharana Sangram Singh lost his life in the fight to Mughals and after his death, Ratan Singh II was corronated as the new king. But following his assassination, the rule was handed over to the weak prince – Vikramaditya. So Rani Karnavati took up the regency to rule the kingdom. When Bahadur Shah of Gujarat attacked the kingdom for the first time Vikramaditya was not able to lead the battle. He along with infant Uday was sent to Bundi with her trusted maid Panna Dai. Rani Karnavati committed jauhar and Humayun defeated Bahadur Shah, and reinstated Vikramaditya Singh as the ruler of Mewar.
But Vikramaditya was dethroned by Mewar nobles and his distant cousin - Banvir was appointed to act as his Regent. Later the imprisoned Vikramaditya was assassinated and Banvir tried to kill Udai Singh also, the last heir of the thrown. A servant informed her the matter. Knowing the threat, she thought about the future of Mewar and took decision to save young Udai. She instructed the servant to put the sleeping prince into a large basket and took him to the river and thus save him. She lifted her sleeping son, Chandan, from his bed and placed him on the prince's bed and showed him to Banvir when asked the whereabouts of the infant Udai.
She witnessed assassination of her own son by Banvir and later joined infant Uday and servant who carefully handed over him. Travelling distances, they took refuge from the local Chieftains who offered food and shelter. Finally, they arrived at Kumbhalgarh, where the prince was handed over to a Jain merchant named Asha Depura Shah who assured protection. Later she told the truth to deputy of chiefs from Chittor and convinced them. The young prince claimed the throne at the age of 18. But after that, there is no mention about Panna Dai and her life.
Published: N/A
Updated: November 29, 2015
