Abdul and the Hindu Princess

I came across this story in an old Urdu chronicle. I wonder if it is true or only a figment of the imagination. The story is set in Rajasthan at a time when Hindu and Muslim armies frequently clashed with each other. The chronicle read something like this:

"The horseman came down the mountainside like a small avalanche, kicking up a small cloud of dust as he slid down the slope. The rider was adept and it was obvious he was the master of the beast. Reaching the plain, the rider spurred his horse and the magnificent animal surged forward towards the castle, which loomed on the horizon. The rider reached the ramparts of the fortress and reined in the frothing steed. He waited only for a moment and then swung a long rope and tethered it to one of the carved pillars. The hands of the warrior tightened around the rope and he hauled himself up. In a trice, he had scaled the wall and so he stood in the boudoir of the Princess.

The wall was steep but the warrior was more than a match. He was also strong as he scaled the ramparts of the fortress. He reached the top and in one movement like a feline cat, swung to the small ledge that was part of the structure. The wind began to blow and the warrior moved like a ghost towards the princesses’ chamber. He knew exactly where it was as he opened the door. Inside there was a dim light but he could make out the princess reclining on the diwan. She was alone as the handmaidens had all gone away.

“I have come to my princess,” whispered the warrior.

The words had a catalectic effect on the girl.

The princess turned and asked, “Is it you, Abdul?”

The man did not answer as the flap of his Turban veiled his face.

“Yes! my princess, I have come for you as I had promised”

“But there are soldiers all around. How will we escape?”

“Never fear, my love the almighty sits on my sword and my steed Haroun awaits you.”

Effortlessly the warrior lifted the princess and cradled her in his arms and like a mountain lion carried the princess away. It was the dead of the night and only an owl hooted. He carried the princess cradled in his arms. Where were the guards? He wondered about it but was happy as his task was made easier.

He slid down the wall with his precious load and mounted his horse and softly whistled. Hearing the approach of his master, the horse sensing the gravity of the moment moved swiftly towards the warrior. He patted the flanks of the animal and with the princess mounted the steed. The horse now swiftly galloped forward. It was a magnificent animal and it fell into a fast trot as it realized the mood of his master.

The mountains far away receded from the rider as the horse kicked up a dust trail behind him. The dark clouds and the night with only the moon lent a surrealist touch to the atmosphere. The cold wind swirled around the Princess and she shuddered slightly. The horseman now removed his veil, formed by the flap of his turban and let it fall on his shoulder. The princess looked back and gasped

" Oh, it's you, Abdul!"

"Yes, my Princess. I had to save you"

The Princess's heartbeats quickened and she felt a tingle up her spine.

"What will you do now?" she asked.

"Take you away."

The horse now broke into a gallop.

"What's the matter?" asked the princess.

" Nothing. Some bandits are on our trail'

"I feel frightened."

" There is nothing to fear."

The princess had sat on the horse with legs divided, more like a man in front of Abdul. As the horse gathered speed she bent forward and her ghagra lifted slightly from her buttocks. She was conscious of the wind lapping her hair and face, making her hair flow likes a burning flame. She clutched the horse as Abdul pulled her to him. An element of fear crossed her mind as she heard the hooves of the approaching horsemen. Bandits! No! They must be her father’s troops. They probably wanted to take her back to marry that man Maphool. No, she wouldn’t go! She was sure Abdul would rescue her. By the sound of the hooves, the princess could make out that the number of horsemen could perhaps be at least a dozen. Her heart contracted with fear as she looked back and saw the arraigned horsemen galloping after them.

Would her lover save her? The horse now had picked up a furious pace and swept forward like the wild mustang. She held on to the horse's bridle for dear life. Then magically she sensed the reassuring arm of her savior encircles her waist.

" Don't worry my Princess you will be safe and no harm will come to you. I will never let you be handed to that infidel Manphool."

She was dimly aware that Abdul had pulled out his berretta and without looking backfired the weapon. She sensed the weapon's recoil and the sharp report that accompanied it. There were a loud shout and a scream. It was obvious one of the pursuers had been hit. But there was no let-up in the pursuit. She heard the pistol fire again and then again. A roar more like a snarl reached her.

“Ah! The Raja is hit. Turn back.”

Another voice reached the elopers,” I will stay here but you all continue the pursuit.”

“Ji Huzoor.”

Abdul could make out that the chase had begun afresh. Abdul rode furiously and once more he fired a succession of shots. They found their target and there was much shouting. He could hear the voices,” Commander Gyan Chand is hit and so Sohal, turn back. More will die, this man is the face of death himself.”

She could hear the hooves recede and she breathed easily as she realized that she was safe with Abdul. The horse galloped furiously forward raising a dust trail that obscured everything behind them. She relaxed as the air flowed all around her. Then something happened that took her breath away. She was dimly aware that as she clung to the horse a firm hand had lifted her forward and something large and pulsating strove to enter her. The Ghagra had been lifted higher and the cool breeze flew around her thighs making her hair tingle.

Her heartbeat was wildly beating as it dawned on her that her lover was going to possess her on the galloping horse. Weird! She could not have dreamt it. The organ soon was at the portals of her beauty and as the horse lunged over a rock it encompassed her in one massive move. She shuddered as the organ rested inside her to the hilt. The movements of the horse became more frenzied and soon she climaxed with the beat of the horse’s hooves. A moment later her lover had inundated her and yet the horse flew forward like a phantom with her lover inside her, rigid and strong as ever....."

Much later she could feel the horse gather speed and began to hurtle across the sand under the starry sky. Her lover had now stopped and only held her in a firm grip.

“ My princess, we shall soon be at the castle and all will be well.”

Far away she could some lights flickering and she knew that she and her prince were heading towards what was in the future to be her home…."

The chronicle ended and I wonder how true the tale is. The story is not dated but could possibly be from the eighteenth or nineteenth century. Whatever it is, it makes fascinating reading.