Panna Dhai

HH Shri Nathji frequently narrated the story of Panna Dai the maid who allowed her own child to be killed in place of the king's.

Panna Dhai was a maid in the service of Rana Sanga or Sangram Singh of Chittorgarh, India. She was a rajput (Kshatriya) lady of Kheechi clan. She was foster-mother of his infant son Udai Singh. Her name, Panna means emerald, and dhai means a wet nurse in hindi language. She had been given charge of young Udai, breast - feeding him virtually from his birth in 1522, along with her own son Chandan (also known as Moti), who was of similar age and Udai's playmate.

Rana Sangram Singh died in 1527 in the Battle of Khanua against Babur. Panna saved child Udai Singh from Rana's brother Banbir who was regent and wished to usurp the throne . Panna sacrificed her own child to save the prince. Panna Dai give the small Udai Singh to the gardener who took him far away. The child of Panna Dai was not knowing that he would be killed in the place of Udai singh. Panna Dai later on cried a lot but she was proud that she kept the shine of Mewar alive. To save him Panna Dai substituted her own baby in the royal cradle. Her child was slain, but Panna escaping with the baby prince made her way to Kumbhalgarh.

After Udai Singh attained youth he defeated his uncle and became the king of Chittod and later founded the city of Udaipur.