when and why did the Rajput wives (Rajputani) performed "Jauhar".
Answers
Per my knowledge, there were three major jauhars committed by Rajput women during the Rajput-Muslim struggle. Unfortunately, every time it was the heart of Mewar, Chhittorgarh fort, witnessing this cruel event.
First Jauhar was committed by Rani padmawati in 1303 AD. Story goes that khilji sultan sieged the fort. Upon hearing the stories of legendary beauty of Rani Padmavati, he offered to lift the siege if Rana Rawal Ratan Singh allow him to see the Rani. Rana facilitated this through mirors; but smitten by the beautyof Rani, Khilji broke his promise and captured Rana. What followed was a war which was lost by Rajputs forcing Rani Padmavati to commit Jauhar.
Second time it happened in 1535, when a weakened mewar; due to loss in battle of Khanwa and death of Rana Sanga was besieged by shah of Gujarat. Rani Karnawati, with many other ladies committed jauhar this time.
Third time Chhittorgarh witnessed Jauhar in 1568 when fort fell to Akbar’s forces after a four month siege. This was the bloodiest chapter in Chhittorgarh as Akbar also massacred nearly 30 thousand of the residents.
During my Rajasthan trip,guide narrated incidents of Jauhar in Marwad (Jodhpur) as well but these 3 are most well known.