For Raksha Bandhan, philanthropist and Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty shared a video on X exploring the historical origins of the sacred thread. According to Murty, the practice of tying a rakhi traces back to a real-life event.

In her video, Murty recounted a 16th-century episode involving Rani Karnavati. When her kingdom faced imminent threat, she reached out to Mughal ruler Humayun by sending him a thread, seeking his help. This gesture, Murty explains, marks the beginning of the tradition of tying a rakhi on a brother’s wrist.

“Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is one of the important festivals according to me where a sister ties a thread. It may not be a huge one but a simple thread indicating that in times of difficulties, you should always be there to help me,” she said in the video.

“It goes back to Rani Karnavati when she was in danger; her kingdom was small and attacked by somebody; she did not know what to do, so she sent a thread to King Humayun, a Mughal Emperor, saying that she was in danger, please consider me your sister, and please do come to protect me.

“Humayun came from a different country; he didn’t know about the thread. He asked the local people and came to know it was a call from a sister to a brother. He said okay, if that is the case, I will go and help Rani Karnavati. He left Delhi and went to her kingdom, but he was a little late as she was no more,” Murty added.

The video went viral in no time. Many users reacted critically, sparking a debate over the historical accuracy and the traditional practice of Raksha Bandhan.

In the comments, some viewers disputed Murty’s narrative, calling it as “fake.” They referenced the well-known Raksha Bandhan legend involving Lord Krishna and Draupadi from the Mahabharata. According to this story shared by a user, “The origins of Raksha Bandhan are rooted in ancient Indian history and culture, with various stories from sacred texts illustrating the significance of this sacred festival. One of the most revered legends comes from the Mahabharata, where Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, tore a strip of her saree to bandage Lord Krishna’s bleeding wrist. Deeply moved by her gesture, Krishna vowed to protect Draupadi in times of distress. This bond of protection is often cited as the essence of Raksha Bandhan, where the Rakhi symbolises a pledge of mutual care and support.”

According to India Today, Indian historian Satish Chandra, in his book Medieval India, also touched upon this tradition. He noted that a 17th-century Rajasthani text recorded that Humayun received a bracelet as a rakhi from Rani Karnavati, the widow of the Chittor king.