The Indian history an dthe Hindu mythological lore abound in numerous stories of Indian heroines who suffered severe privations in order to uphold the ancient ideals, prostine heritage and culture of this land. They sacrified their lives for protecting their chastity and honour of their motherland.

Oftern they were subjected to suffering of extreme severity. Their warmth of heart, self-sacrificing zeal and an unassuming loyalty are among the golden glories of this ancient sub-continent.

Gallant and chaste queen Padmini, the consort of Rana Ratan Singh of mewar was stunningly beautiful. Ala-uddin Khilji Sultan of Delhi (1301 A.D) had an evil upon her and wanted to possess her. Her husband, Rana, was kidnapped a ruse, she got Rana liberated from the fetters of the vily Sultan. But the Sultan avenged by assaulting the fort of Chitor, carrying fire and sword. Padmini and her maids performed Jauhar to preserve them from the pollution or captivity.

Similar is the tragic story of simple, docile and unassuming Sindhi damsel, Dropadi, affectionately called 'Sadori' 'an angel of good luck". She was an adopted daughter of Deewan Gidumal, or Chief Minister in the employ of Pre British time Sindh Muslim rulers, Mirs. Like many chaste Hindu women, she sacrifieced her life to protect her honour, and to uphold the purity of religion.

During the Hindu period prior to 718 A.D., Hyderabad Sind was known as Narainkote. The Muslim rule continued till the British army under the command of Sir Charles Napier won a decisive war on the battlefield of Miani in 1843 near Hyderabad. Before the Mir rule, Hyder Kalora had shifted his Sind capital from Khudabad to Narainkote and changed the name of the city, as Hyderabad.

Mirs or Talpur tribe had overthrown the Kalhoras in 1783. The four Mirs were a close knot caucus. Mir Fateh Ali, Gulam Ali, Karam Ali and Murad Ali ruled Sindh before the British captured it. Sir Charles Napier recounts in his memoirs that Mirs were despotic, fanatic and pleasure-loving. The Government administration however, was cultured class 'Amils'. They were Vaziers, Manshis Mukhtiarkars and Mukhadams.

Deewan Gidumal, an Amil, was not only pious and religious person, but highly competent administrator in the employ of the Mirs. His status was equivalent to the Prime Minister. He was allotted a piece of land near the Hyderabad Qila-wherein Mirs held their Court or Darbar. Deewan constructed his 'Tando' near Sindhu river which later on came to be known as "Gidhu Bandar".

Deewan had adopted niece as his daughter 'Dropadi' affectionately called 'Sadori'. She was not only pretty and humble but talented and well versed in Hindu lore. During those day, the Muslim women veiled themselves and the Hindu women adopted Purda. Mir Gulam had heard stories of enchanting beauty of Sadori and was eager to steal glimpse of hers. One day he disguised s a woman under the cover of Burka entered Zenana i.e. women's chamber, of Deewan and could cast covetous eyes upon Sadori. However, the faithful Negro guards of Deewan learnt the treachery of Mir and cautioned Deewan Gidumal.

On the otherhand, already infatuated Sadori's beauty, the Mir was restless and attempted second time to visit surreptitiously to the Deewan's Haveli. However, the Deewan's guard were alert this time. They bet Mir Gulam Ali blue. Seething with the burning desire of revenge, the Mir Gulam Ali authoritatively addressed Deewan Gidumal announcing proposal to become his son-in-law. Hearing this announcement, the Deewan almost fainted. With a heavy heart he returned to his Haveli, He anticipated cruel fate upon his family. In spur of movement, he made up his mind to escape danger. One dead of night, the Deewan with family fled to South, Kutch in a big boat through Sindhu river. Hearing this, next day, the Mir fumed with revenge and decided to act deceptively. He wrote an appealing letter to the Maharao of Kutch recording appreciation of Deewan's services to Sindh administration, requesting Deewan to forgive Mir's misadventure and return as he would be unharmed. Further that he would assume same royal position in the Government. Unfortunately, the sagacious statesman Deewan was trapped. He trusted Mir's words and returned with his family to Hyderabad by boat.

As soon as he returned to his Haveli, he learnt from his assistant the treachery of the cunning Mir. The Mir was determined to marry his daughter forcibly and execute his all family members thereafter. Deewan's world shattered and earth beneath him almost cracked. He called his elder brother Jaspatrai on the top floor of Haveli and secretly planned a heinous crime upon his daughter asking her to drink a cup of poison, sacrificing her life to save the honour of family and religion. That time Sadori's mother was cutting watermeon and offered her daughter to taste before climbing up to the top floor. But she obeyed father's order first, and went up. Both brothers, their eyes moisterned with tears narrated her the calamity that had befallen the family.

"a little delay will ruin honour of our family and religion" both brothers cried. "What is your opinion, my child?" Sadori patiently replied, 'Sati Savitri, Mata Sita, Dropadi and many Rajput women didn't barter their honour and chastity for the pleasure, easy life or gems. I being true Arya Nari, will not put their names to shame. My body is destructive but soul. I obey what you order." Both brothers, though pale and distraught, became temporarily proud of their daughter. With shaking hands they offered a cup of death to an innocent and harmless budding damsel of 16. smiling, she dramk it in a same manner as Mirabai drank poison when offered by Rana.

In a few seconds there lay a cold and serene, quite body of tender girl for no fault of hers. She sacrificed her life. Both brothers though, lionhearted wept uncontrollably. None of them could pacify each other. When the sad news was broken to other family members, there descended a dark mourning spectacle a pall of gloom!

In a dead of night, her body was consigned to flames near a river ghat.

After a few days, the Mir learnt of Deewan's desperate act of upholding family honour. He quietly plotted to destroy Deewan Gidumal's whole dynasty. One day, no sooner, the Deewan entered Mir court in the morning, than the court's security guards treacherously pounced upon him, struck the tigerclaws into his bowls and instantly killed him. This lion hearted and pious statesman who had served his rulers faithfully, was cold-bloodedly murdered for no fault of his. Soon his brother Haspatrai was too butchered by the Mirs. Almost all the members of Deewan family achieved martydom.

Such stories of sacrifice and bracery abound in annals of Rajputana but hn Sind this story is perhaps a solitary and unique: A story of daughter of Sind who preferred death to dishonour. So perished this noble tender girl whose name should always be cherished amongst the noblest of India's daughters.

Honour, and nobility are supreme superior to life and gold, They are not commodities to be bartered or sold.