Karnavati is from the Sanskrit karna (ear) and vati (possessing) — "the listener." **Rani Karnavati (d. 1535)** was the Rajput queen of Mewar — wife of Rana Sanga of Chittor. **When her kingdom was besieged by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat in 1535, she sent a rakhi (sacred thread) to Mughal Emperor Humayun, claiming him as brother and asking for aid.** Humayun marched to her defense but arrived too late — she had committed *jauhar* with the women of Chittor.
**Her rakhi to Humayun is one of the most touching stories of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood in Indian tradition.**
Karnavati reduces to six — the number of Rajput rakhi-sender.