The Essence

Saka, or Shak, is the male counterpart to Jauhar. Once it was confirmed that the women had successfully committed Jauhar and there was nothing left to lose, the Rajput men would perform their final ablutions, wear saffron robes (Kesariya Bana) symbolizing martyrdom, and sprinkle tulsi leaves on themselves. They would then open the fort gates and charge into the enemy ranks for a fight to the death, unleashing havoc and inflicting maximum casualties before falling.