The film is an adaptation[1] of the epic poem Padmavat written by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540.[171] The poem is a fictionalised account of Alauddin Khilji's 1303 siege of Chittorgarh in Rajputana (present-day Rajasthan).[172] According to Padmavat, Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, laid siege to Chittor Fort motivated by his desire to capture Queen Padmini (called Padmavati in the film), the beautiful wife of King Ratan Sen (called Ratan Singh in the film), the Rajput ruler of Mewar. After Khilji successfully besieged Ratan Singh's capital Chittor, Padmavati committed jauhar (the Rajput custom of self-immolation) to protect her honour from the Muslim ruler.[173]