Chitrangada is the name of the daughter of the Raja of Manipur. Arjuna married Chitrangada during his travels to Manipur. But, Chitrangada remained in her own city with her son Babhruvahana when Arjuna returned to Hastinapura. It is because as per the custom of the kingdom of Manipur, the children born of Chitrangada will be the heir of Manipur so his son could not be taken away.

Rabindranath Tagore took the story of Chitrangada and turned it into a dance drama. He converted into a modern day musical with the story put to music and with the characters acting out the parts in dance. But his version of the story of Chitrangada is little different from that of the Mahabharata. As per Tagore`s version, Chitrangada is the only child of the King of Manipur. As she was the only heir to the throne, Chitrangada used to dress like a man and is the protector of the land. The people of the Manipur used to look to her to protect her. When she saw Arjuna in action while hunting in the forest, Chitrangada falls in love with him. Arjuna also got impressed with her fighting skill but he could not recognise her as a woman. Then Chitrangada attains a boon from a sage and got transformed into a beautiful ladylike woman. So, when Arjuna met Chitrangada next time, he fell deeply in love with her and married her.

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