The Timurid Heir

“After every storm, there is sunshine, and after every day, darkness.”

The Mughal Capital was being established at Agra in much pomp and grandeur, at the site of the Badal Mahal that once belonged to the Chauhans. Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar had walked the path of his father’s dream successfully, removing every challenge that came his way. After the battle at Panipat, he had given a strong message to the enemies that he was here to rule. At Lahore, however, the world inside the zenana had improved very little.

Rukaiya Sultana Begum made sure Salima and her newborn daughter were sent gifts from the Mughal Zenana at Bairam Khan’s outpost near Saurashtra. Rumours were abuzz that the Emperor was having differences with his most trusted general. Ever since the marriage with the Timurid princess, Bairam Khan had tried to establish every stance to the other generals that it was he who was the power behind Jalal’s throne. As the Padishah Begum, she had talked to the emperor’s mother. Hamida Banu was worried too. For she realised that the more Jalal stayed away from them, the less influence his mother and Rukaiya had on him. Some of his orders and actions shocked both of the ladies. He had apparently destroyed some temples. Gulbadan Begum, too, wrote to him in vain. There was no communication from him. Maham Anga’s mere presence in his life disturbed Rukaiya. She sat reading through the orders that often arrived with Jalal’s seal in her name. Some of them looked so unfamiliar that she grew worried. She wrote thrice requesting a visit to his camp, but was advised against it for the turmoil in the west of Agra. In disappointment, Rukaiya decided to wait till he visited instead.

Salima Begum came to stay in the Zenana along with Bairam Khan’s other ladies,  Rahim and her newborn child. Bairam Khan had gone to Mankot for a meeting with the Emperor. Everyone in the zenana silently prayed that the rumours were untrue. Rukaiya did her bit by sending Salima Begum an invitation for a meeting. She arrived, looking healthier than she used to, with the child in her arms. With a smile, she offered her baby to the Padishah Begum for a blessing. Rukaiya’s hands shook a little while the newborn wiggled in her arms. Salima Begum was staring right at her face, making her feel uncomfortable inside.

“She is beautiful, a bloom of the Timurid tree after all.” Rukaiya Begum smiled. “Does the emperor know?”

“Yes, Padishah Begum.” Salima smiled proudly at her baby, “He had sent Khan-e-Khana his best wishes.” The room fell silent all of a sudden as the two ladies stared at each other, and they knew what they were thinking.

“Do not worry, Salima Begum.” Rukaiya reassured, hoping the same “Padshah Akbar will never do injustice to the Khan e Khana. We all are indebted to him.” Salima nodded in silence.

Salima Begum had asked for another meeting with the Empress before she left. Rukaiya Begum felt uneasy. How could she face her cousin now? According to the newly arrived instructions from the emperor, Bairam Khan and his ladies were all being sent for a Hajj pilgrimage, while the Emperor chose someone more ‘Suitable’ for the position of Khan-e Khana. Munim Khan was chosen by Maham Anga, while Bairam Khan was released from his duties at Din Panah. The Emperor did not even meet him or his troops, as he was out hunting. Rukaiya knew she needed to call on Jalal immediately before Maham Anga made her son Adham Khan a prominent chief in the army. Salima had bowed to her with unsure, teary eyes. Rukaiya knew she feared the future of her family. Rukaiya Begum gently took her baby in her arms and kissed her cheeks before giving her back to her mother.

“Have a safe journey, Salima Begum.” Salima was taken aback by the sudden informal hug she received. At that moment, she knew that Rukaiya was still the naive girl she used to be under the layers of diplomacy she wore.

“Take care, Padishah Begum.” She smiled back at the lady. As Salima walked away from the courtyard of her palace, Rukaiya felt uneasy. She could not place her fears, but she was scared. She called on Nasir and said, “Get some of my troops to accompany them. Salima and the other ladies of Khan Baba’s Harem should have a safe transit.”

“Yes, Padishah Begum.” Nasir bowed to the lady and left. Rukaiya sighed. He had promised her not to hurt his kin. She prayed that he remembered. She called Nasir again and ordered him to leave for Agra himself. Her Eunuch was a little taken aback at her instruction.

“I want you to meet the Shahenshah yourself and read out my letter to him. I don’t trust anyone else, Nasir.” She spoke as he immediately understood.

Rukaiya saw him leave on horseback in an hour with her letter. She felt a little guilty lying to Jalal about her being unwell. But if he was still the Jalal she knew, he would leave everything and come to see her. And that would give her a chance to remind him of his promises. She prayed she was not very late. A few days later, a soldier came running with urgency. Rukaiya Begum stopped the dancers in her courtyard and frowned at the soldier who stood with his head bowed in front of her.

“What is it?” Her questions echoed through the red stone walls. “Tell me.”

“Padishah Begum... it's... it's..” He held out a piece of blood-soaked cloth. It did not take Rukaiya long to realise it was Nasir’s. She sank back on her cushion as the soldier’s voice faded, “He was coming back from Agra and some looters...” She stopped him with a hand gesture “Was there any letter on his... umm... body?”

“No Padishah Begum.” The moment the soldier spoke, she knew it was no mere looter. Looters did not take letters.

“You may leave.” She dispersed all her attendants and sighed, looking out at the garden and fountain. She wondered if Jalal got her letter.

In the evening, Hamida Banu came to visit, hearing that she had skipped her lunch.

“Is something bothering you?” She asked with a gentle pat on her shoulder.

“Nasir...” She spoke, trying hard not to tremble.

“I heard.” Hamida Banu sighed. “It is very unfortunate.”

Rukaiya Begum stared at her aunt in silence, knowing that even Hamida Banu did not believe it was looters. She had heard rumours that Hamida Banu herself also played a role in removing Khan Baba, although she did not believe it.

“I...” She stopped with a sigh “Will we lose everyone we have?” Her question made a worried Hamida Banu frown a little.

“When there is a throne in question, no one is your own.” She smiled faintly “And the sooner you understand that, is better.”

“What do I do now?” Rukaiya felt restless.

“Padishah Begum.” A maid bowed at her threshold “The Emperor will be arriving in the morning.”

Rukaiya’s eyes twinkled at the news as Hamida smiled, “There, you got your answer. Now have your food.” Hamida Banu left her with a sense of relief.

Hamida Banu did not know why, but her son’s eyes were worried and stressed. He had kissed his mother’s hands and told her about how Bega Begum was now settled in Din Panah beside his father’s tomb under construction. He then sought her leave and hurried towards the Pari Mahal.

Rukaiya sat leaning on her cushions, looking out of the balcony that overlooked his “Khwab Ghar” at a distance. She had made sure his apartment was laid out with the best carpets and curtains upon his arrival. As the guards announced his arrival at her chambers, she stared at the threshold, anticipating.

Jalal arrived in his usual calm posture and dispersed the attendants. 

He then sat down on the cushion beside her and asked in a very monotonous voice, “How are you?”

Rukaiya Begum stared at her husband for a moment with a faint smile. As much as he tried to hide it, his eyes were worried. It relieved Rukaiya.

“I was unwell...” She looked away “Now I am fine.”

“You don’t seem fine.” His worried eyes met her twinkling ones at his words as he held her hand in his “Is it because of Nasir?”

“So you heard?” Jalal did not understand the hint of coldness in her voice.

“Yes. We can hold a court probe for his murder if you want.” He reassured, tightening his grip on her hand.

“It’s of no use.” She took her hands away from his and looked out of the window.

“Why?” Jalal frowned at her words again “You know who killed him?” His question made Rukaiya’s heart skip a beat.

“Looters.” She spoke plainly, “We all know that!”

“Something else worrying you?” He held her hand again “I am here to talk.”

“Why...” She stopped as a maid arrived with refreshments and left, bowing.

“Why did you send Khan Baba away?” Her words were more of an accusation.

“Rukaiya.” Jalal reasoned, “He was misusing...”

“You promised me that you would never harm our kin. He is Salima Begum’s husband. They have a child...” Before she knew it, Rukaiya’s eyes swelled with tears, and Jalal looked more worried.

“Rukaiya!” His sudden scolding stopped her “What were you thinking?” She stared at him as her cheeks were flushed with the coming tears.

“You think I will harm Khan Baba?” Jalal spoke with remorse, “After everything he did for us? Am I that ungrateful? Don’t you know me?”  He stood up in a rage “Is that why you sent your own troops with Salima Begum? Because you don’t trust me? Maham anga was right then!” He left her chambers without touching the food as Rukaiya sat silently, staring at the threshold in tears.

For the next two days, the Emperor did not step out of his chambers, not even to meet his mother. The Empress, on the other hand, sat in her own chamber, as well, but took care of the Harem affairs. She wrote a letter to Salima Begum asking about her health and baby, hoping to get a reply soon.

The afternoon had a sudden downpour, and all the ladies of the Padishah Begum’s apartment had gathered on the roof of the Pari Mahal to enjoy the rain. A peacock, with its tail spread out like a colourful Chinese fan, danced around its mate, teasing her, while the ladies laughed. Their voices reached Jalal as he twisted and turned in his bed, and he got up and walked up to the curtains of his balcony. He was about to tell a soldier to order the ladies to tone down their voices when he saw Rukaiya Begum on the roof, with her ladies, and some children, perhaps of the maids’, getting wet in the rain. He smiled, watching her smile at a distance, from a small gap between two heavy curtains. He missed this carefree Rukaiya. She wore his favourite Sharara, and it irked him more because her smile tickled his senses. He missed the sense of home she brought with her, and being so close yet so far was a test of his patience indeed. But he was angry. Not because she questioned him, but because she did not trust that he kept his promises to her. He had come all the way from Agra for her; now it was her turn to do her bit to show that she cared.

Rukaiya Begum stopped as her eyes fell on the balcony of the Khwab Ghar. The curtains moved immediately as her eyes fell on them, and a shadow walked away. She smiled victoriously. In a moment or two, a white dove flew into Jalal’s Balcony with a piece of cloth tied to its leg. It was the end of her dupatta. Jalal inhaled, trying not to smile and set the dove free. The dove landed on the feet of the Padishah Begum, and she frowned at it. The piece of cloth was still tied to its foot.

Rukaiya Begum’s arrival at the Khas Mahal made the ladies in waiting gasp. It was not very often that emperors allowed ladies into their own private chambers, and she had not even asked his permission. The rumours spread across the zenana that something was surely amiss. It will be a lie to say Jalal was not pleasantly surprised. He hoped that his decision to leave in a day, as he told his mother, would push Rukaiya to do something. Her walking into his chambers was proof of that.

“You know, Royal ladies don’t walk into the Emperor’s...” He stopped as her hand reached his lips.

“The wife is here to see her husband, at his chamber and...” She stopped removing her hand and looked away.

“And?” he frowned.

“Apologise.” She spoke softly. “It is not that I don’t trust you. It’s... It’s...” She stopped as he hugged her tightly. Rukaiya smiled, hiding her face in his chest, in a state of peace after a long time.

“I missed you,” Jalal said, touching her nose with his.

“I missed you, too.” She smiled.

“I don’t like you being worried about me all the time, Rukaiya Begum. You should know I am the Emperor now. I can handle myself!” He smiled, kissing her forehead.

“Have you received my letters, Jalal?” She frowned.

“Letters? Official Ones?” He narrowed his eyes, thinking, “Maham Anga must have taken care of those.”

“Jalal, don’t get me wrong when I say this...”

“Hmm?”

“Please don’t trust people around you way too much with everything. There is a throne at stake, our future in question...” Her worried voice was back, and Jalal smiled at her understandingly before hugging her again.

Rukaiya Sultana Begum felt nauseous in the morning. It continued for two days until she felt worse and informed her maid-in-waiting. She stirred in restlessness, prompting one of her maids to call for the medicine man. He inspected the Padishah Begum’s health and spoke to Hamida Banu Begum in private. In an hour, the Lahore palace was rejoicing with the good news that the Timurid Dynasty was soon to have an heir. The ladies held a grand feast in the garden while Rukaiya was forbidden to step out of her chambers.

The Emperor arrived at the zenana with much promptness and grandeur and hugged his mother, who had congratulated him. Without wasting any time, he walked towards the Pari Mahal, where Rukaiya sat savouring some tamarind her maid had brought. As he entered her chambers and the maids bowed and left, Rukaiya smiled a smile Jalal had missed over the past two years. Suddenly, his heart ached in guilt. He had lost his innocent Rukaiya in Harem politics. But he was helpless. There were not many he could trust with the position of the Padshah Begum as much as he trusted his mother or her. He wished and prayed that the child would make Rukaiya truly happy again. She patted the place beside her on the bed, asking him to sit and placed her hand over his when he touched her belly lovingly. A tear escaped her eyes, prompting Jalal to frown and wipe it away and smile at her. Today, he did feel complete in ways, Rukaiya had never made him feel before. As much as he loved her, he knew how important an heir was for the throne. And he never wanted to hurt her over such a sensitive matter. 

Rukaiya Begum sat in silence, watching him smile for a moment, and asked

“So when are you leaving for Agra?”

“What if I say when you want?” He smiled at her.

“I will say I never want you to leave me alone.” Rukaiya placed her head on his shoulder, making him smile.

“Then I won’t leave you ever again.” His words made her look up with hope.

“Really? You are lying!” She narrowed her eyes, making him laugh.

“I am here at least till I see his face.” He reassured.

“What if... It's a she?” Rukaiya feared her own words.

“My father often spoke of his ill-fated daughter, the Shehzaadi Aqiqa Begum, of whom I have only heard.” Jalal spoke with a faint smile, “We will name her after her Phuphi.”

“Or Khala.” Rukaiya narrowed her eyes, and they smiled together, entwining their hands in each other.