Showing posts from November, 2018
“Some remain immortal in deeds, others, in the hearts of their loved ones.” Kunwar Partap had left Kumbhalmer a little reluctantly with his chieftains to claim the throne that was rightfully his, at his father’s funeral at Gogunda. It did not come as a surprise to either Maharani Jivanta Bai or Ajbante Baisa that Rani Dheer Bai had tried to put her son on the throne of Mewar and ally with the Timurids. As Amar Singh rode away, excited, beside his father, Ajbante stared at them go, with a heavy heart. Today was the start of a new journey, a new title and new responsibilities, but all she could gather was that her baby was not a baby anymore. She felt the way she felt when she had first come to the house, alone in a crowd. A sudden tap on her shoulder jolted her from her thoughts as she turned to see Rajmata Jivanta Bai standing before her with questioning eyes. “What is it that worries you today, Ajbante?” Jivanta Bai asked, reading her face, “Is it not some sunshine after ...
“Some dreams once broken, often come back as nightmares.” The Padishah Begum received the news of the birth of a baby boy to Harka Bai at Sikri. She had arranged for a feast and celebration at Lahore and thanked the Almighty herself for this happiness. She prayed that the boy was safe. Hamida Banu had herself sent a messenger to the Padishah Begum at Lahore. The ladies celebrated for a week. The Padishah Begum had given away coins and clothes to the needy and new clothes to her kin. The Emperor was on his way to Sikri as well. She had smiled at the happy faces savouring the wine and sweet dishes. She greeted and congratulated everyone around the Harem. The Timurid blood would be safe on the throne. Jalal had visited once in the past few months, giving her the good news of Harka Bai conceiving again. He feared that people were conspiring at Agra. Hence, Harka Bai’s firstborns died, unnaturally. Ridiculous rumours were spread about the Emperor killing his own blood. Nevertheles...
Ruins do not only speak of carnage and might. They also scream out a thousand unsaid emotions of the past. Ajbante Kanwar Baisa had never seen Kunwar Partap so visibly shaken . She feared his reaction. He had just reached Kumbhalmer from the outpost at Kelwara, and she had been at the gates to welcome him. He had moved aside her aarti in silence and stared right into her eyes, making her heart skip a beat. She had followed his gaze to the entrance of the fort, where a badly injured Rajkumar Shallavan stood, helped by two soldiers. He had come from Chittorgarh. As soon as he was in sight, his wife, Maan Bai, lost her composure and ran to him. Ajbante Kanwar watched Kunwar Partap walk away towards the courtroom, as she nodded at a more scared Pur Bai to take Maan Bai to the inner palace and arrange the Gwalior prince’s first aid. They did not know what had happened. But it was something dreadful. She had thanked the Lord Eklingnath after a soldier came to say Kelwara was safe and Kun...
“ It is usually the closest people who teach us harsh truths of life.” The Padishah Begum received a firman from Agra that shook her to the core. Maham Anga was dismissed from her services as the chief advisor to the emperor, and her son Adham Khan was killed owing to his attack and killing of the veteran noble and Khan E Khana Ataga Khan. This kind of open bloodshed at Agra worried Rukaiya about the Shahenshah’s security. The firman also contained the news of the pregnancy of the new bride, Harka Begum. With a clap of her hand, Rukaiya Begum called upon Abdul. “Arrange for a caravan to Agra. I am leaving at dawn.” “Padishah Begum, should we send a letter to the emperor?” “There is no need for that, do as I say.” The eunuch bowed and left. Rukaiya Begum wrote down a firman citing Hamida Banu Begum as the acting head in her absence at Lahore. At Agra, the Hindu Queen was receiving special attention from the maids who had accompanied her from Amer. The Emperor had orde...
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Last updated: February 4, 2026.
