Winds of Change

Winter 1605A.D. Pari Mahal, Lahore Fort

“The lady Asmat Begum, the wife to Treasurer Ghiyaz Begh, is here to see you, Sultana Begum.” Rukaiya looked up at the eunuch, Rashid, who announced this, still not used to not being called the “Padshah Begum”. This new title seemed alien to her.

“Send her in.” She sat up in a graceful posture waiting for the lady to arrive. Asmat Begum and her husband had been trusted aides to the Emperor and she needed some people by her side. She did not overlook the fact that despite the entire Turkish Harem flocking around the new soon-to-be Padshah Begum, pleasing her with gifts, this lady had come to her threshold first.

Asmat Begum bowed before her before sitting on the cushion laid down on the floor.

“Here are some sweetmeat and perfumes for the Sultana Sahib” Asmat had pointed to the silverware covered in blue velvet.

“Why congratulate me, Asmat Begum?” Rukaiya forced a smile. “Shouldn’t you take this to Mariam Ur Zamani first?”

“No, my queen, this is for the celebration of the birth of a baby girl to my daughter in Bardhaman.” Her words made Rukaiya look up, at her smiling face. Had she seen anyone in this harem so happy over the birth of a girl child?

Asmat Begum read her mind as she quickly added “Ali Quli has sent his regards and is extremely happy to have a healthy baby after the few mishaps they...” She bit her lips. Asmat’s daughter was once the talk of this harem, for her beauty, grace, intelligence and her magic over the young prince Salim who seemed captivated by her. Rukaiya was well aware of how the Emperor had made sure she was married to a general befitting of her noble standard and shifted to Bengal, away from Salim’s eyes. Rukaiya had however never had the desire to know the girl or understand why the Emperor acted promptly against his son’s desires.

“Congratulations to them.” Rukaiya Begum promptly took off a pearl necklace from her neck and handed it over to Asmat Begum. “So what is her name?”

“Ali calls her Laadli.” Rukaiya Begum smiled at the simplicity of the choice.

“How many days are you here?” She asked Asmat Begum, offering her some dates and nuts.

“The emperor has ordered my husband to shift back to Agra and settle there.” The lady spoke.

“Agra?” Rukaiya frowned a little “The capital in Lahore...”

“No longer stands.” The voice at the threshold made Asmat get up promptly bowing to Jagat Gossain.

The lady in her thirtieth year seemed radiant wearing a traditional lehenga and jewellery befitting of her rich Rathore heritage she stood with a few ladies in waiting with a smile on her face. Adjusting her dupatta over the vermilion-clad mang tika on her head, she stepped inside the room, as Rukaiya sat poised and unmoved.

“Jodha Begum” Rukaiya smiled at her with a slight nod trying to hide her surprise at being uninformed at the turn of events.

“I was expecting you at the celebrations Sultana Begum Sahiba” She addressed Rukaiya Begum without a bow “But since you did not arrive I decided to come to visit you instead.” She sat down on the cushion beside Rukaiya Begum as Asmat Begum let out a surprised gasp at her audacity “I suppose you haven’t yet blessed me with my new role.”

“Well, I haven’t heard the official announcements yet, Jodha Begum. You have received my gifts from my son, Khurram though, haven’t you?” Rukaiya spoke unnerved by her behaviour “And you are in fact most welcome to visit my palace any time you want.”

“Very well.” Jagat Gossain spoke plainly “The announcements will come soon. I am here on behalf of the Shahenshah to inform you that he is shifting the capital of the land to Agra with immediate effect and he will spend only his leisure days in Lahore henceforth. The harem has been ordered to shift immediately.” She stared at Rukaiya Begum hoping for a retort to her words but there were none. Instead, Rukaiya looked at her eunuchs as if to order them to do the needful.

Jagat Gossain was happy with the newfound authority over the intimidating oldest of the Harem and got up to leave, giving Asmat Begum one last disapproving stare.

“I am not leaving Lahore, and neither are the ladies who wish to stay with me.” Jagat Gossain had anticipated something of this sort. She turned at the words of the Dowager Queen and nodded approval. “Very well then, Salima Sultana Begum has decided to come with us, she will advise the council and Shahenshah alongside me. Mariam Ur Zamani has decided to stay back here with you. I guess she knew you won’t leave Lahore so soon.”

A faint smile escaped Rukaiya’s lips. This woman who had no idea of life and politics beyond the Harem was set to advise the council and emperor. Of course, she needed Salima Begum by her side. Mariam Ur Zamani will never trust her alone running one of the most powerful of their forts. What if she instigated a rebellion? She knew what Rukaiya Begum was capable of. Rukaiya didn’t mind having her around. They barely talked or crossed each other’s path unless absolutely necessary.

“Khurram Baba is staying back with me.” She smiled. Jagat Gossain’s sparkling eyes seem to dim down at those words.

“But... but... the Shehzade is required to be present at court to...”

“He is still in his learning years and under my guardianship.” Rukaiya Begum looked firm “I know what is best for my son.”

She watched Jodha Begum stomp out of her palace. Rukaiya Begum sighed. She had made enemies in this place without realising that for long. Power indeed is blinding of the truth. Asmat shook her voice a little awkwardly.

“Well you see, Asmat Begum” Rukaiya smiled faintly “Choose your side wisely.”

“My Lady we had always been...” She stopped as Rukaiya shook her head.

“Times are changing, Asmat Begum. But you know what; it will be ever-changing yet still.”

The confused lady bowed to her quickly before taking her to leave.

It is not clear how much power Jagat Gosain held as the unofficial Padshah Begum before the power unofficially again shifted to Sahila Begum in 1608 but given that the heir to the throne and her only son was raised by Rukaiya as her own, not only in guardianship (elderly ladies being a guardian of Princes was the norm in the Timurid House) but as her son, it is assumed that she did not have a liking towards the former Padshah Begum. Asmat Begum, the wife to Ghiasuddin Begh, father of Meherunissa, was a perfume maker and hence had close contact with the significant ladies of the Harem much before her daughter stepped into the harem politics. She played an active role in making her daughter’s role in the harem prominent as well.

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Protisruti

প্রতিশ্রুতি বন্দিতা মা কে জড়িয়ে ধরে যেন প্রাণ ফিরে পায়। “ভাল আছিস?” জিগেস করে সুমতি। বন্দিতা হঠাৎ খেয়াল করে আগের মতো তার মুখ দেখেই তার মা আর তার মনের অবস্থা বুঝতে পারেন না। তার সাথে হঠাৎ মনে পরে কত অনায়াসে অনিরুদ্ধ বোঝে যে তার মন খারাপ। একবার জিজ্ঞেস করেছিল সে স্বামীকে, কি করে তিনি বোঝেন তার মন খারাপ। ছোট বন্দিতাকে তার মতন করে বুঝিয়েছিলেন তার স্বামী। আজ বন্দিতা বড় হয়েছে কিন্তু সেই প্রশ্ন সে আর করতে পারেনা। বন্দিতাকে খাটিয়ার উপর বসিয়ে এর মধ্যেই সুমতি যায় তার জন্য মুড়ি মুড়কি আনতে। বন্দিতার চোখ পরে পায়ের নূপুরের উপর। তিনি বলেছিলেন “তুমি খুশি হলে তোমার নূপুরের আওয়াজ অন্যরকম হয়, আর তোমার মন খারাপ হলে অন্যরকম।” বন্দিতা নূপুরটা বাজিয়ে দেখেছিল সেদিন। আজকে সে জানে পার্থক্য তার নূপুরের শব্দে নয়, অনিরুদ্ধের পর্যবেক্ষণ শক্তিতে। আবার কেন তার কথা ভাবছে সে? বাড়ি এসেছে মায়ের কাছে। আর ভাববে না সে, হয়তো দু তিন দিন পর ত্রিলোচনবাবু পাঠাবেন বিহারী কে বন্দিতাকে বাড়ি নিয়ে যেতে, ততদিন মায়ের কাছে একটু শান্তিতে থাকুক না সে। দুপুরে আম দুধ দিয়ে ভাত দেয় তাকে সুমতি। “তোর প্রিয় খাবার দেখ, মাম...

Answers

Aniruddha could not work all day. It started raining heavily outside, the curtains of the room swayed in the gusty wind, and things around the room toppled over. Koeli came to pick them up, to see if he wanted to eat anything but Aniruddha wanted to be left alone. Countless questions and fears raced through his mind. Bondita never went home like she did that day. Rather, once a year, even before Jamai Sasti, she checked the household chores a hundred times. If Batuk had a test, if someone was sick, she was reluctant to go. She just packed a bundle so quickly and left for her mother’s place. Had she distanced herself from Aniruddha? Was it his fault? Anirudha started thinking. Could she not take him as a husband because he pushed her away and hurt her? Aniruddha repented for his actions. If indeed Bondita denied their relationship knowing the truth behind it, could she be blamed? But was that why she was pretending to be asleep even though she was awake that night? What did she think ab...

Promises

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Uttor

উত্তর সারাদিন কাজে মন বসেনা অনিরুদ্ধর। বাইরে অঝোরে বৃষ্টি হতে থাকে, ঝোড়োও হওয়ায় ঘরের পর্দা দোলে , জিনিসপত্র এলোমেলো হয়ে যায়। কয়েলি আসে ছোট মালিকের জিনিস গুছিয়ে দিতে, তিনি কিছু খাবেন কিনা শুধোতে কিন্তু তাকে চলে যেতে বলে ঘরে খিল দেয় অনিরুদ্ধ। একা থাকতে চায়। তার মনে আনাগোনা করে অসংখ প্রশ্ন এবং আশংকা। যে ভাবে বন্দিতা স্বেচ্ছায় মায়ের কাছে গেল আজ, সেরকম সে কোনদিন যায়না । বরং বছরে একবার জামাই ষষ্টিতে যাওয়ার আগেও একশো বার বাড়ির কাজকম্ম দেখে শুনে যায়। বটুকের পরীক্ষা, কারুর শরীর খারাপ হলে তো কথাই নেই। সেই বন্দিতা আজ হঠাৎ বাড়ি যাবে বলে কি তাড়াতাড়ি পোটলা গুছিয়েছে। এতই কি দূরে চলে গেছে সে অনিরুদ্ধের থেকে? তা কি তার নিজের দোষে? ভাবতে থাকে অনিরুদ্ধ। সে দূরে সরিয়ে দিয়েছে বলে অভিমান না কি তাকে স্বামী রূপে গ্রহণ করতে পারেনা বন্দিতা? অনিরুদ্ধ পশ্চাতাপ করে। সত্যি যদি বন্দিতা সব জেনে তাদের সম্পর্ক অস্বীকার করে, তাকে কি দোষ দেওয়া চলে? তবে কি তাই সেদিন রাত্রে জেগে থাকা সত্যেও ঘুমের অভিনয় করছিল সে? কি ভেবেছে সে অনিরুদ্ধের ব্যাপারে? কেন চারিদিক বাছবিচার না করে এমন করল অনিরুদ্ধ? নিজের প্রতিজ্ঞ...

Adornment

The rainy night had given way to a rather pleasant summer morning in Suryapali. The temperature was no longer soaring and a gentle breeze blew through the plains of Suryapali. The sun peeped out through the floating clouds occasionally. Priyambada walked into her chambers after a luncheon to find trays laid with drapes and jewellery, waiting for her. “The Maharani sent this for some celebration in the evening,” Vrinda spoke, bowing at her mistress who nodded silently. Priyambada eyed the trays and exhaled. She wasn’t sure if anyone talked to Ishaan Dev about the rituals. She dismissed Vrinda and decided to read the scripture. As Priyambada sat down on the edge of the bed, scripture in hand, her thoughts travelled to the happenings of the night and she inhaled as her throat felt dry. Why did he stop? Did he feel that he had offended her? Priyambada wondered. She walked up to the attire laid down for the evening and picked up the drape wrapped into a bodice and wrap-around skirt. They w...

Ghore Fera

ঘরে ফেরা বন্দিতার মামা মেয়ের সাথে দেখা করতে আসেন তুলশিপুর। গরিবের ঘরের ছা পোষা চেহারা তার, পরনে খাটো ধুতি ও ছিটের জামা। মেয়ের শশুরবাড়িতে খালি হাতে আসা অন্যায় তাই দুটি মিষ্টির হাড়ি সাথে। অনিচ্ছা সত্তেও রায় চৌধুরী বাড়িতে যেতে হয় তাকে। তারা তুলশিপুরের জমিদার, সম্পূর্ণার শ্বশুরের মনিব, তাদের সম্মান করে চলা মঙ্গল। তা ছাড়া যে বোন ও বোনঝিকে আশ্রয় দেওয়া নিয়ে দিনরাত কথা শোনাতে বাঁধতো না তার, সেই বোন এখন মাস গেলে তার হাতে টাকা তুলে দেয়, অনিরুদ্ধ বাবুর দয়ায়। হাতে আসা লক্ষ্মী পায়ে ঠেলার বিলাসিতা করার মত মুরোদ নয় তার। অগত্যা বোনঝির সাথে দেখা করতে জমিদার বাড়ি আসা। এদের বাড়ির চাকররাও তার থেকে ভাল পোশাক পরে; ভাগ্য দেখো মেয়েটার। কোথায় কোন বুড়োর বাড়ির এক কোণে পরে থাকার ব্যবস্থা করেছিল সে, এখন বন্দিতা রাজরানী। জমিদার ত্রিলোচন রায় চৌধুরীর যাকে পছন্দ নয় তাকে তিনি সেটা বুঝিয়ে দিতে দ্বিধা বোধ করেন না। বন্দিতার মামা তার তেমন এক অপছন্দের পাত্র । বৌমার মুখে তিনি যা শুনেছেন তারপর বৌমার তাদের প্রতি টান দেখে আশ্চর্য হন ত্রিলোচন বাবু। কিন্তু কুটুম্ব তারা। হাতে কর...

Trust

Ishaan Dev woke up at the sound of the hourly bells and trumpets and found himself alone in bed. It took him some time to realise that he had perhaps overslept as he looked confused, half asleep first at the hourglass and then at the sun rays coming into the chambers through the swaying curtains. He sat up to suddenly remember the happenings of the night, as his eyes travelled to the blood stain on the sheet and he sat in contemplation for a good few minutes. He finally had his moment with Priyambada and it was nothing like he had imagined it to be. A part of him that yearned to touch her and taste her was satisfied enough to realise that his longing for her was not only physical. When bodies entwined in the union, and he had pushed himself in, as he had with a hundred other women before her, something in him felt a different sense of completeness and fulfilment that he realised was missing from his life. He had seen Priyambada react to the sensations that were completely new to her, m...

Gratefulness

Aniruddha did not return home that night, he informed on the telephone that he was stuck in urgent work so he would return home the next day after spending the night at the client's house. Bondita spent a sleepless night. What would she tell Barrister Babu? And why would he believe it? She was lost in her thoughts twisting and turning in bed all night. She was hurt. Was her husband so reluctant towards their relationship that he did not wish to return home because of her? Once he was busy with some work and was pacing in the study room. Bondita was a child. Her Jetha Shoshur Moshai had taught her to serve her husband. She used to see Bihari take a cup of tea to the study room every day. Despite Bihari's resistance, she picked up the cup of tea that day. "Don't do this, Ginnima ," Bihari was terrified. “Barrister Babu does not like to talk or be disturbed during his work. If he gets angry, I will lose my job.” Bondita ignored his words and entered the study room w...

RAABTA

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