Pawn & Poetry

Autumn 1607. Akbarabad

“Salam Shah Ammi!” Khurram’s voice at her threshold made Rukaiya Begum smile at her son, who arrived bruised and sweaty from his lessons. Alongside him came his Diwan Khwaja Waysi and bowed.

“How are his lessons coming along, Khawaja Sahib?” Rukaiya Begum addressed the man who smiled. “He is ready to go to a war if you ask me, Sultana Begum!”

“Very well! Inform the Padshah then.” The Khwaja agreed and left immediately.

“My Shehzaade, come here.” She appeared worried as she took the watered clothes from the first aid plate and dusted the dirt off his wounds with her own hands.

“I learned defence lessons today.” He smiled at her worried face “I am taking a liking to the sword lessons.”

“I am glad.” Rukaiya smiled back, “I hope you are ready for Navroz too.”

“Ready?” He frowned. “We celebrate Navroz every year, Shah Ammi. What’s special?”

“It is your first Navroz with your father here, and the celebrations will be huge. It is the right time you make appearances alongside him and establish your public image as an heir apparent.”

“ But… Khusrau?” He looked unsure. “Pervez?”

“Khusrau is drowned in opium to get over the pain of losing his sight. His rebellion made him lose public favour. Pervez is busy in Dakkhan to grace the occasion. He is under the guidance of Mahabat Khan. So, it’s your turn; you need to do it for me.” Khurram nodded at Rukaiya’s words.

“Also, after the fair and festivities, and giving away coins and clothes to the needy, there will be a feast at the Turkish Harem. I will arrange it myself.” She smiled.

“A feast?” Khurram frowned “You will arrange it?” He knew how the Dowager Queen kept to herself and barely arranged feasts in the harem since the demise of his grandfather.

“Yes, my child, it’s been a long time since we have had a feast in the Turkish harem for our noble ladies and their families, and I think they need one. I also invited Asmat Begum with her granddaughters. We also need to talk about celebrating your coming of age with the emperor soon.” His face lit up at her words, as his cheeks felt warm, and he blushed slightly.

“What is her name? Did she say?” She asked teasingly as his cheeks felt warm.

“Arjumand.” He said, “Her name is Arjumand.”

Rukaiya Begum smiled, watching him leave in a hurry. She was happy her boy had grown up and happier that he had taken a liking to a Persian girl and not another one from the other zenana. It was time she took the reins of the Timurid dynasty back where it belonged, just as her grandfather had dreamt of it. If not Jahangir, who already seemed smitten by Jagat Gossain, then her Khurram would back the lost glory of Babar that Jalal willingly gave away for alliances she never approved of, with the sons of Hind. Rukaiya frowned, lost in her thoughts. She still had her hopes. Her thoughts ran wild as she pulled the hookah pipe closer to her mouth. It was time she put her pawns to play. She needed to see Khurram with Arjumand herself, consult Salima Begum and speak to Jahangir about their engagement before Jagat Gossain found him a match.

“Jodha Begum is here to see you.” A lady bowed hurriedly as Rukaiya nodded slightly.

Jagat Gossain appeared, clearly unnerved as she stood in front of Rukaiya.

“There is a feast at the Turkish Harem on Navroz, and there is no invitation sent out to me?” She asked, slightly raising her brows as Rukaiya Begum smiled.

“I know it’s not what brought you here, Jodha Begum, tell me what did.” Rukaiya stared at Jagat Gossain’s smile fade.

“Fine, if you want to talk, we will. Tell me what I hear is not true!” Her voice sounded agitated.

“It really depends on what you heard, Begum.” Rukaiya Begum spoke calmly.

“You can’t be doing this! You can’t be actually thinking of such things to get back at me!”

“Get back at you?” Rukaiya sat up, alarmed with a clear displeasure in her voice. “Mind your tone there, Jodha Begum, I am still the late emperor’s chief consort!”

“Why else would you employ her, of all the people, at your service?” Jagat Gossain looked like she was on the verge of a breakdown.

“Who are you referring to, Jodha Begum? As far as I know, I haven’t employed anyone recently.” She shook her head calmly.

“Oh, don’t be so naïve, it doesn’t suit you, Sultana Sahiba.” Jagat Gossain smiled slightly “That girl Mehr, you want to lure towards the emperor. I am very well aware of your plans. I know why, of all the people, you decided to give her a chance.”

“Oh, do you? Because, as far as I know, I think somebody made Azim Koka believe that Ali Quli was about to rebel, and he should be protecting his foster brother. Who was that Jodha Begum?” Rukaiya Begum’s confident words made Jagat Gossain stare at her in disbelief. There was no way Rukaiya Begum could have known of her meetings with Mirza Koka. She was making wild assumptions to get it out of her. The Dowager Queen was smart enough.

“You have no proof of such treason, Sultana Sahiba.” She spoke in a softer tone. “You should know what you accuse of.”

“So should you, Jodha Begum, you are talking to the former Padshah Begum. I have been doing this since I ever knew what life was. And as for proof, I don’t need one. I am helping someone who was put in trouble in the first place by my kin. And as far as employing her goes, I was not sure of it, but I am now. I am sure she makes a difference to this harem still, I want to see how far and how much.” Her words made Jagat Gossain fume.

“He is the emperor now. If you think he is going to repeat the mistake of falling for a mere commoner…”

“Oh, maybe he won’t, but what about MY dear Khurram? He can fall in love with anyone he wants to. And there is a saying…” Rukaiya Begum took a drag from her hookah pipe and spoke, as Jagat Gossain stood stunned. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“You simply can’t drag Khurram into this. He is… he is…” Jagat Gossain looked lost.

“He is my son.” Rukaiya Begum spoke, “And unlike many, I don’t use my king as my pawn. You underestimate my mind, Jodha Begum.” She shook her head.

“You will not win over Khurram this time. You will see.” Jagat Gossain turned to walk away.

“I don’t need to try to win over my own, unlike you, Jodha Begum. Your nature drives them away from you. First the father, then the son. You can sit with all the power in the harem, but you will never be powerful enough.” Rukaiya Begum stood up “And as far as playing games is concerned, I am not interested. All I want is for Khurram to have a bright future, and I think we both are on the same page on that.”

Jagat Gossain took one last glance at the Dowager Queen and walked out of the room. She needed to be more careful next time and not let her emotions get the better of her. She had indeed underestimated the Dowager Queen’s spy system on her movements. If the news of her treason reached the emperor, it could cost her a lot, for she knew no matter what people believed, Jahangir’s interest in Mehrunnisa was still persistent. She now needed to know what Mehr thought of the man, whom she was made to believe, who killed her husband.

Arjumand was humming a tune as she braided her hair, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her own smile made her blush slightly as she stared at the mirror for a few seconds. She had not realised the slight tap on her door, as Mehrunissa entered the room with a dress she had specially designed for her beloved niece. She stopped looking at Arjumand, humming to herself, lost in thought and smiling. Her heart skipped a beat as an unknown fear crept into her heart. She had been familiar with that scene and her mother’s worried face. Ladli pushed through the curtains separating the bedside from the dressing area, making Arjumand stop, alarmed and smile, hugging her cousin. Mehrunissa put the dress down on the bed and smiled, “This is for you, a gift for Navroz.”

“This is beautiful, Phuphi!” Arjumand gasped. “This is better than the jewellery Bade Phuphi gifted! I will wear it to the fair.”

“I will be glad. I am thinking of opening a stall for clothes.” Arjumand smiled at Mehr’s words. “That will be very nice. I will help you and Dadijaan with her perfumes.”

“That will be helpful indeed.” Arjumand sat staring at Mehr’s reflection as she ran her fingers through Arjumand’s half-done braids, tightly putting them together.

“So what were you humming?” Her question took Arjumand by surprise.

“Huh?”

“You were humming something. A tune perhaps?” Mehr smiled.

“A Sufi poem.” Arjumand smiled. “Hafiz”

“Hafiz?” Mehr raised her eyebrows “Who suggested that?”

“Shehzaade Khurram.” Mehrunnisa’s hands stopped at her braids as she saw Arjumand trying hard to hide her blush as Ladli dragged her away to play. Placing the ivory comb down on the dressing table, Mehrunnisa looked at her own reflection in the mirror, with a frown on her face that refused to go.

My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda amidst uncertainty and chaos. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rawat Chundawat, and some other chieftains stopped the ongoing Raj Tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhatiyani hadn't expected Kunwar Pratap to show up, that too, despite her conveying to him his father's last wish of crowning Kunwar Jagmal. Twenty-one days after Udai Singh's death, she was finally close to a dream she had dared to dream since Jagmal was born. He was not informed about the Raj Tilak as per Dheerbai's instructions. She eyed Rawat Ji. He must have assembled the chiefs to this revolt against her son, against the dead king. No one except them knew where Kunwar Pratap was staying. It was for the safety of his family. " What are you doing, Chotima?" A disappointed voice was directed at her. She could stoop down so low? For the first time, an anger...

Purnota: Chapter Thirty Eight

Trilochon was so overwhelmed that Binoy came for the Pujo and Kirtan on Dol Purnima. Their neighbours, friends and acquaintances had all gathered in the Thakur Dalan, first for the pujo when the idol of Sree Radha and Sree Krishna were worshipped in the Dalan, and Horir Loot of Batasha and Naru were distributed. Unlike in the village, people here, especially children, did not fight over the Horir Loot . Bondita and Batuk took part in the ritual like they used to as kids, counting the number of Batasha each of them had, amusing the elders who reminisced about their childhood and how Batuk snatched Bondita’s share and ran as she chased after him, shouting. The Kirtan followed the pujo, the tales of Sree Krishna’s prowess, his Leela and Radha’s sacrifice were sung with the sounds of Dhol and Khanjani . It followed the devotional songs praising Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his praises to Lord Krishna. Bondita not only liked the stories of Kirtan but also how the crowd joined in the singing and...

His Wife

" Where is the Kesar, Rama? And the Kalash?" Ajabdeh looked visibly displeased at the ladies who ran around. " They are at the fort gates, and nothing is ready yet!" She exclaimed. She was clad in a red lehenga and the jewellery she had inherited as the first Kunwarani of the crown prince. Little Amar ran down the hallway towards his mother. " Maasa Maasa... who is coming with Daajiraj?" His innocent question made her heart sink. " Bhanwar Ji." Sajja Bai called out to him. " Come here, I will tell you." Amar rushed to his Majhli Dadisa., " Ajabdeh." She turned at Jaivanta Bai's call. "They are here." " M... My Aarti thali..." Ajabde looked lost like never before. Jaivanta Bai held her stone-cold hands, making her stop. She patted her head and gave her a hug. The hug gave her the comfort she was looking for as her racing heart calmed down. Jaivanta Bai left her alone with her thaal. " Maa sa!" ...

Towards You

The Afghans, after Sher Shah Suri's untimely demise, were at loggerheads for power. Their troops near Mewar were now led by Mehmood Shah. They secretly captured territories in the forests and waited to attack Mewari camps when the time was right. Rawat Chundawat and his spies had confirmed the news, and Udai Singh sent a warning to Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now that it was out in the open, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. His internal rebellion against his commander did not help his cause. His spies clearly suggested that in no way could he win, especially with Kunwar Pratap leading his troops. He was having second thoughts about the war. It was then that one of his aides suggested a perfect plan. Maharani Jaivanta Bai had decided to go to the Mahakaleshwar Temple near the outskirts of Chittorgarh, in the forestlands of Bhilwara. They had travelled a long way and across the Gambhiri river that meandered during...

Purnota: Chapter Forty One

Kalindi stood looking at the Ganga in the distance as Trilochon watched her. It was later in the night, and the stars were veiling the clear summer sky. A cool breeze blew from the Ganga, relaxing Kalindi’s restless heart as she took a stroll. Trilochon had spotted her in the garden from his balcony and walked up to her. She did not turn as he came up behind her and cleared his throat. “I apologise for storming off like that.” He was the first to speak. Kalindi inhaled. “Have you heard that she went to borrow a saree from Bouma to wear to some party?” Kalindi spoke rather monotonously. “Yes, Bouma said so.” Trilochon cleared his throat. He left out the part where Asha enthusiastically told him about Bondita blushing and her idea of telling Bondita to confess her feelings. Instead, Trilochon added, “The senior is very influential. He can have some good contacts for Bondita. Perhaps enough for her to get a job in Kolkata, like you wanted.” Kalindi could hear through his unconvincing...

To Protect You

Kunwar Pratap was in the court with Rana Udai Singh. The Mughals were conquering a huge part of the north courtesy of Bairam Khan and Mewar on their routes to the ports of Surat. " Daajiraj, we need to secure the roads leading to Agra and also towards the west. The attack-prone areas should always be under surveillance." " Yes, Ranaji. Baojiraj is right." Rawatji agreed. In the Rani Mahal, everyone was preparing for a grand lunch. Ajabdeh was making a drink for the princes and princesses, and in a hurry, she forgot to add the Kesar and Badam on top. As she served the smaller princes, including Kunwar Jagmal, Dheerbai came to inspect her eldest son's food. " What is this? Who made this? Kokoiaji?" She stormed to the kitchen with a bowl of sweet dishes. " Kunwaranisa did." Came a scary answer, from Veer Bai. " Ajabdeh Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabdeh walke...

Purnota: Chapter Forty Three

Trilochon and Kalindi were having tea in the morning in their living room when Binoy walked downstairs in his Pajama Panjabi, pipe in hand and found them. Watching him unusually in his home attire, Trilochon frowned. “Are you sick? I thought you had already left.” Binoy sat down on the single chaise chair beside the couch as Kalindi poured some tea for him. “ I told you, Dada, I am here to retire.” He said, putting his pipe in his pocket. “Today, Som is going alone. We will see how that goes.” Their conversation was interrupted by Asha coming into the house in a white and red saree, with a red sindoor Teep on her forehead. She had a basket with her, and Koeli was accompanying her as she offered them the sweets she had taken as Prasad. “Since it’s his first day at the new position, we went to the temple together.” Asha narrated to Kalindi. “He left for work from there.” “Do you not have school today?” Kalindi enquired as Asha shook her head. She smiled, eyeing Trilochon, who narra...

Purnota: Chapter Forty

“ Ei Bondita,” Asha called her from the stairs as Bondita placed down some papers Aniruddha wanted from the office and was leaving the house. “Come up to my room.” She waved. “ Aschi, Boudi.” Bondita walked up to her room, removing the waistcoat from over her Kurti. She sat down on the edge of Asha’s bed and closed the door. Bondita looked perplexed. “What… is wrong?” “Where is Dadabhai? Is he here?” Bondita shook her head. He was probably still working. “Sir.” The newly recruited junior knocked on the chamber door of Aniruddha’s office as he looked up from the screen. “Your father is here.” Aniruddha frowned a little at his words. Binoy never visited the office. He asked the man to bring him in. Binoy walked in, in a polo-necked navy blue t-shirt over a pair of beige pants, as Aniruddha observed him remove his glasses and look around. “What brought you here?” He enquired after waiting a little in vain for him to speak. “Just came by… for a chat.” Binoy sat down on the seat acros...

Endless

Kunwar Pratap reached the Dangal. Ranima had ordered Ajabdeh to practise regularly. She was nowhere around since he woke up that morning. He had assumed she was with Ranima for the morning prayers, but then she was not in the Dangal on time, either. Ajabdeh was never late. He felt a little uneasy as he picked up the sword. A thunder made him look up at the gloomy sky as he felt the first drop of rain. A little wet, he ran through the corridors. Ajabdeh had woken up feeling unwell. He was sleeping after a tiring day, so she decided against calling him and, more, worrying him. She bathed, hoping to feel better, performed her puja and went to the gardens for some fresh air. Still feeling uneasy in the gloomy weather, she decided that playing with Parvati might make her feel better. After some talk with Bhago and playing with Parvati, she stood up from the floor and felt dizzy. Bhago caught her hand. " Are you all right?" " I just felt a little dizzy. I don't know why...

Destiny

The war was almost won. A few of Marwar’s soldiers were left on the field along with Rao Maldeo Singh Rathore, their king and leader. He was thinking of retreating at the end of this day. As his sword clashed with one of the opponent generals as he eyed the opponent King now open and prone to attack. A little hope flickered in his mind as his eyes instructed his closest aide. The opponent was in a winning situation thanks to their new Senapati. He was just sixteen, yet his bravery and valour reflected his blood and upbringing. He mesmerised the opponents and even Rao Maldeo with his clever war strategies and sword skills. As Maldeo’s aide swung his sword at a taken aback Udai Singh, someone’s sword defended it as his body acted like a shield for the king. He killed the man in one go. “ Ranaji, are you okay?” “ Haan Raoji.” He nodded gratefully. By half the day, the Marwar army had retreated as the air filled with “ Jai Mewar! Jai Eklingji!” From the triumphant soldiers. Rana Udai ...

RAABTA

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