Pawn & Poetry

Autumn 1607. Akbarabad

“Salam Shah Ammi!” Khurram’s voice at her threshold made Rukaiya Begum smile at her son, who arrive 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 on 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 reign of the Timurid dynasty back where it belonged, just as her grandfather 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.”

“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 that 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 take 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, 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 thoughts 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.

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His Wife

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My Everything

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To Protect You

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Towards You

Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde were friends. He didn't feel awkward sharing his plans and thoughts with her anymore. She was more than happy to advise him on everything. She was happy he listened to her advice before taking or discarding them, be it on what to wear to Padmavati's Sagai or how to befriend the revolting Bhils. He loved the way Ajabde always used metaphors from Puranas and Ramayanas to explain the toughest things so easily. She expressed herself so well, so easily that it amazed him. The Afghans were now led by Mehmood Shah. They have made secret territories in the forests and waited to attack. Rawatji and his spies had confirmed the news and Udai Singh had warned Mehmood Shah to withdraw his troops from Mewar in vain. Now, it was time they declared war. Mehmood Shah had limited resources in Mewar. And 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. One of his aides

Chapter Two: Catastrophe

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Understandings

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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 quite in a winning situation thanks to their new Senapati. He was just 16 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 Si

Friends?

Early morning, Ajabde walked into Saubhagyawati’s house as the Panditji looked relieved. “Baisa you are here now I don’t need to look after anything.” She walked into Saubhagyawati’s room and found her braiding her hair nervously. Her lehenga looked beautiful and only the maangtika was about to be put so Ajabde did the honours. Saubhagyawati held her hand and took a deep breath. “Ajabde have a confession.” “What is it Bhago?” She looked worried. “Are you scared?” “No no Ajabde it’s not that. I… met him… before…” “Whom?” “The one who is coming to see me.” She looked away scared. “What? How…” Ajabde looked at her with wide eyes. “woh… Both nights when I waited for you in the…” “Hai Bhagwan Bhago! What if he says that seeing you in front of your father?” Ajabde spoke up as Bhago looked shocked. Why didn’t she think that before? “What will we do now?” Bhago asked worriedly. Ajabde was lost in thoughts. No way could people know. The groom had arrived with

Chapter Three: Pedigree

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Love?

“I swear I can kill that Sakhaveer.” Balwant swung his sword at the Dangal as Ratan and Ajabde looked on. Ajabde hid a smile as Ratan looked amused. “Like you did last time?” Ratan’s chuckle made Ajabde press her hands with a soft no as Balwant stopped his sword and looked angry. “What do you know Ratan?” He roared angrily. “What do girls know anyways about fighting??” “Jija can fight better than you.” Ratan looked angry and defensive. “Ratan! Leave it.” Ajabde insisted. “No!! Jija, I saw you, you are better…” “Then let’s have a duel Jija.” Balwant insisted. “No.” Ajabde looked surprised and shaken. “It’s been such a long time since I have …” “No excuses Jija, teach him! That girls can be…” Ratan insisted as Balwant handed her a sword she took rather reluctantly. She tied the corners of her dupatta together and her braid in a bun. Kunwar Pratap was making his way out at the Dangal when he heard swords clash. He gathered the father-son duo would be at the Dangal

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