Knots & Ties

Summer 1611, Akbarabad (Agra)

Mehr Un Nisa insisted on the wedding being a small affair. The Amirs and Ullemas at court were visibly displeased at the Emperor’s decision to take in a twentieth wife, that too the widow of a rebellious man. But Jahangir couldn’t care less. The wedding took place in the presence of the immediate families, at Ghiyaz Beg’s house.

Arjumand was a little disappointed that Khurram couldn’t make it and sent his best wishes with gifts to his father all the way from Mewar, and she was a little intimidated about Khurram’s new bride meeting her for the first time. Khurram never talked of her. Sometimes Arjumand forgot that she was there. It was not until Khurram wrote to her about the news of Qandahari Begum expecting, barely two months after the marriage, that Arjumand realised she was indeed his wife. She was hurt, just a little. Honestly, she knew Khurram would know that too. In her room alone, she had talked herself into being ready for more. Now she just wanted to meet the lady.

Jagat Gossain attended the wedding and gifted Mehr Un Nisa a neckpiece from her heirloom. Sahila Banu Begum arranged the wedding clothes. Rukaiya Sultana Begum was perhaps the happiest in the crowd as Salima Begum suggested to Mariam Ur Zamani and she couldn’t agree more. The Sultana Begum to Asmat’s surprise and Mehr’s happiness wanted to dress her up for the wedding.

“You seem happy.” Sahila Banu spoke to Jagat Gossain sitting on the rooftop of Ghiyaz Beg’s home.

“I am going to be a grandmother soon. Hopefully, Khurram’s heir will bring prosperity to the emperor. And about this... I just thought acceptance is better than fighting the inevitable. It gives you inner peace don’t you think?” Jagat Gossain asked.

“I think you are scared of going to the Padshah’s bad books. It can affect the future of your son.” Sahila Banu said in a matter-of-fact tone. “I was always up for this, and it won’t be any trouble unless she comes in my way.”

“Or you come in hers.” Jagat Gossain agreed.

“She is still his twentieth.” Sahila Banu shrugged.

“And still more intelligent and beautiful than all of us.” Jagat Gossain shook her head “I never understood the politics of the place. She seems natural in it.”

Ladli Begum was missing from the ceremony and Arjumand started looking for her in the middle of the vows. She didn’t want to inform her aunt that she had lost the child amid the frenzy. She looked across the corridors and in the rooms. Arjumand slowly started to panic. She remembered how Ladli was never thrilled about the idea of her mother’s marriage.

“The children at school teased me today. They said my mother will never be a queen. She is a gold digger who lured the Padshah.”

“Ladli!” Arjumand scolded “Where do you learn such horrible ideas?”

“I will run away one day! Nobody loves me.” Ladli had sobbed.

Arjumand never told any adult about these conversations. Honestly, she didn’t even share it with Khurram. Now she wished she had. Someone should have known. A deep worry of losing Ladli crept in and made Arjumand nervous.

“Are you okay?” A tap on her shoulder almost made her jump. Turning she saw the person she least expected in the corridor. It was Qandahari Begum, the new bride of Shehzaade Khurram. Clad in a maroon sharara, her sharp features and tall physique reminded Arjumand of the people she had once seen in the mountains of Hindukush. She was not beautiful in the popular idea of the term, but she was graceful. As tall as her, and almost her age, perhaps a bit older, Qandahari Begum smelled of fresh apple and lavender. She was glowing and almost inevitably Arjumand Banu stared at her small bump showing behind the carefully placed layers of dupatta.

“Are you alright?” She asked again.

“I.... just..” Arjumand was not sure if she should bow or not.

“I am Qandahari Begum; you must be Arjumand Banu... I apologize.” Arjumand was taken aback by her bow “I don’t know your official title.”

“That’s...” least of my concerns now “...Okay! I don’t have one yet. Congratulations by the way, on the wedding and...”

Qandahari Begum blushed slightly. Her smile soon faded.

“Oh... you look unwell. You are precipitating, should I get you something or call someone for help?” Qandahari Begum offered with a smile. Help? Arjumand knew she needed it.

It was Qandahari Begum who found Ladli sitting under a table in a corner, covered by the long curtains. She gestured at Arjumand who looked visibly relieved and sat down on the carpet beside the child.

“There you are! Don’t run off like that!” Arjumand hugged her “What’s wrong?”

“She didn’t talk to me all day today; will she be like this the rest of my life?” Ladli asked teary-eyed “Will she abandon me?”

“Oh, Ladli. She will never abandon you!” Arjumand hugged her tighter, pulled her out by the hand and made her sit on a bench. Qandahari Begum sat down beside them. Arjumand looked at her as she nodded with a soft “I understand.”

“You know Begum.” Qandahari Begum spoke Ladli looked at the new person and wiped her tears off. “There is a magic about love, you know what that is?” Ladli shook her head.

“The more you give it to people, the more you receive it. The more you share, the happier you are.” Qandahari Begum smiled “You are being generous and sharing your Ammi with us all. You will be loved even more than ever now!” She smiled “Isn’t that right, Arjumand Begum?” Arjumand nodded with a soft “Thank you.” Ladli smiled and got up from the carpet. “I will go find Shayeshta to play with.” She said and ran off. Arjumand sighed.

“Don’t worry. She will be fine.” Qandahari Begum placed her palm gently on Arjumand’s “She will grow up and get used to sharing.” Arjumand nodded.

“Thank you.” Qandahari Begum shook her head at her words. “I should thank you.”

“Me?” Arjumand frowned “Why?”

“For welcoming me into your family.” Qandahari Begum smiled “I know you should have been in my place first, Shehzaade told me about it. And honestly, I am happy being second. I always wanted a sister.” Arjumand surprised Qandahari Begum with a hug.

“I will tell the Shehzaade we bonded.” Qandahari Begum smiled “I will be leaving to be with him tomorrow, if you want to give him a letter, you can trust me.”

Arjumand nodded. “Will you stay with him in the expedition?”

“Yes Jagat Gossain insisted so; she also insisted I give birth to the child at the holy city of Ajmer. That’s where he is headed so...” Qandahari Begum shrugged. “Honestly I am scared. I have to direct all the people about food, lodging and whatnot. I will not have adults around; just a few of my own handmaids and ladies. And the wetnurses. I can’t wait for you to join us.”

“We should get back before they start looking for us.” Arjumand smiled. Qandahari Begum agreed. Arjumand helped her by giving her a hand as she smiled.

Jahangir had managed to finally be alone with his new bride in the dead of the night when the musicians still played.

“It is a tradition to give the queens a royal title, so I thought of one for you, tell me what you think.”

“Do you always ask?” Mehr Un Nisa smiled amused.

“Everyone isn’t you. I can’t risk being called out at court by my wife over a bad name.” They laughed.

“What is it?” Mehr looked amused.

“It’s Nur Mahal. Light of the palace. Do you like it?” Mehr un Nisa nodded.

“You should say goodbye to the family. We will be leaving for Mandu tomorrow.”

“Mandu?” Mehr Un Nisa frowned “So soon?”

“You wanted to travel with me didn’t you?” Jahangir looked amused “I just found a way to get you away from all this, all to myself and go hunting. I know you like that.”

“You don’t forget anything do you?” Mehr looked slightly embarrassed. “But... Ladli..?”

“She will be fine. I have personally told Sultana Begum to look after her as she is new in the Harem. You can say goodbye to her in the morning.”

Mehr un Nisa shook her head reluctantly. It had totally slipped her mind how during the trips she wanted to take with the Padshah Ladli had to manage on her own and depend on Asmat Begum. She wasn’t sure how that would impact her. In a quest to secure her future, Mehr Un Nisa had been ignorant of Ladli’s present.

She was now Nur Mahal. A new identity, a new life to adapt to, the man she loved beside her, ready to give her everything she desired. She intended to use these resources right this time. Life was truly a blessing, as it allowed her to undo past mistakes and embark on a glorious journey ahead, to a dream she had long forgotten. To be his empress.

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His Wife

" Where is the Kesar, Rama? And the Kalash?" Ajabde looked visibly displeased at the daasi who ran. " They are at the fort gates and nothing is ready yet!" She exclaimed. She was clad in a red Jora and the jewellery she had inherited as the first Kunwarani of the crown prince. Little Amar ran down the hallway towards his mother. " Maa sa Maa sa... 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. " Ajabde." 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!" Amar exclaimed

My Everything

Kunwar Pratap stormed into the Mahal at Gogunda. Happy faces of the chieftains and soldiers welcomed him as Rao Ramrakh and Rawatji stopped the ongoing Raj tilak. A visibly scared Kunwar Jagmal looked clueless at a visibly angry Kunwar Pratap. Rani Dheerbai Bhattiyani hadn't expected this son of Mewar to show up that too twenty-one days after his father's death. He was not informed as per Dheerbai's instructions. She looked at Rawat Ji. He must have gone to Raoji at Bijolia. 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 came. She could stoop down so low? " We were about to inform you..." She spoke up in her defence. " When Dheerbai ji?" Maharani Jaivanta Bai, clad in white entered the hall as people bowed before her. " After your son's coronation?" " I did nothing Badima I swear!" A low voice came from Jagmal. " Maha

To Protect You

Kunwar Pratap was in 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 Gujarat. " Dajiraj 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. Ajabde was making a sweet dish 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. " Ajabde Baisa." Her words let out a silent gasp from the lesser queens who stood witness. Calm and composed, Ajabde walked up

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

Chapter Two: Catastrophe

Abhaya was suffocating as she could now taste the soot and ash in her mouth. She could see the smoke engulf her. The boxes around her turned into shadows in the blurred vision. She opened her mouth to breathe but the choking air wanted to make her cough. She ran, stumbling upon some boxes and utensils towards the window on the other side. It was shut firmly and her weak hands could do little to move it an inch. She placed the end of her saree over her face and coughed, hoping not to be heard from the outside. The sound of chaos and footsteps outside was increasing. She heard a scream. Was it her mother? Her sister? Or one of the sisters-in-law? Were they escaping? Should she try too? She tried to find something to break the window with, but instead, she froze at the sight of flames entering through the cracks of the door she had shut behind her. Abhaya said a soft prayer. This is how it ends. This was not the country her father served. This was not the country her mother read stories o

Understandings

After counting days, Ajabde was happy that she was going to Bijolia. She knew how eager her mother and Ratan would be to know about her new life. She couldn't wait to hug her mother and feel like... Home. She was selecting gifts for her parents and her siblings as per Ranima's instructions. Then suddenly an idea struck her mind. Her new family welcomed her with so much love and support. Especially Ranima and Majhli Maa Sa. She wanted to give them something. Suddenly she remembered that Ranima had loved her embroidery work on dupattas back in Bijolia so she called a Dasi and ordered some plain Chunris and embroidery threads. She had a lot of work to finish in a day before leaving. Kunwar Pratap came back into the room to see her on the floor, right in the middle of the room with red, green, yellow, and pink all sorts of dupattas scattered. " What's all this?" He asked not sure if he should be asking. " I am making gifts. For Ranima, Majhli ma, Rani Dheer Bai

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

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

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

Love Struck

A new dawn was about to break in Mewar. Kunwar Pratap shifted in his bed, as the lamp shone in the darkness. He was now facing her sleeping figure. Her hand rested on the pillow between them, the pillow he chose to keep there in the first place but now it seemed like the symbol of the distance he wanted to bridge between their hearts. He stared at it lost in thoughts. I promised myself to make you mine, But how? What if you... He stared at the sleeping figure admitting in silence that no one, even the bravest enemy scared him like her calm composed self did. I am thinking like a typical husband. He smiled. What to do now Ajabde? I am terrible with my words unlike you. Pratap Singh! You need to learn a few things! He looked back at the ceiling in his thoughts. What if I drop hints? She knows me so well, maybe she will understand without me actually speaking for myself. The thoughts made his face light up. Yes, Yes that will be perfect. Let's try this. But... First thing first... so

RAABTA

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