RAABTA

  1627, Shahdara Dara Shukoh and Aurangzeb along with Shah Shuja followed the empress’ instructions and followed her to Lahore. Dara showed his respect and offered his condolences to the widowed queen whereas Aurangzeb went to look for Asaf Khan in the crowd of mourners. “Your father is on his way.” Asaf Khan reassured Aurangzeb’s queries. “he sent the empress his condolences.” “Why is the funeral happening without waiting for him in such a hurry then?” Aurangzeb eyed Nur Jahan standing beside Shehzaade Shahryar in the front row as he spoke. Ladli Begum with her daughter stood in one of the back rows and Dara went up to her to offer his condolences as well. Asaf Khan dragged the young boy by his hand away from the crowd. “Nur Jahan is going to declare Shahryar as a legitimate heir to the throne and crown him. He is already ruling unofficially for the last few months ever since the emperor passed away and we all have been busy in mourning. '' Aurangzeb's brows shot up “Is .....

1626, Rajouri. The entourage was forced to camp midway through their journey due to the sudden deterioration in the health of the Padshah Jahangir. The Padshah wanted a drink of wine but he could not swallow it. As he choked and coughed, Nur Jahan held her nerves and wiped him clean and made him lie down to rest. His forehead was burning with fever and he was losing consciousness. Nur Jahan immediately sent a messenger to Lahore, to let Shahryr know that the emperor wouldn’t survive the break of dawn. However, she decided to keep the news a secret till they reached Lahore where he wished to be buried.  She sat through the night, beside the man she loved, holding his hand firmly in hers as he slowly started losing his grip. At dawn, he had stopped breathing. She sat at his bedside, for some moments in silence as Asaf Khan entered hearing the news and put his hand firmly on her shoulder. All the chiefs were awake all night praying for his painless passing outside the royal tent. As s...

1626, Bahat Four-year-old Arzani Begum was living away from her mother for the first time. While Nur Jahan and Jahangir spent a few months in Lahore, she had taken quite a liking to the much enigmatic empress. She stared in awe every time Nur Jahan held court or gave orders. Nur Jahan made sure she spent some time every day with the child. Perhaps in this way, she wanted to make up for all the time she hadn’t given to Ladli Begum. Jahangir too took a liking to the child. She was not as bright or brilliant as he had seen Jahanara or Dara, but in her own innocent way, she was special. Arzani Begum readily agreed when they offered her to go along on their trip to the mountains. The stories of the small red apples, cherries and rose gardens mesmerised her imagination. Arzani Begum was however not sure why her parents fought over it. “We can’t let her go with them.” Ladli Begum reasoned with her husband. “You know how the Padshah Begum has successfully displeased most people. They are in da...

 In early 1626, Agra Nur Jahan had written to Shah Jahan and his family under the royal seal three times since he had surrendered and taken an oath of loyalty by sending Dara and Aurangzeb over to her care. All three times the messenger came back empty-handed. Restless, and in doubt Nur Jahan walked into the chamber the princes shared. Dara was reading a book, which he immediately kept aside to bow to the empress. “Can you write a letter to your mother?” Nur Jahan looked worried. “This is urgent.” “Is something wrong Padshah Begum?” He asked, arching his brows. “You look pale.” “The Sultana Begum...” Nur Jahan spoke softly “is unwell.” “But has Abbu not been informed?” Dara asked with a frown. Nur Jahan nodded. “I have written three letters informing him about the illness of the Sultana, and asking him to come and see her. She had been looking for him every time she opens her eyes. She doesn’t seem to remember things off late.” Nur Jahan looked worried. “All three times the letter...

  1622, Lahore Shehzade Shahryr had walked into his chambers to see Ladli Begum talk in whispers to the baby Arzani Begum. She stopped to see his worried face and handed the baby to the wet nurse and walked up to him. “Shehzaade Shah Jahan has taken over Dholpur.” He said as worry swept across her face. He was now in a desperate attempt to reduce the power of his other brothers. “Nur Jahan gifted the province to me and it was flourishing.” Shehzade Shahryr clenched his jaw “He couldn’t take that!” “Will you go... fight him?” She asked, scared. She knew in her heart that Shahryar was no match for Shah Jahan nor their troops to his army. “If your mother decides so. I am writing to her.” Shahryar spoke as Ladli Begum nodded. At dawn when the messenger was about to leave, Ladli Begum’s handmaid gave him a second letter addressed to the empress without the royal seal. Ladli held Arzani close to her heart as she saw some men arrive to see her husband with more news from Dholpur. Nur Jaha...