Yet Another Beginning

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1628, Agra.

The festivities of the coronation ceremony had reached Akbarabad, as Shah Jahan happily reunited with his sons, Dara and Aurangzeb and gifted them new Jagirs and positions as Shehzaade. He sat beside Mumtaj Mahal at the Diwan e Khas as he bestowed upon his daughters Shehzaadi Jahanara and Shehzaadi Roshanara some of their grandmother’s inheritance. Perhez Banu got Salima Begum’s shares. The chiefs who had helped Padshah Shah Jahan rise to the throne were honoured with titles and posts. Rao Raja Ratan Singh, Mahabat Khan, and Asaf Khan gifted the emperor with elephants and horses. 

Mumtaj Mahal had already chosen a bride for Dara Shikoh. His strange inclinations toward spirituality, religion and the life of sages and saints often disturbed her. So she decided a wife could do him some good. Nadira Banu, the late Pervez Mirza’s daughter, was a perfect choice. She was almost Dara’s age and well-read too. Mumtaj Mahal arranged for their engagement, paying very little heed to her husband’s opinion on it. The least they could do was to support the families.
Shehzaadi Jahanara Begum had taken up the task of arranging the feasts as the eminent nobles arrived with their families. She and Dara greeted them in the gardens. Aurangzeb and Roshanara took care of the charity in the city, while Murad tailed Shuja and helped with the decorations. Arrangements were made separately for the Rajput royalty and the Persian and Turkish nobles. Jahanara was praised by all for her deftness with such details at such a tender age. Dara engaged in conversations about the culture and spirituality of the land, while Jahanara kept vigil. 

Dara suddenly took her by surprise and dragged her by her hand to meet the Rao Raja of Bundi. Ratan Singh was an old man. Jahanara Begum bowed. Rao Raja Ratan Singh bowed back and looked around.

“Here, meet my heir and grandson, Kunwar Chhatrasal.” He introduced. Jahanara and Dara looked at the man about their age, perhaps a little older, with a twirling moustache that reminded Jahanara of Prithviraj Chauhan and a very well-built, tall figure. He bowed, “Shehzaade Dara. Pleased to meet you.” Jahanara couldn’t help but notice that his smile didn’t reach his eyes. It was like he was being forced to be here. Chhatrasal noticed her staring at him because of his warrior instincts and looked up at her in a reflex. Jahanara was quick to look away.
“Janni, we were looking all over for you.” Perhez Banu called out to her as she excused herself and walked away. 

Away from the celebrations at Agra, in the city of Lahore, a small corner of the fort was silent and dark.
“Light some lights at least.” Arzani Begum shrugged. “It’s evening already.”
Ladli Begum looked up at her daughter, who was lighting up the room with her candle, and sighed. She looked out again, at the city in celebration, from her windowsill.
“I made dinner.” Mehr Un Nisa walked in and stopped at Arzani Begum’s smile.
“Is it my favourite?” She asked.
“It sure is.” Mehr Un Nisa smiled before she walked up to her daughter.
“Come.” She gave her hand to Ladli Begum, who sighed and took it.
“Let’s have dinner together.” She nodded. The three figures faded away into the dark corridor, as the fairly empty room shone with light.

The End


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