Friends, again it was a kind of average episode yesterday with nothing much to write about or analyse. So I'll keep my analysis brief and to the point. Three different strands of the story were progressed slightly in the episode yesterday:
The one notable thing that happened yesterday was on the Sujamal front.
The beginning of the episode saw the re-run of the last bit of the previous episode. We saw Sujamal making a bolt for it from the grasp of Sharif and his sipahis, and as Jalal came to the scene with Atga and his own men, Sharif gave him a lie that the fleeing person was Sujamal, who had no doubt come to Agra to kill Jalal, and he had instead killed one of Sharif's sipahis who recognised him. Jalal of course swore vengeance.
We then had a scene between Jodha and Moti, where Jodha kept insisting that she couldn't believe that Sujamal , a Rajvanshi, and the brother she knew so well from childhood, had done "peet ke peeche se war" against Jalal's brothers in war, and then had the temerity to even come to the jashn and attack Jalal. She said he had given her a vachan to preserve her suhaag, so it was extremely impossible that he could be the potential assassin of the jashn attack. Jodha in fact wanted to go to Jalal and explain that she had seen Sujamal at the Ambe Ma mandir earlier and had exhorted him to leave Agra, but for some reason he hadn't. But Moti stopped Jodha from going to Jalal. She said "If you go and say all this, Jalal may get very upset and the feeble peace that now exists between you both may get shattered. Your relationship with Jalal is getting better, so do not sabotage it. Instead pray to Kanha to somehow help both the men you value - your brother and your husband!"
In a later scene, we then had a conversation between Jalal and Jodha where after discussing the way Jalal had announced the anti-slavery law at the jashn, Jodha was all praise for him. But at the end of that slavery bit of the conversation, Jodha and Jalal started talking about Sujamal. Jalal asked Jodha why she was looking a bit sad and she said it was because she was thinking of "Sujamal bhaisa". Again Jodha went into a deep argument in favour of Sujamal, saying "I know him, he's my brother, I know what he will or will not do, he isn't a backstabber and he is upright. He would not attack you either for he has given me his vachan to save your life in danger and preserve my suhaag ... I cannot believe all this is his work at the jashn yesterday ..." But no matter what arguments Jodha put forth, Jalal said with calm certainty "You know him as a brother, and so you vouch for him. But war has a way of changing men, who get very success-driven. In war even the best of upright men get very heartless. Even my own mother would not recognise me in war if she sees how merciless I become. So don't push me on this one ..." With that Jalal went from the room and Jodha was left looking unconvinced, but helpless and weepy.
A further bit on the Sujamal front happened at the Diwan-e-Khas when Atga told Jalal, "This Sujamal has still got to be inside Agra for we have sealed all routes leading out of Agra." Maham thereupon pounced on Atga saying "But the question is how did he get into Agra?" Looking cornered Atga then said "That was our mistake in alertness and it will not happen again!".
True enough Sujamal was in Agra, but sitting again outside the Ambe Ma temple in the guise of a bbeggar, hoping to see Jodha and explain to her that he was not the attacker but being framed by Sharif. He waited in vain for Jodha but was told that Jodha's temple visits were usually unscheduled and not particularly regular. So Sujamal waited for his chance to meet Jodha.
The second issue that got prominence yesterday was the fallout of the Anti-Slavery Law.
Two simple scenes marked this issue. In the first scene a group of baandhis came to Jodha's hojra and profusely thanked her for their freedom and said they had come here to say goodbye as they finally left for their homes. Jodha was extremely happy for them but said they need to thank the Shahenshah for the decision he took to immediately enunciate the Law. But the baandhis insisted on thanking Jodha - for without her intervention this law, this day would not have been possible.
When Jalal suddenly entered Jodha's hojra, the baandhis thanked him too. Jodha was all praise for his announcement of the law at the jashn, but Jalal made it a point to mention to Jodha that after she had advocated the change in Law, he had himself gone in disguise to the city to see first-hand how slaves were being mercilessly traded in the open market - and that had further convinced him to let them all be free from the yoke of suppression.
Another extremely sweet scene on this topic happened at the Diwan-e-Khas later. Jalal's talks with Atga and his courtiers was interrupted by the arrival of a young boy who wanted to meet Jalal. The boy was called in, when they found it was none other than little Babu with two red roses in his hands. He came up to Jalal and gave the roses as a gift which Jalal too accepted as if they were precious. The boy said he wanted to thank Jalal, because he had found his mother again. Everyone at the court - Jalal-, Jodha, Salima, Hamida - were thrilled to bits to hear this.
Jalal said "Bring your mother in, I want to meet her". The boy's mother appeared and her profuse thanks for her freedom and her being united with her little boy was heart-rending. But the sweetest thing she said was "I hope Shahenshah, one day soon you will have your own little child. I pray to God for this blessing upon you". It was remarkable that Jalal's eyes gave a complete passover of Ruq and went directly to meet Jodha's eyes. There was no doubt in my mind that the Shahenshah had hopes of a child only through Jodha. In fact he wanted one only through Jodha. That was a lovely scene in an otherwise so-so-episode.
The third issue was Ruq and her "chaugaan and shikar" outing going "tain tain fiss"?!
Maham and Ruq were talking about how Sujamal was the attacker of Jalal, and how much space Jalal has given Jodha now, that he even seems to take it lightly that her own brother was an assassin. But even this juicy topic seemed not to affect Ruq, who told Maham "You must make attempts to catch Sujamal now. And I have to get ready for my trip with Jalal for a game of chaugaan and for the shikar trip". How this girl could only think of her outing after an attempt on Jalal's life perplexed me. Was she so selfish a person that she couldn't look beyond the tip of her nose and see the state of the world outside? Did she not think what Jalal's mood for an outing may be after an attempt on his life from such close quarters?
Again there was another Maham-Ruq scene much later, when Maham came and guffawed with artificial laughter at Ruq saying "Oh Lord, now all the old daasis and baandhis who used to fear you are gone, you have to contend with a new lot that may not fear your temper and tantrums, so just imagine the position Jodha has now put you in!". Maham's laughs would normally have irked Ruq more, and she would have bristled at the mention of Jodha and her wiles ... but this time Ruq was not so shaken by Maham. Even though Maham said "Jodha is now succeeding with everything she touches, she has won the hearts of both Jalal and all the praja", Ruq had only one thing to say again "Jodha cannot have Jalal. He is going with me to the chaugaan game and the shikar." Maham then said "Forget it. You've already lost the handle on Jalal, so God help you". But I doubt it worked on Ruq for she seemed so into the outing that nothing else seemed to fall on her ears!
In a slightly later scene Ruq is seen bringing three of four sets of grand clothes for Jalal and saying "Choose what you will wear for our outing". Just at that moment when Jalal stood totally perplexed about this sudden development from Ruq, Jodha was announced into the room. She at once began to scold Jalal saying "I heard you are planning an outing? How can you do this Shahenshah, when just yesterday there was an attack on your life? The danger still persists." Ruq shouted back without giving Jalal a chance to answer "It was an attack from your own brother, if you please. Don't try to grab Jalal from me. I know that's what you are trying to do. Anyway I am taking a group of sipahis with us". Jodha said "Even yesterday at the jashn, there was no shortage of sipahis, but still the attack happened, didn't it?" But Ruq started shouting even more belligerently at Jodha while Jodha stood firm on her argument. In between Jalal looked half-surprised and half-amazed at this open slanging match between his two wives. His expression was priceless. He looked like the bone that both the dogs wanted!
But did he go on the outing with Ruq? I think not ... because in the precap, Jodha was seen splashing about in the waters of a talaab and accidentally drenching Jalal also! She was enjoying herself splashing water on a little boy (who looked like Rahim, but I couldn't make out since he was so fleetingly on the screen and in bare body!). Anyway Jodha's water splashes became even more bold as she chucked huge amounts of water on ... well, the Shahenshah who was passing by!
Both Jalal and Jodha seemed shocked by what had happened. Here was a fully attired emperor, with his pagri and all, wiping water from his face ... as his fiery wife was chucking more and more at him! And when she saw what she had done, guilt and maybe a hint of suppressed laughter flooded her face. I expect a full-blown water fight between the two tomorrow ... so that is one scene to really look out for to enjoy.
But what does this all mean for Ruq? The outing idea seems to have become a "tain tain fiss". Maybe Atga and the whole court vetoed any risky trip outsde the Palace for Jalal, or maybe Jalal openly favoured Jodha's idea over Ruq's idea? I hope it was the latter. I so want to see Jalal tell Ruq "I think Jodha is right. We should not go!"
Okay, for today's scene detailing, I want to choose the parts of two scenes where Jodha is in uljhan regarding Sujamal, and she talks to both Moti and Jalal about it ...here goes:
Jodha's uljhan about Sujamal and her talks with Moti and Jalal:
In her hojra Jodha is talking alone to Moti. "I am not able to believe this", Jodha says "that Sujamal bhaisa has the guts to even try to kill the Shahenshah? It can never be that he is ready to kill his sister's husband."
Moti replies with more practicality "Why don't you accept Jodha that Sujamal has indeed tried to do this." Jodha then says emphatically "No I cannot accept this. Not just because he's my brother but because he's a Rajvanshi. He is incapable of "peet ke peeche se war" and incapable of breaking his word to me. He promised me to protect the Shahenshah always. No one else knows Sujamal as well as I do. He is a true Rajvanshi. He will even give his life before he breaks his word of honour."
Moti says "But Jodha, Sharif has said he saw Sujamal in the act." "But that's the problem" replies Jodha, "Why would Sharif tell such lies. And as for Sujamal ... he told me when he met me that he would go away from Agra, so then why did he come to the jashn?"
Moti is alarmed to hear that Sujamal has met Jodha. "What? Did you meet Sujamal?" Moti asks. "Yes" Jodha accepts "he was in disguise outside the mandir and met me to ask after my safety and health. Who knew then that such "pran par sankat" would happen!"
"If he was set to leave from Agra, why did he stay back then?" asks Moti. "I don't know the answer to that" replies Jodha "but things have happened now whereby the price has to be paid by Sujamal! Moti, I have to go and tell the Shahenshah about all this ... I have to convince him Sujamal would never do all this.. I must go to him ..."
Moti stops Jodha in her tracks "No Jodha, stop, don't make this big mistake. He may be your brother but you are the Begum of the Mughal Sulltanate. Won't the Shahenshah become very angry to know you've met Sujamal? Did he not tell you earlier about his "virodhi" against Sujamal? Just recently you and the Shahenshah have learnt to respect and matter to each other. I wouldn't want your gentle new relationship with Jalal to get nipped in the bud. His trust in you will die in the face of this truth. Just pray to Kanha to help both your relationships - with your brother and your husband!"
Was this advise from Moti wise? Was it right? Only time will tell. If everything works out fine for Jodha with Jalal, and Sujamal is exonerated, then this will be Moti's masterstroke. But if things turn sour, Jodha will have to curse Moti for this suggestion! Things hang precariously in the balance!
A little later Jalal enters Jodha's rooms just as some baandhis recently freed have come to give thanks - and they express their happiness at their freedom to both Jodha and Jalal. Jalal even tells Jodha about how he went in disguise to the city to look at the extent and cruelty of the slavery himself. "I am happy you showed me the truth about this ghastly slavery, and I am also happy I gave the harem in-charge to a "nek dil insaan" like you" he says to Jodha ... but then he adds " ... but when you should be very happy, why are you looking sad?"
"I was thinking of Sujamal Bhaisa ..." Jodha says "Shahenshah, I cannot believe he tried to attack your life. I admit he made an enemy out of Amer, but he had a reason behind that - to make his "rajya" independent. But to try and kill you? I cannot even begin to believe it." Jalal seems moved slightly by her vehemence . He asks "You have so much faith in your brother?" Jodha replies "Yes. Because he is my brother and no one understands him like I do. And he is a true Rajvanshi. And he keeps his word. He gave me his word that he would forever protect my suhaag. He cannot, will not, have attacked you".
Jalal replies after thinking a bit "I accept Jodha Begum, that he is your brother, but you must also accept that he is a sipahi ... and on the theatre of war every sipahi stops being a mere man and in his eyes rises the greed for "fateh". You won't believe this Jodha Begum, but if my own mother were to see me in war she would refuse to accept that I am the same man as her son, because on the battlefield she will see this blood-thristiness and ruthlessness in me that she will not be able to tolerate. It is important for any sipahi on the battlefield to become merciless. Your brother, whom you think you know so well, may also be such a kind of man. Imagine, if he is a man who is willing to even kill his own father for the throne, to me he is nothing but a sipahi with that blood-thirst. So forgive me if I don't see your point of view on him ... and do not pressure me on this subject. What I have told you is the truth. I'll take leave now."
With that Jalal leaves the room and Jodha has her eyes full of tears that she has made no headway with Jalal on this topic.
What happens next to make Jalal believe or not believe Jodha? This is again in the realm of speculation. At first I thought if Jalal goes on the shikar trip with Ruq, something may happen there to give Sujamal a chance to save the King once again and thus be seen by Jalal as the decent man that Jodha described. But then it was just my wild imagination ... for no such thing seems to be taking place since the outing itself is in question (thank God!).
So that leaves us with this idea that Sujamal may now try to enter the harem and meet Jodha since she is not coming any time soon to the Ambe Ma temple. Sujamal will probably hear in the city market that Jodha is trying to hire new baandhis since some of the old ones have chosen to go back home to their families. So that may give Sujamal the idea to wear "stree vesh" and stand in the queue for an interview for a job as a new baandhi candidate. Jodha on seeing him may get surprised, but she may be able to pass him off under the shrewd and alert eyes of Maham by pretending that she is interviewing the new baandhi.
I think Jodha and Sujamal will both decide that the best way now is to nail the real culprit of the jashn attempted attack (i.e. Sharif) so that Sujamal can leave Agra with a cleared name. But Jodha and Sujamal will have to keep secret their attempts to get to the truth of who was the real attacker and only when they have the truth in hand can they then try to exonerate Sujamal in the eyes of Jalal. So till then, Jodha will have to tread warily with Jalal. If she makes even one small mistake, her precious new relationship with her husband will go for a toss. On the other hand, if Jodha is able to pull off this Sujamal issue well, and is able to nail Sharif in place of Sujamal, and is able to show that Sujamal was the one who sent the warning paigam to Atga, then she may grow closer to Jalal than ever before - for having protected Jalal from the real villain who is ever-present inside his own house and has access to him and can take his life any time.
In this process of nailing Sharif, I think somehow this painting and the leching of Sharif will also come out? I wonder if Bakshi herself will blurt this out to Jodha? Let's wait and see ... I have a feeling that we are going to see a very intriguing and thrilling track of Jodha and Sujamal working together without Jalal's knowledge on unearthing Sharif as culprit. It will be a track that may give us all very fearful moments that any minute the relationship of Jodha and Jalal can become an MU ... but in the end Jodha will be able to get her way achieved and may grow more close to Jalal as his protector from his real and lethal enemy Sharif!
