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binduprasad41

@binduprasad41

Sparkler

Posted: 7 years ago

#351

Originally posted by: lashy
I know others had other excerpts put in... but for this one alone, I can think of no other scene
When I see him with his bow, ready to strike, calm and calculated... this is the only scene that comes to mind.. of course, the Khalil one is there too - but in that one he's mid-action mid-air atop Bahadur!

Three grey arrows had found their mark right at midpoint!
And not merely found their mark but found their mark in style. Their bodies stood at perfect angles against the board, despite the fact that they'd been shot from a staggering distance away. Each of their three glistening tips had pierced the centre, sharing the 'eye' with the accuracy of a needlepoint - not a tiny fraction otherwise.
Mahendar tried to pull the arrows out casually at first, and then with a rigid tug the second time around. But the metallic heads were lodged quite firmly in the board. And it took the prince three frustrating attempts before he could actually remove them from the board.

'How could...' he stared at the arrows in his hand, struck by an instinct that he somehow knew its owner.
The weapon was only plain looking but the manner in which it'd showed off the mastery of its shooter, was nothing less than a classic work of art. Not only was this master-shooter the undisputed winner, he'd achieved the kind of aim that hadn't been accomplished by skilled archers in decades.
So much so, that for an instant, Mahendar secretly wished he'd been around when the unknown archer had indeed performed this feat.

'Who's done this? I'll give the person a bag of gold, if he steps forward to claim this achievement!'
The people were many, but no one seemed to have any answers. And anyhow, they were all far too amazed by the skill of this phantom archer to mourn the defeat of their hero!

'But I don't understand, Hukum...' the Senapati eventually remarked in a hush tone, when it became obvious that no one was going to step forward 'why didn't the shooter participate in front of an audience yesterday? He would've received praise and honour! Why do this secretly?'
'Because he wanted to send me a message... but couldn't dare to show me his face... THAT'S WHY!' gnarled Mahendar, before turning to address his soldiers.

Wow

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Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#352

Originally posted by: binduprasad41

My my

Highly skilled and knowledgeable person in hbas house...Sandhya di
Computer and technology expert...kal di
And words are less for my lashy di...

Three of them complimenting me what more I need... 😆

My answers are correct or not but I am happy person here !

😆 🤗

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Testmytest

@Testmytest

Voyager

Posted: 7 years ago

#353

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to say Hi to all of you. Saw Sandy's quiz, sorry dear I cannot attempt it as I am away from the laptop.

Still having trouble on phone posting, hopefully it will get fixed soon. They surely are taking forever to complete the maintenance

Edited by Testmytest - 7 years ago

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Sandhya.A

@Sandhya.A

Sparkler

Posted: 7 years ago

#354

Originally posted by: lashy
Omg Sandy is this your first quiz?
A guessing game! It's been a long time since we've got prizes and winners.. hope we'll have that this time around

1.

Stocky. Brave. Brenden Fraser from The Mummy. He goes into the tomb to break the spell, doesn't he? Sayyid Baig!

Exactly. This shot reminded me of Sayyid's entry into the swine's den and escaping with dare.

2.

The brute Khalil, of course!

Of course. His anger at AMK when he was packed off to Kabul.
3.

Young and sly Kunwar of Manswar... 😆

His evil contempt at insulting Heera at Sabha Nivas. 😡

'Really? You were discussing business?' Mahendar smirked. He thought he'd seen traces of pain in her eyes but he couldn't be sure. At least, not yet. 'What business could you have with an eminent horse trader? I forget what he's called...'

'Akbar Mahmoud Khan Sahib!'
The agony that'd just forced itself up, left a trail of burn as she pushed it back down.

There! He'd seen it, at long last. In her eyes. He'd found what he was searching for - 'a lover's pain'. He was sure now.
'It IS him, isn't it?' Mahendar gasped, almost surprised that his suspicions had turned true 'Ma Bhavani... save us... not only are the Mughals taking our lands... they're taking our women too!'

4.

Our dainty dignified diplomat Heera😳

Yes. Of course.
Heera entering the Sabha Nivas.
Or
Heera entering the Shehzade's court
Or
Heera standing up to announce her marriage to AMK to the Parnagarhwaasis.

Audrey Hepburn's shot as a princess in the Roman Holiday bore such a striking resemblance to our petite dignified diplomatic heiress.😳

5.

Conniving Farooq 🤢

The Shaitan meeting the brute in the country house to join dirty hands.🤢

6.

The Godfather, as Lana often calls him.
The Shehzaade!
(Btw, in a previous quiz too, Farooq Sahib and Shehzaade were the same faces😆 And now again, too! Too much of a coincidence, I say!)

😆
Yes. The Shehzade in court holding everyone's destiny in his hands.

7.

Our Joan of Arc who sacrificed her life for her principles, Durga!

Alice in wonderland though not resembling Durga even by a longshot, looked so much like her holding the vorpal sword to kill Jabberwocky. Reminded me of Durga's dare during her final moments.

8.

Matron, The true Godmother, Gauri...

Bilkul. And during the Aidabad days when she tried to dissuade Heera from falling for AMK.

9.
The gentleman, Ibrahim Mirza? 🤔

Yes. Of course. Hbas quiz banaye aur Rose Bhabhijaan ke shohar ko shaamil na karne ki himakat hum nahin kar sakte. 🤓

Charles Bingley on horse reminded me of Ibrahi m teasing Akbar on being 'well rested'.

If not, it's gotta be AMK at Aidabad looking over at Heera's patch of gardens

10.

Azeez at court, standing up for his Ustaad!

Exactly. And look at the pain in his eyes on seeing his Ustaad in shackles bending before another. And confessing for HIS sake.

Of course this Romeo is sad for his Juliet.

11.

One and only phantom archer aka the Ustaad!

Yes indeed. And readying himself to send his triple arrows to target. 😎
12.
The *giggle* maids!😆

Angry upset and sad as Heera heaves her trunk and some a little remorseful after Mohan banna's words.

These 'little women' suited the giggle maids well.

13.

Gandalf? Dumbledore this. But yes. He played Gandalf.
If so, the grand old man, Chacha jaan😳

And as he relates Akbar's story to Heera. Dumbledore's final moments resembled the pain chachajaan felt for his ward.😕

14.

Of course, our poor Akbar kutty 😭

Undoubtedly. No second opinions here at all. Thepoor little hungry boy.😭😭

15.

Ammijaan?😕 Heera?
It is the scene from Sense and Sensibility... so, it could be Heera reading the letter from AMK - but Audrey Hepburn is a better match for Heera. 🤔Or, it could portray the scene when Ammijaan left that letter for her son before running away?
Darn... not too sure of this!

I thought Kate Winslet's expressions suited Heera's as she read over her words either to the Maharaj of Bansi refusing the swine or to the Rajput kings at Aidabad seeking revenge for Durga...the terrible scrolls. And agreed Audrey Hepburn suits Heera more. 😳

Edited by Sandhya.A - 7 years ago

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Sandhya.A

@Sandhya.A

Sparkler

Posted: 7 years ago

#355

I'll reply to the rest tomorrow.😳

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Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#356

I didn't fare too badly, Sandy

A couple of situations I might have been off... but otherwise 'Naan pass aayiten, Sandymma'

😆

Originally posted by: Sandhya.A

Young and sly Kunwar of Manswar... 😆

His evil contempt at insulting Heera at Sabha Nivas. 😡

>>>> I take it there is where your love for him truly blossomed!😆

4.

Audrey Hepburn's shot as a princess in the Roman Holiday bore such a striking resemblance to our petite dignified diplomatic heiress.😳

>>>👍🏼

The Godfather, as Lana often calls him.
The Shehzaade!
(Btw, in a previous quiz too, Farooq Sahib and Shehzaade were the same faces😆 And now again, too! Too much of a coincidence, I say!)

😆
Yes. The Shehzade in court holding everyone's destiny in his hands.

>>> God... I mustn't say this.. but you've just made an enigmatic villain look even more enigmatic! Lana is going to kill us both!😆

9.The gentleman, Ibrahim Mirza? 🤔

Yes. Of course. Hbas quiz banaye aur Rose Bhabhijaan ke shohar ko shaamil na karne ki himakat hum nahin kar sakte. 🤓

Charles Bingley on horse reminded me of Ibrahi m teasing Akbar on being 'well rested'.

@ the underlined - God... we have to be terrified of the respective missus more than the able-bodied nimble assassins themselves!🤣
10.

Azeez at court, standing up for his Ustaad!

Exactly. And look at the pain in his eyes on seeing his Ustaad in shackles bending before another. And confessing for HIS sake.

Of course this Romeo is sad for his Juliet.

Hain? Please clarify who's the Juliet? Or there shall be war!😆

11. Yes indeed. And readying himself to send his triple arrows to target. 😎

I got this one spot on

12.The *giggle* maids!😆

Angry upset and sad as Heera heaves her trunk and some a little remorseful after Mohan banna's words.

Bindup got this one spot on!😃

And as he relates Akbar's story to Heera. Dumbledore's final moments resembled the pain chachajaan felt for his ward.😕

Oh yes Dumbledore! I heard that scene was quite the tear-jerker! Remember I am a HP ignoramus! 😉

15.

Ammijaan?😕 Heera?
It is the scene from Sense and Sensibility... so, it could be Heera reading the letter from AMK - but Audrey Hepburn is a better match for Heera. 🤔Or, it could portray the scene when Ammijaan left that letter for her son before running away?
Darn... not too sure of this!

I thought Kate Winslet's expressions suited Heera's as she read over her words either to the Maharaj of Bansi refusing the swine or to the Rajput kings at Aidabad seeking revenge for Durga...the terrible scrolls. And agreed Audrey Hepburn suits Heera more. 😳

>>>👍🏼

Edited by lashy - 7 years ago

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Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#357

Valuable excerpts from readers' choice of supporting characters

Durga

Shaggu - 'Amazing in so little time!'

Vathsy - a strong personality and for a while in the beginning whom I thought would be the lead of HBAS who is my favourite supporting character.

Sandy - Beauty, courage, intelligence, sacrifice, smarts and dare even in the face of death, love for her motherland and her people, motherliness to her little sister, guilt for the accident that partially blinded her

Gauri

Adwi - sensible, far sighted, intelligent, emotional in the right amount.

Bindup - After Durga death she became like mother to Heera...Who can scold her if she go wrong and take stand with her if she need her most.

Her opinion and advice matter to Heera that's why heera somewhere scare of her also.

Mohan banna

Bond - If there's anyone's entry that was worth whistle-poding,other than AMK,it's Mohan Banna's for sure,for me. Even though it's not the first time, felt the same emotions I had felt during first read.

Lana - The pillar of strength physically and mentally for his men, being their guide, mentor and instructor he has fulfilled his duty to the core. He is like a mountain protecting, guarding and keeping Parnagarh and its heiresses safe all along. He also looked after the moral aspect about Durga and Heera. Even when Durga was out with Mahendra, he was the one who was concerned about her safety, propriety and honor.

Chacha jaan

Chellam - Akbar is nothing if he's not in the picture.

Lavanya - I THINK HIS CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORT IN KHAN SAHIB'S HAS BEEN INVALUABLE. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR CHACHAJAAN'S EFFORTS, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A KHAN SAHIB AT ALL. HIS DEDICATION, LOYALTY, CARE AND LOVE HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN SHAPING THE CHARACTER OF THE SAHIB. THE LONGEST AND STRONGEST SUPPORT FOR THE SAHIB HAS COME FROM CHACHAJAAN

Kruthi chitti - He was the one who took care of the 10 year old little boy when everybody abandoned him. He had no relationship with the boy. He was no more a Servant to the family. He was so poor to feed himself. Even then he fed the boy, took care of him and brought him to the capital and made him to meet sheshade who in turn made him to the famous Ustaad.

And Cookie too...

Shehzaade

Periyamma - Wherever he appears in the novel, there is some interesting thing happening. And the presence of the Shehzaade is felt throughout the story as an undercurrent force shaping AMK as a man, a soldier, an Ustaad and a responsible intelligence officer.

Anindita - "NO MAN IS AN ISLAND

HBAS would have been a different story altogether if this supporting character' SHEHZAADA'had been removed,hence my favourite.No such thing can be said about the other characters that help the story to move forward.

THE VILLAINISATION OF THE SHEHZAADA PROJECTING HIM NOT ONLY AS THIS ISLAMIC BIGOT BUT ALSO THE THIRSTY EXPANSIONIST(WHICH IS HIS OWN COMPLEX BACK-STORY) MAY BE BAD (HISTORY) BUT A GOOD STORYLINE.

Selvi - Itz the Shehzaade who made AMK what he is today...without him there is no AMK...No story at all...the subconscious power that steers everyone' Life...

Sayyid

Rosejaan - Because he dared to venture into the lion's den to find out how much damage had been caused by the escaped messenger and came out fighting like a true warrior that his master would be proud of. With the skills learnt from Ustaad, he magnificently outsmarted his enemies who were in hot pursuit of him.

Azeez

Appu - Someone who can carry his boyish charms and secret missions equally well.

Lana - Azeez is full of youth and life. But as a disciple of KS, he is fierce when the time demands! He can be lethal and with his athletic physique, he can strike terror among his enemies. he is dead serious when handed a mission. Every time KS asks him to do something be it on some errand or be it in his espionage work, he always dedicatedly finishes his mission keeping his frivolous side aside. Being the young lad he is, he is very insightful! instances show his power of gauging a situation and promptly working on it.

Sandy - The nimble sprightly athletic agile pick pocketeer who can easily steal our fascination and regard.

Change the characterisation of anyone else not much of the story is lost. Change his nature, the story becomes serious. Not that any of his playfulness takes away his daring, sincerety or loyalty when in demand. His recent defiance of even the Shehzade, accepting any pain for the man who picked him up from the streets and extended the hands of friendship is proof enough. His unwavering loyalty had even invited the jealousy of the Mughal Supremo.

This much surely any of AMK's boys will do, but the way Azeez does it makes him more endearing. Non challantly and smilingly.

Ibrahim Mirza

Lavanya - MIRZA BHAIJAAN 😉 FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT I FEEL AS A PERSON CLOSER TO KHAN SAHIB IN AGE, HE IS MORE OF A FRIEND TO HIM THAN THE OTHER TWO...HE IS ABLE TO SPEAK HIS MIND WHEN HE THINKS IT IS NECESSARY, AND YET MAINTAIN THE MASTER-FOLLOWER RELATIONSHIP FOR THE MOST PART.

Mitu - IM is different and alrounder. He is not only a follower but friend not only understand , can ask or say anything when needed . can share secrets . he manage everything well as per shahib's wish. good negosieter with enemy and v.good leader to his people like mohan banna . inteligent and find way in any situation. khan shahib respect his wishes and can totaly reliance on IM in his absence.

Edited by lashy - 7 years ago

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Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#358

Such a pleasure it was to read it all again...

Firstly, I must wholeheartedly thank you all for your two cents... when I'd asked the question, I had guessed that it would be a straightforward Azeez versus Gauri match. To see traits of characters like Mohan banna and Mirza Sahib mentioned & explained, to see Durga relived... to see even the negative characters voted for, truly made my insides go warm and fuzzy.

A couple of years ago, I started watching Games of Thrones, which is a huge franchise with numerous lead characters and even more supporting characters - with a story that'd easily surpass the complexity of Mahabharat (not even equating HBAS anywhere on that plane - just mentioning it to recall the anecdote)

So, after catching up on all the seasons, I'd gone online to Games of Thrones forums to see which of the characters had the most fan following... who was most hated etc... and frankly, in my limited familiarity with stories, NEVER have I seen any story/show enjoy such a varied fan following. At that time, I was in awe as a writer - wondering what a humongous task it must be to write about so many characters, to develop each one with their own grey set of traits that'd lead to a certain kind of fan-following...

Now, while I am NOT saying HBAS is even an ounce of all of that; I must confess that while reading everyone's views - on a minuscule scale - that feeling was brought back for me! Pleasant surprise, & awe followed by a sense of contentment!🤗

And that could not have happened had everyone settled for the 2-3 most obvious choices!

So, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, girls once again! For picking your choices and giving me an insight into the workings & thoughts of your minds!🤗 So much so that some of the points mentioned above hadn't struck me the way it did you all!

For example - Mohan banna being a guardian of the baisas' moral aspect mentioned even during Durga's time... that Azeez is as loyal as the others, but it's the way he does it that makes him so endearing... that while AMK loves all it's only on calm-headed IM that he repeatedly depends etc etc...

Thank you girls 🤗

(This is the two cents, rather twenty two cents, I was talking about, Rose😆)

Edited by lashy - 7 years ago

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Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#359

Would AMK have fallen for Durga had he met her first?

No. Nope. No way.

Respect, yes. Admiration, yes. Trust, yes. Even awe. But not the 'tingles'... not the heart-stopping breath-catching sorta feeling that leaves one in a happy-sleepless state. Love can come in many forms. So, yes he would have had a certain form of love for Durga. Friendly love. Brotherly love. But not the sort of love one would feel when your soul, body and mind just knows you are attracted to someone as a partner!

And Akbar could lid all of those urges and tingles till he met Heera!

The other-worldly explanation for this phenomenon can be attributed to the fact that fate had intended for him to meet his soulmate. And hence he never fell for Durga.

A more practical explanation can be attributed to the fact that Durga is an alpha. Like Akbar is. Both are the 'yin' ... both fighters... Akbar's identity is that of a doer, a fixer, a protector of his loved ones. Has always been. Durga is made that way too - a doer, fixer and protector.

Why, take the very first meeting. Durga wouldn't have even needed his help at the canal. She would have ended up swimming to the corner and walked off herself.

Yes, Durga is sharp-witted and fun-loving like Heera. So, I can envisage Durga-AMK having friendly debates and arguments (short ones at that - seeing how AMK is no debator😆). But not beyond that. I don't see Durga reading his mind like Heera (even a blind Heera can perceive his thoughts) can do. Nor can I see her being the tender balm for his raw wounds in the way Heera can be (and this not only because Heera is a gifted healer). Heera can be the 'yang' to Akbar's 'yin' in every way. She can give in when needs call for it, and subtly get her way when she needs to. (Akbar must have sensed this trait right from the first encounter - and he must admire that in a woman!)

I'd think Durga would be a tad bit more confrontational. And while Durga might be very young too, and comes with other qualities that Heera doesn't possess (whatever the reason might be), I think that by a very small margin she wouldn't be able to match the natural grace and the patience-of-an-angel that Heera has - precisely the quality which makes AMK's heart do several somersaults!

Most importantly, I also think Durga could never have made the statement 'I am not bizarre... I am blind... partially blind' - the uncanny statement that Heera uttered with a smirk from whence there was no looking back for AMK - so much so he couldn't even bear to look at his Earthy topaz ring thereafter!

Edited by lashy - 7 years ago

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Shraddha

@lashy

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#360

Would Durga have fallen for AMK had she met him before Mahendar?

For all practical reasons, it might have not happened. One of the major catalysts in Heera behaving/being so close with AMK during those two weeks at Aidabad was because she found the enigma that was Khan Sahib a very comforting distraction to turn to, during a period of abject grief and loneliness.

Durga meeting AMK would have been a casual encounter, right?

Let's say, hypothetically, even if Durga met AMK during a period of grief, she might have admired his beauty. His wit. His horse-riding skills, of course. His brazenness, maybe. But, not more. Let's remember that AMK did not put up a very desirable front during the Aidabad days - in order to keep a distance from the Parnagarhi party! In a strange way, it was Heera who could see through all of it, being his soulmate. Durga's pride would not have allowed her to do so.

Plus, since they're not soulmates - Durga wouldn't have even dared to transcend the very significant barriers of religion & society for the sake of a handsome Muslim businessman. He might be that 'rude man with a handsome face and skills to die for' that she'd remember for years thereafter - like one would remember a mystical story/being with awe... but not more.

Apart from all the practical reasons mentioned above, Durga is a dominant personality, with an alluring hint of arrogance in her. She only said 'yes' to her suitor when he chased her and wooed her. She liked the attention, I'd say.

I don't ever see AMK chasing any woman. 😆

Of course, after having given her heart and word to Mahendar, Durga would never have ever given her heart to anyone else - being a true blue Rajput woman😊. Even after she'd come to know of his true self after marriage, even if something were to ever happen to Mahendar, she'd live a solemn life of a widow, by herself - putting on a smile whenever Heera came to visit! In that way, sometimes I wonder if this fate is worse or that? Since widows in traditional Hindu families during this era were shunned and isolated from society completely.

Edited by lashy - 7 years ago

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