Meandering Musings on Mughal Relations

Hi Friends,

I haven't seen the last 3 episodes; just read the WUs shared by a good friend. :) Based on these WUs, I have been wondering about the changing relations and emerging key players in Agra. It makes for some interesting observations and predictions!


1. The SA Relation

Thankfully, the two are shown to be at loggerheads with each other and we are spared scenes of childhood romance.

It is also apparent that so far at least, Anar's family lives outside the palace and has not yet benefited from Jodha's largesse after gifting a taviz to Salim. Things may change if Anar is invited to join Tansen's troupe of singers and dancers.

2. The Murad - Rahim Khan-e-khana Relation

There's tension in the air with Rahim not being happy with Murad's jealousy of Salim. And Murad feeling that Rahim is partial to Salim.

I don't know how much, IF ANY, is true. But this is one relation to watch out for. I am sure that this troublesome relation between the siblings (sort of) will be shown getting only worse. As Murad grows older, we will see him openly challenging the authority of Rahim.

It's amazing how differently the two are growing up under the care of the same "mother". Rahim was such a sweet child and Murad, though outwardly cute, is born with a devious mind. Rahim had (and still does not have) none of his father's (BK's) craftiness, whereas, Murad seems to have inherited the shrewdness of Akbar. Just goes to show that parenting cannot change the destiny and the mindset a child is born with.

3. The Salim - Ruqaiyya Relation

I have deliberately left out the cutesy Jodha and Salim relation and even the impish Salim and Jalal relation. I am more interested in the relation Salim has with Ruqaiyya. Or rather Ruqaiyya has with Salim. It is a given that she wishes to control Salim, the wali ahad, exclusively so that she cane be the real power behind the throne when he ascends it.

She has tried the "being nice" and the "good old badi ammijaan" routines with no success in luring Salim away from Jodha. Ruqaiyya has seen that Salim is more interested in girls and dancing than shamsheer and fighting ( in spite of the unwavering concentration he showed during Jalal's jugalbandi.) Salim Chisti's prophecy is also an indicator that Salim lets his heart rule him. Ruqaiyya is therefore confident that she can easily manipulate him, if not emotionally, then through the lure of a "good life". And what could the good life entail for a prince who has everything? Why, the pleasure of being on a "high", forgetting his cares for a while.

The takht seems to be heavy and full of thorns for the young crown prince, who would rather be out enjoying life, stealing mangoes from the royal orchards and teasing nubile girls like Anar.

Ruqaiyya probably wishes to control him like a puppet on a string by making him so addicted to opium that he would listen to anything she says just to get his next "fix". But how she can succeed in this plan without arousing any suspicions in the minds of JJ remains to be seen.

4. The Daniyal - Ruqsar Relation

Frankly, I do not remember if this begum used to be Ruqaiyya's friend or Jodha's. Someone please remind me. :)

But she seems to be an ambitious mother, stuck with a son who would rather think of food than subahs. She seems keen to prod her son to take more interest in his political fortunes. Again a relation to watch out for.

I have a feeling that Ruqaiyya will sense this and "use" Ruqsar's begum's ambitions to her own benefit in the future.

5. The Emerging Camps

There are clearly two camps emerging - Salim and Haider's. The Salim camp has Daniyal and Qutub. The Haider camp has Murad.

How far will these camps carry their loyalties and rivalries to adulthood, post leap?

6. The R Factor

No, I don't mean Ruqaiyya, Ruqsar or Rahim. This time, the R factor is Resham Khan. :)

Resham could be playing a big game of her own. She may be the one who has poisoned Haider's mind against Jalal. It also appears that she is trying to influence Ruqaiyya too, just like her former mistress, Mahamanga.

What could Resham's plan be? Is it just to make life difficult for Jalal or something more sinister? We need to watch out for this.



When so much is evident about the emerging power equations in Agra even to a casual observer like me, why are the chief players like Jalal, Jodha, Hamida, Salima and Jalal's nav ratnas woefully ignorant and living in their own idyllic ivory towers? I guess they are just being themselves - always the last to know. 😕

Do share your views about these relations and any others that I may have missed. :)

Hey Di,

Wonderful post and quite interesting too. I wondered about these too especially Rahim-Murad and Ruq-Salim though I literally hate Ruq now. More than ever before. Getting Salim addicted to opium so that she can pull his strings as per her whims and fancies and gain the power she is so obsessed about.
Resham angle is new to me. I didn't go there at all though I wondered who poisoned Haider's mind for him to hate Jalal and Salim so much. You maybe right. Thanks

Will get back to you on this in detail later.. as and when I can..please forgive me if I am late..

As for the updates, I haven't been well so didn't provide the update this week except for Monday. Couldn't even reply back to friends on the last thread. I will try to be back today or by Monday for sure. So sorry for this.
I didn't watch the epi last night but saw the repeat for JJ scene as Neha said it's nice. 😆 I actually liked that one and Salim-Jodha too.

Again, amazing post Di and thanks for the PM. I had to reply to this. Got a few questions for Abhay too but seems like he is also MIA. 😛

Hey Radhika,

these relations are really to look out for

i feel very soon haider and murad may fight with the rest

Very nice points. For 3 weeks i have been discarding to watch JA n this time i m determined not to back watching JA again. I read in WU murad n haidar have always a vegeance attitude towards Salim. This is strange that under same upbringing of salima that rahim has gotten how murad is being evil n envious in nature at this little age! Is it b/c he has gotten company of haidar? Or is there any hidden matter of salima that is showing on screen at present lagrely its no her real face i.e. she has also ambition to b mother of king hence she genuinely doesn't give properly n strictly lesson to murad not to b envious towards his elder brother!? Viewers shouldn't keep faith any parallel role b/c the fact is on the epic name of Natkiya Rupantar any time for any reason any positive character can b negetive in this show hence Salima shouldn't b out of suspicion.
I Think Ruqsar was that begum who strongly supported n recommended to Jodha being the chief of harem.

Awesome ..Radhika...very well written...you summarized the story for me.

Can someone please remind me the place of Qutub in the family? Thanks.

Originally posted by: rima4ever

daniyal is too cute

Thanks Radhika for the PM.I just watch one scene if it's recommended by everyone but nowadays I dare not watch the entire show.Politics also known as " siyasat " is always dirty game .And whether it's our parliament today or it's Mughal Darbar ,the era is different but still the game is same.