His heart fully discontented at the sudden turn of events seemed to only burst out in rage and in vexed mind; he seized his sword and wiped off the warm beads of sweat that had made its way towards his temple, whilst leading his rajput soldiers away from the battle ground safe and sound.
The war for which thousands laid their lives; the war which had made everyone go rampage from dawn till dusk, the very war that had assured mughals of winning it explicitly, had now swept off the very ground below their feet.
The camp of Shehzaada which bore a look of a dream world a few moments ago had turned into to a desolate place with the escaping mughals and the subjugating rajputs who brought about the pillage and plundered the entire camp.
Azlam Khan did manage to leave the battle ground along with few of his trusted men and marched on as swiftly as they could to reach Delhi.
Omar Khan took hold of the Shehzaada's camp even though they had emerged victorious in this battle yet they were in no mood to enjoy this victory. Amar Singh the rough and brave hearted warrior had met with life threatening injuries on the field and there was no hope of him to come out of this perilous suffering.
Moreover for whom this very bloodshed, the carnages had been carried out that very person's existence was in doubt. Shehzaada jalal, where was he? None had any inkling about him. Their minds had captured vivid imaginations about Shehzaada jalal, was that the case? Did he meet the same fate as that of Shehzaada Nazim? Did they fight and risked their lives for a dead prince? All for doomed cause?
When Omar Khan visited the Shehzaada's camp he saw Nazim was lying stiff and absolute. All the valuable things were looted except for him who had been left untouched. The expensive string of pearls still remained dangling very much around his neck.
The rings of precious stones and gems continued to adorn his fingers as none had the courage to touch him. Omar Khan was a wise general. After having scrutinized the Shehzaada's body for some more time, he was convinced and said, "Here we have got the poison and it raises only one doubt in my mind that this has to do with someone close to the prince who might have poisoned him to avenge his cause.
Omar Khan had shared this news with his other generals. By now everyone had got convinced that Nazim had been killed by a professional assassin. It hardly took any time for the news to spread all around. People gossiped about the unfortunate death of Nazim and cursed the emperor for it.
But hardly had any idea of who could have poisoned the Shehzaada. It only seemed to be interesting puzzle put in forth by the fate, whose answers only the almighty had with him.
Omar Khan discernible for his generosity arranged for Nazim's funeral and then sent his body to be buried in Delhi. But whatever he had got after looting his camp he did keep it for himself and his army. He needed them as provisions and it did come as a relief for him.
Once he had done away with encampment of his soldiers and the necessities to be looked in, he went to meet Kunwar Amar Singh. The brave rajput warrior was on his death bed. He had sacrificed his life for his best friend Jalal.
On seeing Omar khan, Amar Singh's face lit up with a smile he said, "Finally you have won the battle".
Omar khan with a disheartened smile said, "Yes, Kunwarsa, we have won the battle".
"But why do you look sad, Why don't you cheer up my dear friend?"
That's because we are soon going to loose you my brave warrior".
Amar Singh smiled and said, "My dear friend, I am a rajput warrior and there can be no better death than this, I feel honored to die as a true warrior on a battle field. Moreover I will be more than pleased to know that my best friend jalal had become the emperor of Hindustan.
Alas! I won't stay for so long to see him being crowned as the next emperor of Hindustan, but then promise me my friend you will see to that jalal is crowned as the successor for the throne".
Omar khan spoke, "Shehzaada jalal is now the legitimate heir to the throne of Hindustan".
This news amazed Amar Singh and further asked, "How could this be ever possible? As Shehzaada Nazim won't easily give up the throne".
"Shehzaada Nazim is no more".
"Nazim is no more?"
This revelation benumbed his senses, whilst trying to sit back which is when his fellow men held him and gently made him lie on the bed. A sudden jerk had made him groan in pain, after heaving a deep sigh he asked the general, "Please give me the details".
The general gave him each and every detail of the events which he had observed and witnessed.
After hearing all the details, Raja Amar Singh remained thoughtful for a while and then spoke; "Now I can only say that it isn't an easy task for jalal to be seated on the throne as the emperor might think of another alternative to ignore jalal and might decide to put Shehzaada Nadir as the successor for the throne".
Omar Khan firmly said, "My dear friend, you can be assured that I shall never betray Shehzaada jalal. I promise you that once the emperor dies, he will be succeeded by his son Shehzaada jalal, but as long as the emperor stays alive I wouldn't ..."
He was interrupted by Raja Amar Singh, who asked him, "But that would only give a little hope for jalal to achieve his dream".
Omar khan did not wanted to create more tension where Amar Singh was already burdened with his sufferings, he chose to give him some space and he said, "Kunwarsa, I feel now it's not the appropriate time to discuss about this matter it would be better for you to rest, after which we can sort out on this issue".
Saying so, Omar Khan was about to leave when Amar Singh stopped him and said, "Tell jalal to be careful and alert as his life is at stake every moment".
The general proudly spoke, "When he is surrounded by brave and loyal people to take care of him, his life can be no way in jeopardy".
"Certainly, but where was he now?"
"I don't know about his exact location".
For a moment Raja Amar Singh was mum after which a smile crept on his lips and he said, "She is definitely our guardian angel".
Omar Khan broadly smiled and said, "Kunwarsa, without her help it wouldn't have been possible for us to take such a chance".
It is said that good news may take time to unroll but the bad news always finds its swift way to come out of its hideout and this had perfectly fit in for the current situation, given the fact that Shehzaada Nazim had been poisoned, only the way he was murdered couldn't be digested by many people.
From the grass root till the top level including the emperor himself were stunned by this terrible news but none could get the source of authenticity.
There was ruckus amongst the people in the camp and all only seemed to have been left more agitated and deranged.
The emperor had known to be a pleasure seeker, calm and composed type of a person who had pretty much hold over his anger and seldom lost his cool no matter how much serious the matter was. But this time it was totally different, his calm and composed posture did look stiff and his facial features had lost the regular charm and cheerfulness instead a depressed look took over his countenance.
Probably for the first time in his life, he had thrown his goblet of wine away in rage. He summoned Zaid Ali who appeared before His Majesty and paid him due obeisance, the emperor spoke in a grim voice, "What is this entire rumor? Is it true that Nazim has been murdered?"
Zaid Ali spoke in passive tone, "Huzoor, we are yet to receive any news from the battle field".
The emperor glared at the general and said, "Who is the culprit who had dared to spread this news?"
Zaid spoke, "Your Highness, I am not in a position to provide you the exact details since I am investigating the matter and I am yet to gain any success in this aspect".
The emperor looked sombre, there was absolute silence in the room, it was known to the people how much the emperor had been fond of his eldest son Nazim, even though he had put up a faade of acting normal but his inner pain couldn't completely cover up the outward expressions he had adorned on his face.
He was a man with extra ordinary intellectuals and this news had surely made him put on his thinking cap. For a long time silence prevailed in the air. Zaid couldn't move a bit as he remained still at the place with his head bowed down and waiting for His Majesty to have his further say.
After a long lull, the emperor asked, "Have you sent someone to collect the details from Azlam Khan?"
Zaid said, "Yes, You're Majesty".
At that very moment a soldier appeared in front of the emperor and after paying his due obeisance, he said, "Jahapana, Yusuf urgently wants to meet you".
The emperor eagerly spoke, "Send him in at once".
Yusuf a Mansabdar of two thousand appeared in front of the emperor and paid him the respect. He was panting for breath and his entire body had been covered with dust probably because he might have had ridden on a fastest horse without resting on the way.
The emperor frowned and said, "I want to know everything".
Yusuf gave a detailed account about the war from the start till the end only leaving the main incident which had caused so much of uproar in the minds of the people.
The emperor remained silent throughout the narration but in the end asked for a cup of wine. His orders were instantly followed. After having gulped down the entire wine in one go, he returned it back to the bearer. All those who were present there were gripped with anxiety and fear. Probably they had witnessed this weird attitude of the emperor for the very first time.
Today he was altogether a different man. The usual pleasure seeking persona had transformed into a man with mindful thinking. There was kind of a twinkle in his eyes and his facial features had a different glow altogether. His sharp voice echoed in the dead silence of the room.
In a dignified tone he said, "Send message to Surajgarh, Ahmed should join Azlam khan with his force" and after a long pause he firmly said, "I shall personally go to Surajgarh".
When all were about to leave, they were interrupted by the emperor's voice, "Zaid leave at once for the Azlam's camp but where are those women who had been with Shehzaada Nazim?"
Zaid Ali spoke in a low tone, "Your Majesty, they all fled the moment all the mughal soldiers had stopped fighting".
The emperor now roared aloud, "It cannot be possible for them to disappear into thin air, inform Azlam to hunt down those women and to send them to me at once and it's my order which I want to see it getting fulfilled".
The ambiance seemed to have taken a form of calmness, that very calmness which only indicated the arrival of storm that was to bring disaster on the empire.
The emperor seemed to have been pacing all along to and fro indicating that something serious was cooking in his mind. There was no ounce of doubt that the death of his eldest son whom he loved more than his life had brought a toll on his psychic state of mind.
It seemed to only double up with his entire frame shivering with rage not on anybody else but for on himself as the pangs of guilt pricked his heart.
He said to himself, "Had I been a dutiful father and had been cautious about his education and vigilant on his activities the situation would have been different today".
Alas! It was too late for the emperor to repent as the damage had been done already and his regret would have no effects, so as to speak he had awakened from his deep slumber.
In a moment's time His Majesty's orders were circulated everywhere in the mughal camp creating chaos amongst all within the camp. A sense of excitement filled the air where everything and everyone only seemed to be in surprise.
The emperor seemed to have been in much eager and anxious to march on to Surajgarh and dint wait for anyone but to leave for the mysterious Surajgarh the very place which created much hype leaving all baffled.
His Majesty's favorite elephant was made ready fully caparisoned for the immediate commence who appeared right before him that been decked up with jewels.
It could be said that after a long time, His Majesty had adorned the war attire and within split of a second the scene had turned into war field where the emperor was surrounded by his large cavalry of soldiers and his body guards.
The emperor summoned Zaid Ali to immediately start for Surajgarh. Finally the emperor had left for the Surajgarh along with his generals who marched on with him.
There was no different story to speak about the Shehzaada Nadir as well; his camp too couldn't remain immune to the gossips and mysteries, which ultimately resulted in a fuss within his camp. He had come against his will to the battlefield, to be precise he was compelled to give away the harem pleasures and frivolities he was dwelling upon.
But he too was no different than his eldest brother, as when it came to pleasure and merriment both had an edge over each other. But now the situation seemed to be different, all of a sudden things looked changed? What was the commotion and chaos for? What was the excitement in breaking up the camp? None had any inkling about it; none had finished with their meal. Everything only seemed to be in mess and in disarray.
Why this sudden order of breaking the camp? Nadir had been relishing in merrymaking and other gaieties, but this sudden order had made him feel disgusted since a sense of uncertainty gripped his mind. He couldn't defy His Majesty's orders and had to give in, even though he had no such intentions to do so and in a dejected mood he prepared to leave for Surajgarh.
But then something struck his mind which made him halt in his way, after pondering on his thoughts he made up his mind and instead of leaving for Surajgarh he decided to leave for Delhi, whilst Zaid along with his other generals followed the emperor towards Surajgarh, none could have ever imagined of Nadir defying the orders of the emperor and would march on to Delhi.
As per the orders, Ahmed did not tarry for long in Surajgarh but he left immediately with his men to aid Azlam Khan.
With this effect, those were given the charge of Mir Khan Ismail and Asma to be sent to the emperor had left in complicated position as general Ahmed had to leave immediately as per His Majesty's orders, he had no time to make any needful arrangements for their quick dispatch to the emperor which left Subehdar Muhammad Iqbal with fifty mughal cavalry in a state of discomfort not knowing what and how to deal with the three prisoners who were left in his custody.
Iqbal was drowned in the pool of questions, what do I do with these three prisoners? Should I take them to the emperor's camp or leave them there itself in Surajgarh as the emperor will be soon arriving in Surajgarh. It seemed him to unnecessarily drag this trio till the camp of His Majesty.
He was engrossed in his thoughts just when a soldier came up with a thought and suggested, "Subehdar Saheb, I would like you to recall the moment when the general at the time of leaving had issued the orders to sever the heads of these prisoners".
The Subehdar heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Certainly, I do remember but then I have no such orders to kill this old man".
The soldier said, "Saheb, no need to think much and be diligent, there is no good in dragging them for so long, just finish off".
The Subehdar reacted, "I cannot commit such things which would put me in trouble later on".
The soldier said, "Saheb, I have a feeling that you are taking things too seriously at this particular time of hour when everything only seems to be in commotion and who would ever bother about these trivial prisoners".
Subehdar looked grim and in low tone said, "No, no you don't understand the gravity of the situation as this very act would land us in loosing our very own heads. We are not aware of the reasons why His Majesty had issued orders of their arrest".
The soldier was none other than Mahajan himself whilst all had left Surajgarh in haste, He was well rooted there since he was determined to end the lives of the old Mir khan and his servants. He was aware of many more things which the Subehdar didn't know.
Mahajan said, "Saheb, let us take them to the emperor's camp".
Suddenly, the Subehdar saw to his bemusement that a man galloping on a horse was approaching towards him after have controlled the reign of the horse, he jumped off the horse and was panting and puffing, he spoke, "Subehdar Mohammad Iqbal".
The Subehdar advanced near him and said, "Yes, I am Subehdar Mohammad Iqbal".
The cavalry soldier said in a firm voice, "Subehdar Saheb, I have got information about this person and he is none other than Mahajan himself who has impersonated as His Majesty's soldier and concealed his identity".
"As per the orders by His Majesty, with immediate effect, this imposter has to be taken into custody and sent to Delhi as soon as possible".
Mahajan in disguise cried out, "It's a total lie".
The soldier reacted, "Subehdar Saheb, "I want to know whether you all going to act as per the orders of His Majesty".
Mohammad Iqbal had been strong and submissive always and so in a passive tone he said, "None have the courage to defy His Majesty's orders and I shall by all mean bow down to the emperor's will".
The horseman along with old Mir khan and his servants remained rooted there keenly watching them, till the Subehdar Iqbal and his men were within their sight, but once they had left the place, the soldier could no more hold his laughter and burst out into boisterous giggle.
The old Mir seemed to be irritated with this act and in a grave voice he said, "We haven't yet achieved our goal where we can have a hearty laugh and indulge in merriment".
The soldier said, "As long as I am under your protection I don't foresee any danger for which should I fear".
The old Mir reacted, "As long as we are alive none could harm your single hair, if you have anything to inform me or if I have to pass on some message in urgency this Badri will be of immense help to us as he will be our messenger and you see to that you don't linger here anymore".
Veer Singh stared at Badri and then said, "In that case you too can be my messenger to pass on the messages if I need to".
The cloud of dust was soon approaching the city, with the speculation that the emperor along with his huge mughal force would soon make an entry into this deserted town. Mir khan along with Asma proceeded towards the distant town whilst, Badri had disappeared into the ruins of Surajgarh.
Ismail hurriedly entered into a house, even after five mins or so he dint turn up. After few mins the old Moulvi came out of his house and said, "It seems that the emperor has almost reached near the town".
Veer Singh having got into the ruined city first thing he could do was enter the old Mir Khan's house. He saw that the door was wide open not a single human soul was to be seen. Anxiety gripped his mind, he went on to check all the rooms but to his disgrace there was none finally he had reached the backside of the building, that is when he saw love of his life, the angel of his life jodha who had been waiting anxiously all the while for so long to meet her grandfather and foremost her lover Veer Singh.
He could see her being restless, otherwise chirpy and bubbly by nature had taken to dull and lifeless form. For few moments, he felt his heart quicker in pain but he controlled his emotions .But then, all his pain and anxiety everything seemed to vanish in thin air when her beautiful face with a lovely smile flashed in front of his eyes which did bring peace on his countenance. He was more than happy to see her. Now he had only aim to hold her in his arms and absorb all her sadness and pain till now she was made to put in with this thought he advanced towards her.
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