CHAPTER 43:
THE STRATEGY REBOUNDS BACK...
The sun was above the head. From the back of his brown horse Samar Singh observed the condition of the battlefield from behind of the rock. The stupid tribal soldiers are fighting wholeheartedly against the vast army of Amer and Mughals. It was just as predictable, the great army of the tribal troop hardly could stand in front of the trained royal soldiers. These valiant stupid fellows are absolutely undefeatable in their own field of war-strategy; give them the chance, they could have been a headache for the royal army with their bamboo-made bow and arrow and various types of poisonous spares. But they do not know how to fight a face-off in a battle field.
Samar Singh sighed unknowingly. Only his heart knows how much he despised the idea of using the tribal troops as the prop in battlefield. But again, his logical mind could not go against of Sharifuddin's very logical war-strategy... they does not need to win the war from every aspect. All they need is to delay the war till the soldiers from Samarkand come, and to capture the emperor. In this big plan one should not even count the value of lives of those tribal people. However, Samar Singh could not help but to think. He tried to fathom what was going on in the field. A spy notified him shortly that two cannons have been moved into the battle-field by the Mughals; the shower of arrows on the tribal troop is compelling the soldiers to retreat. Most of the young fighters are frightened seeing cannon and they just want to go home. All over the information is not positive for them. He had actually suspected Akbar will not delay to blow them up with the cannons; after all he too is a Mughal, as cruel as Sharifuddin... Sharifuddin too did not deny the probability, though he was sure that the authority of Amer is too sentimental to kill them brutally, and had a hope that Jalaluddin does not entertain mass-murdering, still he accepts the fact that he is unpredictable, if situation wants, he can go exceptionally brutal beyond anyone's imagination. Now if he wants none will be able to save those innocent stupid tribals from his wrath.
However, he is not supposed to think these. This is what they want only. They want them to be occupied with that fake' battle so much that at some point they will lose their energy and strength the most, and will become less active due to overconfidence of winning the war. The battle-field is at the center, covered by the rocky ground full of bushes. Right now Samar Singh is waiting there only. He is waiting for a signal of Sharifuddin who has gone to attack the army-camp a bit far from the battlefield. At the right time, he is going to instruct the soldiers to attack... right when the army of Amer and the Rajputs will come at the middle, the trained army of Raipur will broke on them. The soldiers of Amer will get confused and scattered, ensuring their defeat... Just a matter of proper timing.
Meanwhile Sharifuddin is going to attack the camp of Amer, where the non-combatting staffs and injured soldiers are dwelling. Maybe the emperor himself along with his wife is there already. The resources, the arms everything is there only. If that can be captured, the scattered army will have nowhere to go but to surrender.
Sharifuddin has an excellent plan no doubt; still the string of hesitation was paining Samar Singh. What is happening is never accepted by Rajput War-ethics. Maybe here winning is most important... still... he was feeling as if he is acting as a prop of Sharifuddin, he has sold his own sense of humanity in the name of ambition...
However...
The proper time seemed to have come. Samar Singh looked through the telescope. He could see the flag, rose by Sharifuddin as signal, and could follow the condition of the battlefield too. The tribal soldiers are scattered, unable to penetrate their soldiers; the trained royal soldiers hiding in the crowd of those tribals have forward now, to implement the sandwich strategy. It must have been a right tie to attack.
"Aakramaan!! [Attack!] Samar Singh shouted calculating the situation. The officer beside him repeated the order through the amplifier. In a moment all were ready to march, to defeat their enemy with the stroke of their arms...
But suddenly something happened which messed up all the calculations. Samar Singh followed an arrow passing just beside his ear in a narrow escape with a great speed from behind... followed by a large number of arrows...
"Kunwarsaa! One soldier rushed to him before he could contro himself. "Hume samajh nehi aa raha kya ho gaya Kunwarsaa. Mughal sena humare pichhe se aakraman kar diya hay! [I cannot understand what is happening My lord. The Mughal soldiers are attacking from our back!]
"Kya? [What?] Samar Singh was stunned.
But there was no time to stand stunned too, as he could see the ocean of the troop coming towards them... from the front, from the back, from left and from right too. He could understand now why the number of soldiers in battlefield looked weirdly less, why it seemed too easy to win the war. All around, he could see the silvery headgears shining proudly mocking their war-strategy. Jalaluddin Mohammad is not only an unpredictably brutal warrior; he is an excellent player too. He perhaps understood their strategy much before they implemented it.
There was no more time to think. "YUDH PRARAMV KARO!!! [START THE WAR!!] Samar Singh shouted.
COMING BACK...
Two horses were running though the rough rocky path of the jungle, with two riders wearing the dress of warrior on their back. One of them was stout and short and is in an attire of a tribal soldier; another one, with tall, pliable and graceful profile, but extremely pale and weary. The sunlight was shining on his heavy head-armour, and the drops of sweat rolling down through his cheek and throat, his pant says how much difficulty he is having in this ride, though he was steady enough, the strong determination in his eyes says that.
"Hum sahi disha me jaa rahe hay na? [Are we going at the right direction?] After a while he commented skeptically.
"Zarur Sujamal Sahab! [Of course Sujamal Sahab!] The other man answered. "Aap humare upar yaakin kar sakte hay. Pahar ke pichhe wale raste se hoke humlog sidha kheme me ghhus sakte hay! [You can have confidence on me. We can enter inside the tents via the path behind the hills.]
Yes maybe they can; but does Sujamal have enough strength to bear this hectic ride over the rough hill? He knows he has to. That is the last way he has. But perhaps the drug has affected his stamina and health too much to cope up with!
Shaking his head hard to get rid of the hazy vision he stared at the stout man guiding him. He is Fardeen Khan, according to him. Jalaluddin Mohammad's agent whom he has sent to save Sujamal at the last moment, he had demanded. Is he trustable enough? Is the sealed letter from emperor that he has presented as the proof, which contained the sensible logical words from the emperor himself, believable enough? Or is this a new conspiracy!
Who cares! Sujamal smirked. After being fooled this way, he has no other path left but trying this out. Death will come, it ought to; but at least before dying he should be clear to himself that he tried to save the lives of those innocent tribal and the other soldiers and the honour of his brotherhood by keeping his last promise to his sister. He could have been died the moment he drank the highly drugged drink, Sharifuddin clearly did not want him anymore; but still he is breathing and able to ride... that means he has to live for the last task which the emperor has requested him.
Yes, he was almost dead. At least, he thought himself dead when the black curtain slowly dropped in front of eyes followed by the drowsiness spreading over his nerves paralyzing the normal senses he has after drinking the wine offered by Sharifuddin. He expected a haughty argument, but he never expected this much which he regretted he did not. Perhaps he did not get much time for the regret then, he did not get much time to think what happened. He lay there for a long long time, and his eyes did not open till this Fardeen Khan, in the disguise of a tribal servant came up and gained his consciousness by smelling some antidote herbs. He revealed he is a spy of the emperor of Hindustan, whom he has sent to him sensing something dubious going on. He said he has been watching them from a long time, and due to his over-confidence Sharifuddin did not suspect him even after interacting with him, rather has bribed him to keep calm and clean the place. Fardeen handed him a letter which contained a royal seal, but the language were very friendly and informal, a request to come and sort out everything.
It was all in hand of God, that the portion of the drug was not enough to lead him to his last sleep... Maybe Sharifuddin had mistaken the proportion, or he wanted him to be alive to put the whole blame on his head. It is true, it is entirely him who is to be blamed for the war officially, as he owns the army, he is the one who wedged the war, and so after winning the war when Mughal soldiers will be crushing him and his army, the authority of Raipur might get scot-free with some political excuses. But Sharifuddin and Samar Singh had forgotten that he is still the official commander, and if he wants he can sign treaty at any moment, he can end the war at any moment...
Exactly what he is going to do now!
"Yeaha se daaye oonr murna hay. [We have to take right direction.] Fardeen Khan stated and Sujamal followed after holding himself tightly on the back of the horse. They were on the top of a rock, from where they could see the heads of the tents of the camp of Mughals. "Daaye murkar khara utarna hay yeaha se. Iss raste se aadha kosh chalenge to chhauni ke piche wale pahari par pahauch jayenge... [After turning right we have to go down this slope. ] Fardeen completed. "Zoro ke saans lijie or aage barie! [Take long breath and move forward!] Seeing Sujamal's feeble condition his voice dropped, yet tried to motivate him.
Sujamal was going to abide by his instructions after struggling a bit, but suddenly his feeble eyesight caught something... "Uu..udhar ho kya r..raha hay? [What is going on there?] He asked Fardeen.
Fardeen Khan concentrated, and his face lost colour. Though it was not a clear view, but he could easily fathom the meaning of those little black dots shining in the sun around the field of the tents. Surely the army camp has been covered by the enemies. His heart started beating double. How brutal! How filthy! They feared out from battle field and covered the place where the injured soldiers were tended and people stay for rest?
"Yeh to sipahi hay! Chhauni ko gher liya hay! [They are soldiers! Have surrounded the camo!] He muttered like insane. "Aab! Aab hum kya kare! [Now? What should we do now?]
Sujamal took only a moment to cope up with his drowsiness and understand the matter. "Fardeen, mujhe jald se jald uaha pohochna hay! Jaldi karo! [Fardeen, I want to reach there as soon as possible! Fast!] He insisted.
"Par hum ghusenge kaise Chhauni me? [But how will we enter inside the camp?] Fardeen got no idea. Clearly the path on which they will be travelling is full of enemy-soldiers now; his majesty's plan will not work in this case!
"Chinta maat karo Fardeen! [Don't worry Fardeen!] Sujamal panted. "Hume bass shibir tak leke jao. Yudh hum hone nehi denge! [You just take me to the camp. I will not let the war to happen!] He murmured.
THE ATTACK IN THE CAMP
Bhagwant Das had to stare stunned for a moment after the messenger gave him the latest update, unable to think how to control everything. There was a sudden haste in the camp, all the soldiers were running here and there to get ready for the war haphazardly. According to the latest news, a big troop of enemies have been marching towards the army camp, and the troop contains a cream of valiant warriors of Sujamal's army. It was unusual, extremely unexpected from a ethical warrior like Sujamal... as per Rajput war-ethics the army camps made for resting and healing purpose is not attacked hidden when a war is going on outside. In anger and hopelessness Bhagwant's veins got prominent; and he could not thank the majesty anymore for sending him back with soldiers. Otherwise what would have happened? What could have happened to Jodha who is alone in the camp guarded by only some callus officers and soldiers?
He coped up with the situation very soon and got back his usual power of leadership again. Swiftly he got into his place and started instructing his soldiers... But while doing so he understood it is really a tough job to defend the camp; the troop has come very near, and possibly their strategy is too good to be scattered easily.
"Jaldi Bhaisa, toapyon ka byabastha kijie! [First brother, arrange the cannons!]
Bhagwant turned back. He was amazed and amused at the same time to see his sister in the male-costume, with the half-tied turban struggling to imprison the uncontrollable tide of hairs inside its captivity. Jodha always fancied this set of costume, and she has trainings of warfare, but perhaps this is the first time of her in a practical battlefield.
"Mughal sena ko toapyon ka bandobast karne ka aadesh dijie turant! Shibir ke picche toap lagana hoga! [Order the Mughal soldiers to arrange the cannons fast. We have to set them at the back of the camp!] Jodha told Bhagwant while tying her turban tightly. "Or talwarbaajo ko shibir ke purb-prant raksha karne ka adesh dijie... [And order the sword-men to cover the east of the camp.]
"Parantu isse kya hoga Jodha? [But will it work Jodha?] Bhagwant Das asked worriedly in a perplexed voice."Humare shibir pahar ke dhal me hay; o log prapaat ki tarha humpar tut parege... do-tin toapyon se kaise samna karenge? [We are at the slope of the hill, they will fall on us like torrent. How two or three cannons will face that?]
Jodha did not look to be thoughtful with the question. "Aap prastuti kijie bhaisa. Hum log pura prayas karenge taaki unke sainik humare yeaha ghus bhi na sake... [You get ready brother. We will try our best to prevent them from entering...] She smiled. "Hume khabar mila hay ki uss senadal me zyadatar log Rajput talwarbaaj hay; or kuch bhallabaaj or tirandaaz; hume nehi lagta ki yudhbhumi me yeh log kabhi toapyon ka samna kiya hay... Agar ek sath saare toapyon ko chalaya jaaye to yeh log toapyon ka barsaat nehi sahe payenge... [I got information that most of the soldiers of that army is sword-men and some of them are archers and spear-men; I don't think they have much experiences of cannons in the warfield... If more than one cannons are shot they will not be able to endure that.]
"Accha... Bhagwant Das was a bit relieved. "Parantu uttar or Dakkshin disha... [Okay... But north and south...]
"Humne tirandaazyon ki fouj ko adesh diya hay bhaisa... [I have ordered the archers...]
"Parantu pahar ki niche se uparka lakshabhed karna saral nehi... [But it is not easy to hit the target from the down of the hill...]
"Agar dono sainik saman ucchata me aa jaye to utna bhi kathin nehi Bhaisa... [Not that tough if both the teams are in same level brother...] Jodha showed him something. Bhagwant Das saw the temporary watchtowers are locating in a synchronized manner at the borders of the camps surrounded by the troop of spear-men, and each of the towers is containing five or more archers... Bhagwant Das could not help but to appreciate how Jodha arranged the whole strategy using the simple props. Not only it will increase the accuracy of the archers, but also will increase the range of the arrows.
"Aap log udhar... [You people there...] Before he could remove his eyes from the set-up of archers, he heard the commanding tone of busy Jodha. With a sheer interest he saw some Mughal officers taking their places on some other watch-towers, each one having a gun in their hands...
"Narnaal se yudh ladogi? [You will fight with gun?] Bhagwant Das commented with a confused smile.
"Haa Bhaisa! [Yes brother!] Jodha smiled with a strange and subtle strategic viciousness before taking up her own musket in her hand. "Sharifuddin ki kutil mastiska se nikla hua sarayantra ka moo-tod jawab dene ke liye isi agneasra ki avasyakta hay! Issi se uss kuchakri neech pashu ka badh karenge hum! [Fire-weapons are necessary to answer the dirty conspiracy of that Sharifuddin. I will kill that stupid, filthy animal with this only!]
"Tumhe yeh chalana aata hay? [You can use this?] Bhagwant Das smiled with a loving affection along with proud amusement.
"Jee! [Yes!] Jodha shied a bit... "Shahenshah ne sikhaya... [His majesty trained me...] She became serious again. "Aap Dakshin disha parichalana kijie Bhaisa... Hum yeahaka dayitwa lete hay. Pachim or Purb dwar ka uttardayitwa humne senapati Daljeet Singh or Niyamat Khan ko diya hay... [You will lead the south brother... I will take the responsibility of this side. I have given the responsibility of east and west to Daljeet Singh and Niyamat Khan.]
The bell of the war rang, the sky became foggy all of a sudden in the air of war; it is notified that the soldiers are being seen very near... A sudden ear-cracking sound of mortar from the west gate of the camp declared the war...
"Jay Maa Bhawani!!! Jodha shouted before getting on her watchtower along with her musket.
"Jay Maa Bhawani!! Bhagwant Das shouted with passion while going to his position on the back of horse. All the soldiers kept on chanting... "Jay Maa Bhawani... throughout their whole march... They were completely prepared to save their camp, their land and their people from the greedy eyes of conspirators.
MALLIKA-E-KABUL...
"Aap yeh nehi kar sakte. [You cannot do this.] Mirza Hakim grinded his teeth, uttered in an icy tone.
It was perhaps the coldest morning in Kabul. Cold, icy and vicious. The air of the war has penetrated inside the soul of the dwellers of the land now; the fear of the war has strangled them. The roads of Kabul are as silent as cemetery... the only sound being heard is the roar of the frosty wind sometimes, and the deadly howls of the bloodthirsty soldiers from very near. Kabul has almost at the edge of all of her resources; she has no more strength to swim in the river of so-called vengeance anymore... all she needs is peace now...
The meeting was held in a chamber of the fort itself. Mirza Hakim was brought back from war-field by his sister with an urgency message. She was still not present in the room, but the king of Badakhshan was unexpectedly there. Basically there was none else than both of them. And in this silent and calm environment, suddenly the king of Badakhshan declared his decision to Mirza Hakim... that he has ordered his army to retreat back from the battlefield.
"Hum kar sakte hay Mirza Hakim... Hum kar chuke hay! [I can do Mirza Hakim... I have done!] The king smiled calmly.
"Par... Though Mirza's situation was miserable, he tried to hold his composure. "Aap bhul gaye kya samjhota hua tha humare beech? Aap use nazarandaaz kaise kar sakte hay? [You forgot that we had a deal in between us? How can you overlook that?]
"Nazarandaaz nehi kar rahe hay Mirza Sahab. Kisi bhi siyaasi samjhote ka tauheen nehi kiye hay humne. [I am not overlooking Mirza Sahab. I have not insulted any political deal.] The king maintained his cool excellently.
"Aapne wada kiya tha ki aap humare sath denge. Aap... aap... [You promised that you will be with me. You... you...] Mirza was gradually becoming scarlet in rage.
"Galat Mirza Sahab. Humne wada kiya tha ki hum Kabul ka sath hay. [Wrong Mirza Sahab. I had promised to be with Kabul.] The King of Badakshan smiled. "Hum abhi bhi Kabul ke sath hay. [I am still with Kabul.]
"Fir adha jung chorkar bhag kyu rahe hay?? [Then why are you fleeing from war?] Mirza yelled.
"Kyuki hum ek baagi ke sath nehi denge. [Cause I will not stand by a rebel.] King of Badakhshan stated in a cold voice.
"Baagi? [Rebel?] Mirza was stunned suddenly. But he composed himself soon. "Aap yeh isiliye kahe rahe hay na ki Kabul Mughal saltanant ka ek suba hay? Par humare liye Kabul humara aapna watan hay. Humari ammi ko berahemi se katal karke Shahenshah ne humare sath bohot... [You are saying this as Kabul is a province of Mughal. But Kabul is my motherland. His majesty has killed my mother and... ]
"Aapki dukh bhari kahani me koi dilchaspi nehi hay, Mirza Sahab! [I am not interested with your sad stories Mirza Sahab!] The king told dully. "Siyasi bhasa me baat kare? Kabul Mughalyon ki kabze me hay, or aap hue mehez ek Baagi. Aapka aapna junoon yeh jung ke liye aapko majboor kar raha hoga, par humare pass koi bhi baja nehi hay. Ek baat sun lijie, Badakshan ne iske pahele bhi Shanehshah-E-Hind ka samna kar chukka hay, dobara unka dehsaat dekhne ka koi irada nehi. Hum bass Hindustan se samjhota karke aapna hissa samajhkar jana chahte hay. [Can we talk political? Kabul is under Mughals, and you are nothing but a rebel. Your own passion may have made you helpless for this war, but I do not have any reason. Listen one thing, Badakshan has already faced the emperor of Hindustan, I don't have any interest to face his rage again. I only want to negotiate with him and take my portion.]
"Bohot samajhdar hay aap, to pahele kyu humse wada kiye the ki... [You are very smart, then why did you promise me?] Mirza was trembling in rage.
"Hum abhi bhi Kabul ke sath hay Mirza Sahab, sath nehi chora humne. Baas haalat thora badal gaya hay. [I am still with Kabul Mirza Sahab, I have not leave the side. But the situation is changed.] The king smirked. "Hume Hindustan ke sath ek samjhota karna tha, or uske liye hume Kabul ki zarurat thi. Aap the Kabul ki takht ki waaris isliye humne aapka sath diya. Par iss jab iss jung ke bina hi o maqsaad pura ho sakta hay to bekar jung karne ka kya faida. Humara maqsaad pura ho chukka hay... Aab ek baagi ka sath deke hum uske sath sath Agra me kayedi hokar nehi jaa sakte. [I wanted a deal with Hindustan, and I needed Kabul for that. I supported you as you were the only heir of the throne. But when my motive is successful without the war why to fight? My motive is successful... Now I cannot risk my reputation by standing with a rebel!]
"Aapna zaban samhaliye! [Hold your tongue!] Mirza lost his cool at last. "Hume baagi kahe rahe hay? Kon baagi? Hum Hukumat-E-Kabul hay. Kabul me humara hukumat chalta hay! Hum ek shahezade hay, ek kayei nehi! Kabul ki taqdir hum likhenge; Mughal Shahenshah nehi!! [You are calling me rebel? I am the ruler of Kabul! I rule Kabul! I am a prince, I am not a prisoner! I will write the destiny of Kabul, not the emperor!]
"Aapne zasbaatyon ko kabu me rakho Mirza. Siyasaat me zasbaat nehi chalta. [Control your emotions Mirza. There is no place of emotion in politics.]
The terrifyingly cold female voice compelled both of them to turn. Fakhrunnisa was entering through the door followed by some maids and guards. Her attire was noticeably gorgeous, and there was an unseen, uncanny glory in her eyes. She entered into the room and occupied the throne- the same sit which belonged to Mahchuchak Begam once upon a time... Mirza got too surprised to say anything.
He had still a lot to be surprised. Almost simultaneously with Fakhr, another man entered into the room, followed by some Mughal soldiers... And before Mirza could do anything, Fakhrunnisa stood up and welcomed them warmly and offered them seat.
"Hum Kabul ke taraf se Kabul ki kille me Hindustan ki senapati Birbal ka dil se istakbal karte hay, or jung ki sari zimmidari aapne sar par lete hue yeh wada karte hay ki samjhote ki sare shartyon ko mante hue Kabul aage se chain or aaman ki rasta chunegi or Hindustan ke sath ek accha rista kayem rakhegi. Hum Fakhrunnisa Begam Kabul ki sare zimmidari aapne sar par lete hue baagiyon ko samal rakhne ka wada bhi karte hay. [I am greeting Birbal from all my heart in the fort of Kabul, and taking the responsibility of the war in head hence promising that with obeying all the conditions of negotiation Kabul will take the path of peace and friendship with Hindustan. Me, Fakrhunnisa Begam, after taking all the responsibilities myself hence promising to keep a control on the rebels from now on.] She uttered in a majestic voice after they sat. Her eyes sparked the ray of majestic dignity, and a glory never seen before... In the foggy frosty morning she was the only one shining like sun.
"Hum Shahenshah-E-Hind ki pratinidhitwa karte hue Mallika-E-Kabul ko abhibadan karte hay... [I am congratulating Mallika-E-Kabul on behalf of Shahenshah-E-Hind...]The slender man with cunning eyes told, and took out some official documents. In front of Mirza's eyes they got signed and sealed... sealed with a brand-new seal... by Fakhrunnisa...
"HO KYA RAHA HAY?? [WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?] Mirza yelled losing every bit of patience.
"Mirza... Fakhrunnisa told in a tender voice. "Kabul or Hindustan ke bich ek samjhota hua hay... Jung ko rok diya gaya hay, or Badakshan ki sultaan bhi samjhote ki shart ke motabik wapas ja rahe hay. [Mirza, there is a negotiation between Hindustan and Kabul. The battle is finished, and the king of Badakhshan is going back as per the conditions.]
"Humare pith piche Hindustan se samjhota?? [Negotiation behind me?] Mirza yelled again. "Aap pagal ho gayi hay aapa??? [Are you mad sister?]
"Humne kaha na Mirza siyasat me zadbaat ka jaaga nehi hay. [I told you there is no place of emotion in politics.] Fakhrunnisa told in a low and pitiful voice. "Sultaan sahab ke sath Shahenshah-E-Hind ka samjhota ho chukka hay; o jung me samil nehi honge. Iss waqt jung chalane ka takat nehi hay humare paas. [The king already signed the treaty with emperor, he will not participate in the war. Now we have no strength to continue the war.] She got up and handed him a document. "Yeaha dasakhat kar do. Haar man lo. [Sign here and surrender.]
"Haar man le??? [Surrender?] Mirza's eyes sparked. "Aapni ammi ki katil ke samne har man le? [Surrendering in front of the murderer of my mother?]
"Haa man lo. [Yes surrender.] Fakhrunnisa was calm. "Soch lo ki jo bhi tumne samjha sab galat tha, or har man lo... Shahenshah ke samne ghutne tek do nehi to Mughal Sipahi tumhe ghasitte hua Agra le jayenge kayedi banakar... Jaise ek baagi ke sath hota hay. [Assume what you have understood was wrong, and surrender... Bend in front of the emperor else the soldiers of Mughals will draw you to Agra as a prisoner... Just like a rebel...]
"Baagi nehi hay hum! Kabul ki Shahzade hay! [I am not a mere rebel! I am a prince!]
"Kabul Hindustan ka ek hissa hay. [And Kabul is just a part of Hindustan.]
"Nehi! Hum Mughal Shahzade hay, or Kabul humare hisse me aata hay! [No! I am Mughal prince, and Kabul is in my part!] Mirza roared. "Hum kisika gulam nehi hay! Hum aazad hay, or aapni marzi ke malik hay! Hum Hukumat-E-Kabul hay! [I am not a slave of anyone! I am free, and I am the owner of my own thoughts. I am the ruler of Kabul!]
"Nehi Mirza. [No Mirza.] Fakhrunnisa kept her hand on his shoulder and patted softly as if she is pursuing her small brother. "Hume maaf kar do Mirza... [Forgive me Mirza...] She whispered.
Mirza stared at her stunned.
"Shah-E-Hind ne ek farmaan jaari kiye hay Mirza. Humare marhoom Abbajaan Shah Humayun ke aakhri farmaanyon ke mutabek Shahenshah Jalal ko Kabul yeah kisi bhi sube ka hukumdaar ko chunne ka haq hay. Or ussi haq ke motabik o aapse Kabul ke audhedaar ka audha chhin liye hay. Aap Kabul ka subedaar nehi hay, ek mehez baagi hay jisse hum Kabul ke taraf se Shahenshah ke haat me de rahe hay. [The king of Hindustan has declared a decree, Mirza. According to our father's last order, Jalal has the right of choosing the ruler of every province including Kabul. And he has taken away your right using that right only. You are not a ruler of Kabul now, you are a rebel whom I am handing over to the emperor.] Fakhrunnisa completed without a blink. "Kyuki aap Kabul ka audhedaar nehi hay, Kabul ke bare me koi bhi faisla lene ka haq aap kho chuke hay. Aap srif humari hukum tamil karenge or yeaha dastakhat karenge... [As you are not the authority of Kabul, you have no right to take decision for Kabul. You will only abide by my orders and will sign here...]
"Kabul... Ammijaan... unka khwab... [Kabul... Mother...her dreams...] Mirza's voice trembled...
"Galat tha. Kanunan gunah tha... Aapko pata hay Mirza, aap kahi baar samjhaye the unhe ki Kabul Hindustan ka hissa hay; Shahenshah ka pura haq hay Kabul ke bare me faisla lene ka. [It was law. It was an offence by law. You knew it Mirza, you yourself has pursued her number of times, that Kabul is a part of Hindustan, the emperor has rights to take decisions for it?] Fakhr smiled sadly. "Kitni ajib hay na? Zasbaatyon me bahekar aapne wohi galti kar byathe? Lijie aab dastakhat kijie... [So strange, isn't it? You yourself forgot that in sentiment? Now sign here...] She came closer and kissed him tenderly. "Baas yehi ek rasta hay sab kuch thik kar dene ka, yaakin manie humara... Jalal Bhaijaan aapse... [It was a last path to arrange everything, believe me... Jalal Bhaijaan is...]
"USNE AMMIJAAN KI JAAN LI HAY!! [HE HAS TAKEN MY MOTHER'S LIFE!!] Mirza shouted like an insane...
"Nehi Mirza... Humne kaha na usse ek kahani samjhkar bhul jaiye... [No Mirza. I told you to forget that as a story...] Fakhr touched him. "Jo aap dekhte hay humesha o sach nehi hota... Aab humari baat manie... [What you can see is not always true. Listen to me...]
"Hoti kon hay aap hume hukum karne wali??? [Who the hell are you to order me?] Mirza roared.
"Hum Mallika-E-Kabul hay Mirza Hakim. Shahenshah ne khud hume yeh zimmidari di hay. [I am Mallika-E-Kabul. The emperor himself gave me the responsibility.] With full authority in voice, Fakhrunnisa hissed. "Kanun ke motabek hum Mallika-E-Kabul hay, hume Kabul ke bare me sare faisla lene ka haq diya gaya hay... Or ussi haq se hum aap ko hukum karte hay Mirza Hakim... DASTAKHAT KIJIE OR SHAHENSHAH KE SAMNE GHUNTE THEK DIJIE! Nehi to... [According to law I am the ruler of Kabul, I have the rights to take decisions for Kabul and from that right I am ordering you Mirza Hakim... SIGN HERE AND SURRENDER IN FRONT OF THE EMPEROR! Else] She calmed down again. " Hume majburan aapko kayed karni hogi... [I have to arrest you...]
Mirza Hakim gazed at her for a long moment. Perhaps all the confusions got cleared now. The meaning of the whole drama of the morning, the meaning of the new seal, the negotiation treaty and the glory of Fakhrunnisa's eyes became clear... After a long time he could only murmured one word... "Dhoka!! [Betrayal!]
"Humne kaha tha tumse bohot baar Mirza... Shahenshah se jung maat karo... [I told you a lot of times Mirza... not to war against the emperor...] Fakhrunnisa told. Mirza smiled sarcastically... "Kya sach me kaha tha aapne, Aapa? Phir hume yeh kyu laga ki aap hume jung ke lie uksa rahi hay? [Really you tried to stop me sister? Then why I thought you instigated me for the war actually?]
For a moment, his sarcasm hit her heart directly, though she was capable to endure this by now...
"Hume laga tha aap humare sath hay... Hume laga tha aap humesha humara sath dengi... [I thought you were with me... I thought you will be on my side always...] Mirza gulped... "Par aap humare pith pichhe... Shahenshah se... hum... [But you... behind my back... with the emperor...] He suddenly shook his head in great disbelief... "Aapne hum eek shahzade se ek kayedi bana diya Aapa?? Aap sabne! Aap sabne khel khela?? [You made me a prisoner from a prince, sister? You played! You all played with me!!]
"Kaabu me rakho aapne aapko Mirza... Yeh siyasaat hay! Sab yeaha ladne aate hay aapne gurur ke liye, aapne takat ke liye, aapne audha ke liya... aapne aapke liya! Yeaha koi kisika dost nehi... koi kisika bhai nehi... [Control yourself Mirza. This is polotics. Here everyone comes to fight for their ego, for their power, for their authority... for themselves! Here none is friend, none is brother!] Fakhrunnisa hissed again...
"Koi kisika nehi... koi kisika nehi! [None!]Mirza closed his eyes. "Sabne humare sath khel khela! Hume mohra banake... Pahele Jalal Bhaijaan... fir aap... Kyu! Kyu! Kyu! [Everyone played with me! Made me pawn... First Jalal Bhaijaan... then you... Why! Why! Why!]
Suddenly he lost all his strength and dropped himself on the nearby seat, closing his eyes...
"Dastakhat karo. [Sigh here.] Fakhrunnisa ordered.
Mirza opened his eyes, then took the documents and signed haphazardly and again covered his face within the palms.
"Mirza Hakim ne aapna gunah qubul karke yeaha dasakhat kar diya hay Birbal Ji. [Mirza Hakim has surrendered his crimes BirbalJi.] Fakhrunnisa proceeded towards Birbal. She should have been emotionally drained in this battle of words with own younger brother, but her face had no sign of it. "Hum aab se inki sari zimmidari lete hay; Shahenshah se wada karte hay ki Kabul me or kabhi Mirza ke liye koi parishani nehi aayega! Hum Mirza Hakim ko nazarbandh rakhenge... usse koi bara saza na diya jaye. [I am taking his charges; and promise the emperor that Kabul and Mirza will never be his headache! I will house-arrest Mirza... Just don't give him any capital punishment.]
"Nazarbandh! [House-arrest!] Mirza sighed sarcastically. "Kyu? Bhej dijie hume Agra ki kayed me! Hum par rahem dikhakar humari or tauheen maat kijie Mallika-E-Kabul! [Why? Send me to the prison of Agra! Don't insult me more by showing pity on me, Mallika-E-Kabul!]
Birbal smiled looking at him. "Aapni dunia se aise moo maat mor lijie Mirza Hakim. Aapne aankhyon se patti hatakar sach janne ki kosish kijie... Sochiye zara, kya sachme Shahenshah aapki Ammi ke maut ka zimmidar hay, yea aapse koi phir se khel raha hay! [Don't turn your fae from your world Mirza Hakim. Just open your eyes and try to know the truth... Try to think, if the emperor is really responsible for the murder of your mother, or anyone is playing with you! ] He looked at Fakhrunnisa sternly. "Hum asha karte hay ki aapko bohot jald sach ka pata chal jayega, or aap phir se iss dunia ko alag najariya se dekh payengi. [I hope you will know the truth soon and you will be able to see the world from new angle.] He smiled broadly. "Aap nazarbandh nehi hay Mirza sahab; aap kayedi bhi nehi hay. Aap Shahenshah-E-Hind ke bhai hay; o aapse bohot pyaar karte hay. Aap aapni sari gussa, sari bair bhulkar unke paas jaiye, o aapko gale laga lenge! O aapko batayenge sach kya hay! Aap abhi bhi chhote hay Mirza sahab, ek chhoti si galti kijie, jisse sudhara bhi jaa sakta hay. Parantu iss galti ke sath sath dhire dhire mithya ke andhire me aap doob na jaye! [You are not house-arrested, Mirza Sahab; you are neither a prisoner. You are the brother of the emperor, and he loves you very much. You give up your anger and enmity and come to him, he will embrace you just then! He will show you the truth! You are young, Mirza Sahab, you have done a little mistake which can be rectified, But don't let yourself drown in the darkness of this little mistake!]
Mirza gazed at him for a long time in vacant eyes, then smiled more sarcastically. "Hume kisiki parwah nehi, Birbal ji! [I don't care for anyone anymore, Birbal Ji!] He told before leaving the room.
Fakhrunnisa stared at his path for a while. Today her plan has succeeded, she has got everything what she desired.
But did it cost too much?
PRECAP: "What are you thinking master? If you want to live then escape!
Sharifuddin with vacant eyes kept on staring at him!
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