CH # 4: THE MUGHAL ECLIPSE
RED FORT & FREEDOM FIGHTERS
After soothing their fury sentiments in Meerut, the fuming crowd faced towards Shahjahanabad (Delhi) in early next morning, the 11th May 1857, to meet their dream of the restoration of the great Mughal Empire where every native irrespective of any religion was safe and respectable. The news of revolt spread at other Garrisons like fire in any forest and the bulk of sepoys stripped off their uniforms to join the freedom fighters. Locals too joined in, in the hope to get rid of white slavery.
The young ones were moving on foot and others took bull oaks carts. Sepoys were swinging swords in the air. The sun and clouds were playing blind man’s bluff since yesterday. The May was not as hot yet but the revolted sepoys sentiments were boiling with black mood.
“Will a weak king and his unskilled heirs will be able to lead any freedom movement?” No one was caring or considering that. The fighters seemed to believe in their capability and fervor against whites. They were heading fast to Delhi in the hope to get Bahadur Shah Zafar’s authority.
Delhi
'Why dad has left in hurry?' Angeline looked at the cart outside her house near British Arsenal and asked her mother.
'There is news of rebellion in Meerut and mutineers are marching towards Delhi. The situation is very tense. We better stay insides,' Katherine closed all the windows and advised her daughters.
'Don't worry mom! Our one man will be enough for the bunch of dumb Hindustanis,' Angeline didn't seem anxious.
The rebellion sepoys reached near Delhi.
'I believe that Company officers will not dare to come in front and we'll enter Delhi before Iftar.' Umer Khan looked up in the sky.
Red Fort, Delhi
‘You’re beating your wife again! Is this the way, you’re planning to get a hold of the Mughal throne. Be a man and face any man. Go and beat Crown Prince Mirza Mughal and take revenge of my brother, Prince Farukh’s death, if you have guts,’ Princess Hamida Bano seized Mukaram Zamani in her arms and bawled on Prince Khizar Sultan who was hitting her with legs.
‘You better stay out of it…Princess Hamida. I’m already blowing in anger that Prince Mirza Mughal is out on meetings with the British to seek their consent, and she told me that I’m a short-tempered creep that can’t lead rebellious sepoys. Mirza Mughal became crown prince being the eldest legitimate son and then Prince Jawan Bakhat will grab the title. If the British are not defeated then I would lose all plans. How dare she…? She called me an illegitimate son of King,’ Prince Khizar raised his hand again towards his wife.
‘Is it erased from your mind that how you had to fall in King’s feet to beg for his pardon when he called out you for beating your wife? He even didn’t mind to smack you for your coward act. Aba Huzoor pardoned you then, after your plea but I’m telling you, you’ll have to face the consequences this time. You may be more skillful and efficient than other princes but all the folks in the fort are irritated by your short-temper….control your anger otherwise I’ll not support you anymore. She is alright…,’ Princess Hamida paused for a while.
‘…Queen Zeenat Mahal is setting up the way for his son. She has contacts with many British officers to take in the situation of rebellious movement and you’re losing control over women. You and Mirza Mughal both are on her radar to target. She can use her advantage of being the favorite and closest queen of King Bahadur Shah Zafar,’ Princess Hamida Bano took Mukaram Zamani at sides, came closer to her stepbrother, and yelled out.
‘Respected Prince, Syed Ahmed Khan is here to see you.’ just then a fort servant approached Prince Khizar Sultan.
‘Syed Ahmed Khan! He’s here after a long time.’ Princess
Hamida Bano turned in a pleasant surprise.
‘I’ve called him to discuss the prevailing situation when I came to know that he’s in Delhi nowadays. Rebellion sepoys are about to touch here and I’m not that ignorant as you women think,’ Prince Mirza Khizar Sultan gave a nasty look at his wife and walked away.
‘Since Brother Prince Farukh has died, you don’t turn up to Red Fort most often,’ Prince Khizar Sultan welcomed Ahmed in Fort’s cavalry.
‘Aali jA, Red Fort is just like a second home to me. Prince Farukh and I studied and played together in lobbies of Red Fort for many years. I really miss him.’ Syed Ahmed replied gloomily.
Syed Ahmed Khan was a well-educated and diligent man in his late 30’s. His broad face, insightful eyes, and thoughtful judgment always kept him distinct among his fellows.
‘I miss brother Farukh too. I was very close to him. I would appreciate it if you visit here on and off. I need your advice on many matters.’
‘Respected Prince, as you know I’m a British employee in the court of Muradabad, it’s not easy to get holidays but I’ll feel pleasure to come here whenever it is needed. Looking at simmering conditions among sepoys around garrisons, I hardly got few leaves to look after my mother here in Delhi,’ Syed Ahmed Khan explained.
‘I can understand…you and Prince Mirza Mughal have diverse approaches. You refused a job offer in Red Fort by your choice and preferred British opportunity. You never considered that the Mughal Empire also needs a well-read man like you. Why any intellect of time like you will stand by a falling wall?’ Prince went low.
‘It's not the reason. In fact...,’
‘I know the facts dear. Two hundred years ago when Emperor Babur laid the foundation of the great Mughal Empire in 1526 then no one had the idea that this empire will be rooted too deep in the subcontinent that its branches will be in a solo command in all the states of Hindustan. Emperor Akbar decided to shift the capital from Lahore Fort to the new place Fatehpur, and the land bowed against him. Emperor Shahjahan searched for a new horizon, got fed up with Fatehpur, and built another new city, Shahjahanabad, and this Red Fort at his name. Such rich and the dominant empire of its time it was. At the time of Emperor Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire was producing 25% GDP of the whole world. After ruling and shining with its full might from east to west the Mughal sultanate started to collapse after the death of King Aurangzeb in 1707. Mughals couldn’t stand against rebellions from Marathas, against foreign invaders like Nadir Shah and British conspiracies. We have just seized in this fort now in 1857 but the golden era of the Mughal period is still stamped on the hearts of people of Hindustan. They still hope from Red Fort as their rescuer and I feel helpless against their demand. I want to lead them to restore Mughal’s might,’ Prince Khizar Sultan disclosed his vulnerable sentiments hidden behind his rage.
‘It happened just because of in capabilities of Mughal administration at the time; otherwise, it was not easy to hit the empire which ruled on the hearts for centuries, my prince,'
'What do you mean by incapabilities...we resisted everywhere?'
'I just want to say that might of the Mughal empire was too strong that even when Marathas took over the city of Delhi after fighting for long but they let their rivals to continue its title. Again, when the British seized the city, they also couldn’t stroke the Mughal title but Mughals never tried to restore the respect of their might and throne. I appreciate your sentiments but…,’
‘Syed Ahmed Khan…I believe you forget the way of your home today otherwise how lucky we could be of having you in the Red Fort. After all, you’re a literate person with the know-how of English language…the language of our masters,’ Princess Hamida Bano wearing a long red frock with pink silk dupatta excitedly make her way to cavalry ground.
‘Adaab, princess,’ Syed Ahmed
khan bowed.
‘Adaab won’t work. Now you’ll have to join us on Iftar. I’ve much to talk with you about. The mother will also be pleased to meet you. We still recall the pleasant time when we visited Taj Mahal with brother Farukh.’ Princess hardly held her dupatta on a gush of air and looked at Ahmed.
‘That time was so good and memorable but now there is an annoyance and suffocation in the air all around,’ Syed Ahmed looked at the flock of flying pigeons and replied thoughtfully.
‘There is a news that rebellion sepoys are moving fast towards Red Fort to seek Mughal King’s backing and we were discussing on that. You better go inside,’ Prince Khizar Sultan turned to Hamida Bano.
‘Simply tell mutineers to turn back. What
will you offer them? Have a look at your cavalry… few drowsy horses, clumsy
elephants, or a stack of rusted rifles and cannons can’t aid the rebellions.
…Mughal successors….the blood of Emperor Akbar, who used to beat lions, the grandsons of Emperor Aurangzeb, who used to scuffle with wild elephants alone are busy training and compelling pigeons in this time of the riot,’ Princess Hamida exclaimed loud and pointed towards the corner of cavalry ground where young Prince Shah Abbas and Prince Jawan Bakhat were cackling near big cages of pigeons.
‘Syed Ahmed, I want to take English classes from you if you could grab sometime in the evening,’ she continued in a serious tone.
‘No one will learn English here…farangi zubaan…the sign of our slavery. We’ll only learn Urdu and Arabic. I said to leave for now,’ Prince Khizar Sultan commented angrily.
‘It’ll be an honor to teach you and I’ll try to take time out for you, Princes until I’m here. We shouldn’t be hesitant in learning and adopting the changes in time. This inflexibility has stuck us behind the world. The west has worked hard to mark up their industrial revolution and progress. Whereas Mughal kings became used to luxuries of court life and pained not to peep at up-to-date skills. Europeans were constructing universities and Mughal was wasting revenue on the building of the Taj Mahal. Still, we can and we should build up any institute where Muslim youth can learn…,’ Syed Ahmed Khan didn't hesitate to explain his point.
‘Please Syed Ahmed, I can’t build school or college in a day…no one here is interested in learning…especially foreign subjects…,’ Prince Khizar Sultan cut him up and looked at Princess Hamida.
‘I and mother will wait for you on Iftar dinner,’ Princes Hamida Bano bowed to seek permission and left towards Mumtaz Mahal.
‘Just suggest me any sensible suggestion other than of school. How can I maintain my relationship with rebellion sepoys and can get benefit from the situation to win the throne? Crown Prince Mirza Mughal is of no worth,’ Prince Khizar Sultan came straight to point.
‘It was the most sensible suggestion,’ Syed Ahmed murmured.
‘My prince, it’ll not be easy to confront modernly equipped and trained British army…,’ Ahmed spoke out.
‘That’s why I’ve called you here. You have close relations with the British and know to deal with them and the sepoys. I want an intellectual in my team. I don’t want to miss this chance to restore the mighty Mughal sultanate. Rebellion sepoys are passionate like me and I want to lead them,’ Prince Khizar Sultan showed up his intentions.
‘Let them come first. We don’t even have an idea about their demands. Let’s see what they’ll ask from the king,’ Syed Ahmed gave his suggestion.
‘Umm…you’re right…,’ Prince Khizar stopped by listening to the call of Asar prayer from near Moti Mosque.
‘It is not quite hot today but still fast seems longer than usual,’ Prince Khizar Sultan felt thirsty. He looked up in the sky and they walked up to Moti Mosque.
‘This is 15th Ramzan today, fasts are 15 hours long and hot, but still, rebellion sepoys are marching towards Delhi,’ Syed Ahmed thought.
The bricked tandoor(oven) was hot to cook chappati and for Iftar in an open royal kitchen in Red Fort close to Lahori Gate. The logs were pulled to mud stoves to prepare Qorma and vegetable curry with the aroma of Bar B Q smoke. Different types of refreshing drinks Satu, Tuq malanga, Sugarcane Juice were being prepared at one corner. Fort servant was plucking fresh Guava, raw mangoes, Locat and Berries to be served on the Iftar table. King Bahadur Shah Zafar offered his prayers in his room.
‘Dear God, only you can understand my constraints, my burdens, and my misery. Please give me the wisdom to decide the right way…away from where I may be able to restore the lost valor of my forefathers. I know I can’t fight with the masters of the new world, but you can do whatever you want. Please have mercy upon me, upon my brood and upon my subjects,’ Mughal king Bahadur Shah Zafar was pleading to almighty Allah in his room.
Just then Queen Akhtar Mahal approached outside with white hairs and barren eyes and screamed aloud.
‘Prince Farukh, my son, my prince…,’
‘Nature will take the reverse of your innocent death. This fort will fall to its feet…my son…where have you gone leaving me alone …?’ she continued pleading but no one noticed.
‘Ami huzoor…please compose yourself. We’re having a guest on Iftar. You’ll be pleased to meet him,’ Princess Hamida Bano ran towards her mother and held her mother from ragging in soil.
‘Is my son, Prince Farukh is coming on Iftar?’ desolated queen asked in hope.
‘Ann…yes, he’s…please, you come with me,’ Princess Hamida almost dragged her mother to side.
It was just before half an hour before Iftar time when the Delhi gate of the red fort opened with a bang and a lumbering horse cart approached inside carrying Crown Prince Mirza Mughal.
‘Close the gates...
...Close all the gates of the fort
No one should enter in here without King Bahadur Shah’s consent.
The three battalions of rebellion sepoys have entered the Shahjahanabad (Delhi). They’re mounting at every second. They’ve announced themselves as freedom fighters and Bahadur Shah Zafar, as an Emperor of Hindustan. General Nicholson is furious about this situation. How we’re going to fix the situation,’ Prince Mirza Mughal made his way direct to King Bahadur Shah Zafar...Click to read CH # 5
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all characters of the story are imaginary. They bear no resemblance to anyone
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