CH # 6: THE MUGHAL ECLIPSE; A Novel
Syed Ahmed Khan rescued British families
‘...Please leave us. Show some mercy. We’ll go back to England and never come back,’ Katherine called for the mercy again. Angeline was trying to hide behind her mom.
There were no signs of mercy. The freedom fighters were towing seized foreigners towards Red Fort as prisoners or killing them at the spot. The weapons that were confiscated from the arsenal before blast also pulled to Red Fort. Aneel and Ranbir reached in front of fort gate with weapons to show their strength. Niaz Din governed the injured towards near disperencies. The whole city was under violent attacks by revolted sepoys and local rioters after the arsenal blast.
The reluctant residents of Red Fort were feeling encouraged and restrained to take charge of Delhi after news of freedom fighters getting success around in their name.
‘We’ll not leave any white alive on our land,’ a man came forward with a dagger. He held a young white boy tight from the hostages.
‘Please, show some mercy in the name of your God,’ his mother pleaded.
‘Why not- the mercy will be exactly like you’ve been showing for more than a century upon us. Call your "brave" and "wiser" white men who ran away leaving their families behind. Tell them to face Hindustanis now,’ the man put the dagger on the young boy’s throat. A thin line of blood made the boy screamed loud.
‘Leave them now. Let them go. They
didn’t commit anything wrong with you. It’s insane to kill unarmed people,’ a
middle-aged humble looking man breached the fighters' circle.
‘Please help us. Save my child from
these rebellion sepoys,’ that British lady ran to that humble-looking man. A
group of furious men with daggers and rifles stopped for a while after
listening to that man.
‘Oh, now the British bootlicker,
Syed Ahmed Khan…a man who inhales non-religious education will tell us, the
rules of the fight. From now on anyone with Christian based knowledge will be our
enemy too,’ Niaz Din recognized him.
‘I beg you, don’t do this. I’m a
loyal Muhammadan like many of you. I have learned the Quran thoroughly with
translation many times. Christians are closer to Islam than any other
religion. We can end up with good ties if simply listen to each other
patiently. Don’t categories the knowledge into religious or nonreligious. Grasp
it anywhere, in any form…I’m one among you…,’ Ahmed khan came in front of that
group of scared Christians and held the boy who was still breathing.
‘Can you deny that you got non-religious education in the influence of General Wellesley at your workplace? Can you answer when Bahadur Shah gave you the title of Arif Jang,
offered you a job but you joined East India Company, why? Preach this Bible and Quran comparative
lecture to your masters in East India Company, for whom you work. You’re
badly influenced by western style culture. We’re slaves just because of people
like you. You’re one among them,’ Niaz Din and his mates moved forward to hit
Syed Ahmed when suddenly many security men reached in time and took Syed Ahmed
Khan and foreign families in their custody.
Prince Khizar Sultan accompanying
Prince Jawan Bakhat was out to rescue the injured and observe the situation in the city. Prince Khizar called the mob from horse cart on reaching the spot.
‘You should be thankful to have a few clued-up men among you. Though he maintained his space somewhere, Ahmed always had good relations with Mughals. He always had been an enthusiastic participant in annual games and functions of Red Fort,'
'Red Fort can’t allow any
massacre in Delhi from now. King Bahadur Shah is ready to meet representatives of freedom fighters,' Prince Khizar raised his voice at the end.
The crowd got thrilled and
fascinated to spot the Mughal princes amid them and upon the call from Red
Fort. How could they disobey their masters of choice? They left Christian
hostages, forgot about Syed Ahmed Khan, and faced towards Red Fort. The boy was sent to near clinic instantly.
‘I got to know about your mother. I'm sorry for her,’
Prince Khizar Sultan stepped down from the cart.
‘We’re helpless in front of Allah’s
will,’ Syed Ahmed replied gloomily.
‘Definitely, we’re. May her soul
rest in peace, Ameen,’ Prince consoled him.
‘Ameen, Meray huzoor, can I take
these British families to my home?' Syed Ahmed
Khan pointed towards the scared white families that were surrounded by Mughal
security men now.
‘You don’t worry Syed Ahmed, from
now the Mughals will guard their people. The sun of the Mughal sultanate is shining again with its boom. Every native or foreigner will appreciate the protection and equal
rights in free Hindustan. Mercy will be granted to all. These whites will be our guests in the
Red Fort,’ Prince Jawan Bakhat came forward at once and spoke to foreign
families. He could clearly spot the Angeline in there.
‘In my humble opinion, it’s not
safe to move forward towards Red Fort taking these whites. The fighters are in
bad moods that’s why many local Muslims and Hindus are rescuing the British
families at this time of the riot. Let me care for these,’ Syed Ahmed Khan
requested the prince.
‘You’re right …I’ll send some
security with you.’ Prince Khizar sat back on the cart and moved forward to monitor
the injured persons of the recent arsenal blast.
‘But…,’ Prince Jawan Bakhat followed him disappointed.
‘Don’t worry; she is your possession
now. Soon she’ll be in your arms. After all, you’re a prince of free and great
Mughal Empire now and a master of all,’ Prince Jawan Bakhat consoled himself
while looking back when Angeline was walking towards near houses with other
British families. He planned to visit Syed Ahmed's house as soon as he's free.
The British families entered a big
gate adjacent to a wide road. After passing the green and shady large garden
they stopped by a wide balcony. Katherine, Angeline, and all other families felt
a little relieved. They were served with fresh drinks when Syed Ahmed Khan
moved to the room to meet the people who were there for his mother’s condolences.
Angeline composed herself and walked inside the house.
‘This man seems to be any scholar. I
never knew that any Indian Muslim can also have such a passion for reading. There
are a lot of books in every room of this house. I just thought every native is
illiterate and dumb like its princes,’ Angeline came back after taking a round
of house.
‘Why can’t you sit at one corner?
How close we were to get slaughter by those men? They’ve towed your aunt and
many others towards Red Fort and someone told me that they’re left in prison
there,’ Katherine came to her worried.
‘Do you get any information about dad? Does he know about us? He was in the arsenal at the time of the blast. I was looking for Ahmed Khan if he can help us to get any news,' Angeline consoled her mother.
'I know nothing, nobody else. We should ask any from Red Fort to rescue us,' Katherine said thoughtfully.
'Do you really think the residents of Red Fort are capable to handle the situation? I think you never met them,'
‘Mughals have ruled the subcontinent from Bengal to Kabul autonomous for centuries and
actually introduced literature, culture, and norms over here. It’s only Mughals' legacy that can be compared with British rule over here that’s why these
mutineers are hoping towards Red Fort. Didn't you observe how they left us at one command of Mughal prince,’
‘It's not that Mughals, you know from old stories, mom. You’ll see these mutineers will drown the rickety ship of Mughals. I’ve visited the Red Fort many times with father and I can bet that these Mughal princes will run off the battleground in first chance if they dare to step in,’ Angeline analyzed the situation while grumbling with fleeing flies all around.
‘Once I get out of here then never come back to bear the scorching summer and dumb people here. I just miss Yorkshire a lot,' Angeline was again out of the room to inhale fresh air in the garden.
Another sun was down after bearing many deaths and screams of
the day. Syed Ahmed Khan was looking for Iftar preparations in his big garden
when a servant approached him.
‘The hospitals were swarming
with arsenal blast victims that’s why Prince Khizar Sultan advised to sent few
placid wounded over here.’
‘Take them inside immediately and
provide them all medical facilities,' Syed Ahmed Khan moved to the gate with his
servant instant. Umer Khan hardly made his way towards a side room in Syed
Ahmed Khan’s house among five other injured companions. His light brown shirt was
red with the streaming blood from his chest. His right shoulder was stuck in
severe pain.
Syed Ahmed Khan personally cared for all
injured. He and his servants cleaned the wounds of affected fighters and
wrapped the bandages carefully.
‘It’ll
be fine, soon. You’re lucky to save the immense blast,’ Syed Ahmed examined
Umer’s wound.
‘But
my friend wasn’t. He sacrificed his life for freedom,’ he went gloomy.
‘Don’t
stress yourself and take proper rest. I’m sending you another shirt,’ Syed
Ahmed soothed him.
Umer put his shirt at one side and lay down after Iftar dinner on one of the beds which were set on the lawn.
The 16th night’s moon was big, clear, and
upon the sky twinkling as a prince amid little slave stars around. The sleep
was far away from his eyes. He was thinking of the good days which he spent
with Ashoke when he felt thirsty and got up to look for water. The tap was at
the corner of a big lawn.
While walking towards pitcher stand in the garden, he got hit by someone in dark and a thin stream of blood made its way out of the bandage again.
‘Aaa…aa…,’
‘I’m sorry.
I couldn’t see you. Are you ok?’ the shadow was clear in the sapphire
moonlight.
Angeline
stepped back first and then came forward to see a bent man who was sobbing with
pain...To be continued...Click to Read CH # 7
Disclaimer:
all characters of the story are imaginary. They bear no resemblance to anyone
living or dead.