Advertisement

Saturday 28 July 2018

CH#15 The Mughal Eclipse| The dusk of Mughal empire 1857-fusion stories

CH# 15: THE MUGHAL ECLIPSE




The dusk of the Mughal Empire

....‘I don’t have any confusion. I just want to relax…,’ Angeline stole her eyes and left the room.

 

‘Dear Umer Khan…,’ the pen slipped from her hands. She didn’t know what and why she was about to write.

 

General Nicholson reached the British camps outside Delhi when he was told about the letters from the Red Fort. The King, and the Princes were continuously writing to him for ceases fire on some conditions.

 

‘This is what, I was waiting for.  Write to the king, queen, and all princes separately. There is only one condition to close this brawl that Red Fort officially announces the withdrawal of its support to mutineers. In this case, the Company will support the restoration of the Mughal throne.’ General Nicholson answered the letters and made a prompt visit to the city's defensive wall.


 The wall was not only high and thick but was surrounded by puddles, marshy ponds, and furious weeds because of the rainy season in the area. The cannonballs seemed powerless against the strong bricked barrier. General Nicolson wanted to finish this siege before the company soldiers’ morals started to collapse. He called his men for a meeting.

 

1857 brawl areas


‘What…an official announcement to withdraw supporting the freedom fighters… It is better to die than to roll back your words. Red Fort will never do that but I’m afraid that we can’t stand against the company’s well-skilled soldiers,’ Prince Khizar Sultan grumbled confused and admitted. Bahadur Shah Zafar called a meeting on General’s reply.

 

‘Aba huzoor, these freedom fighters pulled us in their clash and then didn’t regard us. We shouldn’t be regretting leaving them to fight for their cause. Instead, I’ve set many men that are just loyal to Red Fort. They’ll guard us. We don’t need to listen at anyone of both parties but we’ll proceed on our plan,’ Prince Mirza Mughal talked overconfidently. Prince Abu Bakar was confused about the situation and wanted to finish this battle soon.

 

‘Once this clash is settled then I’ll master myself in the latest war skills. I’ll study and learn modern tIt looked that Red Fort never wanted to restore its legacy otherwise how not a single prince here may be capable of administering a war properly,’ Prince Abu Bakar thought confused.

 

‘Though freedom fighters are fighting bravely and we can’t withdraw from the war but ground realities state that we’re not in the position to confront the company’s soldiers in any case too. We should keep on writing the General to come to any middle solution. We should also engage freedom fighter’s correspondents in our meetings. I believe that the city walls are too strong and are going to guard us for long. Until the time we’ll reach any terms without more bloodshed,’ King Bahadur Shah made his statement at the end.  

 

On the same day, Queen Zeenat Mahal reached the small house near the main market Delhi after receiving the General’s letter for her.       

 

‘Nicholson is sure that there would be any breach…any infringe…any fault line somewhere in these walls and you can help her by locating that,’ a British spy was waiting for her.

 

‘Have you told Nicholson about my condition…to aid my son to grab the throne and to kill the crown prince and others too?’ Zeenat Mahal was prepared to bargain.

 

.‘Of course, it’s done,’ the spy assured hurried.

 

‘I don’t have an idea of any cracks in the wall but here are few maps of wall boundaries. I’ve hardly arranged them from my loyal men,’ Queen Zeenat Mahal opened a chest and fetch two rough pages.

 

‘This would work for us. The company is gratified and looking forward to more intelligence from you. I hope soon we’ll meet at the crown ceremony of your son Prince Jawan Bakhat,’ the spy flattered her and left after holding the wall maps.

 

All of sudden the giant bricked defensive walls started to tremble and quivered against British attacks. It was evident that soon or later the British will be successful to dig any infringe on the wall. The final dogfight was making its way now in the streets of Delhi. It was long enough to seize two months now.  The month of August was also setting off after penning its marks on history. Bakhat Khan took the round of freedom sepoys camps and examined the latest situation. He called for meetings with senior sepoys and also met the king and correspondents from Red Fort. King Bahadur Shah told him about the backdoor politics of Red Fort to avoid any bloodshed.


‘I’m writing to General Nicholson that we’re ready to surrender,’ Bakhat Khan announced in a meeting.

 

‘How come…why…?’ Niaz Din stood up. There started whispering among sepoys.


‘Hold on…my brave sepoys…I know you want to die till your last breath to meet your cause and that is freedom…freedom from these atrocious white monsters. I also have the same root but the situation at war calls us to change our strategy. We’re confronting a very sharp and cunning enemy and we’ll deal them in their way,’ Bakhat Khan explained.

 

‘You dumb browns can’t win against us at least in this century…please don’t go…,’ Umer didn’t know from where the sound echoed in his ears. He felt a little cognition in his chest and cleaned his sweating.

 

‘Umer, are you alright?’ Ranbir noticed him.

 

‘I’m…yes, I’m alright,’ Umer composed him.

 

‘But… we’ll do it on our options. East India Company is constrained to reconciliation as its soldiers are dying of mosquito and snake bites before they stand against real men. The company’s cannonballs, machinery, and ammunition are all going into a dump in trying to breach the giant defensive wall. The company is facing resistance throughout the Hindustan and on the other side, we’re sieges in name only. Our men can come and go out of the city safely. We’re having ration and enough ammunition. Why not make a deal to get out of this siege and to move forward?’ Bakhat Khan explained his plan.

 

‘What is in your mind?’ one sepoy asked.

 

Aneel got up after Bakhat Khan pointed.

 

‘The freedom sepoys will come to cease fire if the Company meets given conditions:

 

1.      The British will turn back and restore us to our all winning areas.

 

2.      Shahjahanabad would be declared as an independent state by the British government.

 

3.      The British government would pay for all casualties of war,’

 

Aneel read aloud to all that were present in the meeting.

 All freedom sepoys agreed with Bakhat Khan and it was decided that two correspondents from them will meet General Nicholson. Umer and Ranbir came out of Moori gate taking the conditions and reached straight at Nicholson’s camp without resistance. These were the last days of August and the atmosphere was humid and suffocated. Nicholson let them wait for long before showing his face.

 

‘Would Nicholson have met his family? Does he know that we’ve saved his wife and daughter’s lives,’ Ranbir asked while observing the movement of Company sepoys.

 

‘How could I know? And you don’t need to mention anything,’ Umer replied irritated.

 

‘Well, I thought she has written to you. Don’t you think the British girl resembles her father a lot?’ Ranbir whispered when General showed his face out of his camp.

 

‘Just keep your mouth shut and concentrate on your work,’ Umer whispered back and moved to General.

 

‘Then the mutineers will cease fire if we agree to these conditions,’ General grinned after reading the paper.


‘These rebellion sepoys don’t know that I’m very good at origami,’ General Nicholson made the paper boat of that terms and set it free on flowing water channel, outside the ridge.

 

‘Tell Bakhat khan, the time of settlement has passed. Now it’s time for do or die not the fly or die…,’ he gave cold shoulder to Umer and Ranbir as another long awaiting machine gun was about to transport to boost British Strength in short. He was sure of its results.  Secondly, his spies were more efficient and were delivering reports from inside the city and from Red Fort in his favor at every second. The next day General Nicholson reached Lucknow to meet his family. Katherine and Angeline were cheerful to see him.

'I’ve arranged your seats back to Yorkshire. A ship is going to leave soon from Calcutta. As soon as this uprising will fuse then I’ll join you too. The world will witness our revenge from Muslims of the sub-continent. We’re close to smashing them. I also want to die in England. Sometimes I miss it a lot but duty is always first,’ General patted his daughter while remembering his hometown.


‘Dad, mom didn’t tell you that how Syed Ahmed rescued many British families, and then Umer, a rebellion sepoy, saved us too. You can’t only blame locals for this mutiny,’ Angeline looked at her mother while replying to her father.


‘It was Mughals and the resonance of their might in Hindustan which pulled this mutiny out of limits. We can’t deny the fact that the Muslims will keep on trying to restore their power. They are a real threat to British rule in Hindustan. You don’t stress your nerves, dear.  My men will soon take you to Calcutta Port  that you both can leave in time.’ General Nicholson left back to his camp in Delhi.

Syed Ahmed Khan; a groom, arrived at Red fort with Mirza Ghalib and a little faction of his family and friends on the first Friday of September. There were simple arrangements for the wedding ceremony at the fort.

 

‘Ahmed is a thorough gentleman. I’ve seen the world but have spotted very few focused and hardworking like him. You would surely have a cheerful blessed life with him.’ Princess Hamida Bano’s mother wiped her tears while decorating her daughter with a Rani gold necklace and other gold ornaments as a bride. When Hamida Bano was being welcomed at Ahmed’s house along with the main market at Delhi, just the time British forces were successful to arrange a heavy siege machine after an appalling linger of two months.


‘General, the north side of the wall has got sufficient fissures after continuous attacks and rain put its part too. For now, the crack is not too wide that allow our men to go through, but we are increasing the pressure at weak spots. We’ll soon enter and recapture the city,’ one officer informed General excited.

 

The situation inside the wall was going apprehensive at every second.  The freedom sepoys were leaving the check posts on the defensive wall and were making new posts inside the city. Bakhat Khan was taking a round of new posts. 

‘I knew after feeding on British pension, these Mughals would feel like autumn leaves.’ He ordered his soldiers to attack with full strength.

 

‘Umer here is a letter for you,’ a soldier came to Umer when he was taking shower wearing dhoti(local skirt) underhand pump at camp.

 

‘A letter for me? No one ever wrote to me. Who can be here?’ Umer asked amazed while pumping for the final rinse. Umer asked Ranbir to hold that.

‘Umm…who send it….it’s not mentioned but I’m sure it’s a love letter. I can smell it. You know I’m experienced in this field,’ Ranbir acted to feel the ambiance in the air.

'Then my friend also receiving love letters,' Ranbir saw the envelope ups and down to check the sender's details.


Umer dried him up, held the letter, and sat at little mounted rise aside pump.

'Dear Umer Khan,

The tables are about to turn soon. The victory will chase the defeat and folks will mourn. .I’ll pray for your safety whatever is the result of this war. You’ll always remain in my memories as a good friend. I’ll leave for England soon. I’ve written this letter to thank you for everything.’ Umer sat down quietly holding the letter. The water drops from his black hairs were making little streams down from his tan face.  

 

‘It’s looking like a goodbye letter.’ Ranbir sat against him.

 

‘I’m happy that she’s going to leave soon. Now she can continue her dream of studying medicine. These whites are very passionate and have clear goals in their lives which we seriously lack,’ Umer smiled.

‘What you’ve got?’ he asked Ranbir.

 

‘It’s been months that you have not turned here. I wish you join us on Diwali and we lit a lot of diyas together.  The fruit at Jaaman trees has ripened. You know, I didn’t hang swings on trees this monsoon as the drizzling reminds me of your soft whisperings. I miss you a lot when rain hails on green fields and muddy streams rush outside the town. I just wish to row with them and reach to you. Everyone here is worried for you and waiting for your safe return before Diwali. Our white cow has given birth to twins. Kishwar’s wedding date is fixed after Diwali.  Chacha Vickram’s wife has died on the birth of 8th child…,’ Ranbir read from the letter and paused.

 

‘A very typical love letter, soaked in the scent of love and hope to meet soon…,’ Ranbir sighed.

 

‘Are you missing your hometown?’ Umer asked.

 

‘Does this matter?...’

 

‘Every soldier receives messages from loved ones, strives to live every day, and continue to fight for our cause. I’m ok,’ Ranbir folded the letter and started to pump the tap to take shower.       

 

General Nicholson observed the wall and marked major and minor cracks on it. After several strikes of weeks, the wall had many splits but they were not wide enough to tolerate the traffic of any men. The heavy siege machine targeted the feeble cracks and started to bomber fires continuously.   Freedom fighters took positions at top posts on the wall but they were shattering and falling now. The British have started their final attempt to breach the city wall on 7th September. The bricks were grinding, the stone was shattering and the holes were widening at every minute. After violently attempting one week, on 14th September, early morning was time, when one part of the thick circled wall close to Moori gate surrendered against British invaders.

 

1857 WAR


Angeline and Katherine set off towards Calcutta. The horse cart was moving slowly because of an uprising all around. It was a long-distance to reach Calcutta port from Lucknow and may take many days. The news of the fall of Delhi in hands of the British rumored everywhere and Katherine received it over-excited.

 

‘Now, Company will charge and execute everyone who started this mess. There should be an archetype penalty for the killers of innocent whites outside Red Fort. Every white want this,’ Katherine talked to Angeline.

 

   ‘I wanted to take my furniture back with me but now I’ve to leave like this. I’ll write to your father to bring my things back from our house in Delhi when he’ll approach us in England,’ she continued. Angeline didn’t answer. Every stomp of the horse was taking her far from Umer.

 

The Company soldiers entered the city but had to face strong resistance from the freedom fighters. Bakhat Khan ordered the freedom fighters to hold positions inside the city and new posts were ready to strive back.

 

‘Increase the security on Red Fort. We’ll guard it till our last breath. We’ll fight in front and push Company soldiers back,’ he addressed and told his new strategy. Delhi was witnessing another dog fight and bloodshed in its streets.

 

Umer and Ranbir were fighting near the main temple. A few freedom soldiers were provided with guns because of a shortage of ammunition. Umer was carrying a sharp sword and Ranbir was in with a spear. Their opponents were not only whites but many were local soldiers from other garrisons of Hindustan who were still loyal to Queen.    

 

‘We reached the same place, from where we started.’ Ranbir looked at the fruit shop from where they feasted in Ramzan. His voice was shattering.

 

‘It could be planned far better. We had no choice except to come here,’ Umer tried to console him.  Their passion for freedom was alive but somewhere inside they were feeling tired and hopeless.

 

‘Watch out,’ Umer warned Ranbir who then killed one company soldier in time.

 

Just then Umer saved himself from a spear that was pointed straight at him. Umer’s sword broke down while skirmishing with an enemy soldier after a while. Many freedom sepoys and company soldiers died on that day. Umer and Ranbir came back to camps and checked out their spears and swords. Umer replaced his sword. The residents of Delhi were tightly shut indoors and waiting for the end. Niaz Din and Neel were securing the commander in chief Bakhat Khan’s side.       

 

 ‘Bravo, Subedar Bakhat khan. You really have shown the best of your training by East India Company. Let me remind you one thing that cat don’t tell the lion to climb the tree,’ General Nicholson confronted the Bakhat khan near Chandni Chowk when Bakhat was out of bullets.

 

‘Even then the lion ruled on the green lands and cats still chase the mice.’ In a blink of an eye, Bakhat khan twisted and grabbed a rifle from a dead falling near. He opened the fire and General Nicholson couldn’t resist Bakhat Khan and died in the minutes.

 

General Nicholson's death boosted the energies of freedom soldiers and there came the twist in the battle. Now the freedom fighters were the upper hand. East India Company appointed another as head but he was also killed.

 

‘Angeline, your father…is no more. He sacrificed for his nation. How we’re…going to survive without him…how…God…,’ Katherine fell to knees while crying.  

 

‘General Nichloson is no more. He is buried near Delhi with an honor,’ a company soldier met Katherine when their cart was outside Lucknow.

 

‘Dad…,’ Angeline screamed loud.

 

‘We’re not going anywhere without taking your father with us. He wanted to get buried in his hometown and I’ll make sure of his last wish,’ Katherine wiped her tears, held Angeline, and got up. She ordered the cart driver to take her to the near British garrison. Angeline felt severe hatred for Umer then. ‘He is the reason for my father’s death,’ she thought. Umer moved to one corner to take a break as the battle was going harsh every second. 

 

      ‘We’ve killed two Generals in one week and have sent many soldiers to hell, but the enemy is still determined. Company soldiers are gathering and hitting back with more power. On the other hand, there is disappointment in our troops.’ Niaz Din and Neel joined the meeting in Bakhat Khan’s camp.

‘They’re getting fresh convoys and our soldiers are tired,’ Neel talked thoughtfully.

 

‘We’ve run out of weapons in a few days,’ Niaz Din admitted.

 

‘There is not any sign of back-up from the Red Fort too. Sometimes I think about our decision to seek a back from here. We held a weak stick to save us from drowning.’ Neel and Niaz din were among the soldiers who were part of the war from day 1. They didn’t want to let their cause and struggle waste like this but they were upset. Soldiers need a constant psychological back up too, to strive in the ground that was absent then.  

 

‘Should we stop trying and should run out of the field? Should we let go of our dream of getting freedom from atrocious foreigners if Red Fort falls weak in backing us? Do you want to continue landing your lands, your earnings, and your dignity to white grabbers?’ Bakhat Khan got up furious.

 

‘Not at all, we’ll fight till our last breath.’ Soldiers’ slogans filled with new energy. 

 The company soldier’s fresh group entered the city and met the freedom sepoys near Moti mahala. Niaz Din fired from his post but an opposite bullet hit him in the head. Niaz Din met martyrdom in no time. Neel continued to fight but he couldn’t stop the blind spear and closed his eyes forever. 

The Red Fort was the center of attention. King and princess were getting at every second report on the massacre of civilians in the city. At the start, Prince Mirza Mughal and Prince Khizar Sultan approached the city to boost the morale of sepoys but they foresighted their apparent defeat which was obvious in one day or two.

King Bahadur Shah Zafar called a meeting in Diwaan e khaas to tackle the situation. 

 

‘Everything was going fine. These fighters forcefully indulge us in this brawl and then follow their policy under our name. British intentions are seemed dreadful. They’re fighting with the slogan of revenge of European prisoners who were killed outside the Red Fort and accuse the King of the slaughter. They tend to kill everyone in here, once they entered. It’s better to leave the place for our lives,’ Prince Mirza Mughal approached the king Bahadur Shah Zafar upset with his spy report.

‘I’ve written to officials to grant us security but there is not an answer. I’ll write to them again. For me, the security of my family is most important,’ King Bahadur Shah Zafar told thoughtfully.

 

‘What about the security of thousands of freedom soldiers who are fighting for our legacy, aba huzoor? I admit that they pulled us in this war but still they are in the field with faith on us.…,’ Prince Khizar looked at his father.

 

‘Just think of your end, Prince. Nobody is going to ask you about your favorite death plan. We can’t trust these sepoys. They already are fighting in their way without taking care of any orders from Red Fort. I suggest that we should vacant the fort as soon as possible and should look for any safe place to talk on our conditions,’ Prince Mirza Mughal cut him up.

 

‘But, it’ll fall the moral of our sepoys…,’ Prince Khizar tried to argue.

 

‘Your sepoys…are you sure?’ Prince Mirza Mughal asked. Prince Khizar didn’t answer.


 

‘You still thinking of freedom soldiers! Don’t you remember how they spit you out from command? Let them end it at their style and we’re not leaving forever. It’s just for time being. As soon as the situation will be settled then we’ll continue our legacy like before,’ Prince Mirza Mughal seemed to had a plan.

‘…look, I’ve gotten the clear reports that Company soldiers are going to kill everyone in the Red Fort. There are my loyal men who will guard us outside Red Fort,’ Prince Mirza Mughal continued.

 

‘And which place do you suggest as a safe place right now?’ Prince Khizar asked disappointed.

 

‘Humayun’s tombs…the sanity of royal graves will patronage us from British reprisal. They’ll sure respect the tomb. This is the only safe location on earth that can protect us. After the situation is settled, we’ll come back to the fort. We’re going to leave at night.’ King Bahadur Shah ordered in a shattering voice. It was for the first time in 81 years of his life and probably the last time when he was leaving that fort with his family.

 

 'But...if...,'


‘We’re heirs of this fort and are residing here for two centuries. No one can be abandoned from here,’ king consoled Prince Khizar Sultan, doubted of his words though.

  

The emperor Bahadur Shah, his queens, princes, and princess are leaving the Red Fort by night to take patronage at Humayun tomb,’ Umer turned up the freedom camp with news from the fort.

                             

    ‘What legacy their grandfathers left and what are they following? They’re fleeing from the battlefield. These Mughals would not find refuge anywhere now,’ Bakhat khan seemed tired.

 This news crept with disappointment among loyally fighting freedom fighters and they surrendered at many places when Mughals were packing their focal stuff from Red Fort with hope to turn back here soon.  

‘How could you decide this, aba Huzoor? This fort is a sign of our might, the notion of our great legacy.  It’s better to fight and die over here with honor instead of fleeing.’ Princess Hamida Bano arrived at Red Fort in the morning and went straight to King’s room.


‘Princess Hamida Bano, you better stay out of fort’s matters now. Instead, it’ll be a good idea if you carry useless bulk of queens, princesses, and princes like Mirza Shah Abbas with you and try to send them as far as possible.’ Queen Zeenat Mahal was instructing the maids to pack mattresses and sheets. She also seemed to have a plan. Princess Hamida Bano didn’t answer Zeenat but turned to his father again who was thinking something holding a pen.

 

‘How would you face our great grandfather, king Humayun’s grave at the tomb, whose descends rule the lands of Hindustan from Kabul to Bengal for more than three centuries and his great-grandson ran out of struggle,’

 

‘Tell all princes and Queen Zeenat Mahal that you will not escape, leaving your soldiers alone? Break your silence please,’ Princess continued again after not having any answer.

 

Last Mughal king was constantly writing on a paper. Colorful silk curtains were fluttering with the wind.  Out of the blue, a pigeon flew inside the room. Few tears fell on the paper and words swathe in the jerky ink.

 

Haal e dil kun kr byan apna achi tarah

Ru b ru un k nhi chalti zuban achi tarah

 

‘I was never part of this war and I’m not fleeing from the battlefield but unfortunately, I’m constrained to leave with this charge for the writers of history. The Mughal dusk is marked now, my dear but still I’m attempting to hold any glimmer out of the apparent dark,’ Bahadur Shah Zafar hardly replied to her without turning.

The yellow air started to blow fast. Leaves left their branches harshly.


‘Then are you taking a few residents with you or should I send them somewhere else? Everyone should run away as far as possible to save a life. vacate the fort…vacate the fort and run away for your life…As far as my case is concerned then it's the king’s wish that only I and Prince Jawan Bakhat better stay with him and I won’t mind being killed at his company.’ Queen Zeenat Mahal went louder and wicked while talking to her.


When everyone was worried and upset at Red Fort then it was Zeenat Mahal who was roaming their content. She was sure to come back here after getting rid of throne contestants other than of his son Prince Jawan Bakhat.

 

‘Vacate the fort…quit as early as possible…run away for your life…,’ Queen Zeenat Mahal went to lobbies and provoked the other queens and family to leave the safe places of their choice.

 

The horse and bull carts lined up at the Delhi gate of the fort. Prince Mirza Mughal came out first with his family.

 

 ‘Aba Huzoor, are you sure that we’ll turn up here soon?’ Prince Abu Bakar touched the walls of princes’ quarters.

 

‘Maybe… maybe…not… or… we’ve no choice, my son. We were never prepared for this war. Though crippled at the end still we feasted on the great legacy of our forefathers for more than a century.  It’s true; it was hard to crumble around with this lame legacy anymore but I’m still trying… I can’t say anything right now,’ Prince Mirza Mughal came to cart with his family but then turned back, as he wanted to fix the last sight of his house in his eyes.


Mirza Khizar Sultan set his table, put his notes and pen at the side on it. He pulled the chair towards the table and then put the flower pot at the window. He asked the servants to line the bedsheet. Mukaram Zamani was looking at him quietly.


‘I want everything for the time we’re not here,’ at the end he gave gloomy look to his room and went out with his family.

 

‘Haven’t you packed yet? I’m already tensed. Why prince Mughal and Khizar are going with us? I’ve already forced many queens to flee far from here with their kids. The youngest Prince Mirza Shah Abbas has also gone away. I’ve freed almost all maids, Khawajasaras, and consorts but these princes… I’m loyal to the British since the first day of rebellion. The British government will definitely consider it. Only I deserve this throne, this castle as the most favorite of the king. Take the importance of you. Soon we’ll come back here after getting rid of filth in your way,’ Queen Zeenat Mahal entered his room.


‘Why are you staring at me,’ Prince Jawan Bakhat?’ she yelled again.


‘Nothing,’ He started to pack gloomy.


‘It seemed the moment we would step out of here, we would lose everything,’ Prince Jawan Bakhat was also distressed like many others on leaving the fort which put them out of harm's way for centuries. 


The Mughal families were left with clothes, utensils, and few mattresses. Delhi was raucous with harsh sounds of fires and screams but the walls and garden of red fort wrapped up with quietness after looking at well decorated, furnished but vacant rooms till the British soldiers overwhelmed them with annihilation and looting. The Mughals were at Humayun's tomb waiting for their fate when Hudson was making the plan... Link to the LAST CHAPTER

Link to CH# 1

Above complete novel of 'THE MUGHAL ECLIPSE' is also available KINDLE AMAZON

Disclaimer: All characters of the story are imaginary. They bear no resemblance to anyone living or dead.

The writer can be followed at fusion stories@facebook.com.

Advertisement