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