CH#11: THE MUGHAL ECLIPSE
Battle of Badli ki Sarai 1857
...‘Long live the Mughal Emperor,’
'Long live the Crown Prince,’
‘East India Company murdabad,’
People around were dancing merrily and the air was filled with Mughal slogans and dhol beats.
‘This Ramzan was full of
uncertain events. Freedom fighters have taken over the city of Delhi just in few
days and pushed the British out of the city. Our soldiers are conquering the lands in
united and central provinces now and amplifying our territory. Soon the sun
will witness the glory of the new powerful Mughal emperor and his brave Crown Prince,’
Prince Mirza Mughal whispered to his son while waving to its subjects. The way
of Mughal procession was passing amid colorful silk banners and paper buntings
now.
‘The uprising has spread out in many
towns. Aba Huzoor, I’m willing to command the freedom forces in Bihar to prove
the Mughal writ,’ his young son Prince Abu Bakar looked at his father. Jawan
Bakhat overheard their whispering who was waving to the excited gathering on both
sides of the road.
‘I’m managing hard to
gather these factions of freedom fighters from all over Hindustan under a Mughal
flag but it’s not a cup of tea. I’m commanding the fighters in Lucknow and have
seized the British outside there but these fighters don’t take us seriously. They
preferably still listen to their seniors. Didn’t you saw how they let down me
and the king by killing the European prisoners in front of Red Fort? Instead, it’s better to seek more sympathy
from local civilians and look for any parallel force of our own. You better
stay with me and learn. There should be someone to have an eye on conspiracies
from Queen Zeenat Mahal and Mirza Khizar Sultan,’ Crown Prince Mirza Mughal
unburdened his sentiments with his son.
‘I know all are envious
of your new status as a crown prince but you don't worry, I'll handle all,’ Prince Abu Bakar looked at Prince Jawan Bakhat and replied to his father.
‘It’s Eid and I’m
tolerant…otherwise, no one would mind if I toss you down from this box,’ Prince
Jawan Bakhat couldn’t bear Prince Abu Bakar’s grumbling on a royal cart.
‘It’s Eid but I’ll don’t
mind to pitch your boots,’ Prince Abu Bakar hit on him back.
King Bahadur Shah Zafar coughed loud to
prevent any scuffle on the ride and advised all princes to stay attentive to
gatherings on road. The Mughal convoy reached back to Red Fort by
noon and women and children circled him up to demand their eidi (gift money).
Rang Mahal was full of colors on that day perfectly going with its name.
‘Ami huzoor, I haven’t seen
as much gold in my whole life that you’re forcing me to wear. It's more looking
my wedding day rather than of Eid day,’ Princess Hamida Bano argued her mother
after gazing at gold tika, jhoomer, heavy earrings, bangles, necklaces, and a
box full of gold rings.
‘You’re a Mughal princess.
You’re my only hope after the death of your brother Prince Farrukh. The amount of
gold worn symbolizes the status and wealth of Indian Mughal women. What do you
think you’re going to wear this lightweight gold jewelry at your wedding? I’ve
arranged heave weight gold sets for you, Princess Hamida Bano. Now just wear
it,’ Queen offered her affection towards her daughter and Princess Hamida Bano
couldn’t resist her mother. Almost all her exposed parts of the upper portion got
buried in gold.
The Eid day was passing
with hustle-bustle at Ahmed’s house too. Muslim residents were feasting with
delicious dishes and Hindus were accompanying their partners of war excitedly. Only the British rescuers were scared and grieved at the recent
death of their relatives. Katherine was crying and sobbing since morning. Umer was looking very
handsome in a clean white shalwar kurta with properly combed hair. His eyes were looking
bigger and magnetizing with traditional surma lining. The joy of his religious
festival Eid was sparkling on his face.
‘Eid Mubarak,’ he bowed near Angeline sat in the backyard.
‘To hell with your greetings! I just wish that I left your wound to nourished until the British come back and ditch you again the same place,’ she yelled out.
'I'm here to say you thanks for what you did for me. Your wish may be granted soon as I'm joining the battle again. Thanks again,' Umer turned back.
‘What do you think the
British will forgive you for the blood of innocent?’ she continued.
‘My mates’ just balanced
the long awaiting debt from the British. This scar will remind me of the times of
slavery and the death of my guiltless buddy Ashoke, who was killed at blast by the British… I’m also joining back my comrades to meet our cause of freedom,’ Umer replied composed. The hot wind stopped blowing at once and
suffocation took over her.
‘I’m leaving Umer. I’ll
drop you. Are you ready?’ Syed Ahmed Khan just moves toward there.
‘Yes, I’m up sir. Thank
you for your hospitality and care,’ Umer didn’t have any luggage except his
gun.
‘Umer didn’t look back and left behind Syed Ahmed Khan.
‘Just go to…,’ Angeline couldn't complete. The horse cart was fast on the road.
‘Angeline, come here. I've to show you something,’ Angeline came back
to the room where Katherine forwarded a paper towards her.
‘Your father
has written to us. He’ll soon reach here to rescue us. He’s worried for us
after the slaying of British prisoners at Red Fort. Just wait patiently!’ Katherine consoled her.
'He should do this as early as possible then send us back. I don't want to stay on this land anymore. This festival is bothering me now,' Angeline looked outside the wooden window and sat at one corner quietly.
‘Eid Ul Fitr is really the
happiest festival of the year for all Muslims. No matter, rich or poor, sick or
joyful, at war or peace, this festival granted the gift of bona
fide cheerfulness after the holy month of fasting. Look how beautiful our princess
is looking today…just like any bride,’ Syed Ahmed khan praised her when
she was passing by lobbies of Red Fort.
‘Oh…at last Eid take you
out of boring books,’
‘It’s Eid or something else I don’t know…,’
Syed Ahmed khan presented her a red rose.
‘You must be here on the king’s invitation?’ she took the flower and turned her face.
‘Umm…apparently…yes,’
Syed Ahmed khan came in front again.
‘…but there is time in
feast and I’m here to meet Eid with your mother,’ Syed Ahmed Khan told her.
A grand Eid feast was arranged in the Hayat Bakhsh garden from Bahadur Shah Zafar. Intellectuals of time and of course King Bahadur Shah Zafar’s co-poets Zauq, Dagh, Mirza Ghalib, and many noble citizens enjoyed the perfect fusion of Persian and north Indian Mughal cuisine. Mughlai Biryani, Mughlai Qorma, Haleem, reshmi kabab, kheer, lab e Shireen and many more dishes were presented at lunch
A
night poetic session was also arranged in the vast lawns of Naubat Khan in the evening. Zuaq and Bahadur Shah intoned their new piece of writings.
Mirza Ghalib sang from
his new collection of ghazals which surely was depicting the miserable
condition of Mughals at the end days despite the apparent victory. Ghalib tried to
wake all courtiers back from their dream of enjoying the sacrifices of
fighters.
Bas khatam kr yeh bazi e ishq Ghalib
Muqadar k harey kabhi jeeta nhi kertay
‘Chacha Ghalib, can I’ve
meeting with you at your home?’ Syed Ahmed Khan approached Mirza Ghalib when candles
were surrendering to dark after grand dinner.
Mirza Ghalib wiped his
sweat, enjoyed another wine glass, and tried to gaze him dozy.
‘I’ll not write any
foreword…I …wrote…you…why…,? Mirza Ghalib’s tongue was not aiding him.
‘I’m not here for
it…after Eid, I’ve to join back at Muradabad…,’
‘Ghalib’s door is open
for everyone…come whenever you want but without that translated book…world
around is planning to fly in the air in near future and our intellectuals are
flying themselves in the past…you better get marry…,’ Mirza Ghalib tried to get up but twisted
around. Syed Ahmed held him.
‘Muqaderk harey kabhi
jeeta nhi kartey….(defeated by fate can never win)’ you listened or
not… Muqadark harey kabhi jeeta nhi kartay….they have perceived their victory final. Don't they know...muqdar k Harry...thank you…I can...go…leave…,’ Ghalib made his way out from the passage which was lit with diyas on both sides.
The freedom fight entered in a new fervor
after Eid as rebellious sepoys from all other parts of Hindustan were joining
the battle now. The uprising against the British was fired in Awadh, Fathepur,
Cawnpur, and freedom fighters were advancing towards the south. They aimed to
capture the most important province Bengal. The month of June welcomed the
fighters and British forces with its traditional scorching face but every
victory was hyping the energies of freedom fighters. Mughals were overconfident just in one month but on the other side, the British were not resting too.
Commander-in-chief General Anson started to organize a force to recapture
Delhi. He also met an alliance with Gurka force against rebellion. The British
forces stayed at Karnal just 124km apart from Delhi.
27th May 1857
‘Aali ja, we’ve tremendous information that British commander-in-chief General Aason has died of Cholera at Karnal. The British forces reached near Karnal killing many suspecting those rebels. It’s time to pay them back,’ Prince Khizar Sultan met the king in his court.
King Bahadur Shah Zafar gave him the command to defeat the British forces at the edge of the city. Enthusiastic Prince Khizar Sultan’s forces advanced and settled them up near Shah Jahan’s famous monument Badli ki Sarai to oppose the enemy.
Now the Sarai and the
walled village were under command of Prince Khiza Sultan and his freedom
forces. Umer also joined his forces under Prince Khizar
Sultan and met Ranbir there.
‘He’s very handsome just
like a prince of any fairy tale,’ Umer looked at 23 years old fair colored
Commander.
‘Yes, he’s that why the
famous poet Ghalib call him a copy of Prophet Joseph,’ Ranbir replied and
offered a glass of lassi to Umer.
‘Thank you. It’s really hot today,’ Umer gulped the glass in one go.
‘It is but this sarai is
very cool and hospitable,’ Ranbir pointed towards the imposing bricked building
which was made by King Shahjahan for the stay of travelers and traders.
‘There is a huge
difference between Mughal emperors of past and the Mughals of today,’ Ranbir
said thoughtfully.
‘They are not capable of
managing a battle. They’re incompetent and sepoys don’t trust them,’ Ranbir
told Umer.
‘No one was ready and
this brawl spread out into open war. We should give them time,’
‘There is no time. We
have to do or die. You know our sepoys are neither paid for June
nor any logistic support comes from Red Fort despite they’ve started collecting
tax. They’ve put the tax on salt and other grocery items to raise funds but nothing
has come out for their troops,’ Ranbir informed Umer about the situation and
grievances which sepoys cradled just in one month against their Mughal
commanders.
‘As far as I know, the sepoys
promised to arrange for a war on their own as Red Fort needs time to re-establish
its executive position,’ Umer asked which Ranbir didn't reply.
1st June 1857
‘Hurry up, British forces have attacked the main road and seized the way. General Bernard is new commander-in-chief and
is also among them,’ just then one sepoy informed Ranbir.
‘Tell all men to follow
me. We’ll hide near the marshes of Badli ki Sarai until dusk and will attack at
dark,’ Ranbir told the plan and ran out.
‘These sepoys trust me
so they inform and follow only my commands. You don’t worry Prince Khizar
Sultan will also join us,’ Ranbir turned to Umer after finding him amazed at
the circumstances in the field.
The freedom forces met
the enemy under the Command of Prince Khizar Sultan in an open field near
Badli-ki- Sarai and both sides attacked each other with the bursting coup. The
British had to face high casualties at the start and couldn’t enter a village
around Badli ki Sarai for a week.
The freedom forces were
advancing and getting success. Prince Khizar Sultan was hitting the targets
very precisely more than of any other sepoy in the field but sepoys did not trust in his decision-making skills. On the other side, General Bernard sent three
cavalries to surround the sarai from all sides.
8th June 157
 |
| Badli ki sarai 1857 |
‘We need more men and
weapons to face the enemy. Our 3000 men are exhausted of battle. Write
commander-in-chief Mirza Mughal to send us a fresh brigade of soldiers from other
posts,’ Khizar Sultan reached to his camp nervous.
‘We’ve sent numerous
messages to commander-in-chief but he’s giving a damn to the gravity of this
situation. He doesn’t have any idea to organize the scattered units. I’m telling
you, if we lost this northern ridge then
nothing can stop the British to re-enter Shahjhanabad(Delhi). Our all efforts will
go waste under bungling Mughal command,’ Ranbir replied furious and
disrespectful.
‘You just shut up. It was you who were begging for Mughal backing a few days back. Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was right about you, ‘Once the mutineer is always mutineer irrespective of any master’. You’re a bunch of indiscipline bugs,’ Prince Khizar Sultan couldn’t hold that attitude.
The British forces were advancing and attacking
from all sides now. The small walled village was surrendering with every
second.
Prince Khizar Sultan
reached among soldiers when a cannon fire hit the camps near him.
‘The first brigade moved
forward, rest go rear,’ Prince Khizar Sultan observed from a horse.
‘No, we should save our
flank,’ one senior sepoy argued. The soldiers looked at each other.
‘I’m the commander. Do
what I order,’ Prince Khizar Sultan yelled out.
‘…and I’m competent.
I’ve fought many fights when some were snoring in Red Fort. We would wiHaryanana by this time if you won’t be upon us,’ the sepoy responded.
The soldiers preferred
their senior rather than of Prince Khizar Sultan. British made the way through and many freedom
fighters lost their lives fighting at the front.
‘You better leave the
field Aali jaa. The loss of any prince will hit the cause of the freedom fighters. Let
us meet these vicious whites,’ Ranbir approached Prince in dark and arranged
for his safe escape from the British ring. Prince Khizar Sultan reached back at
Red Fort disappointed and heated with the behavior of his ordinates. Freedom fighters had to move back to save their lives.
‘Prince, Khizar Sultan has arrived at Red Fort leaving his men in the battleground. I knew that son of the palace concubine can’t face
the enemy. Prince Khizar escape has proved that I’m the only capable heir of the Mughal Empire. Let’s have a game to cherish the moment,’ Prince Mirza Mughal
asked for the chessboard.
‘But aali jaa, folks are
saying that our defeat at Badli ki Sarai has exposed many weaknesses among freedom forces.
Defeated sepoys ran back to Delhi and are waiting for the next order. They’re
disappointed and feeling an urge for competent central command. They’re also
waiting for their new official designations in Mughal troops. They're asking for the salary for this month. Few of them are
waiting outside to meet you,’ Mirza Mughal’s minister tried to explain to his
commander while he was busy managing the tricks on his chessboard...TO BE CONTINUED
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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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