‘Ba Adab, Ba Mulaiza hoshiar ‘the world seizer’ ‘the Master
of conquerors’ Shansha e Hindustan Badsha salaamat Jahangir and Malika Aliya
Nur Jahan are arriving at Lahore Fort.’
PRINCE SALEEM TO KING JAHANGIR AT LAHORE FORT AT 17TH
CENTURY
A horse cart
appeared on wide paved red brick road towards high and sturdy walls of Lahore
fort and stayed across Akbari gate.
‘Though, the Mughal capital
has shifted to
Agra from Lahore. Ah, Agra, Delhi, Kashmir wherever I go; the air at Lahore and
Ravi chases me and compels me back here. I feel homesick without Lahore,’ King
Jahangir expressed his feelings to his senior minister Balban who was there to
welcome them.
PRINCE SALEEM, A VOTIVE (manat mana hua) SON OF KING
AKBAR
‘Prince Saleem, the eldest son of king Akbar whom he
taken by vows at graves of pious men like Saleem Chistee(R.A). These wide
gardens, fountains and balconies of Lahore fort still remember the fair colored
fuming young prince Saleem with sharp eyes and long black hair; up in arms but
a romantic teenager. The air at Lahore fort still whispers about prince Saleem
who came here from Fatehpur Sikri; chased butterflies, sniped pigeons, racing
his favorite horses, playing chess and enjoyed parties, free of worries.
Also click to reveal: FALL OF DELHI
Also click to reveal: FALL OF DELHI
ACHIEVEMENTS AND REGRETS OF KING JAHANGIR
Now Saleem is a conqueror King Jahangir against raja of
Kangra, Ohems, Portaguees, British and Deccan. How time flies,’ Balban followed
the king Jahangir towards diwan e aam.
‘The way to throne from Prince Saleem to King Jahangir
was full of thorns, my dear. That slipshod prince Saleem lost somewhere in
castle conspiracies and hardships of this life. The vestiges of dead are
distributed equally among the heirs in whole world but unfortunately every
prince had to fight and kill against his own blood to put on his survival and
remnants of his father.
The walls of
Lahore fort would testify Jahangir’s labors against his 5 brothers and even
against his heroic father King Akbar to get this empire at the age of 36,’ Emperor
Jahangir paused and gazed around.
EMPERORS ARE MOST DISLOYAL AND CRUEL CREATURE ON EARTH
‘You’re a murderer. You killed my son, my prince Khusro. You
left him at the hands of Prince Khuram. He pricked hot iron bars at my beloved’s
eyes and then …. I owe you when you were
only 15, I loved you, and I gave you first heir. The walls of forts don’t
raised high to prevent from enemies but to conceal the stories of disloyalty against
women and to bury the anecdotes of brutality against fathers, brothers and sons,’
Just then a woman in rags with dusty poor hair caught up there with broken
chains.
‘Shah Begum,’ Jahangir saw her after years. His first
wife was now a round the bend body in this fort.
 |
| piercing hot iron bar into eyes by mughal prince to his brother |
‘How she approached here?’ Nur Jahan yelled on Balban.
SHAH BEGUM AND NUR JAHAN
‘Don’t play impudent, Nur Jahan. This fort is much
spacious to lap the 20th wife of Sheiku Baba. You’ll be here soon
crying and waiting to die. Emperors and princes have been the most malicious and
heartless creature on earth…,’
They could hear at her yelling from far. King Jahangir took out opium from his pocket, inhaled
it and tottered with weakness.
‘Don’t take
it to your nerves, Meray Huzoor. Now I’m with you at every step to wipe the
thrones from your way,’ Nur Jahan was a beautiful, sharp lady. She came closer
to Jahangir and held his hands.
‘Prince khusro cut what he sown. King Jahangir is known
for his veracity norms, religious practices and for his artistic revelation
throughout empire. Who can compare your bell of justice, meray huzoor? You just
take care…,’
‘Who set her free?’ they reached diwan e aam.
JAGAT GHOSAIN
 |
| Emperor jahangir's wives, Jagat Gohsain,Nur Jahan and Shah Begum |
‘Oh, how hardly I and Mumtaz Mahal get rid of her in Agra
and sent him at Lahore but she is still in the game. Interesting!’
PRINCE Sharyar,
NUR JAHN AND LADLI BEGUM
 |
| prince shahryar, lahore fort |
Just then Prince Sharyar entered Diwan e Aam. ‘Welcome,
Aba huzoor. These white horses are little gratitude from me for Queen Nur Jahan
and her daughter Ladli Begum. I hope they would like it,’ Prince Sharyar kissed
Jahangir’s hands staring at Nur Jahan’s tan colored, fat and unattractive
daughter Ladli Begum.
‘I just hope, she would be intelligent like her mother at
least,’ Sharyar sighed.
‘Irravati, look at prince Sharyar. How much handsome is
he? He is also staring at me,’ Ladli begum excitedly murmured to her friend.
‘Umm…I just wish I could be at your place. I would be princess too… I’ll…I can…queen…,’ Irravati thought and peeped at prince Sharyar.
‘My love, my son Prince Sharyar, a reflection of mine!
I’m happy that you’re managing this side of sultanate astutely. Soon you’ll
also be part of expeditions like your elder brother Prince Khuram (later king
Shah Jahan), who is brilliantly fighting at Ahmed Nagar. How are you Murad? I
hope both friends are having good times,’ King Jahangir greeted his youngest
son and his best friend, the son of senior minister Balban.
‘I’m good, Alam panah,’ Murad’s eyes slipped at the
beautiful girl stood active behind Nur Jahan. He got spell bound for instance
but the girl was totally lost staring at
Sharyar.
‘You all take some rest then we’ll meet at lunch,’ prince
Sharyar smirked to guests.
I'M IRRAVATI
Murad was looking at the arrangements when he saw her
again roaming in the private lobbies of Prince Sharyar. She was peeping behind
doors that she didn’t realize the edge of water channel at Lahore fort from
Ravi. She slipped, splashed and started
to scream. Murad ran there and pulled her.
‘Are you ok?’ she opened her eyes terrified and saw a
muscular young boy bowed upon her. She got up with jerk.
‘Yes, I’m. You saved my life. Thank you,’ she squeezed
water out of her dupatta and ran forward.
‘Listen, please, what’s your name?’ Murad asked eagerly
from behind.
‘Irravati,’ she turned back. The water was making its way
from her hairs crossing her white ice cheeks towards her neckline. Prince
Sharyar came out of his room after hearing at clatter outside…
TO BE CONTINUED
disclaimer: all images and characters of story are imaginary. any resemblance would be coincidental.