Seven Lives Together-The Mughal Warrior

Chapter 4

  Anarkali- The Beauty Queen

  As the love story between Suraj and Saira was brewing in Nagin of Yamuna en route from Agra to Allahabad, another famous love story was about reach a tragic end in Lahore.

  Purujit and Ashfaq led the Mughal army, finally defeated the camp which was supporting Crown Prince Saleem. Defeating such a small faction was not difficult but was extremely sensitive. The leader of the revolting camp was none other than Crown Prince himself, the future Emperor. The soldiers supporting him were part of the Moghul army and Emperor Akbar wanted to defeat them with minimal casualty.

  Akbar gave two options to Saleem: surrender Anarkali or face the death penalty. Saleem was sure if he surrendered Anarkali, she would be killed by royal forces. He was so deeply in love with her, he chose the second option: death penalty for himself.

  Purujit and Ashfaq both returned to Agra when the war was finished, but before any decision could be taken about Anarkali. They were not the witness to whatever happened after that.

  Anarkali couldn’t grasp the fact that Saleem would die for an ordinary girl like her. She came out of hiding and approached the Emperor. She offered herself for the gallows, but under one last wish: she is allowed to spend one fabulous night with Prince Saleem. The request was granted. Anarkali spent the night with the Crown Prince. Finally, she drugged him with a pomegranate blossom and left the palace with the guards after a tearful goodbye to the unconscious prince.

  The event after that was so terrible that it reached the far corners of the subcontinent like wild fire and became a symbol of true love.

  Akbar’s soldiers made a large trench for Anarkali. She was strapped to a wooden board and placed inside the ditch. The channel was closed with a brick wall.

  Anarkali was buried alive.

  When Purujit and Ashfaq reached Agra, they heard this horrific story. They couldn’t believe that, Emperor Akbar, who was famous for delivering impartial justice, could be so cruel to an innocent girl. Her only mistake was she was in love with none other than the Crown Prince of the Empire. To look at it the other way: the Crown Prince was the first to fall in love with her for her beauty.

  The harrowing story didn’t reach the Nagin of Yamuna, and the trip was relaxing. Iqbal accepted the fact that Saira was wedded to Suraj. He suggested Saira to occupy the same room with Suraj. Suraj and Aditi both had lots of faith in the fair judgment of Akbar. They truly believed, in case of a real conflict with Ashfaq Khan’s family, Akbar would help Suraj. But given the long and close relationship between both the families, they also truly believed the conflict was unlikely, and Ayaaz would behave normally with the passage of time. Aditi knew Ayaaz closely: a personality with a short temper but inside was unusually warm. Saira and Suraj enjoyed the beauty of Sunrise and Sunset from the privacy of their bedroom window.

  Nagin of Yamuna finally arrived at Allahabad. Rafiq was eagerly waiting near the river Ganga for welcoming Saira and Iqbal. Nadirah was also with him.

  The sight of Suraj and Saira as a couple didn’t surprise Nadirah. She said, ‘I have seen Saira wedding Suraj in my dream. Now I believe, sometimes dreams show accurate pictures. I consider Purujit as another brother, and am thrilled to see him as my only daughter’s father in law.’ Tear rolled over on her cheeks as she remembered her ordeal in the hands of Niyaz and the support Purujit extended for her rescue.

  Ashfaq Khan reached home and got two shocking news. First one was about Anarkali being buried alive by the orders of Emperor Akbar. He felt guilty about it as he was part of Akbar’s trusted army to defeat the rebels led by Saleem. The other one was about his own daughter Saira, the daughter from his ex-wife Nadirah, whom he once divorced to save his family honour as he was sure Niyaz must have used her to satisfy his perverse lust. The brave soldier, who had fought many wars for the Emperor, didn’t fight a single war for the honour of his own wife. A wife could be easily substituted by another woman. Now he felt the difference. A sister or daughter couldn’t be easily substituted. He could realise the view point of Iqbal: why he continued to maintain his sister when she was abandoned by her husband.

  He lost no time and reached Chandra Mahal with Ayaaz. Purujit was also aware of the happenings and was expecting his friend at his palace. Ashfaq was expecting Purujit to oppose this wedding as both boy and girl were from two separate communities. Society generally did not recognise such a marriage.

  Ashfaq looked worried, worn out but angry. He was trying his best to hide his anger from his best friend and chief. Ayaaz looked visibly angry. Purujit was tired, but he looked awful much composed. He took them to a quiet room. A servant came to serve snacks to them.

  Ashfaq started, ‘You must have heard what has happened.’

  ‘Yes,’ Purujit gave the shortest answer.

  ‘What is your decision?’ asked Ashfaq, ‘you must have dreamt of getting a daughter-in-law from your own community?’

  ‘I was expecting a sweet girl for my son: a girl from a respected family of unimpeachable character. I am happy Ashfaq that my daughter in law is from a highly respected family.’

  Ashfaq was pleased with the praise of his family, but that was not what he was expecting.

  ‘What about your community?’ he asked again, ‘Will they also agree to see a Muslim girl in your family?’

  ‘When Emperor Akbar decided to marry Jodhabai, a Hindu Rajput princess, some of his community members were opposing the marriage proposal,’ Purujit cited the best example of the time, ‘and see how she was accepted in the royal family. Her son Saleem is now crown prince.’

  ‘This can work for the kings and emperors,’ Ayaaz commented, ‘but not for the ordinary people.’

  Purujit was not happy with this remark but tried to give a polite response addressing Ashfaq instead of Ayaaz, ‘My family is no less than a royal family you know. We are related to Rana Pratap. We maintained distance from him as he was fighting against the Emperor and my family is a loyal supporter of the Mughal dynasty.’

  ‘But the same Emperor didn’t accept the relationship between his son Saleem and Anarkali,’ Ashfaq tried to convince him, ‘and the poor girl was buried alive!’

  ‘There are lots of differences between Jodhabai and Anarkali,’ Purujit said, ‘you see Jodhabai is a princess even though she was from a different community. On the other hand, Anarkali was a slave girl and a court dancer; from the lowest rung of the society. So it is quite natural Akbar didn’t want to make her the wife of the future Emperor of the country, even though she was Muslim. It is unfortunate that she was punished by burying her alive. There could have been less severe punishments than this. But it was the order of the Emperor, we can hardly do anything.’

  Ayaaz was still not impressed, ‘And you are still willing to accept a girl in your family who is the daughter of a woman, whose reputation has been looted in Niyaz’s harem?’

  ‘Ayaaz, you should not utter such words about your stepmother, sorry, ex-stepmother,’ Purujit’s response was strong; ‘I have complete information about her. I have done a thorough enquiry. It is true Niyaz kidnapped Nadirah, but the brave woman killed him before he could even try touching her modesty. It is your father who decided not to consult his best friend before divorcing her.’

  Ashfaq looked down.

  ‘We shouldn’t dig the past now, after so many years,’ Purujit tried to calm down the topic, ‘I can just say that we were friends and colleagues till now. Henceforth we are also relatives.’

  Ashfaq was still unsure, ‘I had divorced Nadirah not because her honour was lost, but as my extended family was not happy with being part of our family after the kidnapping incident. I have to consult my extended family about future of Saira,’ he told as he got up to leave.

  The issue was not resolved. Ayaaz’s anger could have blasted had Suraj been the son of any other person other than Purujit. He had to control his anger with lots of efforts.

  Allahabad saw the wedding celebration of two couples. Firstly, it was Iqbal’s son a
nd daughter in law and also the love-couple Suraj and Saira. The news spread about the prediction of the Aghori Sadhu (monk) Satyanand: how they were lost in the forest, they unknowingly entered the tunnel where Satyanand was doing meditation and ultimately their wedding. Many people from both the communities even saw the divine hand in the wedding. Iqbal, Rafiq and their extended families all were happy even though few were concerned how both communities in Agra will accept such interreligious wedding.

  Aditi also was carrying the same apprehension. But Saira and Suraj were convinced and confident. The wedding was done between their souls even before they were born as Saira and Suraj. Satyanand had told them that when time comes they could remember their past life. Their marriage couldn’t come to an end only because they were born in two separate communities.

  The Nagin of Yamuna started the return trip to Agra with Suraj, Saira, Aditi, few guards, servants and the sailors. Iqbal and Nadirah’s mother was from a Hindu Rajput family. She organised the farewell for the daughter and son in law as per Rajput customs. Aasifa, Saira’s horse also accompanied her and boarded Nagin of Yamuna.

  Aditi and Saira were proposing halt at some famous cities en route, but Suraj was convinced that his father Purujit must have come back from Lahore as the war between Akbar and Saleem was over. He was sure he could satisfy his father and if required would arrange a meeting with Satyanand. An amicable acceptance by their respectable families could be followed by a perfect honeymoon.

  Saira was worried how to keep her in laws happy. Two separate communities had two distinct cultures. She was required to adopt the culture of her husband’s family. She was trying her best to acquire as much information as possible during the short period of time. Her grandmother could prepare her few things. But there was not enough time because the wedding of Saira’s cousin. She was rehearsing with Aditi, to be sure that she didn’t forget her grandmother’s trainings.

  It was a beautiful evening with a clear sky. Both Aditi and Saira were gossiping on the deck. Suraj joined them, ‘Tonight we should be reaching home,’ he announced.

  ‘What time?’ Aditi was worried.

  ‘It will be probably late mid-night,’ he confirmed, ‘I have asked the sailors to make a stop in the middle of the river so that we reach home after sunrise. I will like to take a shower before getting off from Nagin of Yamuna.’

  ‘This is a fantastic idea,’ Aditi consented as Saira also gave her consent with a bright smile.

  The night was full of sweet and bitter feelings for all of them. Saira was eager to meet her parents in laws and the rescuer of her mother. She had little doubt how they would accept a girl from another community. Suraj was eager to meet his father with his wife (a prized possession as mockingly described by Aditi) and several gifts brought from Allahabad. At the same time, he was also thinking whether Ayaaz had cooled down. What would be the equation between them if he didn’t change his mind about him?’

  ‘Tomorrow night you will be sleeping in Chandra Mahal,’ Aditi teased Saira as they all went to sleep.

  ‘Are you still awake?’ Saira asked Suraj as he changed sides frequently.

  ‘You are also not sleeping,’ he replied.

  Night grew further as both were trying to get some sleep.

  There was a knock on their door. Saira realised she was actually sleeping.

  ‘Is it morning already?’ she asked as there was more knocks, this time impatiently.

  Suraj got up and opened the door.

  A guard was standing outside the door. She heard the voice of Aditi also.

  ‘What happened?’ Saira asked.

  ‘You stay here,’ Suraj said as he went up on the stairs.

  She remained on the bed, trying to calculate the time. It was not possible as the room was below the water level.

  She sprang up on the bed suddenly as she heard the loud crying sound.

  ‘It is Aditi. Yes, Aditi is crying,’ she thought as she got off the bed and ran up on the stairs.

  She was right. Aditi was crying. Suraj was looking helpless and was standing near her. There was tear in Suraj’s eyes too. She thought probably it was a just awful dream. She couldn’t decide whom to ask. A maid servant held her hand and took her a little bit away.

  ‘There is shocking news,’ the maid confirmed.

  ‘What happened?’ Saira looked genuinely worried.

  ‘Nagin of Yamuna was making a stop in the middle of the river, so that, it will take about an hour in the morning, to reach the jetty,’ the maid continued, ‘suddenly a small boat arrived, and two men in that boat asked permission from the guards to come inside. They delivered the news.’

  ‘What was that news?’ Saira asked impatiently.

  The maid took a short pause and started, ‘Your father and brother….’

  ‘What happened to my father and brother?’ she now looked worried.

  ‘Nothing happened to them,’ replied the maid, ‘rather they attacked Chandra Mahal last night.’

  ‘Around midnight Ashfaq Khan, his eldest son Ayaaz and few guards came to Chandra Mahal. The guards at Chandra Mahal let them in as they are Purujit’s friends. Apparently some guards of Chandra Mahal also were bought into the payroll of Ashfaq and cooperated with them. Ashfaq knew extremely well the structure of the small fortress. He also knew about the tunnel leading to the river Yamuna and the hidden arms depot. Purujit has always considered him a solid and dependable ally. Purujit was in deep sleep when the gang stormed his castle; Chandra Mahal (Lunar Palace). Before he could realise what is happening and react, Ashfaq’s team mounted the final attack. He was not even given an opportunity to surrender as it is not a conventional war. Had Purujit survived the attack and been captured, he could have turned the events against Ashfaq even from the captivity. Ashfaq knew how close Purujit was with the Emperor. He didn’t want to take any chance. Eventually, Purujit and his wife succumbed to the attack. Few trusted guards rushed in the tunnel towards the mini hidden fortress near Yamuna to save it for Suraj’s safety. They knew that he would arrive anytime by Nagin of Yamuna. Ashfaq’s squad followed them and occupied the mini fortress also. The guards escaped the mini fortress with the help of a small boat. They traced Nagin of Yamuna and came to warn Suraj to go back.’

  Saira sat on the floor and sobbed uncontrollably covering her face with her palms as Aditi and Suraj came to her.

  ‘I am cursed for your family,’ she said with tears rolling over on her cheek.

  ‘Please don’t blame you Saira,’ Aditi consoled her, ‘we need your company and courage at this crucial moment.’

  Suraj held Saira’s arm and gently let her to stand, ‘You know extremely well our wedding is not a coincidence. We didn’t marry each other on the spur of a moment’s attraction.’

  She removed palms from her face and looked into his eyes. She was surprised to see Suraj smiling even amidst such grief.

  ‘You remember the time just after you won the sword fighting with Aditi!’ he asked.

  She just nodded in affirmation.

  ‘We didn’t know the name of the monk who came there instantly and blessed both of us. Later we knew that he was Satyanand. Do you remember what he told at that time?’

  Saira tried to remember.

  ‘Excellent job my child! God blesses you. You shall need to utilise this skill sooner or later.’ This was the first sentence said by Satyanand.

  He also predicted while blessing her, ‘You are a brave and lucky girl. You are born for someone, and someone is born for you. Your life story will become history.’

  ‘Is this beginning of the history? Does history starts so harshly?’ Saira wondered.

  ‘He predicted that your life story will be so spectacular that history will remember that,’ Suraj explained, ‘our story has started already, since long. We are already on our way.’

  Saira felt Suraj’s face was glowing.

  ‘How can he look so bright amidst such a disaster?’ she thought. Then she remembered her mother was r
epeatedly saying to her when she was a child, ‘Gold becomes brighter when it is exposed to fire.’

  For the first time, she felt the strong personality of Suraj.

  Suraj directed the sailors to start sailing away in the direction of Allahabad. There was the fear that Ashfaq would use some of Purujit’s boats and artillery to attack Nagin of Yamuna. They were at the hidden mini fortress near Yamuna and had control over all the weapons Purujit had stored there.

  There was still time for dawn. Nagin of Yamuna started the journey again. This was not escape out of fear, but to look for a new light.

  Some of the guards of Purujit escaped from the hidden fortress with the help of few small boats. It would have been trying for Ashfaq and Ayaaz to identify those boats from among hundreds of boats plying daily in Yamuna. Suraj sent a letter to one of his distant cousin to take care of last rites of his parents as per religious ritual as he couldn’t be available under the circumstances. One boat with two guards carried that letter. Other boats followed Nagin of Yamuna from a distance so that no one would suspect that they were following one another.

  Suraj, Saira, and Aditi retreated to their cabins. Suraj called the team leader of the sailors to his cabin and ordered him that the next stop would be outskirts of Firozabad. As Firozabad was not long away from Agra, he was directed to take Nagin of Yamuna further down the river crossing Firozabad and then also bring it back so that it would be near the destination by following midnight.

  Next day Suraj, Saira and Aditi sat together.

  ‘Can’t we make a complaint to the Emperor?’ Aditi asked.

  ‘The way attack was made suggest some conspiracies,’ Suraj replied, ‘we need to get all facts before even thinking of complaining.’

  ‘I am sure the Emperor always delivers justice,’ Saira sounded promising.

  ‘Public image and real face are always distinct in politics, Saira,’ Suraj commented, ‘if Akbar is so neutral in delivering justice, then why Anarkali was buried alive? What was her fault, just because she was in love with the Crown Prince?’

  ‘Rather prince Saleem was the one who was in love with her and she just reciprocated,’ Aditi said.

  ‘It can be possible,’ Suraj commented, ‘poor girl was facing double-edged sword. Prince Saleem was already married several times before. Had she not accepted Saleem’s proposal, she would have probably been killed by him. She accepted his proposal and as a result, was brutally punished by the Emperor.’

  Saira changed the subject, ‘Akbar didn’t give fair justice because his own son who is the future Emperor was involved. Our case is different. Frankly speaking, I have no sympathy for my own father or step brothers. My father disowned my mother when she needed him most. He even forgot me altogether during my growing years. I owe my life to my maternal uncle Iqbal. I can be a witness against my step brother Ayaaz.’

  Aditi looked at Suraj for his reaction.

  ‘My father has taught me some politics besides giving me weapons training,’ replied Suraj, ‘and I will never forget the two golden rules he has taught me. First golden rule: A king or emperor should never take for granted the loyalty of his supporters as the most loyal ally may turn into the biggest traitor in no time. Second golden rule: The dearest lieutenant of the king should never take for granted the trust of the king. Each step should be taken with utmost care keeping in mind the above two golden rules. If Ashfaq and Ayaaz could dare to attack my family at midnight, and could kill my parents, they must have gotten green signal from someone at the top level of the empire.’

  Farooq was a close friend of Purujit who lived in Firozabad. He was a wealthy businessman. He was running water transportation company and possessed quite a number of large and medium sized ships for carrying passengers between cities on the sides of Yamuna and Ganga. Though both Ashfaq and Farooq knew each other, it was only because they were both friends of Purujit. There was certainly not that much intimacy between both. Suraj sent one of the small boats following Nagin of Yamuna to him. Firozabad is not far away from the city of Agra. So he planned to take Nagin of Yamuna further down in the river and again come back so that, by midnight, they would be around Firozabad. This was to avoid the risk of any surprise attack by Ashfaq and gang. There was one more risk too: what would happen if Farooq has also changed sides to Ashfaq. As per plans Farooq was supposed to come by a boat and join him inside Nagin of Yamuna. Suraj and few trained guards in Nagin of Yamuna were ready for any unpleasant surprise.

  Nagin of Yamuna went again down the river around one hundred miles before coming back by next midnight.

  Apparently Purujit was also a silent business partner with him in the large water transport firm. Initially it was wholly owned by Purujit. Farooq was his manager. Subsequently Purujit elevated Farooq and made him the managing partner. Purujit still continued to own a significant share of the business. Farooq came. He did not come with empty hand. He came with lots of plans and resources and was ready to fulfil his commitments. Suraj couldn’t but praise his father’s vision in planning for the future. Purujit had planned for many contingencies. If one contingency failed, at least the others should work.

  Farooq knew how Ashfaq suddenly became so powerful and could attack Purujit’s family. He elaborated his version to Suraj, Aditi and Saira:

  Purujit and Ashfaq were taking the lead role in the war between father Akbar and his Crown Prince son Saleem over Anarkali. The battle took longer than expected. Purujit’s reason to that was the conflict was tricky as it was between father on one side and his son on the other side. He was taking all precautions to ensure that no harm is done to prince Saleem. He also ensured minimal damage to Saleem’s army. His reasoning was, after the fighting, Saleem’s faction of the army, which was formerly part of the vast Moghul army, would have merged back. So he took longer to capture the rebels. It was felt by many that, for many days, both sides were just playing the war game and no visible movement was happening. One evening, both sides were taking rest in their respective camps after daylong fight. Purujit went to Saleem’s camp and arrested him. Ashfaq was unaware of this development. Purujit produced prince Saleem before the Emperor, and the rebel was over.

  Ashfaq couldn’t digest this. Purujit did something without consulting or informing him. He thought this was Purujit’s plan to get all the credit from the Emperor Akbar. This made him jealous.

  ‘Finally you know what happened!’ Farooq asked.

  ‘Yes,’ Suraj replied, ‘Anarkali was punished. Poor girl was buried alive.’

  ‘I can’t even imagine that the Emperor can order such harsh punishment to someone,’ Saira commented.

  ‘Everyone knows that Anarkali was brutally buried alive by Akbar’s people,’ Farooq said, ‘but there is another version, which led to unexpected empowerment of Ashfaq.’

  ‘You mean Anarkali is alive?’ Aditi looked optimist.

  ‘I am not sure,’ Farooq commented, ‘I said there is another version.’

  ‘What is that?’ Suraj was curious to know.

  ‘The other version is that your father made some secret pact with Crown Prince Saleem to help him.’

  ‘I don’t believe this,’ Suraj resisted, ‘my father can do anything but can’t undermine the confidence of his Emperor. He was faithful from his heart.’

  ‘Those who were against him,’ Farooq reasoned, ‘thought Purujit shifted his allegiance to the future Emperor; the current Crown Prince Saleem. Akbar has become old. Sooner or later Crown Prince Saleem will ascend the throne. Those who took Anarkali to bury her alive were actually Purujit’s men. As per his plan, they hid her in a secret place, and Akbar got the news that his command was executed.’

  ‘I will be extremely proud if my father actually allowed Anarkali to escape,’ Suraj joyfully announced, ‘he was serving the Emperor Akbar not just as a paid general. He adored the Emperor because of his many noble qualities and was always ready to risk his life for the Emperor. But this cowardly act of live burial of a helpless girl has changed m
y opinion about the Emperor.’

  ‘You are right my child,’ Farooq said with a voice of caution, ‘but remember that walls have ears too. The Moghul Empire is vast. You can’t go against the Emperor without risking your life. I accept you are a brave warrior, but all the weapons and soldiers those were at the disposition of your father belonged to the Emperor. You can’t fight against an Empire with just few swords.’

  Suraj looked at Aditi and Saira. He felt helpless.

  ‘In-fact,’ Farooq continued, ‘I believe that Ashfaq has taken into confidence someone close to Akbar and convinced that your father has conspired against him for helping Anarkali. He attacked and killed your father before he could get a chance to explain his position to the Emperor in self-defence. He killed so many birds with just one stone.’

  ‘How?’ Aditi asked.

  ‘Firstly he got the trust of the Emperor by killing the so called rebel; i.e. Purujit.’ Farooq explained, ‘Secondly he executed his plan so fast that Purujit couldn’t do anything in self-defence. Thirdly he now will take the place your father was enjoying.’

  ‘Is that all?’ Saira asked with an anxious voice.

  ‘There is a fourth one also,’ Farooq replied to Saira, ‘he successfully took revenge against Suraj for marrying his daughter without getting his permission. Now he will try to get you back.’

  ‘I will prefer to die than leaving Suraj,’ Saira proclaimed.

  ‘My suggestion is finding some safe place so that Saira and Aditi will be safe,’ Farooq advised.

  ‘In that case we have to go to South,’ Aditi suggested, ‘as entire North India is now part of Mughal Empire.’

  ‘My plan is that, ‘Suraj interfered, ‘I will now find Anarkali and help her to be reunited with Prince Saleem. This is my goal now.’

  ‘What if she is actually dead?’ Aditi asked.

  ‘At least I will find out the truth,’ he replied, ‘then I can approach the Emperor with that fact and expose the conspiracy against my father. That way I will take vengeance. My goal is not to occupy any state. I just want to find the truth.’

  Farooq looked at the moon in the clear sky, ‘We don’t have much time. You need to cover enough distance before dawn. I will let you know one thing. The business empire, people think is mine mostly belonged to your father and now to you. I own only a small percentage. This river transportation company has over hundred small, large and extra large boats. The extra large boats are like ships. Two of them go to Bay of Bengal through Hooghly.’

  ‘Hooghly,’ Suraj said in a thrilling voice, ‘I found a destination!’

  ‘Hooghly is virtually an independent state within Moghul Empire,’ he said.

  ‘I know,’ Saira confirmed.

  ‘What do you know?’ asked Aditi.

  ‘My uncle once went to Hooghly with your father in this ship,’ Saira said, ‘I was extremely young then. Niyaz had kept my mother in some building after kidnapping her.’

  ‘My gut feeling says you have taken the right decision,’ Farooq assured, ‘we can communicate as our boats regularly travel to Hooghly. I will keep this a secret. Just send me a letter whenever you need money. I will arrange to deliver to you.

  Suraj and Farooq didn’t waste much time. Farooq quietly slipped back into his small boat after deciding to execute the plan.

  The world knew Purujit possessed a large boat-house equal to a war ship called Nagin of Yamuna. Farooq was maintaining a large boat-house on behalf of Purujit as per the latter’s many contingency plans. It was not the replication of the other but was almost of similar size and facilities.

  Exactly after midnight, Nagin of Yamuna was anchored in the middle of the river. The other boat-house was also anchored at a distance. Everything from Nagin of Yamuna was transferred to the other boat- house by smaller boats. All sailors, armed guards and servants shifted to the boat- house. Finally, Suraj, Saira and Aditi also shifted with them.

  Before letting loose the house boat towards the downside of the river, Suraj and Aditi bowed towards Nagin of Yamuna. “Thank you,’ Suraj uttered in a choked voice, ‘thank you for your selfless service to our family.’ He ran downstairs with tears in eyes. Suddenly Nagin of Yamuna burst into flames. All the sailors who were sailing in Nagin of Yamuna since long also wept.

  Saira and Aditi reached downstairs to be with Suraj.

  There were few boats in the river to watch this firework. But the people living in the houses across both sides of Yamuna saw this scene. There were few who were in other house-boats also saw this without knowing what exactly happened. Farooq’s men spread the word that Nagin of Yamuna caught fire because of an accident and capsized in the river. No one in the ship survived. Nagin of Yamuna was a known name in and around Agra as it belonged to Purujit. The news spread like bonfire and reached Ashfaq Khan. Apparently Ashfaq and Ayaaz were relieved even though this meant the death of his only daughter. They were concerned about the honour of the family due to Saira’s decision to wed Suraj. Her wellbeing was immaterial. Her death news brought an end to all their concerns.

  Farooq had filled up the boat-house with enough provisions to last till they reach the city of Hooghly. They originally planned to go directly to Hooghly. As Allahabad approached, Saira became restless. It was not easy to send letters to a distant city in a sixteenth century setting. Sometimes valuable news took months to reach another part of the country. Roaming poets were the only means to spread the news. They were singing songs narrating the scene at the busy market places and were getting some money from the bystanders. There was little chance that the news of the assassination of Purujit might have reached Allahabad so early.

  Suraj arranged few sailors for the job. There were few small boats on the ship. They lowered one of them to the water and went to Allahabad with a letter of Saira narrating all the details that had happened to her in-laws. Meanwhile, Aditi chose a different name for their new ship: Sherni (Lioness). This is because the ship was carrying one lion and two lionesses (Suraj, Saira and Aditi) that were ever ready to attack any intruder if required. Lioness took a rest in the middle river Ganga. (River Yamuna has merged with river Ganga in Allahabad).

  The boat that went to deliver the letter to Iqbal didn’t come back empty. Iqbal, his wife, Nadirah, Iqbal’s son and Saira’s grandmother all came to see them. Nadirah offered to accompany them to Hooghly. Suraj probably was not prepared initially. But he could see Saira’s eyes. And another lioness called Nadirah was on board of the ship called Lioness.