Diwan-i-khas
Malik Ambar remains undefeated
A compelling silence prevails in the Diwan-i-khas at the Agra Fort. It was about an hour since Emperor Jahangir called on all of his ministers for a private meeting and hadn’t spoken a word yet. The emperor sits at the centre of the domed hall built on a square plan, ventilated from the floor to roof. The cathedral is mounted on a high rise pillar which epitomizes the beauty that Mughal Architecture is. The carving on the pillar is beautiful blend of Persian, Mughal and Hindu architecture. The four corners of the hall have gateways connecting to Jahangir’s cathedral at the centre. On each gateway stand one each of Jahangir’s ministers.
Suddenly a peacock flies into the Diwan-i-khas. Breaking an hour of silence Jahangir says pointing to the peacock, “I wish I were like this bird. It doesn’t even have to fear the emperor”. I’timad-ud-Daula, the chief minister at Jahangir’s court and also the father of Jahangir’s twentieth but the most revered consort Nur Jahan bows and bends to Jahangir and says, “Behold my lord! I assume you were contemplating over the Malik Ambar of Ahmadnagar”. Jahangir replies, “I’timad sahib, I have never had a better chief minister than you” after which the hall gets back to solitude.
A soldier enters the Diwan-i-khas with a messenger from his son Khurram who was on a rebellion against Malik Ambar in the Deccan. Jahangir flipped open the messenger which read, “Baba, we have captured the fort of Ahmadnagar. We have stepped on the path of victory. Await the chopped head of Malik Ambar anytime soon to feast upon”. Hearing the good news Jahangir disperses the meeting which is of no use after he had heard on the advancements in the war on Malik Ambar. Jahangir turned optimistic of his victory.
“My lord, we have someone from a far off place called England waiting to see you”, said the guard. Jahangir permits him in. It is Sir Thomas Roe, ambassador to King James I of England. “Seems like we have a messenger from a far off land. What makes you envious enough to travel to Hindustan? The mighty Mughal Empire?” boasts off Jahangir. “Of course my lord. I am honoured to be able to speak in front of you in this mighty court of Agra. I have a message for you”. It reads, “The Queen of England requests the mighty king of Hindustan to grant us the ability to be trading under the name of English East India Company at Hindustan”. An hour long discussion seals the opportunity for the English to have trade ties with Hindustan. Jahangir sends back a message to James I saying he was pleased to be having commercial ties with the Majesty of England and orders all the ports to be opened for trading. He signs a treaty with the English to set up the English East India company at Surat to begin trading.
Malik Ambar had already lost a unit of cavalry men while having a strong guerrilla rebellion against Prince Khurram. He is left with an army of 5000 strong men. Ambar is a great military tactician and pioneer of guerrilla warfare. He is optimistic of bringing down the might of Mughals. But his army is not just not enough to rebel against the Mughals. He charts a master plan. He convinces the King of Nizam Shahi Sultanates and gives his hand to the prince Sultan Nizam Shah II and makes a foot hold of the Sultanate army by taking advantage of the wedding and becomes a regent of the Deccan Sultanates. By now Malik Ambar was training and commanding a 50,000 strong army of cavalry men in guerrilla warfare. Deccan Sultanates were good allies to Marathas who were against the East India Company. Malik Ambar now had the mentally and physically strong Marathas fighting besides him.
Malik Ambar ambushes past the Mughal foot hold at Ahmadnagar Fort and captures it. Prince Khurram escapes with his convoy and reaches Agra only to feed in the news of defeat to Jahangir. In complete frustration Jahangir says, “Ambar, that black wretch. Ambar of dark fate. That crafty ill starred one”. Jahangir and Ambar never later took to battle field in a head on face off.
Realizing Jahangir’s frustration for Ambar, Abu’l Hasan, the renowned painter at Jahangir’s court gifts Jahangir an allegory in which Emperor Jahangir is seen standing on the globe, pointing a bow and arrow to the chopped head of Malik Ambar resting on tall pike. Jahangir could only fantasize himself doing such a thing. Malik Ambar remained undefeated. Prince Khurram comes forward, bows to his father and says, “Baba this allegory will never remain a fantasy. Give me one last chance and I will severe that black wretch and throw him on your feet”. Jahangir having no choice left, obliges. Malik Ambar remains undefeated there after also.
Disclaimer: This short story is only a work of imagination. Factual errors may be present. Read it as yet another fictional work only.
