Princess of the dawn

Chapter 39

Lahore

In Lahore, preparations were under way to set off for Delhi. Important state affairs and alliances were concluded. Jalal's relationship with Bairam Khan seemed rehabilitated. When they set out in December 1557, he didn't show his inner turmoil. In truth, he was concerned about the loyalty of his closest confidante. The days passed uneventfully and gave him the opportunity to talk to Abdul. Fadhil had become an important confidante. Jalal had told him to keep an eye on Khalid. He found out that Khalid had been sent by Bairam Khan. Jalal was warned and now knew that Bairam Khan was spying on him. One more reason to question his loyalty.

Bairam Khan, in turn, pondered how he could continue to gain more influence. He decided it was time to claim His Majesty Humayun's promise. A connection to the royal family would increase his reputation. Humayun had once given him a promise that after the conquest of Hindustan, Salima Sultan, his sister's daughter, would be given to him as a wife. The time had come. As soon as they got to Jalandhar, he reminded Jalal of his father's promise and claimed the marriage. After consulting with his mother and in order not to let any further dissatisfaction arise, Jalal agreed to the marriage. He did want to respect his father's wish. Bairam Khan and the ladies-in-waiting arranged a grand feast and the marriage took place within a week. The magnificent celebrations lasted 3 days. Jalal made precious gifts to his ataliq and his cousin.

After the New Year began, they set out for Delhi in March 1558. They traveled via Sirhind to pay homage to the supurdgah of His Majesty Humayun. Jalal, Hamida Banu Begum and Gulbadan Begum grieved and prayed at his stone coffin covered with cloths. Slowly hot tears made their way down Jalal's cheeks.

"Abbujaan, why did you leave us so early? I wanted to do so much with you. Now I alone bear the burden and responsibility of my country. As a ruler you are all alone. I don't know who to trust and who not to trust. Help me make the right decisions. Even with my closest confidants, I can't be sure. And forgive me for not being able to read and write. I love the books as much as you do, but the letters just do not want to get into my head. I will still try to be a good ruler. May Allah send me someone I can trust and with whom I can share the burden of government. I am alone and lonely among lots of people. Send me the one I can trust blindly please. Rest in Peace Abbujaan. May Allah always be by your side." Hazel eyes flashed briefly in his head. But as fast as the vision came, it was gone again.

He ended the dialogue with his father and felt strangely relieved. He wiped away his tears and waited for his mother and aunt. His mother hugged him tightly. She also had tears in her eyes.

"Jalal, he watches over us. He will always be with us."

"Ji ammijaan. Here I felt very close to him. We will erect a worthy tomb for him in Delhi and bring him to us so that he is close to us!"

"Inshallah Jalal!"

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Delhi 1558

One day in April, the army marched into Delhi. It was an exceptionally hot day. The air was laden with sand with winds from Rajputana desert. The capital was shrouded in a yellow haze that dulled the colors and pomp of Jalal's entry. Nevertheless, the people had gathered in droves on the streets to greet the victorious army. Jalal rode majestically on Sultan at the side of a grim-looking Bairam Khan. He had grown into a handsome 16 year old.

"Allah-hu-Akbar!" "Shahenshah Jalal-ud-din Muhammad zindabad!" chanted the crowd. He smiled and took note of the calls as the royal bodyguard in their brightly colored Chughtai robes danced past the cheering crowd. Some dignitaries tried to kiss his stirrup when the cavalcade rode through the gates of Din Panah. The loud, penetrating sound of the shenai and the drums formed a worthy background music for his entry.