Veer ~ Rise Of The Sisodia's [#YourStoryIndia]

Chapter 10

Two Years Later, Panchala, 1029 AD

The last hypnotic echoes of the qawwali lingered in the air, gradually fading into the night's stillness. The gathered crowd, nestled in the courtyard of the dwelling that housed the revered Sufi saint Sheikh Nizamuddin and his devotees, remained in a trance, transported to realms beyond the universe. This modest abode, standing in one of the labyrinth lanes of Panchala, also known by its relatively new name Bareilly, served not only as the residence of the Sufis but also as a community center, a humble kitchen, and a makeshift hospital for the local residents.

Despite initial skepticism from the nearby predominantly Hindu neighbourhood, the benevolence of Nizamuddin and his disciples had melted away suspicions. Though possessing little material wealth, the Sufis generously shared whatever they had. Their philosophy, rooted in love and tolerance, swiftly garnered friendships that transcended religious boundaries.

As the singer prepared to commence another soul-stirring melody, the abrupt entry of ten men shattered the tranquil atmosphere. Their leader, a fierce-looking man named Mansur, clad in a black turban with a beak-like nose, carried an unmistakable air of anger and hate. Armed with a sword, his burly companions brandished crude spears and axes.

"Stop this blasphemous nonsense at once!" Mansur commanded, his eyes ablaze with rage.

The singer halted, turning to Nizamuddin for guidance. The cherubic Sufi master rose to his feet, smoothing his messy curls with a gentle pat as he ecstatically moved his head in sync with the music. 'Welcome, Maulvi sahib. What can I do for you?'

The maulvi, Mansur, regarded Nizamuddin with undisguised contempt. "I've told you before, Nizamuddin, stop this rubbish. It offends Allah and all his true believers."

Delicately interrupting, Nizamuddin spoke, "I am delighted to meet someone who can speak for Allah. But please, tell me, what is so offensive?"

Mansur, seething with anger, accused, "You sing songs here in honour of Draupadi, that... that..."

Nizamuddin interjected courteously, "Careful what you say about Maharani Draupadi, Maulvi Sahib. She was a princess of our land, of Panchala. She is honoured here."

Draupadi, a princess from antiquity and the wife of the five Pandavas, the heroes of the Indian historical epic Mahabharat, had been a princess of this very land From Panchala. Regardless of religion, all the people from Bareilly respected this great princess of antiquity as a Goddess.

"Draupadi was not one of us!" Mansur shouted. "She was... she was... Forget her! How dare you mingle freely with these infidel barbarians?"

Nizamuddin questioned, "What barbarians? All I see are my fellow Indians. Whatever their religion, they are all equally dear to me."

Mansur's voice menacingly low snarled, "You better decide where your loyalties lie. Are you a Muslim or a so-called Indian?"

Nizamuddin responded, "What a stupid question."

Mansur seethed in a fury. 'Stupid? How dare you call me stupid?'

"I didn't call you stupid. I called your question stupid. Because you are asking a heart if it belongs to the body," Nizamuddin explained.

''What?'' replied a confused Mansur

"The message of Allah resides within my heart, while every cell in my being bears the essence of Mother India's soil. Originating from this sacred land, my body is a product of its embrace, destined to reunite with this holy soil upon my departure." Nizamuddin clarified.

''Sacred land?'' Mansur ridiculed, raising his voice. ''You dare to call this home of unbelievers a holy land? You have committed shirk."

"Maulvi sahib, you might not be cognizant of this fact, but Islam found allies in this land long before the Turks embraced it," Nizamuddin responded. "The Datt Brahmins, a clan with roots in this region, stood alongside the Prophet's grandson, Imam Hussain, in the Battle of Karbala, with many sacrificing their lives for that noble cause. Their descendants, known as Hussaini Brahmins, still inhabit India. Raja Dahir, the Hindu king of Sindh, provided refuge to some members of Imam Hussain's family. Unfortunately, when Raja Dahir perished in the battle against Mohammed bin Qasim, Imam Hussain's family faced a tragic massacre by his hand. So, I ask you, who would you consider a true friend of Islam? Those like the Indian Hindu king Dahir, who sheltered the Prophet's family, or those like the Arab invader Mohammed bin Qasim, who slaughtered them?"