Jahandadji nodded. ‘Shahji, if royal armies turn obdurate and refuse to advance, the most powerful emperors are rendered limbless. Armies are the very arms and strength of kings, after all!’
‘Absolutely. Now listen further. When Sikandar Shah reached Punjab, Satrap Sobti was the nazim subedar of the region up to river Raavi. He controlled the lands of Raavi and Beas. Now Porus and Ambhi confronted Sikandar Shah and fought him, but see what Satrap Sobti does. He came forward and welcomed Sikandar Shah, honoured him. Presented him with diamonds and precious jewels. Entertained him with cockfights and gained his friendship.’
‘This was not a good thing to do. No drums. No drumbeats. No mounting of horses. No war fought, and he goes and becomes a sidekick to the invader!’
Shahji said, ‘Karm Ilahiji, the reason for this was that Satrap Sobti himself belonged to Greece. The ancestors of the Sobti family had come down to Punjab during the Greek upheavals.’
‘Now the matter is clear. So then they were related to each other, of the same country, hamvatni. Then he had to behave as per custom, naturally!’
‘Something like that. Sikandar also fully reciprocated in kind. Before leaving, he made Satrap Sobti the administrator of Raavi and Beas areas. On the other hand, he gave the kingship of Pothohar, the area between Sindh and Jhelum, to Porusvan. And he handed over the borders of Chenab and Bhimbar Rajauri to Abhisara.’
‘Yes, many shahs and many satraps. Our country Punjab is not a small one, is it!’
Kashi Shah nodded. ‘There was a time Punjab was called Sapta Sindhu or seven rivers. When the Greek shahs-badshahs arrived, it became Pantapotamia – the land of five Rivers.’
Mauladadji nodded. ‘Waah-waah! If truth be told, badshaho, my soul grows overjoyed to think that we, too, are made of this very soil and water. Sadke!’
Karm Ilahiji joined in appreciation. ‘True. Our land is blessed by Rabb’s bounty.’
Guruditt Singh’s thoughts were ranging elsewhere. ‘Wasn’t a bad deal for Sobti Satrap. He played host to the hilt – showed Shah Sikandar chicken fights, feasted him with chicken karhai, entertained him with rang-tamasha, and established brotherly ties.’
Fakira chuckled. ‘But the fact of the matter is that he squeezed out the essence of gain without entering the battlefield. This is not courage, this is diplomacy.’
Najiba was deep in thought. ‘Shahji, I will say one thing. How is it known that ages ago this happened or that happened? There are no eyewitnesses present now, are there? How does one know that this is true, or false, or concocted by the Miras?’
‘Najiba, that is a valid question. What happens is that all ruling dispensations big and small arrange to have their victories, endeavours and achievements recorded, and to keep these records safe. There is an entire office just for this purpose. For the rest, for ordinary folk like us, this task is taken care of by our Miras. The Miras can enumerate seven generations of any family that celebrates an auspicious occasion and this process continues.’
Kriparam said, ‘Shahji, and there isn’t just one kind of Miras. Khatris have their Mirasi Shohala, Brahmins’ Mirasi are Kamachhi, Mir Mirasi, Rai Mirasi, Sevak Qawwal. Then the Baloach Pathans have their own Miras. Shias have their own. And the Loree of Amir Hamza are again different.’
Kashi Shah added, ‘The origins of our Miras go back to Multan. That is why they keep refreshing the story of Nawab Ali Mardan from time to time. Muzaffar Deen Jehandad Shah, Faroukh Shah Badshah, Shahrukh Mirza, Shahzada Ali Kuli Khan, Sardar Ganj Ali Khan, Nawab Ali Mardan Khan, Sardar Behram Ali Khan, Sardar Mahmood Hussain Khan, Sardar Ali Khan, Nawab Shah Badal Khan, Nawab Amir Muhammad Khan, Sardar Shah Pasand Khan. Nawab Ali Mardan’s family was bestowed Multan in jagir. Previously, he was the subedar of Herat-Kandahar.’
Mauladadji said, ‘Shahji, those battlefield episodes were left unfinished.’
Shahji picked up the thread again. ‘Then listen. Mahmood Ghazni started from Ghazni with a lashkar of ten thousand horse-mounted soldiers. Here, King Jaipal confronted him with twelve thousand horses, thirty thousand foot soldiers, and three hundred elephants. Fortunes were reversed on the battlefield, and Jaipal was taken prisoner. Mahmood Ghazni had a great weakness for diamonds and jewels. Accepting priceless jewels and diamonds as gifts, he let Jaipal go.’
Jahandad Khan started laughing. ‘Shah Sahib, which shahenshah worthy of his name doesn’t crave diamonds and pearls?’
Kakku Khan said, ‘It’s a simple thing. If emperors thirst and crave for diamonds and pearls, so do dacoits and robbers – they have the same taste. What’s the big difference between the two anyway?’
Ganda Singh chuckled. ‘Shahji, Kakku Khan’s statement has proven that sitting in gatherings of wise men, the mind grows sharp. Kakku Khan, first there is large-scale dacoity and looting. Then with displays of bravery, a man acquires a public following. And so the business of crown and kingship is established. Royal orders are issued at will, two or ten battles are fought. Forts and palaces built. Taxes issued and collected. That’s it, you can spend the rest of your life in festivities and celebrations! When summoned from the High Place, lay yourself down in memorials and mausoleums and be accorded full royal regard and respect.’
Taya Tufail Singh laughed uproariously. ‘Ganda Singh, heaven forbid if anyone should end up in your hands! In your past life, you must surely have been the leader of your community.’
Kashi Shah remembered something. ‘Maharaja Ranjit Singh set his heart on the Kohinoor diamond. He spared no diplomacy or scheme in its pursuit, and ultimately wrangled it from the Afghan Shah Shuja. And see where the diamond ended up – in the crown of Britannia! It is said that it’s the largest diamond in the world. The diamond in the Russian crown is as big as a pigeon’s eye, but the Kohinoor is even bigger. That makes the Kohinoor a diamond peerless in name and fame.’
‘Shahji, when Jaipal was set free, did he go and resume his rule?’
‘Badshaho, listen further. What does King Jaipal do? He hands over the throne to his oldest son Anangpal, and immolates himself on a pyre!’
Kriparam swelled with religious pride. ‘He was a Vikramajit king after all. He had to keep the honour of his dharma.’
‘After vanquishing Multan, Mahmood Ghazni turns towards Bhatinda. Three days of fierce battle ensue, and Ghazni’s army is felled in large numbers. On the fourth day, Ghazni reads the namaz facing Mecca, and exhorts his soldiers – “Brave warriors, Mecca and Medina have ordained our victory. There’s nothing to fear. Advance!” Biji Rai’s army is ousted, and Ghazni is crowned with the garland of victory in Bhatinda!’
‘And why not? If Rabb-Rasool are with you, the courage of your warriors is sky high, and swords glint in hands, who on earth can stop you! He did conquer Hindostan, after all!’
Shahji nodded. ‘Kashiram, let’s have the next part too. Now you tell it.’
‘Seeing that he has lost the battle, Biji Rai cuts off his own head.’
Mauladadji couldn’t contain himself. ‘Shahji, what does one gain by immolating or beheading oneself? I mean, it’s a question that begs to be asked. Lost your life, lost the battlefield, and lost the next round even before it was fought!’
Munshiji saw his chance. ‘Actually, the Bhagvad Gita teaches selfless action and freedom from all desires and emotions. This is an ancient principle of Hindostan. They will fight the battle without fear of death, but at heart, they are detached from it all. However, if this detachment raises its head in the battlefield, the army will run helter-skelter, and victory will deliver itself into enemy hands.’
Guruditt Singh flared up. ‘Enough, oye Munshi Ilmdin! Whom didn’t Maharaja Ranjit Singh rout? You know full well, don’t you? Pathan, Baloach, Afghan – who didn’t run like women from the battlefield? Remember what I say: bravery is not the exclusive domain of any one race.’
Jahandadji mediated: ‘Absolutely right. As long as the Khalsa flag flew in Punjab, no one even whimpered. The moment Sher-e-Punjab closed his eyes, the firangi goras gr
abbed power!’
‘Badshaho, there was this song I’d heard then – Rabb is dead, the gods are dead, now the firangis rule!’
Meeranbakshji added spice. ‘Those left behind recall and relive the maharaja’s glories. The Khalsas fought massive battles. Built huge armies with pomp and splendour. Won big battles. When victorious, they ruled in pride and glory.’
Fateh Aliji joined the conversation. ‘Ranjit Singh had some famous subedars and executives. The entire elaborate paraphernalia of power just like the Mughals. Shahji, you often mention those titles. Let’s have them again …’
‘Here, listen. Daroga Deg (Food); Daroga Javaharat (Bullion); Daroga Khazana (Treasury); Faujdar Do-aab, Daroga Canals, Daroga Royal Batallion and many more …’’
Guruditt Singh said, ‘What is more, he even snatched the formal rulership of Multan from the Pathans.’
Kashi Shah felt the heat rising and changed the topic. ‘Diwan Savanmal earned high name as the nazim of Multan.’
‘Name and wealth both. Heaps upon heaps. Collected revenues on lands. Deposited the amount compulsory at Lahore Darbar, rest was his, pure bliss!’
Shahji said, ‘Chaudharyji, in order to reap revenues, the Khalsa sarkar used to auction the crops. Ripe crops standing in the fields, and Sarkar would auction them off! Whoever bid the highest would collect the revenue and deposit it in the royal treasury. He only would maintain the accounts of the lands and crops for the king. The revenue gathered in excess of the bid was his to keep.’
‘Each dispensation has its own thinking and its own decree. The British have also done a good thing, Shahji. Our Muslim brethren have been included in the peasant list. Albeit the Hindus stand to lose, but fine, they have enough money-wealth already. The twenty-year law is not too bad for the plaintiff. Half the lands mortgaged will automatically be freed.’
Shahji started laughing. ‘Chaudharyji, if some new law comes along, then we will be labourers, and you, the Shah!
‘Up until now, Chaudharyji, the new law is that if a Muslim files revenue on an income of rupees three thousand per annum, he earns the right to pick crops. On the other hand, if a Hindu files revenue on three lakhs per annum, he earns the right to vote. Now you can imagine for yourself, badshaho, what is going to happen to us!’
Laughter rang out and shook the cots.
‘Shahji, take it that the laws are made, and the peasant gets ownership of the lands as well. Then who will take care of the money? It is not our traditional job to manage money. May Rabb do you good, Shahji, if this law gets made in our favour, who will take care of wealth-maya? One also needs talent and capability for that, isn’t it? Here, none of us have been heirs to wealth for generations.’
Shahji’s brow wrinkled very slightly but he laughed it off saying, ‘Chaudharyji, if the rivers are flooded, who can stop them? Who can withstand change? It is the flow of waters, no one can stem or contain it.’
Mauladadji left his hukkah and said, ‘I say, how could you leave the Savanmal incident right in the middle? It was quite an absorbing tale!’
‘All right. Diwan Savanmal got at least three hundred miles of canals made in his area. His subjects held him in high esteem.’
Guruditt Singh sat up alert, and everyone caught on that the Khalsa had something hot and new to dispense. ‘The Lahore army vanquished Multan and victory was celebrated in Lahore and Amritsar. There were festivities galore. Lands and titles were bestowed in joy!’
Shahji altered the stance. ‘Maharaja Ranjit Singh took over the rule of Multan, and allotted jagirs to the princes of Multan, Shahzada Sarfaraz Khan and Zulfikar Khan, as maintenance.’
‘Shahji, the Khankah of Sheikh Shamsuddin Tabrizi is famous in Multan. Just as Saain Shahdaula is the patron saint of Gujrat, Shams Tabrizi is the patron saint of Multan.’
Kashi Shah pitched in, ‘Pir Shams Tabriz was killed alive. He was killed and he remained alive. This is worth listening to. He kept on walking, holding his skin in his hands. It is said that even the sun in Multan followed his diktat. The fair of Shah Shams is also held in Sheikhpur Bhera. The ailing still go there for the blood-letting practice performed by the local barbers.’
Karm Ilahiji said, ‘I say, there are a lot of Shamsis in our Siyalkot, too!’
Kriparam repeated, ‘It is heard that Savanmal was a great dispenser of justice.’
‘Absolutely. Savanmal put his own son into prison! It so happened that a Jatt went to court and complained, “Sarkar, some courtier has had my ripe crops destroyed. Now what do I eat, and what do I deposit with the Sarkar!” Savanmal ordered: “If that man is present in court, even if it is I, point him out fearlessly.”
‘Badshaho, true to his caste, Jatt was fatt, outspoken as hell. He stood up and put his hand on Savanmal’s son, Ramdas! The whole court was in consternation. But Diwan Savanmal passed his order, and the very next day Kaka Ramdas was put in jail and made to do manual labour. Khairon se, now the boy was the rich son of an officer. No hard work, no labour had he seen. Fell sick in his cell. Take it, that he couldn’t bear the humiliation of jail. But Savanmal stood by his word.’
‘The caste of Diwans has a high name. There have been many famous nazims and executives in this clan.’
Munshi Ilmdin brought out another old story. ‘Later, the son or grandson of this very clan read the kalma, and khairon se, Diwan Ramswarup became Ghulam Mohiuddin!’
Muhammadinji was dismissive. ‘Not one, there were thousands who read the kalma and converted to Islam. Nothing wrong with that!’
Shahji took up a new story. ‘It so happened that Savanmal’s brother-in-law Badanhazari was sent to Multan as sargana ahalkar, the chief officer. A sister’s soft heart; she nagged and cajoled her husband into calling her brother Savanmal to Multan. Husband got him appointed to some minor job. Brother was sharp. Whatever he touched, profits multiplied. People were very pleased with the boy. That’s it. Word spread to Lahore. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had this great talent – he could recognize a worthwhile man from a hundred miles! A year later, he passed an order. Now Badanhazari was still an officer, and Savanmal his boss in the high seat!’
Fateh Aliji said, ‘Wives’ tantrums, what else! Excessive love of the parental home at the cost of her own husband’s fortunes!’
Meeranbaksh said, ‘Badshaho, this is woman’s temperament, her nature. Husband’s mother and sister are used for all fights and blame, and her own parents for love and respect. It’s not as if the husband doesn’t see it. But then if you want a sip every day, you can’t very well throw away the milk pot, can you?’
Kakku Khan nodded for a long while. ‘Once you get caught yourself, who can free you? Chaudharyji, a man is caught by the neck.’
Fateh Aliji, by God’s grace, was maintaining two wives. With great wisdom, he said, ‘The bone of the family should remain true and pure. Otherwise, as soon as the family blood is corrupted, virtues and weaknesses all become one!’
As though he was ruminating on this very topic, Mauladadji said, ‘Fateh Aliji, once a flaw enters the family blood, then the child’s upper parts become that of a man and the lower limbs that of a woman. The same way, the body frame is that of a man, and the heart and brain, a woman’s. Which means that very rarely are true men born in such situations.’
Ganda Singh got annoyed. ‘Chaudharyji, now don’t you go around making hard and fast rules like the Syeds – that if marry one must, one must marry amongst the Syeds only. How many dynasties exist that are both true and pure? It is better if this whole thing remains in its limit only!’
Shahji cautiously intervened, ‘The custom of enquiring into kul-gotra or family-clan antecedents before marriage is not a bad thing in itself. Our ancestors must have thought carefully before making these rules and restrictions and ruled out relations that don’t stand the test of time.’
Taya Tufail Singh pulled the conversation to another side. ‘Badshaho, look at our own Khalsa. Guru Sahib took different races, different soils and bones, and raised one mighty bull of
a race!’
Kriparam asserted himself. ‘All right, a man may check out a family’s lineage-ancestry, but tribes are bound by limitations of caste and kin, aren’t they? And this is what our Shastra-Maryada also says – Kshatriya with Kshatriya, and Jat with Jat.’
Karm Ilahiji also had something to say. ‘The Awans of Gujrat don’t give their daughters to Chibbs and Khakhars. The Awans of Jhelum will have marriage ties with Awans only. You must have heard, Shahji, Malik of Kalabagh refused to give his daughter in marriage to Mohammad Ali Gabba of Rawalpindi.’
‘Our Dharma Shastras say that type and temper take seven generations to change.’
Shahji was lost deep in some thought, his eyes fixed on the flame of the earthen lamp. Kashi Shah coughed politely to draw his attention, but Shahji neither moved nor blinked. Then Kashi Shah loudly said, ‘Where love is deep and true, and affections, and abiding goodwill are nurtured in human relationships, there too one may find harmful, poisonous weeds growing alongside. Keeping this in mind, our wise elders made certain rules of conduct so that one may not cross the line.’
None of this was making any sense to Najiba. Irritated, he said, ‘Badshaho, if Rabb Rasool has already blessed man with His munificence, what is the meaning of all these realities? All said and done, what it boils down to is just this – that the poor should marry the poor, and the rich, the rich. For the rest, one thing is certain – woman alone can’t give birth. After all that is why Allah-Ta’ala made pairs, isn’t it?’
Lali Shah chanted:
‘Come on slate, dry fast, slate
God is great, dry fast, slate.’
Rabeyan called out, ‘Lali Shah, the slate will dry by itself. Sit and learn your lesson.’
‘Rabi behan, I will soak the ink powder and come.’ Lali took the brass inkpot, put in a thin cloth strip, emptied some black ink powder into the pot and then added water, stirring it with his quill pen.
Zindaginama Page 46
