‘Do you want to dethrone me?’
‘No. We just want to free you from the responsibilities of statecraft.’
‘I swear by Imam Hussain, I won’t bear with this humiliation. I won’t dishonour my ancestors.’
‘We are more concerned than you about your ancestors. Your licentiousness is not adding glory to their reputation.’
The emperor said with humility, ‘I promise not to give you any cause for complaint in the future.’
‘Only a mad person would trust a drunkard’s promise.’
‘You can’t dethrone me by force.’
‘These threats are useless. Come quietly. Your carriage is waiting. We will bid you goodbye with full honours.’
‘Do you know what impact it will have on my subjects?’
‘I know very well. No one will raise a finger in your support. Tomorrow, everyone will celebrate your departure by lighting a candle.’
By this time all those who were entrusted with the task of accompanying the emperor had arrived. The carriage too was standing there. There were twenty-five armed white soldiers. When the emperor saw the carriage, he was deeply moved. His tears ran in torrents, and his sense of honour, which had been hidden behind his licentiousness, came to the fore. He pulled away his hand and shouted daringly, without any fear of consequences, ‘O inhabitants of Lucknow! Your emperor is being killed by his enemies. Come and save him, or you will regret it forever.’
This piteous cry that rose to the sky, piercing the silence of the space, did not merge with the waves of the Gomti, but penetrated the hearts of the people. Raja Bakhtaavar Singh had come out of his prison, mobilized the people and was approaching with great speed, along with a swelling crowd. Even a moment’s delay could have allowed the conspirators to fulfil their designs. Gradually, it had become a crowd of several thousand armed people. This collective power could have rescued the emperor and the city of Lucknow. Time was of utmost consequence. If the emperor had been trapped by the English, then all of Lucknow would not have been able to release him. As Raja Sahib moved forward, his mind was overcome by despair. His enthusiasm was weakened by the possibility of failure. He could not find any trace of the conspirators, though he had arrived late. The rebels had fulfilled their wishes. The freedom of the state of Awadh was lost forever!
They were on the brink of giving up and turning back when they heard the emperor’s cry. Several thousand voices rose, ‘My lord, may God keep you safe. We have arrived to sacrifice our lives for you!’
The crowd, propelled by one strong desire, moved to the scene of action with utmost speed, new energy coursing through their veins. Those at the back wanted to come to the front, and those at the vanguard wanted to fly to the spot.
The English pointed their twenty-five guns at the crowd and started to fire. Many fell, but the people did not retreat. In a moment, another wave took their positions and several of them fell to the ground, but the crowd kept advancing. The crowd made a third move, and then they were upon the rebels. The Englishmen fled.
When the people came close to the emperor they witnessed a strange scene. The emperor was seated on the chest of Raushanuddaulah. When the white men fled, the emperor had caught hold of this low-born, mean human being, thrown him to the ground and sat on his chest. Had he been armed, Raushan’s dead body would have been lying there.
Raja Bakhtaavar Singh moved forward and saluted the king. The people’s cries of victory rent the sky. Some wanted to touch the emperor’s feet, while others blessed him. Raushanuddaulah was being kicked and hit by the angry crowd. There were also some who spat on his face.4
It was morning. The city of Lucknow was celebrating. Thousands had gathered before the palace of the emperor, carrying gifts. The poor were being fed at many places. Music was being played in the imperial music house.
The court sat. The emperor, dressed in jewel-studded clothes, was seated on his throne. The nobles and the rich presented their gifts. Poets read out their panegyrics.
Suddenly, the emperor asked, ‘Where is Bakhtaavar Singh?’
The captain answered, ‘He’s in prison.’
The emperor sent a few officials to fetch Raja Sahib and escort him to the court. After a while, when Raja Sahib came and saluted the emperor, the emperor got down from his throne and embraced him. He made him sit on the right of his throne. Then, the emperor stood up before the courtiers and praised Raja Sahib’s loyalty and his good deeds, after which he dressed him in a robe of honour with his own hands. All the members of his family were given a warm send-off with full honour.
In the afternoon, when the court was being dismissed, the emperor told Raja Sahib, ‘You have done a great favour to me and the state. I can’t reward you enough for your deed. My only request is that you take up the responsibilities of the prime minister and govern the state in the most suitable way. I shall not interfere in your work. Just allow me to stay in a quiet corner. I also hand over Raushan, the traitor, to you. You do with him as you see fit. I would’ve sent him to hell by now, but have spared him because I think you should be the one to deal with him.’
However, Bakhtaavar Singh was familiar with the unstable nature of the emperor’s temperament. He knew very well that all these good intentions might be short-lived. A person’s essential character does not really change. In a couple of months, the situation in the court would return to its earlier state. And so, he had to remain alert. He had done his duty towards the state. The service I can perform for the state selflessly by staying away from it can never be done if I remain a part of the court. A selfless friend always receives greater respect
