FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

1"HI: * * * -K BY: DEWAN SHARAR "Fidelity's A Virtue That Ennobles Even Servitude Itself" (Mason) f "Beneath my hand the land shall prosper once more" said Razia. Because the founder of their line was a Turkish slave whom his royal master raised to honour, and who proved worthy of it. soaring from one high post to another until at length he came to inherit the throne itself, men called his dynasty the Slave Kings, and by that name it is known in the history of India to this day. Because they were brave men — even the worst of them was brave — they wore the name proudly, effectually disposing of such mockery as it may once have held in the mouths of the jealous. They were slaves in nothing save that name. Those were stormy times; kingdoms needed a strong hand and a sheathless sword to guard their frontiers, and the gift of clever rulership to keep thern whole within. Aibak, first of his line, ruled well and wisely, and passed that 2ccd tradition on to his son-in-law Shamsuddin. who succeeded him; and Shamsuddin trained net only his sons, but also his one daughter Razia Begum the high art of statecraft. The boys learned their lesson but ill; the girl took to it royally. "She is better than twenty sons," her father declared, and sr ared no pains to make her as he would have had his sons to be. She grew uo a princess worthy of the name, gallant, fearless, quick of wit and measured of speech, very wise in the tortuous ways of government. Also she was most beautiful. Her father allowed her a liberty rare among women of that day; veiled but unaccompanied save for her bodyguard — an Abyssinian slave called Jafar, who was tall and strong and utterly devoted to her — she rode abroad as freely as a man. By the time her father died there were not wanting those among the people who said, covertly or openly. "Would that Razia Begum were to inherit the throne! Not one of the King's sons is fit to compare with her. Prince Ruknuddin will reign over India now; he has an ill name; what will come to us beneath his hand?" They soon found out. Ruknuddin. third of the Slave Kings, was everything that a king ought not to be. He was idle, dissolute, greedy and with an ingenious turn for cruelty. So that before long the people began to murmur against him. and the murmuring grew: and heading it always was one Altunia, Governor of Bhatinda. a Turk by birth, and a man strong, warlike, and farseeing. Some called him cunning. "This must be stopped", they said. "Why should we suffer under such a king? Better far that the Princess should reign. She is a girl of spirit and her father taught her all hefailed to teach his worthless sons. Let us wait our chance: and, when the time is ripe, place her upon the throne." "And what then"? asked his fellow-conspirators. The most powerful ministers in the land were of their number, for all despised and hated Ruknuddin. "She will rule wisely and well. Have we not known Razia from her birth? T« she not a pearl among women, fearless as a man, and utterly honourable?" said Altunia: but in his heart he thought, "And one day, if Allah wills and my wits are what I believe them to be, I shall sit upon the throne by her side." FACE TO FACE WITH RAZIA They laid their plans, that growing band of plotters: they added steadily to tneir numbers; and presently judged the time ripe. They waited until Ruknuddin wxft a<vay since for their own sa.t^ not his — emphatically not his — they did not want his blood upon their hands; then with half the troops whole