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May 1942
F I L M I X D I A
heartedly on their side, and the other half wavering, they marched upon the palace.
In her own apartments, her frightened ladies clinging together behind her, and the mutter of the gathering crowds outside. Razia Begum faced Altunia. her eyes bright and unafraid over her veil.
"What do you want of me, Altunia?'' she asked.
Altunia — tall and fierce and still young, a warrior every inch of him — lcoked at her with admiration. He had expected her to stand up to him. and he was not disappointed.
"Lady," he said, "I ask much: but not for myself; for the sake of your faV.ier's kingdom."
"It is my brother's kingdom now." said Razia Begum.
"To the sorrow of its people, that is so." Altunia agreed gravely. "Would that your father were still alive! But since that was not Allah's will, and since the land is fallen into the wrong hands, a few of us who are strong enough to dare have taken it upon ourselves to set matters right."
"Do you propose to mount the throne. Altunia?" asked Razia Begum, and her eyes flared scorn at him.
"No Lady." said Altunia. "We your loyal subjects, desire that you should do so."
She stared at him, for a moment too surprised for speech.
"Lady, y£>ur father trained you to be a queen, and trained you well. He was wise, and it may be that he foresaw this day. Be that as it may. Begum, your people are resolved that they will suffer Ruknuddin's evil rule no longer, and they call upon you to take his place. The throne awaits you; the army will defend you; everything is ready; come!"
Razia Begum looked him deeply and steadily in the eyes. He met that searching gaze unflinchingly.
"What do you gain by this, Altunia?" she said forthright.
"The welfare of the land I love and serve." said Altunia.
Razia Begum thought, still regarding him keenly. "You seek more then that. You are strong and you are clever; but you are also cunning. I admire you; for India's sake it is best that I obey you now; but I doubt your motive. You will be your country's saviour: but what lies behind that good deed? But she did not say ft aloud.
"Do not be afraid. Begum." said Altunia genJy
"I am not afraid. I have never been afraid in my life." said Razia Begum. "I will do as you say."
"Come then. Sultana Razia Begum, and address your army." said Altunia.
He led her out upon one of the balconies. Below, the great courtyard was packed with troops, and beyond them th3 people surged, and all looked up at her slim veiled
figure, and her name rose in a crashing shout of acclamation.
"Speak to them. Lady," said Altunia by her sice.
She spoka without hesitation; briefly, concisely, but with a zeal and fervour which stormed her hearers' hearts. She made no pretence of loyalty to her worthless brother.
"I know well what you have suffered, my people: but that is at an end now," she said with passionate intensity. "I am with you utterly; beneath my hand the land shall prosper once more, and honest men have no more need to talk in fear of their lives. As it was in the good days, so it shall be again. I swear it in AUah's name!"
They cheered her to the echo.
SHE BECOMES SULTANA RAZIA
Thereafter, aided and guarded by her growing band of partisans, Altunia it their head, she, defeating her deposed brother, took up the Sceptre of Hindustan and wielded