A Slave Who Became Emperor 41 Badshah Khan

Somewhere in the deserted area of Afghan land.. there was a lone figure riding a camel.. he was dressed in traditional Pathani kurta and pyjama, with a turban tied around his head, he covered his nose and mouth with a cloth tied on the back of his hair falling over his shoulders.. his eyes were dark black and sharp with a hint of khol in them.. they were blood shot reflecting his tiredness from the long journey...

He reached a small village situated around an oasis.. he got down his camel and drank some fresh water, he untied the camel.. then he rested below a date tree for some time..

He opened a small cloth bundle, there were some walnuts and almonds which he ate and relaxed.. his camel was also grazing on small shrubs around the oasis..

He got up and approached a caravan near by.. there were some nomads who were traveling from place to place.. he went to the chief of the caravan and said, 'Salam Alaik.u.m Sahib!. ' the chief relied, 'As salam u alaik.u.m...who are you? what brings you here to our settlement? ' the man replied, 'My name is Badshah Khan, I am coming from far off.. request you to let me take shelter in your caravan for the night.. ' the chief studied the man, Badshah Khan was an average heighted man, but his shoulders were too broad, he had well built muscles, he had handsome features with a small beard..

The chief said, 'where are you headed to? ' Badshah Khan said, 'hindustan.. ' the chief said, 'masha Allah! you need to travel further more..' Khan replied, 'yes, I need to cross the Hindu Khush mountain range.. ' the chief said, 'may I know the purpose of your travel to Hindustan? ' Khan replied, 'chief.. it is a long story.. ' the chief said, 'well then Badshah Khan, let's discuss it over dinner then, welcome to our nomadic settlement.. '

Khan smiled and nodded in agreement.. the chief summoned a man and asked him to show Badshah Khan his resting place for the night.. Khan went with that man and settled down in the tent shown by him.. he brought his camel from the oasis and tied it to a pole in front of his accomodation..

Evening approached, Khan finished his namaaz and came out of his tent, all the people of the nomadic settlement came out and arranged a camp fire.. the temperature in the desert dropped.. it was pleasantly cool..

It was a full moon night, the sands of the desert were shining like silver dust in the moon light.. torches were burnt and a man was playing a flute near the fire.. everyone was in a cheerful mood..

A group of women came and started dancing, they were beautiful, they were adorned with huge silver ornaments.. among them one woman looked like a G.o.ddess of beauty.. her olive skin.. her khol lined huge eyes.. her voluptuous figure.. everything attracted Khan towards her.. he never saw such a beauty and his heart was never stirred in such a way..

He kept looking at her dreamily.. after some time, the women stopped dancing.. Khan came out of his trance.. the chief said, 'my people! today we are blessed by Allah abundantly.. he has sent us a guest... Badshah Khan.. he is staying with us tonight.. please take care of his needs.. he will be on his way in the morning.. ' everyone greeted Badshah Khan, he too responded with respect..

The chief continued, 'ok, you carry on with your enjoyment.. me and the guest will retire to my tent for dinner.. ' then he called out.. 'Ben.a.z.ir..! 'the beauty who stole Khan's heart responded, she said, 'yes Grandfather.. ' the chief said, 'my child.. arrange dinner for us.. ' she nodded..

The Chief and Badshah Khan went into the chief's tent... Ben.a.z.ir laid out the dinner.. Khan restricted his eyes and forced himself not to look at Ben.a.z.ir.. he was eating his food quietly.. then the chief said, 'Khan.. what is your story? why are you going to Hindustan? '