Chapter 3: A Game of Cricket
Come on, Raj, let's play cricket!" A cheerful voice called out to him, as he was walking in the corridor of palace. It was Rahul and his half-brothers, Rahul aged 9 his brother and the only one who treated him kindly. Rahul was a simple and traditional boy, who loved sports and games, and had no interest in politics or power. He was his only real brother compared to all selfish and scheming half-brothers and half-sisters. Rahul was the eldest child of Nizam, but he had no ambition or desire to rule. He was happy to leave the affairs of the state to his uncle, Sir Salar Jung, who was the prime minister and the regent.
Raj looked up, and saw Rahul smiling at him, holding a cricket bat and a ball. Behind him, he saw his other half-siblings, who were not smiling, but sneering. They were the sons and daughters of the Nizam's other wives and concubines, who hated Raj for being the illegitimate son of a Vaishya varna. They hated him for being different, smart, and favored by their father, who had given him the name Raj, which meant 'king' in Hindi. They hated him for being the protégé of Sir Salar Jung, who had made him his heir and his partner. They hated him for being alive, and they wanted him dead as compared to Rahul for whom they have no ill will.
Raj was not fond of cricket. He preferred to spend his time reading books, learning diplomacy, languages, and studying history. He had no interest in sports, especially not one that involved hitting a ball with a wooden stick and running around a field. He had played cricket in his previous life, as a nerd in the 21st century, and he hated it. He was always the last one to be picked for a team, and he was always the first one to be out. He was mocked and ridiculed by his classmates.
But in this life, as the illegitimate son of the Sixth Nizam Mahboob Ali Khan of Hyderabad, he had no choice but to play cricket. It was the favourite pastime of his half-siblings, who were the legitimate heirs of the Nizam. They played cricket every day, in the vast gardens of the palace, under the watchful eyes of their tutors and guards. Raj was forced to join them, as a sign of his loyalty and obedience to his father. He was also forced to endure their hatred and bullying, as they saw him as a threat and a nuisance.
Raj had seven half-brothers and seven half-sisters nearly a full fledged cricket team including extras, all from different mothers, only Rahul was his real sibling. The Nizam had a large harem of wives and concubines, who competed for his favor and attention. Raj's mother was one of the concubines, who had caught the Nizam's eye with her beauty and intelligence. She was a Indian Vaishya, the third highest of the four traditional social classes of India, who had been captured by the British and sold to the Nizam as a gift. She had given birth to Raj when she was only 18, and had died shortly after, due to complications. Raj had never seen her face, but he had inherited her features: fair skin, green eyes, and curly black hair same as Rahul. He also had inherited her intelligence and curiosity, which made him stand out among his half-siblings, who were mostly dull and ignorant.
Raj's half-siblings hated him for many reasons. They hated him because he was illegitimate, and thus had no claim to the throne. They hated him because he was different, and thus had no place in their society. They hated him because he was smart, and thus had no respect for their authority. They hated him because he was favoured by their father, and thus had no fear of their power.
The Nizam loved Raj more than any of his other children. He saw in him a reflection of himself, when he was young and ambitious. He saw in him a potential ally, who could help him rule his realm and deal with the British. He saw in him a future leader, who could carry on his legacy and vision. He gave him the best education, the best tutors, and the best privileges. He gave him the name Raj, which meant 'king' in Hindi, as a sign of his affection and expectation.
But the Nizam's love for Raj was also his downfall. He neglected his other children, who grew up resentful and rebellious. He ignored his realm, which was plagued by corruption and unrest. He underestimated the British, who were plotting to annex his territory and exploit his resources. He overestimated his own strength, which was fading with age and illness.
The Nizam's weaknesses triggered a succession crisis, as his legitimate children fought for the throne. The eldest legitimate son, Mir Osman Ali Khan , was only 4 years old, and thus too young to rule. He was declared the future Nizam heir, Sir Salar Jung, who was the prime minister and the real power behind the throne. Sir Salar Jung was a loyal and capable administrator, who tried to maintain the stability and sovereignty of Hyderabad. He was also a uncle and protector of Raj, who he saw as a valuable asset and a potential successor.
But Sir Salar Jung's authority was challenged by the other children of the Nizam, who had their own ambitions and supporters. They formed factions and alliances, and plotted against each other and their Nizam. They also tried to eliminate Raj, who they saw as a rival and a danger. They attacked him, insulted him, and sabotaged him. They tried to make his life miserable and hopeless.
One of their favorite ways to torment Raj was to play cricket with him. They would invite him to join their game, pretending to be friendly and courteous. But once the game started, they would show their true colors. They would cheat, lie, and break the rules. They would hit him, push him, and trip him. They would mock him, curse him, and humiliate him. They would do everything in their power to make him lose and suffer.
Raj knew their game, and he hated it. But he also knew that he had to play along, for the sake of his survival and his future. He knew that cricket was not just a sport, but a test. A test of his skills, his courage, and his character. A test of his loyalty, his obedience, and his patience. A test of his will, his ambition, and his vision.
Raj looked up and smiled. He walked towards Rahul, and took the cricket bat and the ball from his hands. He smiled at him, and said, "Sure, Rahul, let's play cricket."
Raj played cricket with his sibling and half-siblings, but he did not play to win. He played to learn. He learned their strengths and weaknesses, their personalities and preferences, their allies and enemies. He learned the rules and strategies, the tactics and techniques, the tricks and traps. He learned the history and culture, the politics and economics, the conflicts and opportunities. He learned everything he could, about his half-siblings, his realm, and his world.
Raj played cricket with his half-siblings, but he did not play to lose. He played to grow. He grew his skills and courage, his character and intelligence, his loyalty and obedience, his patience and perseverance. He grew his will and ambition, his vision and plan, his network and influence, his resources and assets. He grew everything he needed, to survive, to succeed, and to rule.
Raj played cricket with his half-siblings, but he did not play to suffer. He played to enjoy. He enjoyed the challenge and the thrill, the competition and the cooperation, the risk and the reward. He enjoyed the game and the fun, the sport and the art, the beauty and the grace. He enjoyed the cricket and the life, the present and the future, the dream and the reality.
Raj played cricket with his half-siblings, and he played to win. Not the game, but the throne. He even planed to get neighbouring countries involved in already messy politics if Hyderabad. He planned to get British Empire, Indore Kingdom, Kingdom of Cochin and Mysore Kingdom interfere in Hyderabad to get the most benefit for himself.
The End.
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