Chapter 4: A Game of Diplomacy
In this life, as the illegitimate son of the Sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, he had no choice but to play diplomacy. It was the favorite game of his uncle Sir Salar Jung, who was the prime minister of Hyderabad with Deputy Shams-ul-Umra III,who supported heir Mir Osman whole-heartedly. He played diplomacy every day, in the vast halls of the palace, under the watchful eyes of his spies and agents.
Raj was forced to join him, as a sign of his gratitude and respect to his uncle. He had to endure his uncle's forced lessons and advices, as they saw him as a potential successor and a valuable asset. After his father Nizams illness recurred it became even more difficult for two brother to get along with others in Hyderabad.
Sir Salar Jung loved Raj more than any of his other grandsons even more than crown prince Osman Ali Khan because whose mother Amat-uz-Zehra is his daughter, who married Nizam agaist his permission. He saw in him a reflection of his father(Nizam) and himself as he was young, brave and courageous and himself as he is smart, clever and as good strategist.
He saw in him a potential partner, who could help him manage 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. Even the name Raj, which meant 'king' in Hindi, given by his mother as a sign of his affection and expectation.
But Sir Salar Jung's love for Raj was also his burden. He exposed him to his enemies, who grew jealous and hostile. He involved him in his schemes, which were risky and complex. He entrusted him with his secrets, which were dangerous and heavy. He expected him to follow his footsteps, which were hard and lonely. He made him his heir, which was a blessing and a curse. As all this goes on Raj influence in the court which he accumulated during these years is also deteriorating. he is getting closer and closer to being exiled by his brothers under Shams-ul-Umra and powerful minsters in court.
As health of Nizam Mir Mhboob Ali Khan deteriorated he keeps himself away from family affairs and focused only on domestic and external affairs only, even military and economics affairs are handled by their respective ministers with close to no interference by Nizam these noble ministers grew in power and became more and more greedy, power hungry and corrupt as the days passes.
These nobles with legitimate son of Nizam even challenged prime minister Salar Jung I, his family and both illegitimate Princes Rahul and Raj even in presence of Nizam.
The parties on the both sides are as follows:-
1. Raj and his allies
- His brother
- Sir Salar Jung I
2. Prince Osman Ali's allies
- His Brothers
- Shams-ul-Umra the deputy prime minister
-Mirza Muhammad Ismail afgan religious scholar handling military service under his control.
-Maharaja Sir Kishen Pershad Bahadur Yamin us-Sultanat a powerful minister handling finanace of Hyderabad that even became prime minister during Mir Osman Ali Khan in past life.
Sir Salar Jung's game was challenged by the other Brothers and nephews of the Nizam, who had their own ambitions and supporters. They formed factions and alliances to plotted against each other and the regent. They also tried to eliminate Raj, who they saw as a rival and a danger. They attacked him, insulted him, and sabotaged him.
Due to all these circumstances both Raj and uncle Salar prepared for their upcomming exiling from Hyderabad.
One of their favorite ways to torment Raj was to play cricket and diplomacy with him. . They would mock him and humiliate him to anger him to make ill judgement of situations. 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 and his brother's survival and his future.
Raj played diplomacy with his uncle, 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 uncle, his realm, and his world.
Raj and his uncle had a grand vision for Hyderabad. They wanted to make it the most powerful and prosperous state in India, and the most respected and influential region in India. They wanted to expand its territory and wealth, its culture and education, its trade and industry, its science and technology. They wanted to create a modern and progressive society, where people of all religions and races could live in harmony and dignity.
To achieve their vision, they had to play a delicate and dangerous game, with the British, the Mysore, the Indore, and their own neighbors and rivals. They had to balance their interests and obligations, their promises and threats, their friends and foes. They had to use their cunning and charm, their wisdom and knowledge, their power and money. They had to be careful, bold, cautious and daring.
Raj had a secret plan for Hyderabad. They wanted to buy land outside Hyderabad's control. They wanted to create a buffer zone and a backup plan, in case their realm was attacked or annexed by the British or their enemies. They wanted to secure their future and their freedom, their rights and their dignity, their legacy and their vision.
To execute their plan, they had to make a covert and risky deal, with the British, the Mysore, the Indore, the Cochin, and their own rivals. They had to hide their intentions and actions, their motives and goals, their assets and resources. They had to use their agents and spies, their contacts and informants, their bribes and blackmails.
They had to be discreet and secretive, silent and stealthy, trustworthy and deceptive.
Raj and his uncle had a bold plan for Hyderabad. They wanted to buy land in Australia, a continent far away from Hyderabad's control, but as allies of the British. They wanted to explore and colonize a new land, where they could start a new life and a new civilization. They wanted to discover and invent new things, new ideas and new possibilities, new wonders and new miracles.
To realize their plan, they had to convince and persuade the British, the Mysore, the Indore, the Cochin and their own inspire and impress, charm and dazzle. They had to use their vision and imagination, their creativity and innovation, their courage and passion. They had to be ambitious and optimistic, visionary and revolutionary, dreamers and doers.
But Raj and his uncle's plans were not without obstacles and enemies. Their rivals had their own plans, and they were not as noble and benevolent as theirs. They wanted to oust Raj and his uncle Salar forcefully, by buying some foreign land from the British, much to Raj's surprise, as Hyderabad was the richest land in India. They wanted to deal with the problem named Raj, once and for all. They wanted to destroy his dreams and his hopes, his plans and his vision, his life and his future. But unknown to them Raj too Had the same plan.
To fulfill their plans, they had to play a ruthless and cruel game of diplomacy, with the British and their own rivals. They had to betray and deceive, harm and hurt, kill and eliminate. They had to use their hatred and jealousy, their greed and malice, their violence and cruelty. They had to be vicious and merciless, hateful and spiteful, evil and wicked.
Raj and his uncle played the game of diplomacy, and they played to win.This Time at least
***
In this way 5 more years have passed.
The End.
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I hope you like it. 😊