Chapter 8: The Secret Meeting: Part 1
Raj was a young man of fourteen, with dark hair and eyes that sparkled with intelligence and ambition. He was the illegitimate son of Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad, and a beautiful courtesan named Varsha Rai. Raj had never met his mother, and father who had abandoned him and his mother when he was a baby. He had grown up in poverty and hardship, but he had also inherited his father's cunning and charisma.
Raj had a dream: to overthrow the British rule in India and restore the glory of his father's kingdom. He knew that he had a claim to the throne of Hyderabad before all these, but he also knew that he had many enemies both internal and external as his father's legitimate sons and the British officials. He needed allies, and he had found one in the Indore Kingdom, a princely state in central India ruled by the Holkar dynasty.
In 1896, aged 14 Raj with the help of his uncle had secretly contacted Maharaja Shivaji Rao Holkar, the young and progressive ruler of Indore, and proposed an alliance against the British. Raj had impressed Shivaji with his knowledge and courage, and Shivaji had agreed to meet him in person. Raj had disguised himself as a merchant and travelled to Indore with a small group of loyal followers.
He had arrived at the Indore palace, where he was greeted by Shivaji's chief minister, Balaji Rao. Balaji Rao led him to a private chamber, where Shivaji was waiting for him.
"Welcome, Raj," Shivaji said, smiling warmly. "I'm glad you made it safely. I've heard a lot about you."
"Thank you, Maharaja," Raj said, bowing respectfully. "I'm honored by your invitation. I've also heard a lot about you. You are a great leader and a visionary."
"Please, call me Shivaji. We are friends, no formalities. And you are too kind. I'm just trying to do what's best for my people and my country."
Shivaji was a handsome man of thirty-seven, with fair skin and light brown hair. He wore a simple white kurta and a turban adorned with a feather. He had a friendly and open demeanor, but also a sharp and alert mind.
Shivaji gestured for Raj to sit down on a cushioned sofa. He offered him a cup of tea and some sweets. Raj accepted them gratefully.
"So, Raj, tell me more about yourself. How did you become the secret son of the Nizam of Hyderabad?" Shivaji asked, curious.
Raj took a sip of tea and began to tell his story. He told Shivaji about his mother, Varsha, who was a famous courtesan in Hyderabad. She had met Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, the Nizam, when he was still a prince. He had fallen in love with her and made her his favorite concubine. He had promised to marry her and make her his queen, but he had broken his promise when he became the Nizam. He had married another woman, chosen by his father, and had forgotten about Varsha and their sons.
Raj told Shivaji about Rahul's and his childhood, how they had grown up in a small house in the outskirts of Maharashtra and Hyderabad. He had learned to read and write from his uncle Salar, who had taught him everything he knew. He had also learned to fight and survive from the streets, where he had faced many dangers and challenges. He had always dreamed of meeting his father and claiming his rightful place in the palace, but he had never got the chance.
Raj told Shivaji about his plan, how he had learned about the British plot to annex Princely states. He had decided to act and contact Shivaji, hoping to form an alliance and resist the British. He had gathered a band of loyal followers, who shared his vision and passion. He had risked his life and travelled to Indore, hoping to meet Shivaji and convince him to join forces. But first he had to capture and control Hyderabad, he needed help regarding this coup.
Shivaji listened to Raj's story with interest and admiration. He was impressed by Raj's courage and determination. He felt a bond of friendship and respect with him. He also felt a spark of attraction, but he quickly suppressed it. He knew that Raj was not here for romance, but for revolution.
"Raj, you have an amazing story. You are a remarkable man. I'm glad you came to me. According to you, I must agree with you. We must unite against the Hyderabad first then the British. They are our common enemy. They want to take away our freedom and our dignity. They want to make us their slaves. We cannot let that happen. We must fight for our rights and our honor. We must fight for our motherland." Shivaji said, with conviction.
"Thank you, Shivaji. You are a true patriot and a friend. I'm glad you share my vision. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can change the course of history." Raj said, with gratitude.
They clasped hands and looked into each other's eyes. They felt a surge of emotion and energy. They knew that they had found a partner and a leader. They knew that they had started a journey that would change their lives and their destinies. They knew that they had begun a rebellion that would shake the foundations of the British Empire.
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