Chapter 14: Nizam of Hyderabad 3
He reached Srirangapatna after a few days, and was greeted by Maharaj Krishnaraja himself, who welcomed him warmly and embraced him. Maharaj Krishnaraja led him to his palace, and introduced him to his daughter, Princess Kaveri. Raj was stunned by her beauty and grace, and felt a spark of attraction. Princess Kaveri smiled at him, and bowed her head. She looked at him with admiration and curiosity.
Maharaj Krishnaraja then took Raj to his father, who was held in a luxurious prison. Raj saw his father for the first time in three years, and felt a mix of emotions. He saw an old man, with a long beard and a weary face. He saw a proud ruler, who had once ruled over a vast and rich kingdom. He saw a cruel father, who had rejected him and banished him. He saw a defeated enemy, who had sided with the British and had lost his power and dignity.
Raj approached his father, and knelt before him. He said, "Father, I have come to see you. Do you recognize me?"
His father looked at him, and said, "Yes, I recognize you. You are Raj, my son. My illegitimate son. The son of my beloved, who loved me and bore me two children. The son who betrayed me and joined Maharaj Krishnaraja against me. The son who wants to be my heir and wants to take my throne. What do you want from me, Raj?"
Raj said, "Father, I do not want to take your throne this way. I want you to give it to me, your most eligible son. As an illegitimate son I have no ther option. The son who loves you, and respects you. The son who has always been loyal to you, and has defended you. The son who is worthy of being the Nizam of Hyderabad. Rahul is here as well father, he has come with me. He wants to see you, and to talk to you."
Raj then gestured to Rahul, who had accompanied him. Rahul was a handsome and noble prince, who had a strong resemblance to his father. He had escaped from Hyderabad, and had joined Raj in Indore. He had been Raj's closest friend and ally, and had supported him in his quest. He had also agreed to Raj's plan, and had accepted to be his side when he becomes the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Rahul stepped forward, and knelt beside Raj. He said, "Father, I have come to see you. I'm sorry as well to meet you under these circumstances?"
His father looked at him, and said, "Yes, I recognize you. You are Rahul, my son. My eldest son. The son of the love of my live, who died giving birth to Raj. The son who loved me, and respected me. The son who was loyal to me, and defended me. The son who was worthy of being the Nizam of Hyderabad but what can you do. What do you want from me, Rahul?"
Rahul said, "Father, I want you to abdicate the throne, and to make Raj the Nizam of Hyderabad. I want you to end this family war, and to make alliance with Maharaj Krishnaraja. I want you to trust me, and to support him. I want you to be proud of me, and to love me."
His father looked at him, then Raj and said, "Why should I do that, Raj? Why should I give up my throne, and my power? Why should I make peace with Maharaj Krishnaraja, who has humiliated me and imprisoned me? Why should I trust you, and support you? Why should I be proud of you, and love you?"
Raj said, "Because you are my father, and I am your son. Because you are the Nizam of Hyderabad. Because you are the leader of our people. Because you are a wise and a just ruler, and I am your pupil. Because you are a brave and a noble warrior, and I am your comrade. Because you are a great and a glorious king, and I am your crown prince.
Father, Rahul and I am going to marry the only daughters of Maharaj Krishnaraja, Kaveri and Godavari to form a new alliance and make Rahul an indirect ruler of Mysore in future. I'm in alliance with Indore and Cochin after becoming Nizam our alliance will attack British to take South India from them."
His father looked at him, and said, "You are right, Raj. You are my son. You are my successor, and my pupil. You are my comrade, and my little prince. You are worthy of being the Nizam of Hyderabad. I will do as you ask, Raj. I will abdicate the throne, and make you the Nizam of Hyderabad. I will end this farce once and for all, and make alliance with Maharaj Krishnaraja. I will trust you, and support you. I will be proud of you, and love you. Forgive me, Raj. Forgive me for my mistakes, and for my failures to understand you. Forgive me for my harshness, and for my injustice. Forgive me for my pride, and for my arrogance. Forgive me for my cruelty, and for my indifference. Forgive me, Raj. Forgive me, my son.
But I have some conditions:
1. Your sucession will not affect the family and you are not allowed to kill any of your half-siblings, relatives and ministers. This will destablize the Hyderabad.
2. Your alliance will not attack British in any case."
Raj said, "Why father, why? Even now you don't understand my vision."
Niazam said, "I will explain it to you late. I want you to forgive me but please understand this and accept my last proposal as Nizam."
Raj said, "There is nothing to forgive, father. There is only love, and respect. There is only gratitude, and admiration. There is only loyalty, and devotion. There is only honour, and duty. There is only you, and me. There is only father, and son.
I agree to all your conditions unless provoked and after understanding your point of view I will review my decision on revolt against British. Thankyou father for your love and understanding."
Raj and Rahul then embraced their father, and shed tears of joy and relief. Maharaj Krishnaraja watched the scene, and smiled. He was happy for Raj and Rahul, and for their father. He was also happy for himself, and for his daughter. He had achieved his goal, and had secured his alliance with the Nizam of Hyderabad. He had also found a suitable husband for his daughters, and son-in-law for himself. He had also made peace with his enemy, and had ended the war. He had also gained a friend, and a brother. He had gained Raj.
He then approached Raj, and said, "Raj, I congratulate you on your success. You have done a great deed, and have shown great wisdom and courage. You have reunited your family, and have restored your kingdom. You have also honored your friendship, and have fulfilled your promise. You have also won my daughter's heart, and have earned my respect. You have also made history, and have changed the destiny of India. You have done well, Raj. You have done well, my son."
Raj said, "Thank you, Maharaj Krishnaraja. Thank you for your help, and for your support. Thank you for your friendship, and for your trust. Thank you for your daughter, and for your respect. Thank you for your vision, and for your leadership. Thank you for everything, Maharaj Krishnaraja. Thank you for everything, my father."
Maharaj Krishnaraja then embraced Raj, and said, "Come, Raj. Come and meet Princess Kaveri. She is waiting for you. She will be your bride, and your queen. She is your partner, and your companion. She is your love, and your life. She is your Princess Kaveri, Raj."
Raj then followed Maharaj Krishnaraja, and met Princess Kaveri. He looked into her eyes, and felt a surge of love.
He took her hand, and kissed it. He said, "Princess Kaveri, I have come to see you. Do you recognize me?"
Princess Kaveri said, "Yes, I recognize you. You are Raj, my future husband and My king, My love, My life. You are my Raj. You are my Raj."
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Next day they Returned to Hyderabad, which didn't had its Nizam for about 2 months.
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I hope you enjoyed my story. 😊