Razia Sultana was a remarkable figure in medieval Indian history, ruling as the Sultan of Delhi from 1236 to 1240. She was the first and only woman to ascend the throne of Delhi from Islamic dynasty.
To assert her authority in a male-dominated society, Razia adopted masculine attire and mannerisms, posing as a man to rule effectively.
However, her rule faced opposition from conservative elements within the nobility, leading to a rebellion. When her true identity was discovered, Razia was captured and subsequently executed, ending her reign tragically.
Despite her short tenure, Razia Sultana remains a symbol of female empowerment and resilience in history.
Shadi Khan Kakkar was well-versed in this historical account, yet what gnawed at his conscience was the stark realization of the double standards and fickleness within his own community.
Until Razia concealed her identity, she ruled as a just sultan, respected by the entire sultanate. However, the moment her gender was exposed, she was swiftly denounced as a traitor by her once-loyal subjects.
The tales of her merciless demise, enacted within the very court where he now stood, struck a chord of discomfort within him.
With the birth of his daughter Amira, Shadi khan's perspective underwent a profound shift. Embracing a more liberal outlook, he found himself drawn to the inclusive ethos of his Hindu counterparts, particularly their treatment and respect towards women.
However, as the sole heir to his legacy, Amira's future became a source of immense concern for Shadi khan. Though marriage was an option, he recoiled at the thought of sharing his affections with anyone but his beloved daughter.
Yet, amidst his apprehensions, a glimmer of hope emerged with Aditya's proposition for inheritance laws. The prospect of preserving bloodline legacies through Aditya's innovative solution filled Shadi khan with newfound optimism.
In Aditya, he perceived not just a visionary leader, but a potential son-in-law capable of alleviating his long-standing anxieties over legacy conflicts.
However, just as everything seemed to align seamlessly, the looming specter of conservative zealots threatened to upend his carefully laid plans.
Faced with the prospect of his daughter's future being snatched away by narrow-minded traditionalists, Shadi's paternal instincts surged to the forefront. Determined to safeguard his daughter's rightful inheritance and defy the stifling norms of his community, Shadi resolved to confront those seeking to obstruct her path.
In that moment of fiery determination, he vowed to impart a lasting lesson to those who dared to challenge his daughter's destiny.
Shadi Khan's voice cut through the tension in the court like a blade, his words dripping with disdain for the hypocrisy that surrounded him.
"It pains my heart," he began, his tone laced with bitterness, "when people of my own community attempt to manipulate their way to power under the guise of religious privilege. How dare you, King Istehar and King Abdul, play games with the Emperor?"
His words hung heavy in the air, drawing shocked gasps from the assembled nobles, including Aditya himself. But Shadi Khan pressed on, his resolve unyielding.
"Do you truly believe," he continued, his voice rising with indignation, "that religion holds greater sway than the orders of our Emperor? Is this your loyalty?"
As his words sank in, realization dawned on the faces of those present, their expressions shifting from confusion to understanding.
Abdul Hameed faltered, panic evident in his eyes, while Istehar Khan attempted to defend his position. "Your Majesty, Shadi Khan," he began, his voice tinged with defensiveness, "I only seek to propose what I believe is best for my community."
Shadi Khan's sneer spoke volumes as he retorted, "Asking for parallel laws is a direct challenge to the Emperor's authority. It breeds discord among our citizens and serves only to bolster your own influence. If we, as rulers, do not value unity in our laws, how can we expect our subjects to feel allegiance to the empire?"
Istehar Khan gritted his teeth, his composure slipping as Shadi Khan hit a nerve. "You're exaggerating, Shadi Khan. I understand your concern for your daughter's inheritance, but do you truly believe you can handle the consequences? Have you forgotten the story of Sultana?"
But Shadi Khan remained unfazed, his gaze steely as he countered, "I am well aware of the reasons behind Sultana's fate, and I also see through your thinly veiled attempts to protect your own interests and gather your own influence in name of religion.
You fear that this law will embolden women to demand their rights, and that you may have to relinquish control over your many wives if they were to speak out.
The Emperor's proposal is aimed at granting special privileges to specific noble cases., Do not cloak your selfishness in the disguise of religion."
Istehar Khan panicked, his brow beading with sweat as if his inner worries had been laid bare for all to see. He replied, "Shadi Khan, do not forget, it was we who fought in battle for you." He glanced towards Abdul Hameed for support, but the latter remained silent.
Shadi Khan responded with a smug retort, "And let us not forget, it was Emperor Hemu who rewarded you the kingdom of Agra to rule according to his will."
As Istehar Khan faltered, Shadi Khan delivered the final blow, his words ringing with authority. "It is Samrat Hemu who reigns supreme, and if you cannot abide by his laws, then perhaps you are not fit to hold your post."
"Enough!"
Before Istehar khan could respond, Emperor Hemu's voice cut through the fray with a commanding voice. The courtroom fell silent, awaiting the Emperor's judgment.
Emperor Hemu, with a stern expression, reprimanded Shadi Khan for diverging from the expected protocol of offering an opinion rather than taking his own stance. However, amidst the chastisement, he couldn't help but acknowledge Shadi Khan's foresight and loyalty, a trait he valued greatly.
Reminding him to remember his place, the emperor's tone softened slightly as he urged Shadi Khan to align his actions with the greater good of the empire. Bowing in deference, Shadi Khan humbly asked for forgiveness, displaying his respect for the emperor's authority.
Turning his attention to Abdul Hameed and Istehar Khan, Emperor Hemu issued a firm warning, emphasizing that his will shall always reign supreme. With a firm yet measured voice, he declared that dissent against his laws would not be tolerated.
Offering a chance for redemption, he granted them the option to leave the empire in exile with their property if they could not abide by his rule. Both Abdul Hameed and Istehar Khan, realizing the gravity of the situation, bowed in submission, seeking forgiveness for their transgressions.
With the matter resolved, the session resumed, the tension in the air dissipating as the council refocused on the pressing issues at hand.
After extensive debates, the decision on women's rights reform was reached. Prime Minister Chandrashekhar solemnly announced the implementation of a special case inheritance termed "matriarchy line inheritance."
In cases where noble families lacked a male heir, a chosen female could now carry forward the legacy rights of the family. Whether before or after marriage, she retained the authority to appoint a regent.
However, upon giving birth to a child, she must declare the offspring as matriarchal descent, inheriting the family's rank and privileges, albeit relinquishing permanent rights to patriarchal property and rank to prevent future conflicts.
Local nobles' disputes would be resolved within their respective kingdoms, while kingdom-level disputes would be arbitrated by the empire.
With unanimous nods, the imperial decree solidified the law, marking a significant step towards gender equality and stability within the realm.
Shadi Khan, even attempted to advocate for a minimum maintenance compensation in cases of divorce, aiming to provide some financial security for women.
However, his proposal faced unanimous opposition, with even Emperor Hemu expressing concerns. The emperor dismissed the idea, arguing that introducing such laws could disrupt the existing system.
He emphasized that divorce is a mechanism to ensure women's loyalty to their husbands, who were responsible for their maintenance and security. Any issues arising from divorce, he asserted, should be addressed under public laws rather than as marital matters.
While the nobles welcomed the emperor's stance, Aditya couldn't help but observe the hypocrisy among them, unwilling to challenge their authority even within families. Despite sympathizing with Shadi Khan's intentions, Aditya knew he could only wait for a more opportune moment to push for change.
Then, Chandra Shekhar initiated a discussion on military reforms, prompting Shadi Khan to unveil a proposed reform centered around the corps system. The council members, taken aback, awaited eagerly for further details. Shadi Khan announced the adoption of the corps system, dividing the imperial military into five distinct corps: the Central Corps, Northern Corps, Eastern Corps, Western Corps, and Southern Corps.
He proceeded by assigning each kingdom to its respective corps: the capital, Delhi, would fall under the Central Corps, while Punjab and Kashmir would comprise the Northern Corps. The Eastern Corps would include Jaunpur and Bengal, while the Southern Corps would encompass Gwalior and Malwa. As for the Western Corps, it would consist of Rewari, Amber and Agra.
While the notion of the corps system wasn't entirely novel, it still evoked a sense of pride among the attendees as their kingdoms were assigned to specific corps based on geographical direction, hinting at potential expansion.
However, their elation was short-lived when Shadi Khan revealed that each kingdom was expected to contribute 30 percent of its total forces to direct imperial command. Though murmurs of protest arose, they were swiftly quelled by Shadi Khan's additional stipulations.
He announced that the commander of each corps would be selected from member kingdoms, with rankings determined by tax submissions and governance. These commanders would serve temporary two-year terms and possess prior experience in their kingdom's forces.
This unprecedented declaration sparked intrigue, introducing the concept of ranking and offering kingdoms a chance to vie for influence. The temporary nature of the position provided opportunities for succession, while the added strength gained from commanding multiple forces further bolstered their standing.
While concerns regarding logistic implications and abuse of power were raised, Aditya's suggestion for monitoring from the imperial authority provided a balance. Ultimately, with minor adjustments and a majority favouring the proposal, the draft was smoothly passed as an imperial decree, marking a significant step forward in military organization and governance.
With the echoes of the recent military reforms still lingering, a tense atmosphere enveloped the chamber as Chandra Shekhar turned the discussion towards the next item on the agenda: agriculture and land reform.
In a moment heavy with significance, Pratap Rao Taode, the Minister of Agriculture, emerged, his demeanor grave as he presented a parchment bearing the weighty decisions that would shape the kingdom's agricultural future.
As the parchment was unfurled, a palpable tension gripped the kingdom delegates. Each word on the document seemed to carry the weight of impending change, sparking unease and unrest among those present. Whispers of uncertainty and fear swept through the room as they awaited the details of the proposed reforms.
The very air crackled with anticipation as the delegates braced themselves for the revelations that would shape the future of their lands. With bated breath, they prepared to confront the challenges and uncertainties that lay ahead, knowing that the decisions made in this chamber would echo far beyond its walls.