शेख़ मख़मूर- प्रेमचंद

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is lekh ka punarikshan evan sampadan hona avashyak hai. ap isamean sahayata kar sakate haian. "sujhav"

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mulke jannatanishaan ke itihas mean bahut aandhera vaqt tha jab shah kishavar ki fatahoan ki badh b de zor-shor ke sath us par ayi. sara desh tabah ho gaya. azadi ki imaratean dhah gayian aur janomal ke lale p d gaye. shah bamurad khoob ji todaqar l da, khoob bahaduri ka saboot diya aur apane khanadan ke tin lakh sooramaoan ko apane desh par chadha diya magar vijeta ki patthar kat dene vali talavar ke muqabale mean usaki yah mardana jaanbaji़yaan beasar sabit hueean. mulk par shah kishavarakusha ki hukoomat ka sikka jam gaya aur shah bamurad akela aur tanaha beyaro madadagar apana sab kuchh azadi ke nam par kurban karake ek jhoanp de mean ji़ndagi basar karane laga.

yah jhoanp da paha di ilaqe mean tha. as-pas jangali qaumean abad thian aur door-door tak paha doan ke silasile nazar ate the. is sunasan jagah mean shah bamurad musibat ke din katane laga, duniya mean ab usaka koee dost n tha. vah din bhar abadi se door ek chattan par apane khayal mean mast baitha rahata tha. log samajhate the ki yah koee brahm jnan ke nashe mean choor soofi hai. shah bamurad ko yoan basar karate ek zamana bit gaya aur javani ki bidaee aur budhape ke svagat ki taiyariyaan hone lagian.

tab ek roz shah bamurad basti ke saradar ke pas gaya aur usase kaha- maian apani shadi karana chahata hooan. usaki taraf se paigam sunakar vah achambhe mean a gaya magar chooanki dil mean shah sahab ke kamal aur fakiri mean gahara vishvas rakhata tha, palatakar javab n de saka aur apani kuanvari naujavan beti unako bheant ki. tisare sal is yuvati ki qamanaoan ki batika mean ek nauras paudha uga. shah sahab khushi ke mare jame mean phoole n samaye. bachche ko god mean utha liya aur hairat mean doobi huee maan ke samane josh-bhare lahaje mean bole- “khuda ka shukr hai ki mulke jannatanishaan ka varis paida hua.”

bachcha badhऩe laga. aql aur zahanat mean, himmat aur taqat mean vah apani dugani umar ke bachchoan se badhaqar tha. subah hote hi garib rinda bachche ka banav-siangar karake aur use nashta khilakar apane kam-dhandhe mean lag jati thi aur shah sahab bachche ki uangali pakadaqar use abadi se door chattan par le jate. vahaan kabhi use padhate, kabhi hathiyar chalane ki mashq karate aur kabhi use shahi qayade samajhate. bachcha tha to kamasin, magar in batoan mean aisa ji lagata aur aise chav se laga rahata goya use apane vansh ka hal maloom hai. mizaj bhi badashahoan jaisa tha. gaanv ka ek-ek ladaqa usake hukm ka faramabaradar tha. maan us par garv karati, bap phoola n samata aur sare gaanv ke log samajhate ki yah shah sahab ke jap-tap ka asar hai.

bachcha masood dekhate-dekhate ek sat sal ka naujavan shahazada ho gaya. dekhakar dekhane vale ke dil ko ek nasha-sa hota tha. ek roz sham ka vaqt tha, shah sahab akele sair karane gaye aur jab laute to unake sar par ek j daoo taj shobha de raha tha. rinda unaki yah huliya dekhakar saham gayi aur muanh se kuchh bol n saki. tab unhoanne naujavan masood ko gale se lagaya, usi vaqt use nahalaya-dhulaya aur ek chattan ke takht par baithakar dard-bhare lahaje mean bole-masood, maian aj tumase rukhasat hota hooan aur tumhari amanat tumhean sauanpata hooan. yah usi mulke jannatanishaan ka taj hai. koee vah zamana tha, ki yah taj tumhare badanasib bap ke sar par zeb deta tha, ab vah tumhean mubarak ho. rinda! pyari bibi! tera badaqismat shauhar kisi zamane mean is mulk ka badashah tha aur ab too usaki malika hai. maianne yah raz tumase ab tak chhipaya tha magar hamare alag hone ka vaqt bahut pas hai. ab chhipakar kya karooan. masood, tum abhi bachche ho, magar diler aur samajhadar ho. mujhe yaqin hai ki tum apane boodhe bap ki akhiri vasiyat par dhyan doge aur us par amal karane ki koshish karoge. yah mulk tumhara hai, yah taj tumhara hai aur yah riaya tumhari hai. tum inhean apane kabje mean lane ki marate dam tak koshish karate rahana aur agar tumhari tamam koshishean naqam ho jaean aur tumhean bhi yahi besarosamani ki maut nasib ho to yahi vasiyat tum apane bete se kar dena aur taj jo usaki amanat hogi usake supurd karana. mujhe tumase aur kuchh nahian kahana hai, khuda tum donoan ko khushokhurram rakkhe aur tumhean murad ko pahuanchaye.

yah kahate-kahate shah sahab ki aankhean band ho gayian. rinda daudaqar unake pairoan se lipat gayi aur masood rone laga. doosare din subah ko gaanv ke log jama hue aur ek paha di gufa ki god mean lash rakh di.

2

shah kishavarakusha ne adhi shadi tak khoob insaph ke sath raj kiya magar kishavarakusha doyam ne sianhasan par ate hi apane aklamand bap ke mantriyoan ko ek sire se barkhast kar diya aur apani marzi ke muafik naye-naye vazir aur salahakar niyukt kiye. saltanat ka kam roz-b-roz bigadऩe laga. saradaroan ne beinsafi par kamar baandhi aur hukkam riaya par zor-jabardasti karane lage. yahaan tak ki khanadane muradiya ke ek purane namakakhor ne mauqa achchha dekhakar bagavat ka jhanda buland kar diya. asapas se log jhande ke niche jama hone lage aur kuchh hi haphtoan mean ek b di fauj qayam ho gayi aur masood bhi namakakhor saradar ki fauj mean akar mamooli sipahiyoan ka kam karane laga.

masood ka abhi yauvan ka arambh tha. dil mean mardana zosh aur bajuoan mean sheroan ki koovat maujood thi. aisa lamba-tadanga sundar naujavan bahut kam kisi ne dekha hoga. sheroan ke shikar ka use ishq tha. door-door tak ke jangal darindoan se khali ho gaye. sabere se sham tak use sairo-shikar ke siva aur koee dhandha n tha. labolahaja aisa dilakash paya tha ki jis vaqt masti mean akar koee qaumi git chhe d deta to rah chalate musafiroan aur paha di auratoan ka that lag jata tha. kitane hi bhole-bhale diloan par usaki mohini soorat naksh thi, kitani hi aankhean use dekhane ko tarasatian aur kitani hi janean usaki muhabbat ki ag mean ghulati thian. magar masood par abhi tak kisi ka jadoo n chala tha. haan, agar use muhabbat thi to apani abadar shamashir se jo usane bap se birase mean payi thi. is teg ko vah jan se zyada pyar karata. bechara khud nange badan rahata magar usake lie tarah-tarah ke miyan banavaye the. use ek dam ke lie apane pahaloo se alag n karata. sach hai diler sipahi ki talavar usaki nigahoan mean duniya ki tamam chizoan se zyada pyari hoti hai. khasakar vah abadar khanjar jisaka jauhar bahut se mauqoan par parakha ja chuka ho. isi teg se masood ne kitane hi jangali darindoan ko mara tha, kitane hi luteroan aur dakuoan ko maut ka maza chakhaya tha aur use poora yaqin tha ki yahi talavar kisi din kishavarakusha doyam ke sar par chamakegi aur usaki shaharag ke khoon se apani jaban tar karegi.

ek roz vah ek sher ka pichha karate-karate bahut door nikal gaya. dhoop sakht thi, bhookh aur pyas se ji betab hua, magar vahaan n korhee meve ka darakht nazar aya n koee bahata hua pani ka sota jisase bhookh aur pyas ki ag bujhata. hairan aur pareshan kh da tha ki samane se ek chaand jaisi sundar yuvati hath mean barchhi liye aur bijali ki tarah tez gho de par savar ati huee dikhaee di. pasine ki moti jaisi booandean usake mathe par jhalak rahi thian aur ambar ki sugandh mean base hue bal donoan kandhoan par ek suhani betakallufi se bikhare hue the. donoan ki nigahean char hueean aur masood ka dil hath se jata raha. us garib ne aj tak duniya ko jala dalane vala aisa husn n dekha tha, usake oopar ek sakata-sa chha gaya. yah javan aurat us jangal mean malika sher afagan ke nam se mashahoor thi.

malika ne masood ko dekhakar gho de ki bag khianch li aur garm lahaje mean boli-kya too vahi naujavan hai, jo mere ilaqe ke sheroan ka shikar kiya karata hai? batala teri is gustakhi ki kya saza dooan?

yah sunate hi masood ki aankhean lal ho gayian aur barabas hath talavar ki mooth par ja pahuancha magar zabt karake bola-is saval ka javab maian khoob deta, agar apake bajay yah kisi diler mard ki zaban se nikalata!

in shabdoan ne malika ke gusse ki ag ko aur bhi bhadaqa diya. usane gho de ko chamakaya aur barchhi uchhalati sar par a pahuanchi aur var par var karane shuroo kiye. masood ke hath-paanv behad thakan se choor ho rahe the aur malika sher afagan barchhi chalane ki kala mean bejo d thi. usane charake par charake lagaye yahaan tak ki masood ghayal hokar gho de se gir p da. usane ab tak malika ke varoan ko katane ke sivay khud ek hath bhi n chalaya tha.

tab malika gho de se koodi aur roomal pha d-phadaqar masood ke zakhm baandhane lagi. aisa diler aur gairatamand javaanmard usaki nazar se aj tak n guzara tha. vah use bahut aram se uthavakar apane kheme mean layi aur poore do haphte tak usaki paricharya mean lagi rahi yahaan tak ki ghav bhar gaya aur masood ka chehara phir pooranamasi ke chaand ki tarah chamakane laga. magar hasarat yah thi ki ab malika ne usake pas ana-jana chho d diya.

ek roz malika sher afagan ne masood ko darabar mean bulaya aur yah boli-ai ghamandi naujavan! khuda ka shukr hai ki too meri barchhi ki chot se achchha ho gaya, ab mere ilaqe se ja, teri gustakhi maf karati hooan. magar ainda mere ilaqe mean shikar ke lie ane ki himmat n karana. filahal takid ke taur par teri talavar chhin li jaegi taki too ghamand ke nashe se choor hokar phir idhar qadam badhane ki himmat n kare.

masood ne nangi talavar mianyan se khianch li aur kadaqakar bola- jab tak mere dam mean dam hai, koee yah talavar mujhase nahian le sakata. yah sunate hi ek dev jaisa lamba-tadanga haikal pahalavan lalakar kar badha aur masood ki kalaee par tege ka tula hua hath chalaya. masood ne var khali diya aur samhalakar tege ka var kiya to pahalavan ki gardan ki patti tak baqi n rahi. yah kaifiyat dekhate hi malika ki aankhoan se chinagariyaan udऩe lagian. bhayanak gusse ke svar mean boli-khabaradar, yah shakhs yahaan se ji़nda n jane pave. charoan taraph se azamaye hue mazaboot sipahi pil p de aur masood par talavaroan aur barchhiyoan ki bauchhar padऩe lagi.

masood ka jism jakhmoan se chhalani ho gaya. khoon ke favvare jari the aur khoon ki pyasi talavarean zaban khol bar-bar usaki taraf lapakati thian aur usaka khoon chatakar apani pyas bujha leti thian. kitani hi talavarean usaki dhal se takarakar toot gayian, kitane hi bahadur sipahi zakhmi hokar t dapane lage aur kitane hi us duniya ko sidhare. magar masood ke hath mean vah abadar shamashir jyoan-ki-tyoan bijali ki tarah kauandhati aur sutharav karati rahi yahaan tak ki is fan ke kamal ko samajhane vali malika ne khud usaki tarif ka nara buland kiya aur usake tege ko choomakar boli-masood too bahaduri ke samundar ka magar hai. sheroan ke shikar mean vaqt barbad mat kar. duniya mean shikar ke alava aur bhi aise mauke haian jahaan too apane abadar teg ka jauhar dikha sakata hai. ja aur mulkokaum ki khidamat kar. sairo shikar ham jaisi auratoan ke lie chho d de.

masood ke dil ne gudagudaya, pyar ki bani zaban tak ayi magar bahar nikal n saki aur usi vaqt vah apane dil mean kisi ki palakoan ki tis liye hue tin haphtoan ke bad apani beqarar maan ke qadamoan par ja gira.

3

namakakhor saradar ki fauj roj-b-roj badhऩe lagi. pahale to vah aandhere ke parde mean shahi khazanoan par hath badhata raha, dhire-dhire ek baqayada fauj taiyar ho gayi. yahaan tak ki saradar ko shahi faujoan ke muqabale mean apani talavar ajamane ka hausala hua, aur pahali hi l daee mean chaubis qile is nayi fauj ke hath a gaye. shahi fauj ne ladऩe mean zara bhi kasar n ki magar vah taqat, vah josh, vah jazba jo saradar namakakhor aur usake dostoan ke diloan ko himmat ke maidan mean age badhata rahata tha kishavarakusha doyam ke sipahiyoan mean gayab tha. l daee ke kala-kaushal, hathiyaroan ki khoobi aur oopar dikhaee padऩe vali shan-shaukat ke lihaz se donoan faujoan ka koee muka़bala n tha. badashah ke sipahi lahim-shahim, lambe-t dange aur azamaye hue the. unake saj saman aur taur-tarike se dekhane valoan ke diloan par ek dar-sa chha jata tha aur vaham bhi yah guman n kar sakata tha ki is zabardast jamat ke muqabale mean nihatthi-si, adhanangi aur beqayada saradari fauj ek pal ke lie bhi pair jama sakegi. magar jis vaqt “maro” ki dil badhane vali pukar hava mean gooanji ek ajibogarib nazjara samane aya. saradar ke sipahi to nare marakar age dhava karate the aur badashah ki fauz bhagane ki rah par dabi huee nigahean dalati thi. dam ki dam mean morche gubar ki tarah phat gaye aur jab masqat ke mazaboot qile mean saradar namakakhor shahi qiledar ki masanad par amirana that-bat mean baitha aur apani fauz ki karaguzariyoan aur jaanbajiyoan ka inam dene ke lie ek tasht mean sone ke tamag mangavakar rakkhe to sabase pahale jis sipahi ka nam pukara gaya vah naujavan masood tha.

masood par is vaqt usaki fauj ghamand karati thi. l daee ke maidan mean sabase pahale usi ki talavar chamakati thi aur dhave ke vaqt sabase pahale usi ke qadam uthate the. dushman ke morche mean aisa bedhadaq ghusata tha jaise asaman mean chamakata hua lal tara. usaki talavar ke var qayamat the aur usake tir ka nishana maut ka sandesh.

magar tedhi chal ki taqadir se usaka yah pratap, yah pratishtha n dekhi gayi. kuchh tho de se azamaye hue afasar jinake tegoan ki chamak masood ke teg ke samane mand p d gayi thi, usase khar khane lage aur use mita dene ki tadabirean sochane lage. sanyog se unhean mauqa bhi jald hath a gaya.

kishavarakusha doyam ne bagiyoan ko kuchalane ke lie abaki ek zabardast fauj ravana ki aur mirashuja ko usaka sipahasalar banaya jo l daee ke maidan mean apane vaqt ka isaphdiyar tha. saradar namakakhor ne yah khabar payi to hath-paanv phool gaye. mirashuja ke muqabale mean ana apani har ko bulana tha. akhirakar yah ray tay paee ki is jagah se abadi ka nishan mitakar ham log qileband ho jayan. us vaqt naujavan masood ne uthakar b de purajosh lahaje mean kaha-

“nahian, ham qileband n hoange, ham maidan mean raheange aur hathoanhath dushman ka muqabala kareange. hamare sinoan ki haddiyaan aisi kamazor nahian haian ki tir-tupuk ke nishane bardasht n kar sakean. qileband hona is bat ka elan hai ki ham amane-samane nahian l d sakate. kya ap log, jo shah bamurad ke nam leva haian, bhool gaye ki isi mulk par usane apane khanadan ke tin lakh sapootoan ko phool ki tarah chadha diya? nahi, ham haragiz qileband n hoange. ham dushman ke muqabile mean tal thoankakar aeange aur agar khuda iansaf karane vala hai to zaroor hamari talavarean dushmanoan se gale mileangi aur hamari barchhiyaan unake pahaloo mean jagah paeangi.”

saik doan nigahe masood ke purajosh chehare ki taraf uth gayian. saradaroan ki tyoriyoan par bal p d gaye aur sipahiyoan ke sine josh se dhadaqane lage. saradar namakakhor ne use gale se laga liya aur bole-masood, teri himmat aur hausale ki dad deta hooan. too hamari fauj ki shan hai. teri salah mardana salah hai. beshak ham qileband n hoange. ham dushman ke muqabile mean tal thoankakar aeange aur apane pyare jannatanishaan ke lie apana khoon pani ki tarah bahaeange. too hamare lie age-age chalane vali mashal hai aur ham sab aj isi roshani mean qadam age badhaeange.

masood ne chune hue sipahiyoan ka ek dasta taiyar kiya aur kuchh is dam-kham aur kuchh is joshokharosh se mirashuja par toota ki usaki sari fauj mean khalabali p d gayi. saradar namakakhor ne jab dekha ki shahi fauj ke qadam dagamaga rahe haian, to apani poori taqat se badal aur bijali ki tarah lapaka aur tegoan se tege aur barchhiyoan se barchhiyaan khadaqane lagian. tin ghante bala ka shor macha raha, yahaan tak ki shahi fauj ke qadam ukh d gaye aur vah sipahi jisaki talavar mirashuja se gale mili masood tha.

tab saradari fauj aur afasar sab ke sab loot ke mal par toote aur masood jakhmoan se choor aur khoon mean ranga hua apane kuchh jan par khelane vale dostoan ke sath masqat ke kile ki taraf lauta magar jab hosh ne aankhean kholian aur havas thikane hue to kya dekhata hai ki maian ek saje hue kamare mean makhamali gadde par leta hua hooan. phooloan ki suhani mahak aur lambi chharahari sundariyoan ke jamaghat se kamara chaman bana hua tha. tajjub se idhar-udhar takane laga ki itane mean ek apsara-jaisi sundar yuvati tasht mean phooloan ka har liye dhire-dhire ati huee dikhaee di ki jaise bahar phooloan ki dali pesh karane a rahi hai. use dekhate hi un lanbi chharahari sundariyoan ne aankhean bichhayian aur usaki hinaee hatheli ko chooma. masood dekhate hi pahachan gaya. yah malika sher afagan thi.

malika ne phooloan ka har masood ke gale mean dala. hire-javaharat us par chadhaye aur sone ke taroan se taki huee masanad par b di an-ban se baith gayi. saji़ndoan ne bin le-lekar vijayi atithi ke svagat mean suhane rag alapane shuroo kiye.

yahaan to nach-gane ki mahafil thi udhar apasi dah ne naye-naye shigoophe khilaye. saradar se shikayat ki ki masood zaroor dushman se ja mila hai aur aj jan boojhakar fauj ka ek dasta lekar ladऩe ko gaya tha taki use khak aur khoon mean sulakar saradari fauj ko bechirag kar de. isake saboot mean kuchh jali khat bhi dikhaye aur is kamini koshish mean zaban ki aisi chalaki se kam liya ki akhir saradar ko in batoan par yaqin a gaya. pau phate jab masood malika sher afagan ke darabar se vijay ka har gale mean dale saradar ko badhaee dene gaya to bajay isake ki qadradani ka siropav aur bahaduri ka tamaga paye, usaki khari-khoti batoan ke tir ka nishana banaya gaya aur use hukm mila ki talavar kamar se kholakar rakh de.

masood stambhit rah gaya. yah tega maianne apane bap se virase mean paya hai. aur yah mere pichhale b dappan ki akhiri yadagar hai. yah meri baanhoan ki taqat aur mera sahayogi aur madadagar hai. isake sath kaisi-kaisi smritiyaan ju di haian, kya maian jite ji ise apane pahaloo se alag kar dooan? agar mujh par koee adami l daee ke maidan se qadam hatane ka ilazam laga sakata, agar koee shakhs is tege ka istemal mere muqabile mean zyada karaguzari ke sath kar sakata, agar meri baanhoan mean tega pakadऩe ki taqat n hoti to khuda ki qasam, maian khud hi tega kamar se kholakar rakh deta. magar khuda ka shukr hai ki maian in ilazamoan se bari hooan. phir kyoan maian ise hath se jane dooan? kya isalie ki meri buraee chahane vale kuchh tho de se dahiyoan ne saradar namakakha़r ka man meri taraph se pher diya hai . aisa nahian ho sakata.

magar phir use khayal aya, meri sarakashi par saradar aur bhi gussa ho jaeange aur yaqinan mujhase talavar shamashir ke zor se chhin li jaegi. aisi halat mean mere oopar jan chhidaqane vale sipahi kab apane ko qaboo mean rakh sakeange. zaroor apas mean khoon ki nadiyaan baheangi aur bhaee-bhaee ka sir katega. khuda n kare ki mere sabab se yah dardanak mar-kat ho. yah sochakar usane chupake se shamashir saradar namakakhor ke bagal mean rakh di aur khud sar nicha kiye zabt ki intahaee koovat se gusse ko dabata hua kheme se bahar nikal aya.

masood par sari fauj garv karati thi aur us par janean varane ke lie hatheli mean sar liye rahati thi. jis vaqt usane talavar kholi hai, do hazar soorama sipahi miyan par hath rakkhe aur shole barasati huee aankhoan se takate, kanautiyaan badal rahe the. masood ke ek zara se ishare ki der thi aur dam ke dam mean lashoan ke dher lag jate. magar masood bahaduri hi mean bejo d n tha, zabt aur dhiraj mean usaka javab n tha. usane yah jillat aur badanami sab gavara ki, talavar dena gavara kiya, bagavat ka ilazam lena gavara kiya aur apane sathiyoan ke samane sar jhukana gavara kiya magar yah gavara n kiya ki usake karan fauj mean bagavat aur hukm n manane ka khayal paida ho aur aise najuk vaqt mean jabaki kitane hi diler jinhoanne l daee ki azamaish mean apani bahaduri ka saboot diya tha, zabt hath se kho baithate aur gusse ki halat mean ek-doosare ke gale katate, masood khamosh raha aur usake pair nahian dagamagaye. usaki peshani par zara bhi bal n aya, usake tevar zara bhi n badale. usane khoon barasati huee aankhoan se dostoan ko alavida kaha aur hasarat bhara dil liye utha aur ek gupha mean chhip baitha aur jab sooraj doobane par vahaan se utha to usake dil ne faisala kar liya tha ki yah badanami ka dag mathe se mitaooanga aur dahiyoan ko sharmindagi ke gaddhe mean giraooanga.

masood ne fakiroan ka bhesh akhtiyar kiya, sar par lohe ki topi ke bajay lambi jataean banayi, jism par ji़rahabakhatar ke bajay gerue rang ka bana saja, hath mean talavar ke bajay fakiroan ka pyala liya. jang ke nare ke bajay fakiroan ki sada buland ki aur apana nam shekh makhamoor rakh diya. magar yah jogi doosare jogiyoan ki tarah dhooni ramakar n baitha aur n us tarah ka prachar shuroo kiya. vah dushman ki fauj mean jata aur sipahayoan ki batean sunata. kabhi unaki morchebandiyoan par nigah dau data, kabhi unake damadamoan aur qile ki divaroan ka muaina karata. tin bar saradar namakakhor dushman ke panje se aise vakt nikale jabaki unhean jan bachane ki koee as n rahi thi. aur yah sab shekh makhamoor ki karamat thi. minaqad ka qila jitana koee asan bat n thi. paanch hazar bahadur sipahi usaki hifajat ke liye kurban hone ko taiyar baithe the. tis topean ag ke gole ugalane ke lie muanh khole hue thian aur do hazar sadhe hue tirandaz hathoan mean maut ka paigam lie hukm ka intazar kar rahe the. magar jis vaqt saradar namakakhor apane do hazar bahaduroan ke sath is qile par chadha to paanchoan hazar dushman sipahi kath ke putale ban gaye. topoan ke muanh band ho gaye aur tirandajoan ke tir hava mean udऩe lage. aur yah sab shekh makhamoor ki karamat thi. shah sab vahian maujood the. saradar daudaqar unake qadamoan par gir p da aur unake pairoan ki dhool mathe par lagayi.

4

kishavarakusha doyam ka darabar saza hua hai. aangoori sharab ka daur chal raha hai aur saradar ke b de-b de amir aur rees apane-apane darje se hisab ke adab ke sath ghutana mo de baithe haian. yakayak bhediyoan ne khabar di ki mirashuja ki har huee aur jan se mare gaye. yah sunakar kishavarakusha ke chehare par chinta ke lakshan dikhaee p de. saradaroan ko sambodhit karake bola-ap logoan mean aisa diler kaun hai jo is badamash saradar ka sar qalam karake hamare samane pesh kare. isaki gustakhiyaan ab had se age badhi jati haian. ap hi logoan ke b de-boodhoan ne yah mulq talavar ke zor se muradiya khanadan se chhina tha. kya ap unhian purakhoan ki aulad nahian haian? yah sunate hi saradaroan mean ek sannata chha gaya, sab ke chehare par havaiyaan udऩe lagian aur kisi ki himmat n p di ki badashah ki davat qabool kare. akhirakar shah kishavarakusha ke buddhe chacha khud uthe aur bole-ai shahe javaanbakht ! maian teri davat qabool karata hooan, agarache maian buddha ho gaya hooan aur bajuoan mean talavar pakadऩe ki taqat baki़ nahian rahi, magar mere khoon mean vahi garmi aur dil mean vahi josh hai jinaki badaulat hamane mulk shah bamurad se liya tha. ya to maian is napak kutte ki hasti khak mean mila dooanga ya is koshish mean apani jan nisar kar dooanga, taki apani aankhoan se saltanat ki barbadi n dekhooan. yah kahakar amir puratadabir vahaan se utha aur mustaidi se jangi taiyariyoan mean lag gaya. use maloom tha ki yah akhiri muqabila hai aur agar isamean nakam rahe to mar jane ke sivay aur koee chara nahian hai. udhar saradar namakakhor dhire-dhire rajadhani ki taraf badhata ata tha, yakayak use khabar mili ki amir puratadabir bis hazar paidal aur savaroan ke sath muqabile ke lie a raha hai.

yah sunate hi saradar namaqakhor ki himmatean chhoot gayian. amir puratadabir budhape ke bavajood apane vaqt ka ek hi sipahasalar tha. usaka nam sunakar b de-b de bahadur kanoan par hath rakh lete the. saradar namakakhor ka khayal tha ki amir kahian ek kone mean baithe khuda ki ibadat karate hoange. magar unako apane muqabile mean dekhakar usake hosh u d gaye ki kahian aisa n ho ki is har se ham apani sari jitean kho baithean aur barasoan ki mehanat par pani phir jay. sabaki yahi salah huee ki vapas chalana hi thik hai. us vaqt shekh makhamoor ne kaha-ai saradar namakakhor! toone mulke jannatanishaan ko chhutakara dilane ka bi da uthaya hai. kya inhian himmatoan se teri arajooean poori hoangi? tere saradar aur sipahiyoan ne kabhi maidan se qadam pichhe nahian hataya, kabhi pith nahian dikhaee, tiroan ki bauchhar ko tumane pani ki phuhar aur bandookoan ki badh ko phooloan ki bahar. kya in chijoan se itani jaldi tumhara ji bhar gaya? tumane yah l daee saltanat ko badhane ke kamine irade se nahian chhe di hai. tum sachchaee aur iansaph ki l daee l d rahe ho. kya tumhara josh itani jald thanda ho gaya? kya tumhari iansaph ki talavar ki pyas itani jaldi bujh gayi? tum khoob janate ho ki iansaf aur sachchaee ki jit zaroor hogi, tumhari in bahaduriyoan ka inam khuda ke darabar se zaroor milega. phir abhi se kyoan hausale chho de dete ho? kya bat hai, agar amir puratadabir b da diler aur irade ka pakka sipahi hai. agar vah sher hai to tum sher mard ho; agar usaki talavar lohe ki hai to tumhara tega faulad ka hai; agar usake sipahi jan par khelane vale haian to tumhare sipahi bhi sar katane ke lie taiyar haian. hathoan mean tega mazaboot pak do aur khuda ka nam lekar dushman par toot p do tumhare tevar kahe dete haian ki maidan tumhara hai.

is purajosh taqarir ne saradaroan ke hausale ubhar diye. unaki aankhean lal ho gayian, talavarean pahaloo badalane lagian aur qadam barabas l daee ke maidan ki taraf badhe. shekh makhamoor ne tab fakiri bana utar pheanka, fakiri pyale ko salam kiya or hathoan mean vahi talavar aur dhal lekar jo kisi vaqt masood se chhine gaye the, saradar namakakhor ke sath-sath sipahiyoan aur afasaroan ka dil badhate sheroan ki tarah bipharata hua chala. adhi rat ka vaqt tha, amir ke sipahi abhi manji़lean mare chale ate the. bechare dam bhi n lene paye the ki ekaek saradar namakakhor ke a pahuanchane ki khabar payi. hosh u d gaye aur himmatean toot gayian. magar amir sher ki tarah garajakar kheme se bahar aya aur dam ke dam mean apani sari fauj dushman ke muqabale mean qatar baandhakar kh di kar di ki jaise ek mali tha ki aya aur idhar-udhar bikhare hue phooloan ko ek guladaste mean saza gaya.

donoan faujean kale-kale paha doan ki tarah amane-samane kh di haian. aur topoan ka ag barasana jvalamukhi ka dri़shy prastut kar raha tha. unaki ghanagaraj avaz se bala ka shor mach raha tha. yah paha d dhire-dhire age badhate gaye. yakayak vah takaraye aur kuchh is zor se takaraye ki zamin kaanp uthi aur ghamasan ki l daee shuroo ho gayi. masood ka tega is vaqt ek bala ho raha tha, jidhar pahuanchata lashoan ke dher lag jate aur saik doan sar us par bheant chadh jate.

pau phate tak tege yoan hi khadaqa kiye aur yoan hi khoon ka dariya bahata raha. jab din nikala to l daee ka maidan maut ka bazar ho raha tha. jidhar nigah uthati thi, mare huoan ke sar aur hath-pair lahoo mean tairate dikhaee dete the. yakayak shekh makhamoor ki kaman se ek tir bijali banakar nikala aur amir puratadabir ki jan ke ghoansale par gira aur usake girate hi shahi fauj bhag nikali aur saradari fauj fateh ka jhanda uthaye rajadhani ki taraph badhi.

5

jab yah jit ki lahar-jaisi fauj shahar ki divar ke andar dakhil huee to shahar ke mard aur aurat, jo b di mu़ddat se gulami ki sakhtiyaan jhel rahe the usaki agavani ke lie nikal p de. sara shahar um d aya. log sipahiyoan ko gale lagate the aur un par phooloan ki barakha karate the ki jaise bulabulean thian jo baheliye ke panje se rihaee pane par bag mean phooloan ko choom rahi thian. log shekh makhamoor ke pairoan ki dhool mathe se lagate the aur saradar namakakhor ke pairoan par khushi ke aansoo bahate the.

ab mauqa tha ki masood apana jogiya bhesh utar pheanke aur tajotakht ka dava pesh kare. magar jab usane dekha ki malika sher afagan ka nam har adami ki zaban par hai to khamosh ho raha. vah khoob janata tha ki agar maian apane dave ko sabit kar dooan to malika ka dava khatm ho jaega. magar tab bhi yah namumakin tha ki sakht marakat ke bina yah phaisala ho sake. ek purajosh aur arajoomand dil ke lie is had tak zabt karana mamooli bat n thi. jabase usane hosh sanbhala, yah khayal ki maian is mulk ka badashah hooan, usake rangareshe mean ghul gaya tha. shah bamurad ki vasiyat use ekadam ko bhi n bhoolati thi. din ko vah badashahat ke manasoobe baandhata aur rat ko badashahat ke sapane dekhata. yah yaqin ki maian badashah hooan, use badashah banaye hue tha. afasos aj vah mansoobe toot gaye aur vah sapana titar-bitar ho gaya. magar masood ke charitr mean mardana zabt apani had par pahuanch gaya tha. usane uf tak n ki, ek thandi ah bhi n bhari, balki pahala adami jisane malika ke hathoan ko chooma aur usake samane sar jhukaya, vah fakir makhamoor tha. haan,thik us vaqt jabaki vah malika ke hath ko choom raha tha, usaki zindagi bhar ki lalasaean aansoo ki ek booand banakar malika ki meanhadi-rachi hatheli par gir p di ki jaise masood ne apani lalasa ka moti malika ko sauanp diya. malika ne hath khianch liya aur fakir makhamoor ke chehare par muhabbat se bhari huee nigah dali. jab saltanat ke sab darabari bheant de chuke, topoan ki salamiyaan dagane lagian, shahar mean dhoomadham ka bazar garm ho gaya aur khushiyoan ke jalase charoan taraf nazar ane lage.

rajagaddi ke tisare din masood khuda ki ibadat mean baitha hua tha ki malika sher afagan akele usake pas ayi aur boli-masood, maian ek nachiz tohafa tumhare lie layi hooan aur vah mera dil hai. kya tum use mere hath se qabool karoge? masood achambhe se takata rah gaya, magar jab malika ki aankhean muhabbat ke nashe mean doobi huee payian to chav ke mare utha aur use sine se lagakar bola-maian to muddat se tumhari barchhi ki nok ka ghayal hooan, meri qismat hai ki aj tum maraham rakhane ayi ho.

6

mulke jannatanishaan ab azadi aur khushahali ka ghar hai. malika sher afagan ko abhi gaddi par baithe sal bhar se zyada nahian guzara, magar saltanat ka karabar bahut achchhi tarah aur b di khoobi se chal raha hai aur is b de kam mean usaka pyara shauhar masood, jo abhi tak fakir makhamoor ke nam se mashahoor hai, usaka salahakar aur madadagar hai.

rat ka vaqt tha, shahi darabar saza hua tha, b de-b de vazir apane pad ke anusar baithe hue the aur naukar zark-bark vardiyaan pahane hath baandhe kh de the ki ek khidamatagar ne akar arj ki-donoan jahan ki malika, ek garib aurat bahar kh di hai aur apake qadamoan ka bosa lene ki guzarish karati hai. darabari chauanke aur malika ne tajjub bhare lahaje mean kaha-andar haji़r karo. khidamatagar bahar chala gaya aur zara der mean ek budhiy़a lathi tekati huee ayi aur apani pitari se ek j daoo taj nikalakar boli-tum log ise le lo, ab yah mere kisi kam ka nahian raha. miyaan ne marate vaqt ise masood ko dekar kaha tha ki tum isake malik ho, magar apane jigar ke tuk de masood ko kahaan dhooandhooan. rote-rote andhi ho gayi, sari duniya ki khak chhani, magar usaka kahian pata n laga. ab zindagi se tang a gayi hooan, jikar kya karooangi. yah amanat mere pas hai, jisaka ji chahe, le le.

darabar mean sannata chha gaya. log hairat ke mare moorat se ban gaye the ki jaise ek jadoogar tha jo uangali ke ishare se sab ka dam band kiye hue tha. yakayak masood apani jagah se utha aur rota hua jakar rinda ke pairoan par gir p da. rinda apane jigar ke tuk de ko dekhate hi pahachan gayi, use chhati se laga liya aur vah j daoo taj usake sir par rakhakar boli-sahaboan, yahi mera pyara masood aur shahe bamurad ka beta hai, tum log isaki riaya ho, yah taj isaka hai, yah mulk isaka hai aur sari khilaqat isaki hai. aj se vah apane mulk ka badashah hai apani qaum ka khadim.

darabar mean qayamat ka shor machane laga, darabari uthe aur masood ko hathoan hath le jakar takht par malika sher afagan ke bagal mean bitha diya. bheantean di jane lagian, salamiyaan dagane lagian, nafiriyoan ne khushi ka git gaya aur bajoan ne jit ka shor machaya. magar jab zosh ki yahaan khushi zara kam huee aur logoan ne rinda ko dekha to vah mar gayi thi. arajoooan ke poore hote hi jan nikal gayi. goya arajooean rooh banakar usake mitti ke tan ko zinda rakhe hue thian.

sanbandhit lekh

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