Stories from India Season IV Volume II

By Pabitra Adhikary

"Embark on a literary journey through the heart of India as this

collection of stories unfolds the rich tapestry of its diverse

cultures, traditions, and human experiences. From ancient myths

to contemporary tales, each narrative invites readers to discover the

enchanting narratives that define the essence of India."

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Nov 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9789361720499

Book preview

Short Story by

Sabbani Laxminarayana

Hyderabad - A Love Story

I

n the evening of the month of Shravana, as darkness closes in, the sky becomes densely covered with clouds, and lightning radiates thousands of volts of light from the clouds, illuminating the earth. Golkonda Fort, located ten kilometres away, can be seen gleaming and disappearing in the glow of the lightning.

A white horse came to a halt by the banks of the Musi River, reacting to the frightening thunder. Upon it sat Prince Quli Qutub Shah, the beloved son of King Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah of Golconda Fort and Queen Bhagirathi. He was fifteen years old, and his face shone like a full moon. He anxiously attempted to cross the river, galloping about on his horse. As a prince, he did not answer to anyone, nor did he share his purpose with anyone. He had come here for a deeply personal matter—to meet his beloved, Bhagamathi. The young prince's heart swelled just at the thought of her. Why did his heart flutter for Bhagamathi? This thought crossed his mind once. What had happened to her in the floods? Was she safe? He wished with all his heart that God would keep her safe.

It was known that the village beyond the Musi River had been washed away due to the floods. He needed to cross the river and reach Chichilam village to see Bhagamathi and inquire about her well-being. Who was Bhagamathi? Why did his heart flutter for her? He was a prince, and she hailed from a poor artist's family. Why was he deeply in love with her? Did society approve? Would the royal family consent? In matters of love, the heart knows no distinction between rich and poor. Shouldn't there be concerns about the difficulties and losses that lovers might face in the future? But he loved her wholeheartedly.

Bhagamathi was a radiant presence in his life. She was an incredibly beautiful girl as if crafted by God just for him. She resembled a pearl on the dew-kissed grass of a pre-winter morning. She was a beautiful goddess who graced his dreams with the freshness of a new morning. She was a wild maiden, walking with hesitant steps in the realm of desire. She danced like a peacock and ran like a young deer in his memories on soft grasslands. Her laughter resembled the gleam of pearls, the melodious flow of a river, the music of countless harps. Her lily-like eyes, piercing and enchanting, formed bridges to the kingdom of love. Her memories were the lanterns that illuminated his life.

She had captivated him with her beauty, acting, and singing. She was a year older than him.

She was sweet sixteen! He was captivated by her enchanting beauty. He first laid eyes on her three months ago during a pleasant trip to the banks of the Musi River on his horse. She was walking gracefully towards the temple of the Goddess, carrying a flower basket in her hand, dressed in a skirt made of glittering velvet cloth, and moving as gracefully as a royal swan. Love at first sight is indeed a powerful force, transcending caste and religion. Love at first sight is immortal, both for him and for her. From the very beginning of their love, words were unnecessary; their silent connection said it all.

The prince visited her daily on his horse by the banks of the Musi River near the temple. Their minds melded into one, and even their words became superfluous. Life became sweeter with their love. A day without seeing or meeting each other felt like a void in their existence. That day, heavy rain had been pouring since morning, causing the river to overflow its banks. Crossing seemed impossible, but Quli Qutub Shah was determined to meet his beloved. He urged his horse through the deep water, reaching the other side where Bhagamathi patiently waited.

Quli's love touched Bhagamathi's heart deeply, and they embraced with overwhelming affection. Grateful that his beloved was safe, he bid her farewell and crossed the river, returning to Golconda Fort. Love is a fragrance that enriches life.

Prince Ibrahim, Quli's father, eventually learned about his son's love affair. The heir to the Qutub Shahi dynasty was in love with a girl from a low-caste artist's family, which left the king puzzled. He contemplated placing obstacles in the path of Quli's love. Quli was confined within the royal palace, with the hope that his love for Bhagamathi would wane. The king even arranged entertainment and the company of beautiful women from places like Persia and Iran. However, true love doesn't easily fade, and Quli's love for Bhagamathi remains steadfast.

Quli, a well-educated young man who spoke Urdu, Telugu, and Persian, and had absorbed many books, turned to poetry as a form of self-expression for his profound feelings of love. Love is the cornerstone of poetry, expressing the essence and philosophy of life. Quli began to write poems, expressing his pain: They say, if there is no love, no lover, don't bother living patiently. This is unfair! I can't survive for a moment without my lover! His verses spoke of the inseparable connection between love and life, and he couldn't envision that he would one day be recognized as the poet who wrote the first love poems and ghazals in Urdu.

Quli couldn't stop thinking about Bhagamathi and their meetings. As a father concerned for his son's safety, Ibrahim Quli ordered the construction of a bridge over the Musi River to allow his son to cross during the rainy season floods. This bridge, known as 'Pyaar Ka Pool,' was built in 1578 by Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah, just one year after the foundation stone was laid. It stood as a symbol of love, built for lovers. In Hyderabad, it is commonly referred to as 'Purana Pool.'

After the death of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah in 1580, Quli Qutub Shah ascended to the throne of Golconda at the young age of seventeen. He proved himself not only as a ruler who governed his people but also as a king who had won the heart of a lover. Quli Qutub Shah, a popular ruler, poet, and lover, left a lasting mark on