Rewari Kingdom, Sarpur vilge, afternoon of 7th March 1557

  The vilge square buzzed with activity under the afternoon sun. The open area was surrounded by small houses and busy market stalls. On one side, the local madarsa stood out with its simple architectural design, a pce where muslim boys gathered to learn and schors taught. Nearby, a small mosque with its minaret slightly towering above the buildings stood as a ndmark.

  In the center of this bustling area, a crowd of local Muslims had gathered, their murmurs filled with concern and curiosity. At the heart of the crowd stood a middle aged figure, the Madarsa head's brother maulvi Ahmad Shah. Dressed in a richly embroidered persian style robe, he carried an air of arrogance. Beside him, the young vilge police chief looked uneasy, sweating buckets nervously under the Maulvi's intense gaze.

  The Maulvi bore a stern face as he addressed the police chief with clear frustration. "Where is my brother? He's been missing too long. What do you know about his whereabouts?"

  The police chief trembled to response and stuttered, "Ha..Hazur (sir), don't worry. The higher-ups are being informed. He'll be back soon, I'm sure.."

  The Maulvi's brother cut him off sharply. Leaning in with a cold and menacing tone, he warned, "If you don't find out where he is by sunset, things could get very ugly. Remember that."

  The police chief bowed deeply with a pale face and quickly made his way through the crowd, his steps hurried and anxious.

  As the crowd continued to murmur, the Mauna's brother, Maulvi Ahmad Shah, tried to maintain control and calm. "Stay calm. We'll find him. Keep your faith and stay vigint. Lectures and namaz will continue as usual."

  He dispersed the crowd and headed to the schor's chamber. Upon entering, he found the remaining maulvis seated on cushions, their faces etched with worry. They rose in unison as he approached.

  One of them asked, "Have we received any news about where our Imam might be?"

  Maulvi Ahmad Shah shook his head in grave expression.

  Another maulvi, a middle-aged man named Zafar Ali, spoke up, "My youngest brother was with the Imam. Have you learned anything about his whereabouts?"

  Maulvi Ahmad Shah, his frustration palpable, snapped, "If I knew where they were, I wouldn't be here wasting time."

  Zafar Ali, balling his fist, retorted, "I knew this would happen. No one listened to me. I'm sure they've been taken by the kafirs (non-believers). This is all because you introduced us to the Mughals."

  Ahmad Shah's anger fred. "How dare you speak to me like that, you lowly Ajf! Do you think you'd have a pce in this Madarsa without my brother's mercy?"

  Another maulvi, Ahmad Jaan, a supporter of Zafar Ali, intervened, holding Ahmad Shah's hand away. "Remove your hand from my cousin's colr. You may have wealth, but we earned our pce here through merit and knowledge. We deserve respect as schors of Ism."

  Before the situation could escate further, Shaikh Shamsuddin, the most senior schor among them, stepped in. "Enough. We are schors meant to guide the younger generation on the path of the Quran. If we act like this, what will be the difference between us and the Zahil(ignorant), Arzal brothers?"

  In Ism, Muslims were categorized into different groups based on their lineage and descent. Ashraf Muslims cimed to be of direct lineage to the Prophet Muhammad and other ismic figures, while Ajf Muslims were considered to be of Arab descent but not from the noble lineage. The lowest category was Arzal Muslims, who were often converts or from less prestigious backgrounds. This hierarchy led to significant discrimination, with Arzal Muslims facing the harshest treatment. The comparison to Arzal settled the argument as it was considered a severe insult.

  Sensing the tension ease, Shaikh Shamsuddin pced a hand on both Maulvi Ahmad Shah and Zafar Ali. "If we fight among ourselves, we will never achieve true peace."

  One of the maulvis asked curiously, "But Shaikh, where do you think our people might be? Do you think they were taken by Kafirs(non believers)?"

  Shaikh Shamsuddin stroked his long white beard thoughtfully. "It is possible they were taken by higher authorities, which is why the local personnel have no information or are hiding it. Otherwise, our Imam wouldn't have been missing for so long."

  Maulvi Ahmad Shah's anger fred again. "Then we must take drastic measures. This vilge will burn, and the ground will be soaked in kafir's blood. I have the Mughal seal that can grant us safe passage to their sultanate. That will be our safe haven."

  Shaikh Shamsuddin replied calmly, "I understand your frustration, Ahmad, but there is no need for such extremes. The authorities know that harming the Imam would be their greatest mistake. If we stand united, the entire kingdom will burn if necessary."

  Soon, a commotion erupted, drawing everyone outside. The vilge square was filled with worried crowd. A concerned student approached Maulvi Ahmad Shah, his face pale with anxiety.

  "Ustaad," he said with trembling voice, "there's a commotion at your house. The military personnel have surrounded the area, and they're heavily armed."

  Maulvi Ahmad Shah's face turned ashen as he quickly made his way through the crowd, followed by some of his followers.

  Soon, the rest of the maulvis rushed to Maulvi Ahmad Shah's house, bringing along the agitated Muslim crowd. As they approached the scene, the ground beneath them slipped from their foot.

  The vilgers, previously murmuring in confusion, fell into stunned silence as they witnessed the unfolding scene. Some whispered among themselves with fear and sympathy, while others watched with a mixture of horror and disbelief.

  Royal guards had confined the area, preventing anyone from intervening. Personnel in blue uniforms who seemed like elite soldiers with muskets slung across their backs, were dragging the members of Maulvi Ahmad Shah's family. Some of the family members were already bound to trees, their cries of distress echoing through the square. Furniture and utensils y scattered and overturned outside as if some search operation is going on.

  The Hindu sarpanch (vilge head), who was observing the operation with a grim look, stepped forward and asked the personnel in blue uniform with a scarred face supervising the search operation.

  "Sir, don't you think this treatment is too harsh?" the sarpanch inquired, his voice trembling slightly.

  That blue-uniformed personnel was none other than Captain Himanshu, who was leading a couple of ptoons along with royal guards to handle the operation. He replied with a hardened face, without even looking at him.

  "If they had behaved, we wouldn't have needed to bind them."

  Maulvi Ahmad Shah's face contorted with rage and disbelief. Pushing through the crowd, he demanded, "What is the meaning of this? Why are my family and my people being treated as criminals?"

  Suddenly, the police chief who had been questioned earlier by Maulvi Ahmad Shah stepped forward and grabbed him. "Sir, this is the Maulvi's brother. He's also involved," the chief decred.

  Maulvi Ahmad Shah's expression was one of shock and anger, but before he could protest, a musketeer emerged carrying a silver medallion depicting emblem of lion in one hand and some parchments in other.

  The musketeer reported, "Sir, we've found a hidden underground basement. Inside, we discovered this safe and a box containing a Mughal seal and parchments clearly indicating their involvement in rebellion."

  As the safe was brought opened, it revealed a substantial quantity of gold coins. The sight drained the color from Maulvi Ahmad Shah's face. His words were choked with disbelief.

  In a swift and brutal move, the police chief spped Maulvi Ahmad Shah, sending him sprawling to the ground. He then began to kick him mercilessly. "You traitor!" the chief roared. "Because of your betrayal, many have lost their lives. You've colluded with the Mughals, brainwashed vilgers to act as spies, and now they have to pay the price for following you!"

  The crowd fell into a hushed murmur, even the previously agitated Muslims quieted as the gravity of the offense became clear.

  The remaining maulvis, sensing the danger, attempted to slip away unnoticed.

  However, Captain Himanshu with a commanding voice, ordered, "Gather the guests. Let's show them the consequences of their actions."

  The royal guards quickly surrounded the maulvis and brought them to the forefront.

  Shaikh Shamsuddin stepped forward, his voice filled with defiance. "What are you doing, soldier? I am a learned man. Show some respect. Do you have any evidence? The seal is from his house not us."

  The gathered Muslims protested, calling for their release, but Captain Himanshu simply chuckled. He ughed loudly, cpping his hands to silence the crowd and stir confusion among them.

  Captain Himanshu faced the maulvis and decred, "Yes, you're right. Since it's clear they were traitors, tell me , what does your religious w prescribe for such offenses?"

  The maulvi, trembling with fear, responded, "According to our ws, one punishment is to publicly stone and shame them."

  Himanshu, amused, replied, "Is that so? Unfortunately, we don't follow such ws. Well, one of you has informed us of your involvement with evidence, and therefore, we'll be detaining you for further interrogation As for Maulvi Zafar and Maulvi Ahmad?"

  The guards brought forward Maulvi Zafar and Maulvi Ahmad, while the other maulvis were dragged and gagged. The faces of Zafar and Ahmad were ashen.

  Himanshu patted their shoulders reassuringly. "We need maulvis like you. Your brother has confessed that the madarsa head's imam was responsible for this along. He is in our protection and will be presented at the king's court for rewards. You'll meet him soon. Also, half of this illegal treasure will be donated to the madarsa."

  A sense of relief washed over Zafar and Ahmad, and murmurs of approval rippled through the crowd.

  As Maulvi Ahmad Shah, who had been badly beaten by the police chief, regained his senses, he shouted, "So it was you and your community who betrayed us!"

  He was quickly gagged and dragged away to stop spouting nonsense.

  Maulvi Zafar Ali, assessing the situation, replied, "Sir, we had no idea they would stoop so low. It's a shame they chose this path. May Alh guide them. We will support the regime as best as we can."

  The maulvis then addressed the crowd, convincing them of the guilt of the other maulvis. The crowd, stirred and agitated, demanded harsh punishment. Captain Himanshu reassured them and, to demonstrate the regime's seriousness, ordered the burning of the accused maulvis' houses and the donation of their belongings to the victims of the rebellion. The families of the accused, along with the maulvis themselves, were detained and dragged away.

  After the soldiers completed their operation and departed, Maulvi Ahmad Jaan turned to Maulvi Zafar Ali and asked, "Brother, why did you side with the kafirs? We could have stayed silent."

  Maulvi Zafar Ali replied as he still looked at the house on fire, "Fool, do you think they would consider us one of their own if we did nothing? We've secured rewards, recognition, and control of the madarsa. We'll see what happens when my brother arrives. For now, it's best to act like saints. If you try to swim against the current, you'll be drowned."