(Gurudwara Saheb at DBN)
( Road from Gurdaspur to Kalanaur)
(The 'Chabutra' of Akbar's 'Tajposhi' at Kalanaur.
( SPLENDID ! )
(Akbar with Bairam Khan)
The road had a number of arches to welcome a
great descendant of Genghis Khan of Indian Muslim
Dynasty that ruled from 1526 until 858. Babur, Humayun,Akbar,Jahangir,Shah Jehan
& Aurangjeb were called the great Moghuls.The
last emperor Bahadur Shah II (1775-1862 ; reigned 1837-58), was deposed after India's First Freedom Struggle of 1857 & exiled to Burma by the British.
This was a very special Day.
Bairam Khan, a noble, had selected a raised high ground at Kalanaur ( About 30 Kms from Gurdaspur on DBN Road). All around were pitched highly decorated yet massive tents with their inward openings towards the 'Chabutra'.Best Persian carpets , chandeliers & rugs were laid inside. 'Takias' & 'Gao Takias' in hundreds were placed with the best of decorations. The event was to be witnessed by a galaxy of Kings & Princes of smaller states & other eminent people.In addition, a large gathering of local populace was expected to witness the historic moment.
It had been transformed into a tented Palace.
A glorious page in the history of India was about to be written.
Hundreds of varieties of food & sweet dishes were being prepared nearby.
There were songs, music & dance all over.
Bairam Khan had ordered for new Mughal coins struck in silver & copper to mark the crowning event.
Akbar's first silver rupees were issued from mints at Lahore.On the front of the silver coin was a message in Persian & on it's reverse it bore only 'Jallaluddin Muhammad Akbar Badshah,Ghazi'.The copper coin was the 21 gram 'paisa' called 'dams' ; later, these coins were struck at mints adjacent to copper mines in Rajasthan & other towns.
One could now see the huge procession of elephants & horses from a distance.It was preceded by 'Ghursawars'-the 'Ang Rakshaks' ( Body Guards) of the future Shahanshah.
The second huge & beautifully decorated elephant had the young Akbar sitting comfortably inside the 'Hauda' with Bairam Khan sitting behind him.
The song ,dance & martial music now rose to it's climax.
The 'mahawat' ordered the elephant to sit down.
A wooden step was placed ,& there alighted Akbar in perfect Mughal attire & regalia - a young lad of just 12 years.
The body guards took over & he was escorted to the raised ground.
After the bugle calls & rituals were over,
Akbar was escorted to the Shahanshah's imposing Royal
Chair ( Sinhasan). Now Bairam Khan put the shining golden crown over his head .The crown of solid gold crafted exquisitely had the best of precious stones that were procured/imported.In addition,Bairam Khan slipped a golden & diamond sashdown his right shoulder across his chest..
There were deafening cheers.
The young lad had become Shahanshah-Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar .A new chapter was being written.
As per protocol, Kings,Princes & other Nobles/Eminent People started moving towards the Shahanshah to congratulate him & offer gifts.
The Chand King of Kumaon had sent his C in C with a small delegation to congratulate the Shahanshah. Akbar was congratulated & offered gifts that had been specially prepared for him.The C in C conveyed to Akbar the request of the Chand Raja to pay a visit to Kali Kumaon as & when convenient.
While Akbar knew that such requests were made as a part of normal formal practice, he said " Well, please thank the King for his magnanimous offer.Presently,I am heavily committed in a number of things".
At this juncture Bairam Khan whispered something in the ears of Akbar.
Akbar immediately asked the the C in C," Can I do something for the State?".
On hearing this,the C in C said,' Shahanshah,there is a request from our Maharani Champa '.
"Go ahead, it shall be an honour for me to comply with her desire ".
(To Be Continued)
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