BANGLES OF CHAMPA (3)

Bairam Khan was standing behind Akbar & was listening to the entire conversation.

He stepped forward & said to the C in C ," Sir, my Naib Vazir shall contact you this evening".

The C in C along-with his Delegation thanked the Shahanshah for the warm welcome & honour bestowed upon them.He took leave & returned to his tented residence.

After he has had his lunch & siesta, his Runner announced that the Naib Vazir was waiting outside to seek an audience with him. He quickly got ready & asked his Runner to ensure that the Official was given due respect & requested to be seated in the visitors tent .

The Naib Vazir gave him a smart 'Salaam' & said, " Sir, I have been ordered personally by the Shahanshah to tell your gracious self  that four Maniyar families shall accompany your entourage tomorrow when you depart for your capital Champawat. They are husbands & wives teams & are expert craftsmen.They shall surely be able to come up to the expectations of  the Maharani by making varieties of bangles in all hues & colours.Adequate raw material & arrangements for their transportation,administration & logistics have been done.From now on-wards, they shall stay under your care for ever".

The news of this unique gift by Akbar had spread like wild fire.

The C in C & the Delegation reached outskirts of Tanakpur & from there on-wards until they reached Champawat, they were greeted with warm enthusiasm & happiness.The 'Guests' were given special welcome as they were a gift to the 'Maharani' by none other than the Shahanshah.

Having rested for a night, the two craftsmen were presented before the Chand Raja. He greeted them & said," We are beholden to the Shahanshah.It is now my personal responsibility to look after you & your families.From now on, you are Kumaonis. I hereby grant you a 'patta' of 400 Bighas in 'Maniyar Goth' at Tanakpur for cultivation & also grant you enough land at Khuna Village to settle down permanently.The Bora Rajputs shall help you all in every respect."

When you travel on Champawat-Lohaghat road , you will see this village Khuna. It is a prosperous village that is located almost mid way between these two towns. You will find bearded Muslims & Bora Thakurs walking & working hand in hand.There are two masjids that can be seen from the road.

Kali Kumaon had thus established a great tradition of 'National Integration' , 'Sarv Dharm Sadbhav' & 'Vasudhev Kutumbakam'.

It  was indeed in the best traditions of Kumaoni culture,customs & traditions - where chivalry flows in the blood & gallantry is the tradition.




( To Be Continued)