Friends,
This episode, was a precursor to many future events of our show. Lets use this post to discuss the future episodes, which are supposed to focus on -
a. Birth of Twins
b. The supposed punishing of Ruqayya. { Courtesy: Zee's feedback }
c. Introduction of Birbal
To start with, the narrator informed us about the happenings being fast forwarded by a few months(approx. 4), means a mini leap of few months was taken.
In the flashbacks, it was shown to us - Jodha and Akbar had few seconds of husband-wife tenderly moments. Ruqayya was shown taking care of Jodha(or, i must say, taking care of the kid which was to be given to her after the birth). A good news greeted the royal house, that Javeda Begum was also pregnant, hence fulfilling Maham Anga's(MA) wish after her death..
Next scene, Jodha , Ruqayya and a caravan of ladies and soldiers travels to visit a famous Hakima Sahiba to gauge Jodha's state, outside Agra.. Ruqayya Begum had arranged for this visit, after consulting the Shahenshah..On inspection, Hakima Sahiba informs that "ALL IZZ Well" , and the twins are expected to see the light of the day, in a month..
Next scene, shifts to events unfolding on political front. Akbar is seen in consultation with TodarMal, Mirza Aziz Koka, among others where they were discussing about the malpractices being 'practiced' by the traders in the local bazaars, with the help of government officials. They decide to visit the bazaar and tried to learn about the culprits and modus operandi of the traders. They learn that initially Adham Khan was the perpetrator of these acts resulting in black marketing and hoarding, leading to expensive goods. But, after his death, there were Adham's henchmen who had taken this position now..
For one, i liked this scene as it focused on the trips which Akbar used to make in his Sultanate in REALITY..Also, this was a Welcome change as our Emperor marched outside Agra's Palace.
It starts to rain suddenly and here two events happen..
a. Jodha almost falls down from her palki, and is supported by Ruqayya.
b. An almost drunk Birbal is shown to act, while Jalal and his associates appear to be in a bar.
There was a powerful scene in between all this, where Jalal is shown doing martial cum weapons training, a Rajput soldier Surjit Singh, distinguishes himself in the fight with Jalal. Akbar makes him a part of his Special regiment for the province of Nagore.
In Amer, Dadisa is worried about MA's curse to Jodha, and she visits Shaguni Bai, who further reinforces that MA's curse will have it's bearing.
I found Shaguni Bai's prophecy and logic associated with MA's curse as flawed. It is the Karma, which leads to anything and everything in one's life. MA was not a Sufi saint of the ranks of Salim Chisti Sahab, neither she had the Tapobal of Gandhari, for her curse to work.. This is an un-necessary logic used by the Creatives to raise the drama cum emotional quotient.. I choose to ignore this part.!!.
All in all, it was a fine episode for me, barring one thing, which i can NOT ignore. It was quite unrealistic to see a Queen, about to deliver twins to be taken in her 8th month of pregnancy to a Hakima outside Agra. The Hakima could have been called in the palace itself.
One historical point i would like to mention here. While the Begums DID travel outside, but then, ALWAYS a MALE member used to accompany the entourage. This is a recorded fact in Akbarnama that Raja Bhagwan Das of Amer, escorted Akbar's Begums, at times, as his Loyalty and Bravery was held in HIGH regard by Akbar.. It came to my mind, when i saw NO Royal Male Member accompanying Jodha and Ruqayya's entourage while they were out..The safety of Royal Queens can NOT be taken for granted, just by providing a single regiment.!!.
Precap:
It appears that, Jodha will deliver twins in the midst of a jungle, at night.
But wait..!!!!.
Here is a NEW Promo(click to watch), which shows Jodha in Agra's palace, with their twins in Jalal's arms. We see a happy Jalal, and Ruqayya in the BG claiming one kid to be hers.!!
I think the entourage will reach Agra safely, and there the delivery will happen.Let's wait and watch..
You all are welcome to share your views...
This article has been posted under the Jodha-Akbar section of history_geek's BLOG.