September 24 2014 Jodha Akbar | 337 - Birth of Twins, Intro to Birbal's Wife, Glimpse of the Beginning of Ruqayya's Track..!!

Birth of Twins
Intro to Birbal's Wife
Glimpse of the Beginning of Ruqayya's Track..!!

Friends,

I normally digest and take, whatever the CV's dish out to us. Yesterday also, i was quite optimistic in my writeup, though this episode was one, with a low performance. This episode was one of those few where i expected a huge Jashn, a BIG celebration with a lot of pomp and show. I expected an invitation to Amer Royal Household. I expected to see the celebrations in Amer. I expected TIME to stand still for a MOMENT in Agra. I expected Jalal to be present at the helm of the proceedings for the preparations of a grand feast. I can ignore everything, but this time, it's the HISTORY which forbids me to ignore the blunders of the CV's. Historically, there was a grand celebration in Amer on the birth of twins. Hence, I can safely assume that, Agra too, must have had BIG celebrations. More so, in the case when Jalal got twins, and that too, at a age of 22(It was TOO LATE by standards of those times; Salim had Khusrau at the age of 17). 

But, nothing of the sort happened, as i anticipated. There was no big celebration, no big feast, and nothing GRAND happened. To top all that, we saw Jalal NOT accompanying Jodha to the temple visit. It would have been fine if we were given an excuse of the Emperor who was busy somewhere else. That would be logical, but it did not happen. The episode was not bad. Perhaps, i had a lot of expectations. Actually, i was expecting the treatment which Royalty should be given, but ALAS, the CV's betrayed me yet again..!!


In the starting of episode, Birbal returned to his home , and we were shown his wife, who seems to be Javeda Pt-2.. But, it was fine, she was not OTT to me, at least. We see that he safely 'makes up' his wife quite easily. I am liking this Birbal. Though, Jalal has employed him in his court for entertainment, but he is more apt at using his brains. I do not know, how many members are enjoying him, but i am enjoying him to the fullest. I would also mention that, the makers have roped in Gopal Singh(actor who plays Birbal), quite carefully. Actually, his 'looks' and the 'style of dialogue delivery' match with a normal North Indian with a rural background. This makes the man JUST perfect for the role of Birbal. This is my opinion, and i feel, he will do complete justice to this role..

Not much happened today, the kids went through a prayer/ritual with presence of the members of Royal household... Jalal proclaiming the release of prisoners and open the gates of royal treasury for people. I wanted this to be a grand feast. While the drama of kids sharing was done in Diwan-e-Khas, i wonder why not celebrate their birth there.?.

We can very well imagine how, the birth must have been celebrated in reality by reading these verses from Akbarnama..

    There was such a round of bumpers
    That patience deserted patience, and sense left sense.
H.M. took the blooming of these two rose-bushes as an omen of the auspiciousness of two worlds.
He returned thanks to God, and named one of the twins Mirza Hasan, the other Mirza Husain.

    The unique king had two sons as successors
    Two jewels came into the hands from the casket of success. {refers to the mother of twins.}    Time searching for the date wrote thus:
    Two moons appeared from the zenith.{refers to the Almighty.}

Those who want to read about the beautiful historical description of the birth of twins, from Akbarnama, can have it here- The TWINS of Mariam-Uz-Zamani and Akbar | An Assessment

In the starting of episode, there was also a short scene of Shaguni Bai, yet again re-iterating MA's curse..We had scenes where Jalal was praising Ruqayya and embraced her, for she helped in Jodha's delivery..She was also shown taking care of the twins..In the end of the episode, Jodha went to a temple with Man Singh, and while returning she encounters, an old lady whose daughter-in-law, was about to set herself and her son on fire..Jodha feels it is a "Paap(Sin) to do SUICIDE" , and asks Man Singh to stop the act of that lady..
Episode ENDS.!!.

 
Precap:
Ruqayya is back to SQUARE ONE..!!! This is the starting of Ruqayya's Track. She asks Hamida Bano, if she can get one kid of Jodha now, as she fears Jodha may develop "feelings" for her twins, and refuse to give the 'promised' child to her. Jalal listens all this silently.


I normally give answers to all of you. But, today a question from me...
a. Can we compare Jauhar with a NORMAL suicide attempt.?. 
b. Is the mention of Jauhar in high regard an attempt to glorify this practice .?. 
c. Is Jauhar the product of male domination and overpowering women tactics .?. 
d. Is it an attempt by the male society to make "women subservient" and fill the brains of women with a strong faith that without the men death is the only option..!!


 Before i read your views, let me give my view also. 
To me Jauhar does not requires any "glorification" by an external agency. The act was practiced as a last resort to guard one's chastity. To the 21st Century world, this may appear cruel, but in 16th Century Era, what was the alternative after the warriors immortalized themselves fighting the enemy.?. While i advocate women empowerment, but facing the entire victorious army without the regular defenders, was it an easy task.?. There are cases in the History of Rajputana, when women fought along the Male Warriors in the wars, like the Battle of Chittor, 1567. But, there also, Jauhar was done as the last resort, when defeat was certain.

I have made a separate post on Jauhar, and would like to have your views on it.

Jauhar and Saka - The Ethos of Rajputana

You all are welcome to share your views, and discuss the episode... 
This article has been posted under the  Jodha-Akbar section of  history_geek's BLOG.