SCENE (15) – JADU IS CONVERTED AND PLACED ON THE THRONE
Setting:
- The royal palace—one continuous space that shifts by light.
- Downstage: a ceremonial mat.
- Upstage: the throne—unoccupied.
- Torches burn low. The city outside is tense, waiting.
- (Present: RAJA GANESH, TRIPURA SUNDARI DEVI, PHULJANI, SAFA (to the side), guards.
Invited and entering together: NUR QUTBI ALAM and IMAM.
JADU, twelve, stands barefoot.)
GANESH (to ALAM)
You asked for proof. You will have it—here.
NUR QUTBI ALAM
Proof is not performance. It is consequence.
TRIPURA
We accept the consequence—to save the kingdom.
PHULJANI
Let it end the march.
Let it spare him.
(Alam steps before Jadu. The room stills.)
NUR QUTBI ALAM
Do you understand what is being asked?
JADU
I am told it will stop the war.
I don’t want anyone else to die.
NUR QUTBI ALAM
It will stop this war.
JADU
Then I will do it.
(He looks to Ganesh.)
JADU
Will you still see me?
(A long silence. Ganesh’s mouth opens. No words come.)
TRIPURA
He will.
(then)
So will we.
NUR QUTBI ALAM
Then hear me.
From this moment, you are Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah.
You will live by Islam.
GANESH
You promised—
the armies.
NUR QUTBI ALAM
I will answer with certainty.
(He turns to a messenger.)
Ride to Ibrahim Shah Sharqi. Tell him the condition is fulfilled. Tell him to withdraw.
MESSENGER
At once.
(The messenger exits.)
(Light shifts upstage. The IMAM steps forward.)
IMAM
By witness and agreement,
by faith and necessity—
(He gestures to the throne.)
—Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah
is Sultan of Bengal.
(The court bows—restrained, sober.)
IMAM
And until the Sultan comes of age,
Raja Ganesh shall serve as Regent.
(A breath passes through the room.)
GENERAL
(entering)
Jaunpur’s banners turn back.
GANESH
Peace returns.
PHULJANI
For now.
(for Jadu)
For him.
TRIPURA
(eyes on Jadu)
We have saved the kingdom.
(All gather around the child. SAFA remains still. She notices Ganesh steps into shadow alone.)
GANESH
(whispered vow, to himself)
I will remember this debt.
(He looks toward Alam—respectful, unreadable.)
Until it is paid—
(He turns inward.)
—I will not offer water to the Shivalinga.
(He looks up. Safa is watching.
They understand each other.
No one else notices.)
(Jalaluddin sits on the throne—small, composed, alone.)
(Alam closes his eyes in prayer.)
(Lights fade.)
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