MIGHTIER THAN THE MOGHUL

 

MIGHTIER THAN THE MOGHUL

As the sunlight from the airplane window hit me in the face, I squinted and looked out.  The clouds had disappeared and sky was azure blue. I was mesmerized by the beautiful alpine meadows interspersed with glaciers giving birth to slivers of milk white streams and exquisite lakes strewn across the heavenly canvas of himalayan vista. I was flying from Delhi to Srinagar. In one and a half hours I would be transported from burning plains of North India to the 'Paradise on Earth' as extolled by Amir Khusro and anyone who has been fortunate to experience the beautiful vale. 

The valley, for much of its history was a Shangrila secluded by geography. The mighty Pirpanjals, cut it off from Indian plains whereas Greater Himalayas guarded it from North. To reach it, one had to brave the inhospitable terrain and inclement weather over long uninhabited stretch. However, like a beautiful maiden, it attracted many suitors including the great Moghul - Akbar who wrested it from the last native rulers - the Chaks  in 1587 by not entirely fair means. He and subsequent Moghuls remained smitten by the valley and made multiple holiday trips to its cool climes. Jahangir, son of Akbar and next emperor was especially eneamoured by Kashmir. He, with his formidable wife - Nurjahan - the beauty with brain, came to Kashmir a number of times and is credited with laying out many of the famous gardens of Kashmir including Shalimar and Verinag. On his deathbed, while returning to Lahore from Kashmir, on being asked what he desired, he famously replied - 'Kashmir and nothing else'.

Traveling from Agra to Kashmir in 16th and 17th century was hardly a cakewalk. It took months via Lahore, Rajauri, Poonch and then over Peer ki Gali into Shopian. Its called Mughal Road now. Preparations started months in advance and included repair of tracks and maintenance of serais enroute. Thousands of men were pressed into service to make the royal procession comfortable. It is said that the total strength of Moghul entourage used to be around a lakh people! It took months for 'Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir Badshah Gazi' (Light of the Faith, Coquerer of the World) to reach Kashmir.

And here I was! Reaching the same place in less than two hours! That too - flying!! As if on some magic carpet right out of Arabian Nights! In a way I felt mightier than the mighty moghul! How lucky to be born in this era! How happy I should be! To be more endowed than the once most important man of my land! I wonder what would Jahangir give to get the privileges we take for granted today!

It was a tremendously gratifying thought that lifted my mood like never before! We are so lucky to have the boons of technology, freedom, equality and opportunity at our feet. Its upto us how to appreciate, celebrate and enjoy these perks. Afterall, the aim of human life is pursuit of happiness! And there was no era better than the current one for same. But of course in a sustainable manner. But alas! only if we can acknowledge and be grateful we will be so much at peace!