01x02 - The Battles of Kabul

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Itimad.

What is that glow on your face?

Tell me old friend.

Who is that incredible creature
locked away at the back of the Harem?

Who do you speak of Prince Salim?

You know exactly who I am talking about.

Itimad.

Blue eyes, light skinned...

- Who is she?
- Prince Salim.

I know not who you speak of.

And it is of utmost importance
that you do not ask any further.

In everyone's interest.

Sister Bakht-un-Nisa.

Smile sister.
This has been a glorious victory for us.

How can you revel in glory,
when we are surrounded by so much death?

They were our people
who died in the w*r.

This is not just any w*r.

It's 'Jihad' (holy w*r).

Against the infidel
rule of our half-brother.

Brother.

You can't fool me.

This mutiny came only after
heavy taxes were levied on your estate.

Nonsense.

This mutiny was in
the interest of faith.

Even rocks have more faith than you.

Wealth alone cannot
compensate for this mistake.

Don't be afraid Bakht.

Our brother may have the
numbers but he has grown weak.

He does not have the desire
for a battle that he once did.

This ignorance of yours,

may relight Akbar's fire.

Come hail or storm,

I am ready.

Mirza Hakim has returned to Kabul,
claiming victory over our forces.

His power and influence
continue to grow.

He is making a mockery of us.

I have tolerated him for far too long.

I'll take away the root of his power.

His appanage.

Without his land,
his wealth, his military,

He can never rise up again.

Certainly.

There is no point trying
to reason with zealots.

Force is our only option.

I will lead the army.

We must take a chance to negotiate,

before more blood is shed.

If you are so eager then
why don't you negotiate with him?

With pleasure. I do not fear death.

Then why do you push for negotiations?

Try to understand...

We must pick an option.

w*r or negotiations.

But it should be in the
interest of the treasury.

- My Lord.
- My Lord.

- My Lord.
- My Lord.

- My Lord.
- What happened my Lord?

Stay back. Give him space.

Call the physician.

Call someone.

What happened my Lord?
Are you alright?

He is trying to say something.

Call my son...

What about your son?

My sons will lead the campaign.

Which one my Lord?

The ruler of Hindustan...

Emperor Jalaluddin Muhammad
Akbar is arriving.

Tomorrow, at the first light,

one of you will lead
the royal army to Kabul.

To take it from my brother
and teach him a lesson.

It will be a chance to show your mettle.

But first, a test.

You will need to break
a wild animal in Kabul.

Show me you know how.

Prince Salim.

I guess you won't be needing any luck.

Seems that way to me too.

Father has given me
a head start in this race.

After you Daniyal
Perhaps you can surprise us?

Go on, Salim.

Father has orchestrated
this entire thing for you.

Go on, get it over with...

Though I appreciate the symbolism,

is this really the best
way to choose a leader?

Birbal, we all know who will win.

I just want him to feel,

he has earned the right
to lead the Mughal army.

Always look before you leap.

Maybe I spoke too soon

Maybe you will have better luck Murad.

A true warrior does not need luck.

The campaign of Kabul,

will be led by my son Murad.

Pray tell my Lord you are worried,

that your plan has backfired?

No, Birbal. The game has only begun.

The true test will be in Kabul.

Whose picture is it you
keep looking at all the time?

Marvellous.

Are you ready for battle?

Of course not. I am no fighter.

You need not be one.

As long as you look strong.

Just stand your ground
and people will follow.

Not in this kingdom.

You are mistaken.

We, the people of faith, are with you.

I do not think you understand
the power of the clergy.

Our influence among people from the
lowliest soldier to the highest noble.

But the clergy alone cannot help.

For the army, I am a laughing stock.

Nonsense.

You are wise.

Devout and considerate.

These qualities make you a leader.

Whereas even lowly soldiers
can shed blood.

But Salim has empathy and courage.

I am sorry my Prince

On the contrary, like Murad,
he has a certain arrogance,

which will eventually
spell trouble for everyone.

For this empire to
thrive they need a man,

who can resist sin and
the temptations of power.

A man like you.

I will bring back the heads,

- of your half-brother and his brood.
- His punishment will be mine to decide.

Your duty is to recapture Kabul.

Trust me.

When I come knocking
on the gates of Kabul,

they will open on their own.

I built those massive doors of Kabul.

Tearing them down will be impossible.

Attacking them head-on
will be a mistake.

But... with our might...

When Kabul was my domain,

I had tunnels built in the hillside.

How does the Fox get the chickens
when there is a tall fence around them?

Does it climb the fence, or...

- Yes father.
- Go.

Victory be with you.

If your mother could see you now,
she would be so proud.

Thank you.

Thank you father.

Late even for w*r.

Forgive me father.

There was many a woman
who wished me a send-off.

If you want to stay alive,

focus more on the b*ttlefield
and less on the bedroom.

Soldiers going to w*r, shouldn't
be reminded of the bedroom father.

I noticed you have a new concubine,

hidden away in the wive's quarters.

You are mistaken.

A soldier going to w*r,
should focus only on one thing.

Defeating the enemy.

Yes father.

Brother.

Congratulations on your fine
horsemanship Prince Murad.

I was most impressed.

What do you want?

Just to wish you good luck.

This is a great opportunity
for you to prove yourself.

Prove myself?

This will not be the
first battle I have won.

But victory would not only secure your
succession to your father's throne,

but also give you many more soldiers,

if you were to need them for any reason

Like what?

[Man Singh] Grand Vizier, I would like
to discuss strategy with Murad.

Certainly, General. Certainly.

What is the matter, Man Singh?

A word of caution.

Do not fall prey to
a weaver like Abul Fazl.

Be careful.

How is it Salim knows of Anarkali?

I do not know.

Are you not required to accompany
every guest to the harem?

Yes my Lord. At all times.

Including my sons.

Then how did you fail?

You know the punishment
for this failure.

My Lord, forgive me.

My allegiance is forever with you

Prove it.

- But my Lord-
- Prove it.

Glory to the great emperor Akbar!

The water is completely red.

When the waters run red,

royal blood will be spilt.

An enemy spy Prince Murad.

He was hiding in the
bushes counting our forces.

That's not true.

Let me go.

This elephant weighs
more than your loyalty.

Tell me what I want to know,

Otherwise...

What do you want to know?

My father built that fort,

which is how I know
he also built tunnels.

Tell me where the entrances are?

Why don't you ask him?

We sealed them long ago.

You will never get through to the city.

Don't test me.

My name is Murad.

I can even tear down
the doors to heaven.

This is merely a city.

No. No.

Afarsiyab. Qaiqubad.

Are you seeing this?

What are they doing father?

Same things rats do.

[Mirza Hakim]
Looking for a tunnel in the fort.

[Mirza Hakim] but they won't find any.

[Mirza Hakim] These fools will be
swallowed by the darkness.

The Mughals are no fools.

They are up to something
we cannot see.

You give them too much credit.

This is an impenetrable,
double-walled fortress.

Our rear is a sheer drop.

Our flanks are too steep.

They can only attack
from one direction... Head on,

and we shall be waiting.

To crush them like ants.

What about their mighty w*r elephants?

I have a surprise waiting for them.

Wait.

Let me deal with them.

[Murad] ...then our main force will drive
forward for a full frontal attack,

led by myself.

- Followed by Rajput and cavalry, then...
- No, Murad.

This is suicide...

Have you seen those walls?

We will be like lambs
to the slaughterhouse.

Then Eid will be early this year.

Every w*r demands sacrifice.

- In case you are scared...
- Not afraid, and neither a fool.

The cost of life to our
forces will be untenable.

Then what would you suggest?

We surround the fortress.

Stop any food or water going in,

they will eventually surrender.

The Babur era of laying seige is over

I have neither the time nor the
patience to wait for them to surrender.

Impatient decisions often
lead to one's grave Murad.

- This impatience...
- Father put me in charge of this army,

not you!

We attack at first light.

Yes.

Our Emissaries

I told you...

it would be a waste of time.

Giving peace a try
is never a waste of time.

Dozens of our men will die tomorrow.

And even more of theirs.

- General.
- Yes Prince Murad.

Is everything in place?

Yes my Lord.

Then what are we waiting for?

Let us go to w*r.

Brother, you have awoken the dragon.

All isn't lost yet.

We must surrender...

or we will be annihilated.

I will never surrender to that heathen.

If this is about your pride,

then we will be destroyed.

Victory will be on our side.

May Allah protect us.

Even if he doesn't protect us,

I would miss you
dearly if you were gone.

Speak for yourself.

Try not to fall off this saddle.

I wish these horses were concubines.

They wouldn't throw
me off so mercilessly.

Even if I fall off, my brothers
are here to help me get up.

This much trust I have in you two.

Durjan, there exists a thin line,
between martyr and a fool.

Stay close. Don't try to be a hero.

Don't worry father.

I won't let you be a martyr.

Are you ready?

Absolutely.

Attack!

Attack!

Attack!

Attack! Attack! Attack!

Take positions.

Now.

We are getting slaughtered
like lambs brother.

We must do something.

Murad.

We are losing brother. We must retreat.

It's up to us now.

Attack.

Move forward men.

Prince.

Come with me.

The outer walls have
been breached, father.

Our men cannot hold
the enemy back for too long.

There is still time.

We must flee.

Send every last man we have.

We cannot lose this w*r Afrasiyab.

Never.

Lay down your sword Brother.

Or they will k*ll us all.

No point in laying down our weapons now.

We must use the secret passage
under the Mosque to escape.

Father.

The battle of Badr wasn't won in a day.

We must live to fight another day.

With our mind and not blind rage.

Come father.

Bakht? You?

Kabul is in my veins.

I will not run.

Signal our troops
to surrender immediately.

Just a little longer now Prince Daniyal.

The w*r is nearly over.

The troops of Kabul are
hereby ordered to surrender.

Blood of Timur!

Blood of Timur!

Blood of Timur!

Blood of Timur!

Blood of Timur!

Stop right there.

Where is Mirza Hakim?

He and his sons have fled.

They fled?

Then which one of you men is in charge?

I am.

What a delectable prize you
shall give the Emperor.

He will be most pleased!

Son.

I saw you praying.

If you are a man of God,

why do you follow an infidel king?

Who crushes our faith every day?

Wait.

Wait outside.

You were saying.

Nothing.

I was thinking...

How do you think someone like
you would be seen in the eyes of Allah?

As you have no side to pick.

Allah says to obey your parents.

Whether they are right or wrong.

But that is for those
who embrace our Lord.

Those with no faith
are an enemy of Allah.

As is the one who follows them.

I am sorry Daniyal...

following in your fathers footsteps,

is not a route to Allah.

This 'middle path'
leads straight to hell.

Though he is father's enemy,

he is a true believer of Allah..

Surrendering him
to father may enrage Allah.

Certainly.

If you let him go,
he could be an ally for another day.