Tubharjang was busy enticing Karim Shah to accept his evil plan. He was staying in his palace at present. Karim Shah didn’t disclose the argument held in royal palace to him as he hoped that he will persuade the king sooner or later. He thought if Tubharjang might return back then his dream to become king of Mysore may remains a dream.
“See Prince! Not only you, I also wish the welfare of whole Mysore. Friendship does not harm anyone whereas enmity always is a fear of death. Above all our aim is to enthrone you. Having friendship with British you will govern the state without any anxiety and fear. No one may dare to harm you being friend of the Resident.”
“But how can I be a king. As long as my father…”
“I am telling about the situations arising after his death. It is also possible that he may install you on the throne with the advice of Resident.’’ Inspiring him Tubharjang spoke, “So I ask you to be loyal to the Resident.”
“But after father’s death Tipu will be coronated. It is his right. He is senior to me.”
“Whom Resident wishes would be enthroned. Hence I tell you don’t miss the chance and make your father to agree on proposal.”
“I shall try my level best, my friend.”
“And, keep one more point in mind.”
“What’s that?”
“Do not talk about this matter infront of Tipu.”
“Why?”
“Why don’t you understand. He is against British. Our detectives have informed us, that Resident desires to see you at the throne of Mysore.”
This discourse hit Karim’s brain. He nodded his head in accepting mode.
“And listen, with anyone, in any circumstance, never disclose my presence here. Once you agree the king to friendship with British I shall send this news to Major Demonson. Then there would be no hurdle in your coronation.”
“But how shall I inform you about my success?”
“Tell me directly.”
“Where, at Hyderabad?”
“No brother! Until you got success in your mission I shall stay here.”
“What?” Karim Shah shuddered with fear.
“Yes, but you need not worry. I shall stay hiding in such a way that no one would know about my presence here.”
“There is danger in it.”
“The game which we are playing carries danger…” Saying so Tubharjang became silent.
Suddenly he saw Tipu coming towards him. Tubharjang stood there terror struck. Karim Shah also saw Tipu coming. He atonce give a hint to Tubharjang.
Tubharjang decamped atonce.
Soon Tipu was there. He had recognised Tubharjang. He was extremely angry. But inspite of that he asked Karim, “Who was he?”
“Dear brother, he was my friend.”
“Which friend?”
“You do not know him.”
“I know all your friends.”
“You don’t know him. He had just became friend of mine.”
“And his named is Tubharjang. He is the commander of Nizam, is it?”
“No, no, you are mistaken. Do I not know Tubharjang? And just think what brings him here?”
“The same I want to know that why did he come here?”
“He was not Tubharjang.”
“He was.”
“How can I assure you?”
“No need of that, Karim Shah. You just keep it in your mind that whatever is being cooked here, I will definitely find that out.”
“You are just making me a scape goat.”
“No, I am awaring you that I will not let you allow to provoke mutiny in Mysore.” Tipu growled.
“Brother! I am also a well wisher of the royal kingdom of Mysore as you are.”
“You are traitor, selfish…understand.”
“You are elder, you may say whatever you like. You are alike father, I didn’t want to argue with you.”
Tipu saw him with blood thirsty eyes.
His one hand was on the hilt of his sword which was shaking badly. If were Karim Shah was not his brother Tipu might have beheaded him.
Karim Shah turned his head in agony.
Tipu went out of the room with thumpting steps.
After his departure Karim Shah smiled venomously and said, “Impudent Tipu, let me once grasp the throne of Mysore. If you will alive till then I will adjudge you a heavy punishment for this impudence. Do you think you will have the reign? Idiot! You are mistaken. I will be the king of Mysore! Me! Karim Shah.”
Saying so he laughed boisterously like insanes. And then he called back Tubharjang. Before leaving that place he guided him where he is supposed to reach and promised that deceiving Tipu I myself will reach there.
q q
Tubharjang was sitting hiding himself in shrubs in the backyard of the palace. There were signs of perplexity on his face and terror in eyes. Infact, he was a commander and he didn’t know the fear. But terror of Tipu was heavy on him. He had the capacity to wage war with any one in whole Mysore except Tipu. At present hidden in shrubs he was thinking about Tipu. ‘Lest Tipu have recognised him, how Karim would have explained? It is not wise to stay here any more.’ He was in a fix, then he saw Karim Shah coming towards him.
Karim Shah reached him fast. Tubharjang asked, “What happened? What did Tipu say? Has he recognised me?”
“No, but he is in doubt.”
“Prince, arrange my safe stay so that no one could trace my presence here.”
“Don’t worry. I shall get you stayed at such a place where there wouldn’t be any danger. Come with me.”
Afterwards Karim Shah took him to a lonely place. At this place female guest used to be stationed.
“You stay here. No one comes here.”
“I do not fear anyone except Tipu. He has seen me.”
“Why Tipu would come here. He has no leisure from father’s presence.”
Karim Shah consolated Tubharjang and went off. As he feared lest Tipu may come here after getting information.
On the other side Tipu was searching Tubharjang like a hunter. He did not believed at all on Karim that he was his new friend. Tipu was sure that Tubharjang came here with the intentions to sow the seed of enmity. He knew well that he is very selfish. Tubharjang might have paid Karim heavy bribe and giving high hopes to obtain secrets.
But Tipu had decided that Tubharjang will not return alive from here. So, Tipu searched thoroughly the entire palace but could not find him. Thereafter, he reached that place too where some time back Tubharjang was hiding. Tubharjang was lucky, a little earlier he had set out from there. In despondency Tipu reach in male porch of the guest house. Tubharjang was not there. Then he stepped towards female porch of the guest house.
As he entered he had a glimpse of Tubharjang. Seeing him his eyes became red with anger.
At once he took his sword out of sheath and cried—‘‘You wicked! Rascal! You are hidden here.”
Seeing him Tubharjang became petrified. Eyes pervaded in terror. He even didn’t imagine that so quickly being God of death would reach him. He also tried to take his sword out. But till then Tipu reached him and put sword’s tang on his chest.
Tubharjang stood motionless like an idol.
Tipu caught his neck with his strong palm.
He settled his mind to behead him without wasting a moment. But he couldn’t do so. He wanted to inform the king about his catch. Thinking so he called the soldiers.
Immediately two soldiers were present there. Tipu handed over Tubharjang to them and said, “Put this devil behind the bars, he is the commander of Nizam.”
Tipu said, “Inform the jailor that he is the spy of enemy state. Not a simple spy but commander of Nizam’s army, so treat him severely. Don’t give any food to him and put him on some hard work to do.
Soldiers dragged Tubharjang out.
Tubharjang was put in prison. Quickly this news spread like a wild fire that commander of Nizam has been arrested entering stealthily in the palace. It is came to know that he came as a spy of British. Karim also heard this news. He was in deep thoughts.
