This is my entry to the flash fiction challenge What Pegman Saw inspired by any view of a given location on Google maps. The challenge is to write a story in 150 words or less.This week’s location is of Burhanpur, India. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here
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Buried Alive
Words 149
“Sister?” He whispered. “Sister, it’s me.”
A tinkle and a rustle.
A frail woman emerged from the shadows.
“Did you get any food?” She looked at him hungry eyed.
“A little.” He dug out a bundle from his robes. She fell upon it with eager hands and mouth.
“What news Brother?”
“It is done. The Begum is buried.”
“And the Emperor?”
“Grief stricken.”
“It wasn’t my fault Brother. It was her fourteenth child.”
“If only you had not run away.”
“I panicked Brother. The Emperor’s favorite begum died in my arms. He would have had me buried alive.”
“You should have taken a chance with the Emperor.”
“What do you mean?” She stilled at the bleak look in his eyes.
“We have orders to proceed to Agra.”
“For what?”
“To build a mausoleum for the begum.”
“What about me?”
“You should have taken a chance with the Emperor.”
***
Note: The above is a fictitious account based on the following historical information:- The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan is believed to have spent a lot of time at the Shahi Qila with his favorite Begum Mumtaz Mahal. She died here giving birth to their 14th child. Mumtaz Mahal was buried here until the Taj Mahal was constructed at Agra. Shah Jahan wanted the Taj Mahal to be built in Burhanpur but had to give up the idea because of lack of availability of white marble in this region.
Thank you for reading – comments and critiques welcome.
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