The Empire

"Judge a man by his intentions, not his actions."

Isn't that what you said while initiating me into your army?

You have crossed your limits.

You have misled your King by hiding the Shah's demand.

You are not just a king to me.

I couldn't bear to see you get complacent,

so I did what I thought was right for you.

You were ready to give up everything for that... that Maham!

That's my wife you are talking about.

And what has she done for you, huh?

What has this wife of yours done for you?

I don't care for your title, throne or empire.

I only care for you.

Your dreams became my dreams, your aim became my aim.

Today you sit on the throne of Samarkand only because of me.

Because of you?

Because of you, despite having the throne, I'm not a king.

And for that, you shall be punished.

You no longer have my trust.

How easily you said that.

I gave you my love and sought nothing in return.

I have lost everything but you.

Don't my feelings hold any value?

What you did was your duty.

Today I discharge you of all duties and responsibilities.

Anyone else in your place would've paid for this audacity with their life.

But I am sparing your life.

If I see you again, I might not be so benevolent.

What's wrong with being under the Shah's tutelage, my King?

You will still have the throne of Samarkand.

Kings don't bow allegiance.

I am a king and not the Shah's houseboy.

Well then, we are ready to go to war with the Shah.

I cannot dismiss the fact that we owe him Khanzada's life and this kingdom.

So, what do you plan to do?

Give up Samarkand again.

Babur will once again be a king without a kingdom.

Kabul is without a king.

Shaibani was preparing to take over and...

And?

Father spoke of your betrothal to the princess of Kabul, Gulrukh.

If you take Gulrukh as your wife, you will be the king of Kabul.

And Maham?

She would understand.

Looks like a lot of Shaibani has rubbed off on you.

I had no choice. You took so long to rescue me.

Pardon my interruption, but you two are behaving like children.

My King, some relationships are formed out of love

while some are formed for the good of others.

You are not just Maham's husband,

you are also a king.

I strongly suggest that you think not just about Maham,

but your people as well.

Do you really want to uproot everyone and have them wander in the forests again?

Forgive me.

I know I have hurt your feelings.

I had no right to--

Who has the right to be upset with me if not you, sister?

This was the extent of the role Samarkand had to play in our lives.

Kabul's kingdom might be far away from Samarkand,

but it will take us a step closer to Hindustan.

You should take this step.

Send a message to Kabul.

If we have Gulrukh's consent,

we will leave for Kabul in two days.

The kingdom I was destined to rule...

the place our forefathers called home...

I was left with neither the kingdom nor home.

The shadows of sadness have no place in your eyes.

The twinkle in your eyes guides me through the journey of life.

By letting this sadness overshadow it, you are being unjust to me.

I am losing all my dear ones, one by one.

I wish Mother had lived to see her grandsons.

I cannot believe it has been 18 years.

But I do believe that, no matter where Mother is,

she is at peace knowing that her son honours her memory each day.

You are a good son, a good husband and an excellent king.

With a wife like you, any husband would be called a "good" husband.

Queen Consort.

You have other wives living in the harem, you know.

Gulrukh.

Dildar.

Gulrukh was the princess of Kabul,

yet you gave me the title of Queen Consort.

Your decision has pained Gulrukh--

Don't start again, Maham.

I have formed many relationships for political reasons.

You are the one my heart belongs to.

You are my first wife hence the title belongs to you.

A king doesn't decide with his heart.

Very soon you will have to choose

which one of your two sons becomes the heir.

What will you do?

What if I choose Gulrukh's son, Kamran, over your son, Humayun?

Nothing will make me happier.

But Gulrukh won't take it well if you decide against Kamran.

Brother!

Our scores are levelled.

Kamran!

You are still lagging behind.

You need to try harder.

Levelled again!

You are princes.

You need to set an example for others.

To teach your people--

A lesson. That's what we were doing, Mother.

We were helping an old shopkeeper get his things back from thieves.

Should we have not helped him?

That's the job of the guards placed there.

You should have alerted them.

The market isn't a place where you flex your muscles.

Princes don't fight.

Forgive us, my Queen.

What were you three doing in the market anyway?

-Askari insisted. -Brother?

He wanted special flowers to lay on Grandmother's tomb.

Right?

Fine, I forgive you.

But if your mother learns that her sons were fighting on the streets?

Please, my Queen, I insist. Don't tell Mother.

Don't tell Mother what?

That your sons ventured into the market today.

To bring you this flower.

I cannot believe that Kamran and Askari would bring something for me and not you.

They love you more than they love me.

Every child loves his mother.

You should rest, Lady Dildar.

The King will be upset to see you roaming around like this.

I will send a message to the doctor to come and check on you.

You are so kind.

My Queen!

Queen Mother's health...

Please have this medicine, Queen Mother.

Darkness...

Darkness is taking over everything.

Grandmother... please have this medicine.

Please listen to the doctor.

Here.

What are these sounds?

Kutlugh?

My Kutlugh looked so beautiful on her wedding day.

Babur! Babur!

I am here. I am right here, Grandmother.

Shaibani is coming.

Shaibani is coming!

You have to fight him!

Calm down, Grandmother.

Calm down.

You cannot be weak.

Babur, you cannot be weak.

You were born to be a king.

This is destiny.

This is inevitable.

I will make this happen.

Queen Mother, grab my hand!

Father!

Grandmother!

Queen Mother, give me your hand!

Grandmother, give me your hand!

Father!

Father!

Father!

Grandmother.

Umar Shaikh was a nice man.

Noble, generous.

No one would leave his court empty-handed.

He was too kind-hearted.

But...

a king needs to be...

stonehearted sometimes.

Grandmother, could you have saved Father's life?

Grandmother, give me your hand.

Grandmother...

Grandmother... Father!

Father.

Father!

Father!

I could save...

either Umar Shaikh...

or Ferghana.

I can see Babur's vast empire,

Babur's endless army,

Row upon row of courtiers standing in awe.

Only one chant echoing through.

Hail Emperor Babur!

Hail Emperor Babur!

Hail Emperor Babur!

O Lord, please accept our prayers for the deceased.

-O Lord, please forgive her sins. -Amen.

O Lord, please provide her safe passage.

Amen.

O Lord, please exempt her from all prosecutions.

Amen.

O Lord, please fill her grave with light.

Amen.

O Lord, please provide her a safe passage.

O Lord, please exempt her from all prosecutions.