We could not think that a poem would come to us in the form of Zeb-un-Nissa from the poetic pen of S.S.L. Chordia. Aurangzeb’s daughter, did her heart beat for Shivaji or not? We are not sure about it. Did Shivaji have feelings of love for her or not? Who can tell? But are sure of that Aurangzeb was a bigot, a zealot, a fanatic known for his religious orthodoxy and conservatism. He was a man who had even to jail his daughter. Whatever it be, his court would have been abuzz with the arrival of Shivaji no doubt and he rather than dispensing in a kingly manner was given to conspiracy, intrigue, misanthropy and theocracy. Her heart would have definitely felt for and would have been sad behind which Aurangzeb could not have, Shivaji would have definitely. But Shivaji was a man of different word and character. The other thing is, had he a soft corner, he would have definitely thought of a way out. But it was Aurangzeb’s matter. The other thing maybe it is allegedly said so or is rumored. We do not know the facts.  

What sort of man was Aurangzeb that he could imprison his own daughter after levelling charges against her. A faded, anti-romantic conservative type of fellow, so cruel and callous from within, he was against art, music, fashion, culture and literature. Religiously blind, he could not feel the whiffs and wisps of fresh air, could not taste and satisfy at the fountain springs of fresh water. How could he have caged her as a bird letting to die in harness?

Zeb-un-Nissa, the eldest daughter of Muhi-ud-Din, was born at Daulatabad, Deccan whom the father used to love her much as for training in the scripture at a very tender age, but later in her life she got schooled in arts. She started writing poems and used to handle things. But friction started widening the rift and he grew suspicious for different reasons. Her Sufi leanings never did he come to admire.

When Shivaji pleaded, Aurangzeb rather reconciling with behaved arrogantly, wounding his pride which had an impact of its own upon Zeb-un-Nissa. She would have seen cursorily. Her heart would have definitely beat for him, taking the wings which Aurangzeb would not have felt as for his religiosity and bigotry. She too would have felt love; she too would have aspired for. But it was beyond the mind of a fanatic like him. From the arras she would have viewed Shivaji. But barring silent weeping, what did she have? None thought about her, not even her father.

When lion-hearted Shiva pledged to truth
Was mocked by Aurangzeb to wound his pride,
A princess in the spring-time of her youth
Behind the arras sobbed in shame, and cried.
He, brighter than her fancy’s blazing dream,
Stirring her radiant soul with visions fleet,
Amid the stars of night shone like a beam
Of morn; and filled her heart and eyes. Love sweet
Pierced her thenceforth; but roses red and white
She gave him not, nor thoughts parched by desire,
Nor aught that lacked in love’s celestial fire.
But silent worship of the soul. Aright
She loved and suffered pain in loneliness
Keeping love’s secret from his consciousness.

Let us see what the poet passes on as a footnote:

“Zeb-un-Nissa — was the daughter of Aurangzeb. She was a mystic and a poetess of great eminence. She was in love with Shivaji, the founder of the Mahratta Empire.”