How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Nizam," I said quietly, thinking that I was undeserving of such a friend, "I'll grant you freedom, if that's what you want."
"Freedom?"
"Yes. You can leave now."
"But I'm a—"
"Slave?" I interrupted. "No. You're a man, a good man. And you've served me enough." I paused, displeased with myself that I had waited so long to utter these words. What right had I to oversee a man like Nizam? "You should go," I said. "There's little for you here."
Nizam straightened, as if my suggestion had given him pride, an emotion he rarely experienced. "Thank you, my lady. But my place is at your side. There I have freedom."
"But not true freedom. For you may be free to come and go but many still treat you as a slave."
"Let them, my lady. I wasn't born a slave. And I won't die as one." (8.28-35)
Here we think Jahanara is confusing duty with loyalty. She definitely did the right thing to offer Nizam his freedom, but she's missing the point: he hasn't stuck around this long just because he thinks he has to. He's there because he wants to be.
Quote #5
I had little interest in conversation, but when he persisted, I told him of all that had transpired, of how I used Nizam.
"You gave him a choice, Jahanara," Isa countered. "He didn't have to go."
"Did I?"
He took Arjumand, kissing her fleshy cheek. "Truthfully? No, you didn't. But to Nizam, duty's a sacred thing. He might love working on the Taj Mahal, but he couldn't live with himself if he failed in his duty to you." (12.102)
Isa always has a knack for seeing—and saying—the truth of the matter. Perhaps he believes it's his duty also to be honest and tell things like they are.
Quote #6
He considered my words, looking fearfully at the dead cobra. "Then I owe you a life," he said regretfully. "A life I'll repay on one condition." I cared little for his conditions and told him so. But Aurangzeb, his fists clenching in anger, merely spat. "When the time is right, sister, you'll join me, help me grab the throne. Or I'll kill you, and enslave your child."
The words, even coming from Aurangzeb, assaulted me. "But I saved you—"
"And I've forgiven your sins!" he exclaimed, spittle flying. "Which are countless, may Allah be merciful upon you! Join me and I'll let you live in peace. But back the heretic and your death will be terrible!"
"My duty is to Dara!" I argued, my rage a living thing. "Why can't you let him have the throne? He'd rule in name while you ruled in power?"
Aurangzeb's lips curved into a horrible smile. "The heretic will never rule. The throne shall be mine. And I, I alone, will restore order to the Empire." (13.37-41)
Why does Jahanara feel such a sense of duty is toward Dara? Is it because she knows Aurangzeb is inherently evil? Or is it that she's closer with her older brother? Or is it just because Dara is the chosen successor to the throne?