In the shadow of the Dictatorship
The Fall and Rise of Nishapur
The Golden Age of Nishapur
Nishapur was a prosperous kingdom, where peace reigned under the rule of the just and benevolent King Altamash. Rivers, forests, golden fields—everything seemed to be full of the blessings of nature. But in the shadow of this kingdom, a terrible conspiracy was growing.
Jahandar Rudra, Altamash's younger brother, was possessed of a dark heart. He believed—"Power is the truth that must be achieved with blood." He secretly organized a group of cruel warriors and black magicians, who were known as the "Concourse of Darkness."
One night, while a festival was going on in the royal palace, Jahandar poisoned his brother. He then seized power through a gruesome ritual called "Bloodbath"—every member of the royal family was killed, except for Altamash's daughter, Princess Lavanya, who was secretly taken away by a trusted maid.
Rule of the Iron Fist
Jahandar's rule began with an inhumane decree—"The mark of the kingdom will be burned on the forehead of every citizen. Whoever refuses, his family will be exterminated."
Nishapur changed overnight:
• A secret police force called the "Black Shadow" abducted people in the dark of night.
• "Free thought is banned"—books were burned, poets and scholars were publicly impaled.
• "The King's Temple" was built, where worship of Jahandar as an "incarnation of the god" was mandatory.
But the most terrifying was the "Miner of Souls"—a secret prison where prisoners were forced to work overnight in weapons and gold mines. Going there meant death.
Birth of Nishanak
12 years later...
A group of young men, who had witnessed Jahandar's torture in their childhood, secretly formed "Nishanak" (meaning: Light in the Dark). They were led by:
1. Rudra – a former palace guard, who lost his wife and child to Jahandar.
2. Mira – a rebel poet, who secretly writes poetry and spreads it among the people. Her famous line—
"Where fear reigns, revolution is born."
3. Viren – a scientist, who creates weapons in the dark. His creation is the "Agnishikha"—a small device that can cause huge explosions.
They are joined by Princess Lavanya, who has grown up in a secret ashram during this time. She knew that she was the true heiress of Nishapur.
Blood Rebellion
Nishanak's first major attack was on the "Dark Festival"—where Jahandar killed hundreds of prisoners every year. They destroyed the festival site with the flames of the Biren.
Jahandar was furious and announced a "price of 100 heads"—a reward of 1,000 gold coins for the head of Nishanak's leader.
But this only led to more people joining Nishanak. The peasants of the village, the craftsmen of the city, and even some soldiers revolted.
The Last Battle
Nishanak learns that Jahandar is looking for "a spell of immortality." He drinks the blood of a young girl every day to keep his youth intact.
One night, Nishanak attacks the Mine of Souls. There they discover that Jahandar is actually a demonic being who has made a pact with an ancient dark god.
In the final battle of the palace:
• Mira is captured by the Black Shadow Army, but she sacrifices herself to activate Biren's device.
• Biren breaks through the palace walls, but is pierced in the heart by an arrow.
• Rudra and Lavanya attack Jahandar together.
Jahandar laughs, "Even if you kill me, my ideals will remain. Nishapur will never be free."
Then Lavanya pulls out her secret weapon—the Sword of Altamash. It was a sacred weapon, activated only by the blood of a true king. It strikes Jahandar's heart, and the cruel ruler is consumed in flames.
New Dawn, New Fear
Nishapur is liberated. Lavanya sits on the throne, but she knows—"Power changes a person's character."
He makes Rudra the chief commander, but a strange fire still burns in Rudra's eyes—"What if I too walk the path of Jahandar?"
Meanwhile, in a corner of the kingdom, a child—with a burn mark on his forehead—laughs with a bloody toy in his hand...
Conclusion: Eternal Struggle
At the end of the story, it is understood—"Sairachar is not just a man, it is an ideology. As long as there is greed for power, a new Jahandar will be born."
dear reader,
The story ends, but the words don't—they live on in your imagination, emotions, and thoughts. Thank you very much for your time. If this story leaves an impression on you, raises a question or a feeling, then that is my labor.
See you again in a new story, with a new idea. Until then stay well, dream and make your life colorful like a story.
your author,
[Md. Tanvir Hossain (Tanim)]
About the Creator
MD. Tanvir Hossain
"Welcome to the world of stories!
I bind the attention of the mind, the color of life, and the magic of imagination on paper. In short and big stories, novels, people's laughter-crying, hope-disappointment moments are depicted.
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Comments (1)
This story is intense! Jahandar's rule sounds truly brutal. It makes you wonder how people endured such oppression. The formation of Nishanak gives hope. I'm curious how their skills as a guard, poet, and scientist will help them take down Jahandar. Can they really bring back freedom to Nishapur?