Bahu Begum

Nawab Mirza Sultan, a widower, lives with his daughter Zeenat in an old Lucknow mansion and they pretend to be wealthy. They rent out part of the mansion to keep up appearances while Zeenat longs for luxuries their purse cannot provide. The fragile balance of their household sets the stage for later deception.

Zeenat visits a local jewelry shop to try on jewels, pretending she might buy them. She cannot afford the expensive pieces, which catches the eye of Nawab Sikandar Mirza. He notices her and starts to take an interest that will intertwine their fates.

Zeenat and Yusuf grow close as they meet at a nearby Sufi shrine every Friday. Yusuf loves Zeenat in return, forging a forbidden bond that challenges family duties. Their secret visits contrast with Zeenat's longing for a secure future.

Yusuf's maternal uncle quietly arranges Zeenat's marriage to Sikandar Mirza, masking the truth with cunning. Zeenat grows up believing the match is with Yusuf, unaware of the conspiracy. The plan relies on Zeenat's consent being bypassed while others pretend everything is normal.

On the wedding day, Zeenat is dressed as the bride and goes to the shrine hoping to meet Yusuf, but he is away. She faints when he doesn't appear. The wedding proceeds with the doli arriving empty, as Sikandar and Suraiya pretend the bride is ill.

Zeenat wakes up past midnight at the shrine and returns home, where her father, disgraced, orders her to leave. She then goes to Yusuf's house seeking shelter, only to be told that Yusuf does not love her and has moved to Allahabad. The night deepens her sense of isolation as she confronts an uncertain future.

She arrives at the in-laws' house but cannot speak freely with her husband, who remains angry and distant. Devastated, she runs to a nearby dargah, trips, and faints in front of a horse-drawn carriage. A courtesan, Nazeeran Bai, rescues her and takes her to safety.

At Nazeeran Bai's home, Zeenat's misfortune leads her toward the world of a kotha, or brothel. Nazeeran Bai shelters her and helps her navigate the perilous path she has fallen into. The episode marks a drastic turn in Zeenat's life as she loses control of her fate.

Destiny shifts when Zeenat is brought to Sikandar Mirza's residence to function as a temporary wife to facilitate Suraiya's marriage. Her arrival is greeted with relief by Sikandar and Suraiya's family, who hope to preserve the household's honor. Zeenat accepts her role while denying a true, binding marriage in law.

Zeenat explains that she was not present at the Nikah and did not consent, hence is not legally bound as his wife. Nevertheless, she pledges to remain Bahu Begum to protect Sikandar's honor and the family's reputation. Sikandar accepts this arrangement, prioritizing honor over personal happiness.

Suraiya is married off under Zeenat's stewardship as the Bahu Begum, highlighting Zeenat's growing influence in the household. The arrangement maintains social proprieties while binding Zeenat to the house. Suraiya's marriage completes a delicate balance of power within the family.

Yusuf returns and discovers that Zeenat has become part of Sikandar's household. He approaches Zeenat at Sikandar Mirza's mansion and pleads with her, but she tells him to forget her for the sake of Sikandar's honour. The moment tests their love and loyalty.

Sikandar overhears their conversation and, in a bid to unite the lovers and protect their happiness, sets the mansion on fire. He dies in the blaze and makes it look as if Zeenat perished as well. His final act shifts the course of Zeenat and Yusuf's lives.

In the aftermath of the fire, Zeenat and Yusuf are free to be together away from public scrutiny. The story ends with the lovers united, their bond kept hidden from those who would condemn them. The conclusion emphasizes loyalty, honour, and clandestine love.