resents being reduced to a political pawn as she wants to marry Ratan Singh. She writes a letter to Sujamal, entreating him to come rescue her from the marriage, but doesn't send it. Jodhaa demands a meeting with Akbar and demands to keep her Hindu religion after marriage, and that a temple be built for her to continue her faith, with the intention of having the emperor call off the wedding. To her surprise, Akbar agrees, having received spiritual illumination. After their marriage, Jodhaa acts reluctant with Akbar and they do not consummate their marriage. He assures Jodhaa that they will let things fall into place. The initial progress Akbar is making to win his wife's heart is thwarted by a tragedy. The emperor's foster brother Adham Khan, the son of Akbar's nurse and nanny, Maham- Anga, murders Akbar's prime minister Atgah Khan to prevent his own war crimes from being exposed. In a fit of rage, Akbar has Adham executed by throwing him down from the palace roof, unaware of Jodhaa watching. The scene has her torn between fearing Akbar's violence and respecting his passionate love for justice. Maham Anga despises Jodhaa. As a revenge for executing her son, she conspires to destroy Akbar's marriage, humiliating Jodhaa in front of him. She finds the letter Jodhaa had written and has it sent, and when Sujamal comes to meet Jodhaa in private, she insinuates to Akbar that Jodhaa went to meet her lover. Akbar sends his men to arrest Sujamal, who thinks Jodhaa has framed him, and flees. Akbar sends Jodhaa back to Amer. Jodhaa doesn't give an explanation, indignant at her character being questioned. Later Akbar finds out the truth and goes to her maternal home, apologises to her, and asks her to come back, but she refuses. Instead, Jodhaa tells him to investigate the working of his relations and empire. Akbar returns and travels through the common folk in disguise to understand the problems of his people better. That is when he realizes that the citizens are not happy with the Mughal rule because of discriminatory pilgrimage tax. Akbar abolishes it and announces that every religion has its rights in his empire. This impresses Jodhaa, who comes back to him. During a celebration, an assassin sent by Sharifuddin Hussain shoots a poisoned arrow at Akbar. Jodhaa helps nurse Akbar back to health and the pair genuinely fall deeply