by Ranjit Desai
#
Raje had been planning a campaign against Janjira for the moment the rains stopped. It had been nearly a month since Bahadur Khan’s envoy had left. The spies had provided some crucial information which Raje shared with a select few sardars including Moropant, who was asked to lead the campaign. Moropant reached the fort.
The English envoy Austin reached the fort demanding compensation for the damage they had suffered at the hands of the Marathas. But he had to return without any promise of the same. Raje was in no mood to compensate the English. Annaji had reached Pachad but had not reported to the fort yet. Assuming that he must have been tired after a long campaign, Raje did not summon him. But after a few days, when there was no information regarding his visit, Raje sent a message to Pachad asking him to meet at the fort.
It had been a week since the summons to Annaji. One afternoon, as Raje sat in his quarters, planning the forthcoming campaign, Soyarabai, who was sitting next to him, stood up to leave.
‘Where are you going?’
‘What is the point of sitting here? You are far away, lost in thought and planning something or the other. Do you even recognize that someone is sitting next to you? I often feel you belong to no one!’
Raje said, a little hurt at the accusation, ‘Soyara, I am destined to carry out the Lord’s wishes. All I can think of is the Swaraj. When on a campaign, there is a constant watch at my door and patrolling with the light of the torches. Yet, I feel like a prisoner—lonely and trapped. Now that Sambhaji is a grown man, I was hoping to relax a little.’
Hearing Sambhaji’s name, Soyarabai extricated her hand from Raje’s.
He asked, ‘What is the matter, Soyara?’
Just then, Manohari came in to announce the arrival of Moropant, who soon came in and saluted.
‘Pant, where is Annaji? I have not seen him yet. Is he not well?’
‘No, he is fine,’ Moropant said, hesitating to say anything further.
‘He is ashamed to face you,’ Soyarabai added, much to Raje’s confusion.
‘What has he done to feel ashamed? Why don’t you speak up?’
‘It is not Annaji who has committed the offence,’ Soyarabai interjected.
‘Rani saheb!’ Moropant exclaimed.
Ignoring him, she continued, ‘Yuvraj did something which Annaji is trying to hush up.’
A puzzled Raje asked, ‘Can you please elaborate?’
‘He kidnapped a Brahmin girl, who happens to be related to Annaji. He has forcibly kept her in the Lingana Fort.’
‘Rani saheb!’ Raje screamed.
Soyarabai was unperturbed. ‘Well, those are the facts and the whispers are soon going to spread.’
Raje said, turning to Moropant, ‘Please bring Annaji here. I want to nip this episode in the bud.’
The next morning, Annaji presented himself. Soyarabai was present when he came into Raje’s chambers. He was barely able to make eye contact with Raje and kept his head low. Raje asked, his voice filled with anguish, ‘Annaji, it seems you don’t consider me someone you can confide in.’
Seeing Annaji silent, Raje asked, ‘What I hear—is that true?’
Annaji nodded saying, ‘Maharaj, after all I am a mere servant and Yuvraj is going to be my next master. You may punish him now but sooner or later, you will reconcile, leaving me in the lurch. The loss my relatives suffered may not be made good. It is best my people assume the girl to be dead and remain silent.’
‘It is a grave error, Annaji! Sambhaji may be my son and the heir to the throne, but you shoulder the responsibility of the kingdom. In this matter too, you need to take ownership.’ His face resolute and his fists clenched, Raje continued, as his voice took on a harsh tone, ‘We shall decide the matter tomorrow in court.’
Soyarabai said, ‘I don’t think you should solve it that way.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because I believe nothing is going to come out of it. All it will attract is unwanted attention.’
‘Rani saheb, if Yuvraj is proven guilty, he will not be spared.’
‘Really?’ Soyarabai laughed, her tone derisive. ‘You will at best reprimand him.’
Raje closed his eyes for a moment. ‘If he is found guilty, he receives the same punishment meant for any other person who commits the same crime. He will be blasted with a cannon.’
‘Maharaj!’ Annaji exclaimed, unable to even imagine the scene.
‘You may go now,’ Raje said, waving his hand. ‘I don’t want to hear anything else.
Turning his back to the door, Raje stood, lost in anguish and turmoil. Putlabai, standing at the door and listening to the conversation, did not have the courage to talk to him and left, covering her mouth with the edge of her sari. Outside, the rains lashed with all their intensity, wreaking havoc on the fort.
#
Soyarabai was busy in her apartment when Rajaram came in and said, ‘Aai saheb, may I go out to play with Dada Maharaj?’
‘No. Please play in the courtyard here.’
A dejected Rajaram left the room.
‘It is better to be childless than have such a son,’ Soyarabai commented to no one in particular.
The maid in the room said, ‘The calumny has spread all over the fort. No one feels like eating.’
‘I have been wondering about it for a long while—ever since I saw him leaving the fort at odd hours.’
Noticing Putlabai enter, she became silent.
Putlabai wiped her tears and said, ‘Elder Rani saheb, I need your help. We need to find a way to extinguish the flame before it engulfs all of us.’
‘What do you want me to do?’
‘Yuvraj will listen to you. I fall at your feet and take an oath in the name of your son!’
‘Withdraw that oath! Aren’t you ashamed to swear on the life of my son for the sake of that vagrant?’
Putlabai’s anger erupted. ‘I am not asking you for Yuvraj’s sake but for the sake of our husband. He will not be able to bear this.’
‘Such sympathy for your husband! It is good that you are childless or …’
‘Rani saheb!’
‘Now, just shut your mouth and don’t interfere in this matter.’
‘I will leave then,’ a dejected Putlabai said.
‘I never called you here in the first place.’
Putlabai, affronted by Soyarabai’s taunt, left the room. The maids, watching from the sides, giggled as Soyarabai said, ‘What compassion she has for her husband and the wayward son!’
The taunt was not lost on Putlabai. She could not believe the words she had just heard. As night descended and lamps had been lit outside, Putlabai was able to breathe a little easy, having gotten a hold over her emotions. She said, as she saw Manohari enter to light the lamps, ‘Manu, is Yuvraj in his chambers?’
‘Yes.’
Gathering her courage, Putlabai reached Sambhaji’s room. He sat on the floor, his head between his knees. Yesu stood nearby, sobbing.
Putlabai said, as she saw Sambhaji getting up on her arrival, ‘Yuvraj, will you do what I ask you to?’
‘Yes, Maa saheb.’
‘Go to Raje’s chamber right now and fall at his feet, begging for mercy.’
‘Will he …’
‘Don’t argue. Just do as I say.’
‘I have no one to go to! I don’t have a mother or a father and that Annaji, the cheat, has complained …’
‘Yuvraj! You have made a mistake and you want to accuse others of being cheats?’
Sambhaji could not hold back his tears as Putlabai ruffled his hair affectionately. She asked, ‘So are you going to see him or not?’
‘I will—if you come along.’
‘Come on then.’
As they both reached Raje’s chamber, they found the door closed. Mahadev, standing outside said, his head bowed, ‘Maharaj has asked me not to allow anyone to enter his chambers.’
Putlabai, ignoring Mahadev, knocked twice. There was no response. As she turned, she found th
at Sambhaji had already left. Letting out a deep sigh, she turned to return to her chamber.
#
It was a dreary morning, with the sun hidden behind the clouds with a constant drizzle. There was an eerie silence in the fort. Moropant, Annaji, Niraji and others sat in the office.
Moropant said, ‘Annaji, we cannot change what has happened. We must find a way to save Maharaj now.’
Annaji sat, letting out a deep sigh, ‘Tell me, what I should do? Should I go and tell Raje that I willingly entrusted the girl to Yuvraj?’
‘I am not saying that,’ Moropant said, fighting emotions. ‘We understand your dilemma but we know how much Maharaj loves Yuvraj. Raje holds women in high regard and will not hesitate to punish anyone who commits a crime against them. Now, Yuvraj is in the dock, and Raje will order the cannons to blast him away. We have to save Yuvraj to save Raje.’
‘Let me see what I can do,’ Annaji said, ‘I will try my best, but I doubt he will listen to me.’
In his quarters, Raje was getting ready. Putting on his headgear, he adjusted his cummerbund as he tucked in his sword and dagger. Bowing to the idol in the room, he wiped his eyes and was about to leave when Mahadev came in and said, ‘They are all assembled in the meeting room.’
‘Tell them I am on my way.’
At that moment, Yesu walked in and, falling at Raje’s feet, started crying. Raje stood with his eyes closed, as his face twisted in agony. He said, his voice almost a whisper, ‘Yesu, get up! My misfortune is worse than yours. Yuvraj has committed a grave mistake and I cannot save him. I can only pray to Jagdamba to give me strength. You too should do that. I don’t know what else to tell you.’
As he turned to leave, Yesu hugged his feet and said, ‘Please bless me.’
Raje curled his fists as he tried to hold back his tears and said, ‘I pray that Jagdamba gives you the strength to endure this pain. Now, please let me go!’
Without looking back, he left the room.
The meeting room was silent as he entered and sat down. No one dared speak. Putlabai and Soyarabai sat behind a split bamboo curtain. Raje said, ‘Bring Yuvraj in.’
Sambhaji came in accompanied by Hambirrao Mohite. He stood there, his face pale.
‘Annaji, please read out Yuvraj’s crime.’
Annaji stepped forward. He said, ‘If you will excuse me, Maharaj … is it not too soon to …’
‘Annaji, you heard me! Read out the crime at once.’
Annaji was in a dilemma. He looked at Yuvraj.
‘Speak, Annaji! You need not be worried about anyone’s status here.’
‘Maharaj,’ Annaji began, licking his lips nervously, ‘Yuvraj kidnapped a Brahmin girl and kept her in his custody at the Lingana Fort.’
Sambhaji cast a burning glance at Annaji but the next moment, he lowered his eyes.
‘Sambhaji Raje, do you admit your offence?’ Sambhaji looked at Raje but did not speak.
‘Tell me if you kidnapped a married Brahmin girl?’
‘I did.’
‘And that you kept her in your custody at Lingana.’
‘Yes.’
A wave of shock went over those in attendance. Raje said, struggling for words, ‘Do you know the punishment such an offence carries?’
‘Yes, I am aware.’
‘Please tell me what it is.’
‘The accused is thrown down from a precipice or is gunned down.’
‘And despite knowing this you transgressed?’
Sambhaji looked at Raje. He said, ‘Maharaj, if I am treated as a mere offender in your court, I have nothing else to say.’
‘Shut up!’ Raje shouted. ‘I am not interested in listening to justifications for your sin.’
Hambirrao stepped forward with his hands folded and said, ‘If I may, Maharaj, may I request you to allow Yuvraj to defend himself?’
The assembly was surprised at Hambirrao’s courage.
Raje said, with a dejected smile, ‘Yes, he may.’
Sambhaji said, ‘I did keep the girl at Lingana but I did not kidnap or dishonour her. She came of her own volition. I deny these accusations.’
‘What proof do you have?’ Hambirrao asked.
‘You can ask the girl herself.’
‘Hambirrao, I don’t know whether to cry or laugh at Yuvraj’s recklessness.’
‘Maharaj, we want to ensure that no one is denied justice. We will conduct a full enquiry and come back with a report.’
‘All right. Annaji, please go to Lingana tomorrow and bring the girl to me. I will take a final decision after talking to her.’
The assembly heaved a sigh of relief seeing that the matter had been delayed.
Raje continued, as his gaze pierced Sambhaji, ‘Whatever the case may be, Yuvraj has admitted that he kept a married woman in his custody—that is a crime. As punishment, I am ordering that his necklace of cowries representing Jagdamba be removed immediately. His sword, which is meant to protect the weaker sex, must be confiscated as well.’
Annaji stepped forward. For a brief moment, Sambhaji’s fist curled tightly around the hilt of his sword. But the next moment, he accepted his punishment. The cowries scattered on the floor and his sword was flung to one side.
Raje said, ‘Till the matter is decided, the doors of the fort will be closed to Yuvraj.’
Raje, in his state of turmoil, reached his quarters, followed by Putlabai.
She asked, as soon as they were inside the room, ‘Are you satisfied now? That poor boy—he has neither a mother nor Maa saheb to help him. Where will he go now?’
‘Rani saheb!’ Raje exclaimed. ‘You seem to be ignoring his crime.’
‘Who has not committed a crime?’
‘This one is unpardonable.’
‘You too are guilty then.’
‘Me?’
‘Did he make any mistake when Maa saheb was around? There was no one to look after him after her death. Did anyone bother to ask where he was going or with whom? Of course he would slip!’
‘Rani saheb!’
‘What can a child do when his own father abandons him? I don’t deny he made a mistake but rather than carry out an investigation in private, you berated him in public! He is the heir to the throne. How insulting this is for him!’ She continued after a pause, ‘But who am I to speak? I am not his real mother. Had the elder Rani saheb or Maa saheb been alive, they would have never allowed such a thing to happen. But you are a king with no value for relationships.’
‘Enough, Rani saheb!’ Raje erupted. ‘Had someone else committed this crime, you would have nodded your head when I pronounced the sentence. But that was Shambhu. I have been selfish, looking at my blood ties, when I did not do justice to my duty today. But all I can do is nurse my wounds now. Don’t blame me!’
Raje was drained and sat down. The whole episode had been intensely traumatic for him. When he looked up, his anger was gone. He said, his voice hollow, ‘Putla, I know you came with Shambhu Raje to see me yesterday. It was the second time in my life that I have not opened the door and that previous time too I was fed up with my life. Yesterday was one such day.’
Putlabai started weeping silently. Putting his hand on her shoulder, Raje said, ‘Have courage, Putla. Love cannot be demanded and has to be reciprocated. Our Yuvraj does not know this. I shudder to think of Yesu, poor girl. She must be devastated!’
#
It was late that afternoon, and Raje was resting in his room. The rain continued to pour relentlessly. Soyarabai and Rajaram walked into Raje’s room.
Seeing Raje awake, Rajaram asked, ‘I am told you are going to blast Dada Maharaj away with the cannons. Is that true?’
‘Yes,’ Raje said, trying to hold Rajaram’s hand.
Rajaram brushed away Raje’s hand and said, ‘I don’t want to talk to you. You are all evil.’
Raje said, looking at Soyarabai, ‘That is true, my dear.’
At that moment Hambirrao walked in. Raje asked, ‘Has the girl come?’
‘No, Maharaj. There has been a tragedy. When she found out that we are coming to meet her at Lingana, she panicked and jumped to her death from the precipice.’
‘Oh, no!’ Raje exclaimed. He sat down and said, tears flowing down his cheeks, ‘What a tragedy, Hambirrao! The only evidence that Shambhu had has been destroyed. See that Shambhu Raje cannot leave the fort and that he cannot meet me.’
By late evening, the rains lashing the fort seemed to have increased in intensity.
#
The rainy season was over but the suffocating atmosphere at the fort had not reduced. Sambhaji was seen walking alone to the temple and back but Raje sat alone in his room, feeling tired. He now focused his energies on his campaigns and directed his troops towards Satara.
Moropant and Hambirrao sat talking to Raje when Moropant expressed his desire to visit Kalyan and the surrounding areas.
‘Of course. Whom do you intend to take with you? Hambirrao?’
‘No, I had someone else in mind—Yuvraj.’ Moropant watched Raje’s expression closely.
Raje’s anguish was evident. He said, ‘Pant, you do realize I too am a father and am deeply troubled. The other day, I was visiting the temple and the moment Sambhaji, who happened to be there, saw me, he turned his face and walked away. Can you imagine how I felt? These days, even Yesu comes to my room, takes my blessings and walks away. She barely speaks to me.’
‘That is why I want you to pardon him, Maharaj.’
‘How can I do that? I have the kingdom to look after. Sambhaji may be my son but he is the future heir to the throne. My heart shudders knowing that.’
Moropant did not say anything.
Raje got up and said, putting his hand on Moropant’s shoulder, ‘I know how you feel. It is you and the council who have the right to rule the kingdom. From today, Sambhaji is free to go wherever he wishes. There are no restrictions on him. I am planning to leave for Satara soon.’
At that moment, Annaji came in.
Seeing his worried expression, Raje asked, ‘Annaji, is there some bad news.’
‘Yes, Maharaj. The temple at Pratapgad was hit by lightning.’
