Lachmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi: The Jeanne D'Arc of India

by Michael White

  Chapter IV

  _A STAR IN THE ASCENDENT_

  The Rani's ambition to ascend the throne of Jhansi was achieved. Butimmediately she beheld difficulties rise on all sides. Everyone inJhansi seemed to have a claim to urge upon her gratitude. The largerthe pecuniary recompense that was supposed to be attached to a place ofhonor, the more numerous were the applicants. To that of the greatestresponsibility, the command of the troops, the Rani was in a dilemma asto whom she would appoint.

  From his well known military skill and tried valor, Ahmad Khan mightwisely have been selected for the office; but the Rani hesitated toconfide to his hands so much power after his recent exhibition ofdisloyalty.

  In the meantime Ahmad had sullenly retired to his house without thecity, there to plead sickness as an excuse for failing to respond toher summons to court.

  On the other hand, Prasad remained close to her side, hourlytransforming the early esteem which the Rani had conceived for him,into a warmer sentiment. He, too, intimated that his aspiration laytoward the chief military prize in the Rani's gift; but thus far shehad let it pass ungratified, if not unrecognized. Apart from hisuntried ability as a commander, she realized that to appoint Prasad, anewcomer to the state, to such a coveted position, would surely stirup a feeling of bitter jealousy in the breasts of a score of Jhansiofficers, who might justly claim a prior right to her consideration.These matters increasingly harassed the Rani's mind.

  The morning of a few days after her accession discovered the Rani inthe act of formally announcing that event, by letter, to the otherprinces who had risen in rebellion against the rule of the Foreigners.

  Before her, Bipin Dat sat cross-legged upon a mat. He was laboriouslyendeavoring to indite these missives in what he considered to becorrect form.

  After a period of effort, he drew the Rani's attention to his latestproduction.

  "This letter, noble Rani," said he, "is to the most illustrious DhunduPanth, Peshwa of the Marathas."

  The Rani signified her willingness to listen, and Bipin proceeded toread in a sonorous voice, emphasizing the repetition of his own name byinflection of tone, and gestures--

  _By the hand of the Intellectual Bipin Dat Secretary to Her Highness, Lachmi Bai, Rani of Ihansi To The most noble, Dhundu Panth, Peshwa of the Marathas Greeting_

  "Be it known to you, O most Illustrious Sir, that by the will of God and the pleasure of the great Rani, the Honorable Bipin Dat ventures to address your Sublimity, for the purpose of disclosing certain information, as follows:

  "On the 8th of the month the Foreigners were obliterated from the face of the earth in Jhansi, as if the devil had swept them all off into Hades. Further, on the same day, it pleased the great God to direct His people to seat Her Immortal Highness, Lachmi Bai, upon the throne of the Rajas of Jhansi, which events were witnessed by the observant eye, and recorded by the unerring hand of her faithful and esteemed servant, Bipin Dat.

  "Lastly, it hath pleased Her Highness the Rani, to recognize the services of the aforesaid Bipin Dat in these great times, by appointing him her _munshi_.[2] Whereby he has set his hand to this letter on the 12th day of the month, etc.

  (Signed) "BIPIN DAT, "Secretary to the Rani of Jhansi."

  Bipin finished his reading with a flourish of the hand and a lookupon his solemnly cherubic countenance, that indicated his perfectsatisfaction with the composition.

  "That, noble Rani," said he, "will in proper form convey to the Peshwathe news of your Highness's accession."

  A smile momentarily relieved the Rani's serious expression.

  "He will also," she remarked, "be in little doubt as to the identity ofthe writer. The Peshwa, the Rani, and the Intellectual Bipin Dat. Hemay wonder if the third is not the most important of the three."

  Bipin stroked his chin musingly.

  "Dust under thy feet," he replied at last. "That could scarcely be thecase, but it has ever been the opinion of the most learned _pundits_that in the work of great writers their personality shines forth as adiamond amid false gems."

  "Then Bipin, thou must be a veritable stone of the first water," shereplied. "But one thing I gather. You, at any rate, out of a multitudeof aspirants for office, appear satisfied with your position."

  "Noble Rani," he continued. "Satisfied am I of thy graciousness; but ofthe precise moment when it will be advisable for me formally to takeupon myself the burden of my duties, I am not yet determined."

  A look of displeasure crossed the Rani's face.

  "How mean you"? she asked. "Have you, too, some petition to make that Iwill exchange it for one that brings a better revenue"?

  "Noble Lady," he replied, "mere wealth holds out little inducementfor those of intellectual worth. We, who are writers with inspiredthoughts, look for a more imperishable reward; but in all events ofimportance it is ever well to consult those who read the future and whocan discern the most auspicious moment to take an important step."

  "Oh!" exclaimed the Rani. "Thou wouldst consult thy friend, theastrologer"?

  Bipin bowed.

  "Such is my desire, noble Lady."

  "Go, then," she cried, "and get thy consultation over quickly, for Ineed the service of thy pen."

  Bipin rose from his sitting posture. He _salaamed_ thrice before hismistress and departed with an important air.

  In the shadow of the pillar by the main entrance the blind beggar,who appeared to have sat there from the beginning of all time,instinctively recognized Bipin's footsteps. He accosted the secretarywith a petition for alms.

  "Good clerk," he cried. "Have pity upon the unfortunate."

  Bipin halted and faced him with a look of offended dignity.

  "Good clerk!" he returned, in scornful accents. "Good clerk! Thou fool.Dost know to whom thou art speaking"?

  "Surely to the worthy clerk, Bipin Dat," replied the beggar,innocently. "Many a time hath he cast a crumb to the afflicted."

  Bipin scowled magnificently upon the beggar.

  "Then seldom in future will the afflicted benefit by his compassion,"he returned sternly, "unless they have more discernment than to stylehim a clerk. Know, thou fool, that he to whom thou criest is no longera clerk, but hath so gained the ear of the noble Rani, that she hathappointed him to be her secretary."

  His breast swelled with pride as he authoritatively announced his newrank.

  "Secretary to the Rani," cried the beggar in astonishment. "Secretaryto the Rani. Behold how God rewardeth the deserving. Protector ofthe Humble," he whined, "it was my infirmity that led me to make themistake."

  "Be careful then not to make such a mistake again," replied Bipin,mollified by the beggar's submissive tone.

  He tossed a _pice_ into the beggar's outstretched palm. Then, withlordly gait, he strutted on his way through the bazaars.

  That Bipin Dat had become a man of authority was quickly impressedupon the friends and acquaintances he encountered. With condescendingdignity he returned their effusive salutations, clearly intimating thata wide gulf of distinction lay between Bipin Dat the Rani's presentsecretary, and Bipin Dat the former ordinary clerk. Upon the childrenthat sedately played in his path he frowned so threateningly that theyshrunk back at his approach. He carried his head as if his turbanalready swept the clouds. In his mind the question uppermost was, towhat height might his ascending star of fortune still further exalt thename of Bipin Dat.

  At length he turned from the broad, booth-lined thoroughfare into anarrow alley, and directed his steps toward the door of a squalidhouse. He halted and knocked several times before he received ananswer to his summons. The door was cautiously opened, and a womanappeared.

  "Is thy learned husband, Mohurran Goshi, within"? he demanded.

  "My honored husband is at present deeply engaged in compiling thehoroscope of a noble raja," replied the woman, "but if you will enter,I will bear him a message."

  "Aye, do thou tell him that the Honorable Bipin
Dat, Secretary to theRani, would engage his ear for a space. Thy husband hath already doneme service."

  At the woman's invitation he crossed the threshold of a bare and dingyroom, the air of which was filled with a savory odor, rising from a potplaced upon a small fire. To this, Bipin directed his attention, thatever in close sympathy with his stomach, was alert to be interested inthe progress of cooking.

  The woman disappeared from view through an inner door.

  After an absence of several minutes she returned with a reply. Herhusband, though deep in study, would nevertheless receive so good aclient as the Rani's secretary. Would he be pleased to pass into theother room?

  Bipin followed the woman's direction and found himself in an apartmentdivided in the center by a curtain. There, seated upon the floor, thegrave astrologer Mohurran Goshi, was surrounded by books and a varietyof scientific instruments.

  For some moments after Bipin's entrance the astrologer appeared tooprofoundly absorbed in his work to notice the presence of his visitor.At last he withdrew his gaze from an abtruse calculation, and directeda keen glance toward the face of the Rani's secretary.

  "Welcome, worthy Secretary," he exclaimed. "Thou seest I prophesiedtruly. Yesterday a clerk, to-day a secretary; who knows, to-morrow thoumayest attain thy ambition and become a zemindar."

  "A zemindar, forsooth!" cried Bipin, disdainfully. "Thou must know,learned Astrologer, that my ambition now rises beyond the station ofa zemindar. A raja! Why not a raja"? he exclaimed, strutting back andforth. "Why should I not aspire to become a raja"?

  "There is truly no reason, good Secretary," replied the astrologer,"why you should not become a raja, if the fates are propitious. Is notthe great Maharaja Sindhia descended from a slipper-bearer"?

  "To be sure," acquiesced Bipin, confidently. "I see no reason why Ishould not become a raja, and for that matter even a maharaja."

  "Thou mayest even become a king," suggested the astrologer, with a noteof sarcasm in his voice.

  "Perhaps, who can tell, a king," agreed Bipin, reflectively. "But nottoo great a jump at first, learned sir. One might become a trifledizzy. At present I will beg of thee to cast thy eye into the futureand see if I am in the right way to become a raja. To that end, is themoment propitious for my taking upon myself the duties of the Rani'ssecretary"?

  The astrologer glanced slyly toward his client.

  "For such work," he explained, "the fee is necessarily higher than itwas in forecasting your path toward the position of a zemindar. Thedeeper an astrologer is required to penetrate into futurity, the largeris the sum he is compelled to ask for his services."

  "Speak not of that," returned Bipin, grandiloquently.

  "You may suppose that all the spoil of the Foreigners did not escape myfingers. Name thy fee for disclosing my way to become a raja."

  The astrologer trading upon his client's vanity, named an extravagantlyhigh figure. For a moment Bipin winced, but producing the money, heurged the astrologer to lose no time in the matter.

  For a space, the astrologer pored over a chart of the heavens,muttering to himself unintelligibly; while Bipin impatiently awaitedthe result.

  At last the astrologer spoke in an abstracted manner.

  "Thy way to become a raja, O Secretary, is clearly revealed, but in thypath there stands a powerful enemy, who is even now within the palaceof the Rani."

  Bipin's countenance lengthened considerably.

  "Is it that accursed pundit, Krishna Lal"? he asked.

  "His name is not so written upon the heavens," returned the astrologer,"though its exact lettering I cannot as yet discern. But he is himselfa raja and detesteth thee with all his soul."

  "Blessed Devi"! exclaimed Bipin, with nervous apprehension. "What rajais there in the Rani's palace who beareth me so much ill-will. I knowof no such one."

  "So far he hath screened his animosity under a mask of kindness,"replied the astrologer, returning to a scrutiny of his chart. "Butthy path is clearly set in contradiction to his own. When they meetthou wilt be in danger of bodily harm. Thou wilt not lose thy life,"he added, reassuringly, "but thou mayest be deprived of some of thyorgans--thy nose, and possibly thy ears, good Secretary."

  "Holy Kali," cried Bipin, impulsively raising his hand to histerror-stricken face. "At such a price I have no desire to be a raja.Nay, if such a danger encompasses me, the Rani may find anothersecretary."

  "Patience, patience, good sir," continued the astrologer. "I did notsay that there was no way of warding off these evils. By following suchadvice as I can give thee, thou mayest escape them all and yet live tobe an unmaimed raja."

  "Tell me how, I pray thee, O learned Astrologer," besought Bipin, withlittle trace of his importance remaining.

  The astrologer appeared to reflect deeply before he replied:

  "First, thou wouldst do well," he enjoined, "to remain in thy presentservice, because even if thou wert to fly to the end of the earth, thatwhich is written on the heavens is bound to come to pass. But do thoucarefully take note of everything in the palace, reporting each eventto me from time to time, so that when thy evil moment approaches I canplace before thee a sure defense. Especially do thou regard the actionsof a Hindu noble recently arrived to join the Rani's cause. His looks Ilike not, though they be fair outwardly."

  "Thou canst not mean the Raja Prasad Singh"? asked Bipin, in astonishedaccents.

  "His name I cannot read as yet," returned the astrologer, "but if hisimage rises to thy mind from what I say, be assured he is the one whoseeks to do thee so much injury."

  Then the astrologer put a question pointedly.

  "Of this Raja Prasad, of whom you speak. Does he stand close to theperson of the Rani"?

  "He is ever at her side," replied Bipin. "He seeks to be appointed tothe command of the troops in Jhansi."

  The astrologer shook his head gravely.

  "Come to me again shortly," he concluded. "Then I will disclose to theefurther. Remember to do as I have counseled thee."

  As the astrologer appeared to be about to withdraw himself again intoa state of profound abstraction. Bipin promised to return at an earlydate. With misgiving in place of elation in his heart, he left thehouse dejectedly.

  "It seems to me," he reflected, as he made his way thoughtfullyalong the alley. "It seems to me I have gained little satisfactionby visiting that astrologer. For twenty rupees I have found out thatthe Raja, Prasad Singh, is an enemy who seeks to possess himselfof my nose and ears. Twenty rupees is a large sum to pay for suchinformation. What evil things might not the astrologer have disclosedfor fifty rupees? As to Prasad Singh, he is evidently jealous of myinfluence with the Rani. I must keep a close watch on him, and reportto the astrologer frequently."

  Bipin had scarcely left the astrologer's presence, when the curtain wasthrust aside and Ahmad Khan stood in the aperture.

  "Well, noble sir," said the astrologer, "I think I reduced that fool toa pliable state for our purpose."

  Ahmad laughed sardonically.

  "It is well," he replied. "No doubt his fears will temper him into auseful tool. To-morrow I return to the Rani's court in a new character.Keep my counsel, O Mohurran, and thou shalt receive better pay thanthou ever didst before in thy musty calling, well recompensed as I noteit is. One thing we have gleaned from his chatter. It was that dog ofa Prasad who advised the Rani to play me such a trick. He aspires tobecome commander of the troops, does he? Well, he will yet be obligedto seek his appointment at the hands of Ahmad Khan, Raja of Jhansi."