Part 5

_Torap._ I will swim over the stream to my house, this night. What more shalt thou hear of my fate; I broke down the window of the Attorney’s stable, and immediately ran off to the Zemindary of Babu Bosonto, and then in the night came to my wife and children. This Planter has stopped every thing; has he left any means for men to live by ploughing? How very terrible are the thrusts of the Indigo? Again, the advice is given to serve for it. Now, Sir, where are your kicks with your shoes on, and your beating on the head? (_Thrusts him with his knees_).

_Nobin._ Torap, what is the use of beating him? We ought not to be cruel, because they are so; I am going.

(_Exit Nobin, with Khetromani._)

_Torap._ Do you want to show such ill-usage and bad conduct? Speak to your old father and carry on your business by mutual consent; how long shall your force of hand continue? You shall not be able to do anything, when I shall fly. There is no abuse more horrid than to say, Die! When your destiny shall decide, you shall have to enter the Factory of the Tomb. Just settle our eldest Babu’s account of the last year; and take what he consents to sow of Indigo in the present year. It is owing to you that they have fallen into a state of confusion. It is not merely to load one with advances, but cultivation is necessary. Good evening, our young Saheb. Now, I go. (_Throws him about, lying on his back, and flies off._)

THIRD ACT—FOURTH SCENE. THE HALL IN THE HOUSE OF GOLUK BOSE.

_Enter_ SABITRI.

_Sabitri._ (_With a deep sigh._) O thou cruel Magistrate! Why didst not thou also give me a summons? I would have gone to the zillah with my husband and my child; that would have been far better than remaining in this desert. Ah! my husband always remains in the house, never goes out to another village even on invitation. Is he destined to suffer so much?—The peadahs taking him away, and he himself to go to the jail. Bhagavati, my mother! was there so much in thy mind? Ah! he says, that he can never sleep, but in a room very long and broad; he eats only the boiled Atapa rice;[29] he takes the food prepared by no other hand but that of the eldest Bou. Ah! he brought out blood out of his breast by severe slaps; he made his eyes swollen by tears; and at the same time, he took his leave, he said this is my going to the side of the Ganges[30] (_weeps_). Nobin says, Mother call on Bhagavati. I must return home having gained my object and bring him home also. Ah! the face of my son, like unto that of gold, is blackened; what great troubles for the collection of money! Wandering about without rest, his brain is become like a whirl-pool. Lest I give away the ornaments of the Bous, my son encourages me, saying, My mother, what want of money? What large sum will be necessary for this case? How shall my child grieve, if my ornaments be given in mortgage for our suit on small portions of land! He says, as soon as I get a small sum of money, I shall immediately bring back the ornaments. My son has courage in his tongue and tears in his eyes. Ah! he started with tears in his eyes. My dear Nobin, in this heat of the sun, went to Indrabad; and I, a great sinner, remained confined in my room. Is this the life thy mother spends!

_Enter_ SOIRINDRI.

_Soirindri._ Madam, it is now too late. Now bathe. It is our unfortunate destiny; else, why shall such an occurrence come to pass?

_Sabitri._ (_With tears._) No, my daughter, as long as my Nobin does not return, I shall never give rice and water to my body. Who shall give food to my son?

_Soirindri._ His brother has a lodging house there, and they have a Brahmin; there will be no disturbance. You had better come and bathe.

_Enter_ SARALOTA, _with a cup of oil_.

Young Bou, you had better rub the oil on her body, and make her bathe, and bring her to the cook-room. Let me go to prepare the place.

(_Exit Soirindri._)

(_Saralota rubs the oil on her mother-in-law’s body._)

_Sabitri._ My parrot[31] is become silent; my daughter has no more words in her month; she is faded like a stale flower. Ah! ah! for how long have I not seen Bindu Madhab? I am waiting in expectation that the College will be closed, and my son will come home. But this danger is come (_applying her hand on Saralota’s chin_). Ah! the mouth of my dear one is dry, I think you have not yet taken any food. While I have fallen into this danger, when shall I examine, whether any have taken their food or not. Let me bathe you, go and take some food. I am also going.

(_Exit both._)

Footnote 29:

When the rice in cleansed from its husks by being placed in the sun, instead of being boiled, it is called the Atapa rice.

Footnote 30:

That is, this is his last leave.

Footnote 31:

The word parrot here refers to Saralota. As the parrot is generally an object of fondness to persons, so Saralota was called a parrot, because she was much loved by her mother-in-law.

FOURTH ACT—FIRST SCENE. THE CRIMINAL COURT OF INDRABAD.

_Enter_ MR. WOOD, MR. ROSE, _the Magistrate, and An Officer, sitting_. GOLUK CHUNDER, NOBIN MADHAB, BINDU MADHAB, _the Attorneys of the Plaintiff and the Defendant, the Agent, Nazir, a Bailiff, Servants, Ryots, &c., standing_.

_Defendant’s Attorney._ May the prayer in this application be granted. (_Gives the application to the Sheristadar._)

_Magistrate._ Very well; read it. (_Speaks with Mr. Wood, and laughs._)

_Sheristadar._ (_To the Defendant’s Attorney._) You have written here what equals the length of the Ramayan. Can the petition be read without its being in abstract? (_Turns to another page of the application_).

_Magistrate._ (_Having spoken with Mr. Wood, and concealing his laughter_). Read clearly.

_Sheristadar._ In the absence of the defendant and his attorneys, the evidence is already taken from the witnesses of the plaintiff. We pray that the witnesses of the plaintiff be again called.

_Plaintiff’s Attorney._ My Lord, it is true that attorneys are given up to lying, deceiving, and forgery; they easily forge and tell lies, and are incessantly engaged in immoral actions. They lead astray married women; and then they themselves enjoy their houses and every thing else. The Zemindars hate the attorneys; but for the effecting their special purposes, they call them, and give them a seat on their couch. My Lord, the very profession of the attorneys is a cheating one. But the attorneys of the Indigo Planters can never deceive. The Indigo Planters are Christians; falsehood is accounted a great sin in the Christian Religion. Stealing, licentiousness, murder, and other actions of that nature are also looked upon as hateful in that religion not taking evil actions into consideration, even forming evil designs in the mind dooms a man to burn in the fire of hell. The main aim of the Christian Religion is to show kindness, to forgive, to be mild and to do good unto others; so, it is by no means probable that the Indigo Planters, who follow such a true and pure religion, ever give false evidence. My Lord, we do serve such Indigo Planters; we have reformed our character according to theirs, and even, if we desire, we can, by no means, teach the witness anything false; since if the Sahebs, the lovers of truth, find the least fault in their servants, they punish them according to the rules of justice. The Amin of the Factory, the witness of the defendant, is an example of that. Because he deprived the ryot of his advances, the kind Saheb drove him from his office; and being angry on account of the cries of the poor ryot, he also beat him severely.

_Wood the Planter._ (_To the Magistrate._) Extreme provocation! Extreme provocation!

_Plaintiff’s Attorney._ My Lord, many questions were put to my witnesses; had they been witnesses who were prepared ones (perjured) they would have been caught by those very questions. The lawyers have said, “The Judge is as the advocate of the defendant,” consequently the questions to be put by the defendant, are already asked by your Honour. Therefore, there is no probability of any advantage to the defendant, if the witnesses be brought here again; but on the other hand, it will prove very disadvantageous to them. Honored Sir, the witnesses are poor people who live by holding the plough. By the plough they maintain their wives and children; their fields become ruined if they do not remain there for the whole day; so much so, that because it proves a loss to them if they come home, their wives bring boiled rice and refreshments bound in handkerchiefs to them in the fields, and make them eat that. It proves an entire loss to the ryots to come away from the fields for one day; and at such a time, if they be brought to such a distant part of the zillah by summons, then the labours of the whole year will go for nothing. Honored Sir, Honored Sir, do as you think just.

_Magistrate._ I don’t see any reason for that (_as advised by Mr. Wood_). There seems no necessity for that.

_Defendant’s Attorney._ My Lord, the ryots of no village take the advances of the Indigo Planters with their full consent. The Indigo Planter, accompanied by the Amins and servants, or his Dewan, goes on horse-back to the field, marks off the best pieces of land, and orders the preparation of the Indigo. Then the owner of the land brings the ryots to the Factory, and having made known to them the particulars of the matter, takes their signatures for the advances. The ryots, taking the money in advance, come home with tears in their eyes; and the day on which any of them comes home with the money, his house, becomes filled, as it were, with the tears of persons weeping for the death of a relative or friend. On the payment of the Indigo to the Indigo Planter, even if the latter have something still to pay to the farmers above the sum of the advances as the price of that article, yet they keep it in their Account-books that the farmers have still something to pay. The ryots, when they have once taken the advance, will suffer pain for not less than seven generations. The sorrow which the ryots endure in the preparation of the Indigo is known only to themselves and the Great God, the Preserver of the poor. Whenever some sit together, they converse about the advances and inform each other of their respective sums; and also try how to save themselves. They have no necessity for forming plans and mutually taking the advice of each other. Of themselves they are become as mad as the dog who received a blow on the head. The witnesses gave evidence that the ryots were willing to prepare Indigo; but that the person who has engaged me had, by advice and intimidation, stopped their engaging in the preparation of Indigo. This is a very striking and an evident forgery. Honored Sir, once more bring them before the Bench, and your servant will by two questions disclose the falsity of their evidence. I do acknowledge, that Nobin Madhab Bose, the son of Goluk Chunder Bose, who engaged me, tried his utmost to extricate the helpless ryots from the hands of the giant-like Indigo Planters. I do acknowledge this. He also proved himself successful in stopping the tyranny of Mr. Wood; which is known fully by the case which was brought here for the burning of the village of Polaspore. But Goluk Chunder Bose is of a very peaceful character; he fears the Indigo Planters more than the tigers, never engages in any quarrels; at no time injures another, and even is not courageous enough to save another from danger. My Saheb, that Goluk Chunder Bose is a man of a good character, is known to all persons in the zillah, and can be known even by enquiring of the Amlas of the Court.

_Goluk._ Honored Sir, the whole sum due for my Indigo of the last year was not paid; still only through fear of coming into Court, I consented to take the advance for sixty bigahs of land. My eldest son said, “Father, we have other ways of living; the loss in Indigo for one year or two might stop feasts and religious ceremonies, but will not produce want of food. But those who entirely depend on their ploughs; what means have they? Losing this case if we be obliged again to engage in the Indigo cultivation, all will be obliged to do the same afterwards.” He said this is a wise man; and consequently I told him to make the Saheb, by entreaties and supplications, to agree to fifty bigahs. The Saheb said nothing, neither Yes nor No; and secretly made preparations to bring me in my old age, to gaol. I know that the only way to get happiness is to keep the Sahebs contented; the country is the Saheb’s, the Judges are their brothers and friends; and is it proper to do anything against them? Extricate me, and I make this promise, that if I cannot prepare the Indigo from want of ploughs and kine, I will annually give the Saheb Co.’s Rs. 100 in the place of that. Am I a person to tutor the ryots? Do I meet them?

_Defendant’s Attorney._ Honored Sir, of the four ryots who came as witnesses, one is of the Tikiri caste; he has no knowledge of what a plough is; he has no lands and no rents to pay; has no kine and no cow-house; and this can be best known by proper examination. Kanai Torofdar is a ryot of a different village; and as to our Babu he has no acquaintance with him. For these reasons we do pray that these men be brought again. The legislators have said, before the decision, the defendant ought to be supplied with all proper means. Saheb, if this my prayer be granted, I shall have no more reasons for complaint.

_Plaintiff’s Attorney._ Saheb.

_Magistrate._ (_Writes a letter._) Speak, speak; I am not writing from hearsay.

_Plaintiff’s Attorney._ Saheb, if at this time, the ryots be brought here they will suffer great loss; else, I, also, would have prayed for their being brought here again, since the offences of the defendant which are already proved, may receive stronger confirmation. Sir, the bad character of Goluk Chunder Bose is known throughout the country; he who benefits him, in return, receives injuries. The Indigo Planters crossing the immeasurable ocean have come to this land, and have brought out its secret wealth; have done great benefit to the country, have increased the royal treasure, and have profited themselves. What place, besides the prison, can best befit a person who thus opposes the great actions of these noble men.

_Magistrate._ (_Writes the address._) Chaprasi!

_Chaprasi._ Sir! (_Comes to the Saheb._)

_Magistrate._ (_Advises with Mr. Wood._) Give this to Mrs. Wood. Tell the Khansamah, the Saheb, who is come here, will not go to-day.

_Sheristadar._ Sir, what orders are to be written?

_Magistrate._ Let it remain within the _Nathi_ or Court documents.

_Sheristadar._ (_Writes._) It is ordered that it remains within the _Nathi_ (_signed by the Magistrate_). Saheb, thou hast not yet made a signature on the orders to the reply of the defendant.

_Magistrate._ Read it.

_Sheristadar._ It is ordered, that the defendant is to give Co.’s Rs. 200, or two persons as security, and that the subpœnas be sent to the truthful witnesses. (_The Magistrate gives the signature_).

_Magistrate._ Bring the case of the robbery in Mirghan to the Court to-morrow.

(_Exit Magistrate, Mr. Wood, Mr. Rose, Chaprasi, and Bearers._)

_Sheristadar._ Nazir, take the security-bond from the defendant properly.

(_Exit sheristadar, agent, the plaintiff’s attorney, the ryots._)

_Nazir._ (_To the Defendant’s Attorney._) How can we write now, while it is evening; moreover, I am somewhat busy now.

_Defendant’s Attorney._ The name is great, but in property there is nothing (_speaks with the Nazir._) This money they will give by selling the ornaments.

_Nazir._ I have no estates, have no trade nor lands for cultivation. This is my whole stock. It is for your sake only that I have agreed to take Rupees 100. Let us go to our lodging. Be careful that the Dewan does not hear this. Have not they got something as their own.

(_Exit all._)

FOURTH ACT—SECOND SCENE. INDRABAD, THE DWELLING OF BINDU MADHAB.

NOBIN MADHAB, BINDU MADHAB, _and_ SADHU _sitting_.

_Nobin._ I am now obliged to go home. My mother will die as soon as she hears of this. What more shall I do now for you? See that our father does not suffer great sorrow. I have now determined on leaving our habitation. I shall sell off everything, and send the money. Whoever wants any sum, I will give him that.

_Bindu._ The Darogah does not want money; only, for fear of the Magistrate, he does not allow the cooking Brahmin to be taken there.

_Nobin._ Give him money and also entreat him. Ah! His[A] body is old; he has been without food for three days! I explained to him, and entreated him greatly. He says, “Nobin, let three days pass and then shall I think, whether I shall take food or not; within these three days, I shall not take any thing.”

_Bindu._ I do not find any means, how I can be able to make my father take some boiled rice. The hand which he has placed on his eyes from the time when the Magistrate, the slave of the Indigo Planters, ordered him to be kept in the prison, that hand he has not yet removed. The hand is filled with the tears; and the piece where he was made to sit down at first, is still that where he now is. Being entirely silent, and remaining weak in body and without power to move, he is become like a dead pigeon in this cagelike prison. This day is the fourth, and to-day I must make him take food. You had better go home, and I shall send a letter every day.

_Nobin._ O God, what great sorrow art thou giving to our father! If they do allow you, my dear Bindu, to remain day and night in the prison; then can I quietly go to our house.

_Sadhu._ Let me steal, and you bring me before the Court as a thief. I will make the confession; they will put me in prison; then I will be best able to serve my master.

_Nobin._ O Sadhu! Thou art the actual Sadhu (the honest man). Ah! you are now very sorry on learning the deadly sorrow of Khetromani; and the sooner I can take you home the better.

_Sadhu._ (_Deep sigh._) My eldest Babu! Shall I see my daughter on my return. I have none other.

_Bindu._ If you make her take that draught which I gave you, she must be cured by that. The Doctor heard every particular of her disease, and has given that medicine.

_Enter the Deputy Inspector._

_D. Inspector._ Bindu Babu, Mr. Commissioner has written very urgently about releasing your father.

_Bindu._ There is no doubt the Lieutenant-Governor will grant him release.

_Nobin._ After what time can the notice of the release come?

_Bindu._ It will not be more than fifteen days.

_D. Inspector._ The Deputy Magistrate of Amaranagara gave an order of imprisonment for six months to a certain Mooktyar according to this law; but he had to remain for sixteen days in the gaol.

_Nobin._ Shall such a time ever come, that the Governor, becoming friendly, destroy the evil desires of the unfriendly Magistrate?

_Bindu._ There is a God, the Lord of the Universe; and he must do it. Sir, you had better start, for there is a long way to go.

(_Exit Nobin, Bindu, and Sadhu._)

_D. Inspector._ Alas! The two brothers, burnt up by these anxieties, have, as it were, become dead, while living. The order of release from the Lieutenant-Governor will be as the restoration of life to them. Babu Nobin Chunder is of a brave spirit, does good to others, is very munificent, a great improver of learning, and also of a patriotic mind; but the mist of the cruel Indigo Planters withered all his good qualities in the bud.

_Enter the Pundit of the College._

Welcome, Sir!

_Pundit._ My body is naturally somewhat of a warm nature. I cannot hear the sunshine. The heat of the sun makes me, as it were, mad in the months of March, April, and May. I had a very severe head-ache for a few days; and was not able to attend Bindu Madhab at all.

_D. Inspector._ The Vishnu Toila (a kind of oil) can do you some good. The oil is prepared for Babu Vishnu, and to-morrow I shall send some to your house.

_Pundit._ I am much obliged to you for that. A man of a healthy constitution becomes mad by teaching children; such am I.

_D. Inspector._ Why don’t we see our elder Pundit any more?

_Pundit._ He is now trying some means to leave this doggish service. While his good son is making some acquisition of property, the family will be maintained like that of a King. It does not seem good for him now to go to and come from the College looking with his books under his arm like a bull bound to the cart. He is now of age.

_Re-enter_ BINDU MADHAB.

_Bindu._ The Pundit is come.

_Pundit._ Did the sinful creature show so much injustice? You did not hear it; at Christmas he spent ten days continually in that Factory. The ryot is to have justice from him! _Can the Hindu celebrate his religious services before the Kazi_ (the Mahomedan judge)?

_Bindu._ The decree of Providence.

_Pundit._ Whom did you appoint as Muktyar?

_Bindu._ Prandhan Mullik.

_Pundit._ Why did you appoint him as your Muktyar? It would have been better if you had engaged some other person. “All Gods are equal. To make a separation from the wicked, the village becomes empty.”[32]

_Bindu._ The Commissioner has made a report to the Government recommending the release of my father.

_Pundit._ _One is ashes and so is the other_; as is the Magistrate such is the Commissioner.

_Bindu._ Sir, you know not the Commissioner; and, therefore, you spoke thus of him. The Commissioner is very impartial, and is always desirous of the improvement of the natives.

_Pundit._ Whatever that be; now if, through the blessing of God, your father be released, then all shall be well. In what condition is he in the gaol?

_Bindu._ He is shedding tears day and night, and for the last three days has taken no food. Just now I shall go to the gaol, and shall make him happy by giving him this good news.

_Enter a Chaprasi._

Art thou a chaprasi of the gaol?

_Chaprasi._ Sir, come quickly to the goal. The Darogah has called you.

_Bindu._ Have you seen my father this day?

_Chaprasi._ Come, Sir. I cannot say anything.