Chapter III: Part 3

_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._)

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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.

_Bindu._ Come, Sir (_to the Pundit_). I don’t suppose all good. I
go.

(_Exit Bindu Madhab and Chaprasi._)

_Pundit._ Yes; let us all go. I think some bad accident has taken
place.

(_Exit both._)

-----

Footnote 32:

This is a proverb, signifying you cannot separate the tares from
wheat.

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FOURTH ACT—THIRD SCENE.
THE PRISON-HOUSE OF INDRABAD.

-------

_The dead body of Goluk Chunder swinging, bound by his outer garment
twisted like a rope; the Darogah of the Gaol and the Jamadar sitting._

_Darogah._ Who is gone to call Babu Bindu Madhab?

_Jamadar._ Manirodi is gone there. Till the Doctor comes, we
cannot bring it down.

_Darogah._ Did not the Magistrate say, he will come here this day?

_Jamadar._ No, Sir, he has four days more to come. At Sachigunge
on Saturday, they have a Champagne-party and ladies’ dance. Mrs.
Wood can never dance with any other, but our Saheb; and I saw
that, when I was a bearer. Mrs. Wood is very kind: through the
influence of one letter, she got me the Jamadary of the Jail.

_Darogah._ Ah! The father of Babu Bindu Madhab expressed great
sorrow at his not getting food. When Babu Bindu sees this, he will
quit life.

_Enter_ BINDU MADHAB.

All things are by the will of God.

_Bindu._ What is this! What is this! Ah! ah! My father is dead
while bound above ground with a rope! I was coming to try some
means for his release. What sorrow! (_places his own head on the
breast of the dead body, then clasps the corpse, and weeps_). Oh
father! Hast thou at once broken the ties of affection towards us?
Shalt thou no more praise Bindu before other men for his English
education? Calling Nobin Madhab by the name of “Bhima[33] of
Svaropur;” is that now put at an end? You have now made a treaty
with Bipin (the son of Nobin) with whom you always had a quarrel,
saying to the eldest Bou, “My mother, my mother.” Ah! as in the
case of a heron and its mate, with their young ones flying in the
air, in search of food, if the heron be killed by a fowler, the
mate with her young ones falls into great danger, so shall my
mother be when she hears of your being put to death, while hung
above ground by a rope.

_Darogah._ (_Bringing Babu Bindu aside by taking hold of his
hands._) Babu Bindu do not be so impatient now. Get the permission
of the Doctor, and try to take the corpse soon to the Amritaghata.

_Enter Deputy Inspector and the Pundit._

_Bindu._ Darogah, do not speak of anything to me. Whatever
consultation you have to make, make that with the Pundit and the
Deputy Inspector. Through sorrow, I have lost the power of speech;
let me take my father’s feet once on my breast. (_Sits up, taking
the feet of Goluk on his breast._)

_Pundit._ (_To the Deputy Inspector._) Let me take Bindu Madhab on
my lap; you had better unloose the rope. It is never proper to
keep such a godly body in this hell.

_Darogah._ It will be necessary to wait for a short time.

_Pundit._ Are you the chowkidar of hell, else why have you such a
character?

_Darogah._ Sir, you are wise, you are reproaching me.

_Enter the Doctor._

_Doctor._ Ho! Ho! Bindu Madhab! God’s will. The Pundit is come.
Bindu must not leave the College.

_Pundit._ It is not proper for Bindu to leave the College.

_Bindu._ As to our estates and possessions, we have lost every
thing; at last, our father has left us beggars (_weeps_); how can
studying be any more carried on?

_Pundit._ The Indigo Planters have taken away the all of Bindu
Madhab and his family.

_Doctor._ I have heard of these Planters from the Missionaries and
also I have seen them myself. Once as I was coming from a certain
Planter’s Factory at Matanagara, while I was sitting in a village,
two ryots of the place were passing by the side of my palanquin;
one of them had some milk with him, which I wanted to buy.
Immediately, one whispered to the other, “The Indigo giant, the
Indigo giant.” Then having left the milk, they ran off. I asked
another ryot, and he said, that these persons ran off for fear of
being compelled to take advances for Indigo; and as I had taken
the advance, what reason is there for going to his godown. I
understood, he took me for a planter; I gave the milk into that
ryot’s hand, and went away from the place.

_D. Inspector._ A certain Missionary was passing through a village
within the concern of Mr. Vally. As soon as the ryots saw him,
they began to cry aloud, “The Indigo ghost is come out, the Indigo
ghost is come out;” and having left that path, flew into their own
houses. But as the ryots found, by and by, the bounty, mildness,
and forgiving temper of these gentlemen, they began to wonder; and
as much as the Missionaries showed heartfelt sorrow for the
tortures which the poor people suffered from the Indigo Planters,
so much the more they began to love them, and to have faith in
them. Now the ryots say to each other, “All bamboos are of one
tuft; but of one is made the frame of the Goddess Durga, and of
another the sweepers basket.”

_Pundit._ Let us take away the dead body.

_Doctor._ We must be sharp. You can bring it out.

(_Bindu Madhab and the Deputy Inspector loosening the rope bring
out the corpse._)

(_Exit all._)

-----

Footnote 33:

Bhima or Brikadar was the second brother of Yudhistra and the
second sond of Pandu.

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FIFTH ACT—FIRST SCENE. | BEFORE THE OFFICE OF THE BAGHUNBARI
FACTORY.

-------

_Enter_ GOPINATH DAS _and a Herdsman_.

_Gopi._ How did you get so much information?

_Cowherd._ We are their neighbours; day and night, we go to their
house. Whenever we are in want of any thing, either a little salt
or a ladle of oil, we immediately go to them and bring it; if the
child cry, we bring a little molasses from them and give it; we
are getting our support for nearly seven generations from the Bose
family; and can’t we get information about them?

_Gopi._ Where was Bindu Madhab married?

_Cowherd._ Oh, it is in a village to the west of Calcutta. In
which they wanted to have the Kaistas[34] wear the poita. We
cannot satisfy all the Brahmins now in existence in a great feast,
and still they wanted to increase the number. The father-in-law of
our young Babu is greatly respected. The Judge or Magistrate when
they come to him take off their hats. Do such men give their
daughters to men of these places? Observing the improvements in
learning made by our young Babu, they did not care about the
village belonging to ryots. People say that the women in cities
are showy, and that there is no distinction between those who live
within the house and those who live in the bazar.[35] But we do
not at all find a young woman of a mild temper as the Bou of the
Bose family is. The mother of Goma goes to their house every day,
still, although she has been married for nearly five years, she
has never seen her face. We saw her only on that day when she came
here. We thought that the Babus in the city keep company with the
Europeans; therefore they have brought their females into public
like English ladies.

_Gopi._ But the Bou is always engaged in attending on her
mother-in-law.

_Cowherd._ Dewanji, what shall I say? The mother of Goma says, I
heard a report that, had not the youngest Bou been in the house
when the news of Nobin being bound by the rope and thus killed
came, the mistress of the family would have died. We heard also
that the women in the city treat their husbands as sheep (slaves)
and murder their parents by not giving them any support; but
observing this Bou, I now know that it is a mere report.

_Gopi._ I think, the mother of Babu Nobin Chunder also loves her.

_Cowherd._ I don’t see any one in the world whom she does not
love. Ah! She is an Annapurnah[36] (full of rice). But have you
kept the rice that she shall be full of it?[37] The vile Planters
have swallowed up the old man, and they are now on the point of
swallowing up the old woman.

_Gopi._ Thou braggart fool, if the Saheb hear this; he will bring
out your new moon.[38]

_Cowherd._ What can I do? Is it my desire to sit in the Factory
and abuse the Sahebs?

_Gopi._ I am very sorry that I have destroyed this man of great
honour by a false law-suit. I have also felt great pain on hearing
of Nobin’s severe head-ache and the miserable condition of his
mother.

_Cowherd._ _It is the cold attacking a frog._[39] Dewanji, don’t
be angry with me, I am as a mad goat; shall I prepare the tobacco?

_Gopi._ This stupid fellow of Nanda’s family is very senseless.

_Cowherd._ The Sahebs are doing all: _they themselves are
blacksmiths and at the same time the cimeter; where they make one
to fall, there they themselves also fall_. If ruin come upon these
Saheb’s Factories, then the people of the villages save themselves
by bathing.[40]

_Gopi._ You are very foolish. I don’t want to hear any more? Go
out, the Saheb will come very soon.

_Cowherd._ Now, I am going. You must attend to my milk bill, and
also give me one rupi to-morrow. We shall go to bathe in the
Ganges.

(_Exit Cowherd._)

_Gopi._ _I think the thunder-bolt will strike this head, which is
aching._ No one will be able to stop the Saheb in sowing the
Indigo seed on the sides of your tank. The Sahebs did something
improper. These persons engaged themselves to sow Indigo on fifty
bigahs of land, although they did not get the full price for the
last year. Yet the Sahebs are not satisfied; these disputes arose
only for certain pieces of grounds; and it would have been good
for Nobin Bose to have given them these—_to keep the goddess
Sitola[41] well-pleased is the best_. Nobin will bite once more
even after his death. (_Seeing the Saheb at a distance_). Here the
white-bodied man with a blue dress is coming. I think, I am to
remain as a companion with the former Dewan for some days.

_Enter_ MR. WOOD.

_Wood._ There will be a great quarrel at Matanagara: and all the
latyals will be there. Let no one hear this? For this place, make
a collection of ten of the poda caste of (Surki) brickpowder
makers or sellers. I, Mr. Rose, and you are to go there. The fool
while he has taken his cacha[42] will not be able to increase the
row greatly. He is sick; then how can he go to bring assistance
from the Darogah.

_Gopi._ The extreme weakness to which these are reduced, makes it
unnecessary to bring any _surkiwallá_ among the Hindus, for a
person to die with a rope round his neck, especially within a
prison is very disgraceful; so he is greatly punished by this
occurrence.

_Wood._ You do not understand this. The rascal is become very
happy on the death of his father. He took the advances for a long
time only through fear of his father; now that fear is gone, and
he will do as he likes. The rascal has given a bad name to my
Factory, and I will imprison him to-morrow and keep him along with
Mojumdar. If the Magistrate be of the same character with him of
Amaranagara, the wicked people will be able to do every thing.

_Gopi._ With respect to what they planned about the case of
Mojumdar, I cannot say how very terrible it would have been, had
not Nobin Bose fallen into this great danger. I cannot say what
they still will do? Moreover, as the Magistrate, who is coming, we
have heard, is on the side of the ryots; and when he comes to the
villages, he brings along with him his tents.—Observing this, we
may say, it might occasion great confusion, and also it is
somewhat fearful.

_Wood._ You are always puzzling me with speaking of fear; the
Indigo Planters, in nothing whatever, have any fear. If you don’t
desire it, leave your business, thou great fool!

_Gopi._ Sir, fear comes on good grounds. When the former Dewan was
put in prison, his son came to ask for the last six months’ salary
of his father. On which you told him to make an application. Then,
on his making the application, you again said the salary cannot be
given before the accounts are closed. Honored Sir, is this the
judgment on a servant when he is put in prison?

_Wood._ Did not I know this? Thou stupid, ungrateful creature!
What becomes of your salaries? If you did not devour the price of
the Indigo, would there be any deadly Commission? Would the poor
ryots have gone to the Missionaries with tears in their eyes? You,
rascal, have destroyed every thing. If the Indigo lessen in
quantity, I shall sell your houses and indemnify myself; thou
arrant coward, hellish knave!

_Gopi._ Sir, _we are like butcher’s dogs: we fill our bellies with
the intestines_. Had you, Sir, taken the Indigo from the ryots in
the very same way as the (Mahajans) factors take the corn from
their debtors, then the Indigo Factories would never have suffered
such disgrace; there would have been no necessity for an overseer
and the khalasis, and the people would never have reproached me
with saying “Cursed Gopi! Cursed Gopi!”

_Wood._ Thou art blind, thou hast no eyes.

_Enter an Umadar_ (_an Apprentice_).

I have seen with my own eyes (_applying his hand to his own eyes_)
the Mahajans go to the ricefield, and quarrel with the ryots
(their debtors). Ask this person.

_Apprentice._ Honored Sir, I can give many examples of that. The
ryots say, it is through the grace of the Indigo Planters only
that we are preserved from the hands of the Mahajans.

_Gopi._ (_Aside, to the Apprentice._) My child, it is vain
flattery. No employment is vacant now. (_To Mr. Wood_) It is true
that the Mahajans go to the rice-fields and dispute with the
ryots; but if your Honor had been acquainted with the mysterious
intention of the Mahajans in going to the fields and raising
disputes, you would never have compared with the going of the
Mahajans to the fields, the punishment of the poor with Shamchand
resembling the tortures which Lakhman, the son of Sumitra,
suffered by the Sacti-sela,[43]—while they are without food.

_Wood._ Very well, explain it to me. There must be some reason why
these fools speak to us of every thing else; but of the Mahajans
they don’t say a single word.

_Gopi._ Honored Sir, these debtors, whatever sum of money they
require for the whole year, they take from the Mahajans, and that
quantity of rice which is necessary for them for that time, they
also take from their creditors. At the end of the year, the
debtors clear their debts either by selling the tobacco,
sugar-cane, sesamum, and other things which they have, and then
giving the sum collected to their creditors with the interest on
the sum for the time; or by giving those very articles according
to the market price: and of the corn which grows, they send to the
Mahajans’ houses, a part half-prepared. That which remains proves
sufficient for the expenses of the family for three or four
months. If through famine or any improper expenses of the debtors,
there fall any arrears in their supplies, the remainder of the
debt is carried into the new account-book. Then, by and by, the
remainder is filled up. The Mahajans never bring an action against
their debtors; consequently the falling into arrears appears to
them, as it were, a present loss. I suppose the Mahajans for that
reason, sometimes go to the fields, observe the preparation of the
rice and also enquire whether the extent of land for which the
debtors have asked the revenue from them, is all cultivated with
grain. Some inexperienced persons, taking under false pretences a
larger sum than is necessary, and thus being burdened with heavy
debts, cause losses on the part of the Mahajans and also
themselves suffer great trouble. The Mahajans go to the fields for
stopping these, and not like “Indigo Giants” (_strikes his
tongue_).[44] Sir, the stupid, shameless Mahajans speak thus.

_Wood._ I see, Saturn[45] has come upon you to your destruction;
else why art thou become so very inquisitive, and why so
presumptuous, you stupid, incestuous brute?

_Gopi._ Sir, we are made to swallow abuse, to submit to
shoe-beating, and also we are the men to go to the Shrighur[46]
(the prison); the men should there be a dispensary or school in
the Factory you get the credit; should there be murders, we are
the men. When I come to you for advice, you, Sir, become angry.
That anxiety which I have felt for the law-suit of the Mojumdars,
is only known to the Lord of all.

_Wood._ The fool is such, that whenever I tell him to do any
action requiring courage, he brings to my ears the law-suit of the
Mojumdar. I am saying always that thou art an ignorant fool; why
don’t you become satisfied with sending Nobin Bose to the godown
of Sochigunge.

_Gopi._ Thou, Sir, art the parent of this poor man; it would be
good, if for the benefit of thy poor servant, thou sendest him
once to Nobin Bose to ask him about this case.

_Wood._ Stop, thou upstart of a son. Shall I go to meet a dog for
you? You coward son of a Kaista[47] (_throws him down with
kicks_). Were you sent as a witness to the Commission, you would
have ruined every thing, you diabolical niggar (_two kicks more_);
with such a tongue you shall do your work like a Caot,[48] you
stupid Kaet. Were it not for your work on to-morrow, I would send
you to the jail.

(_Exit Mr. Wood and the Apprentice._)

_Gopi._ (_Rubbing his body all over and rising up_). A person
becomes the Dewan of an Indigo Planter after being born a
vulture[49] seven hundred times; else, how are numberless
stockings digested?[50] Oh! what kickings! Oh! the fool is, as it
were, the wife of a student who is out of College.[51]

(_Aside_) Dewan, Dewan.

_Gopi._ Your servant is present. Whose turn is it?

“In the sea of love are many waves.”

(_Exit Gopi._)

-----

Footnote 34:

The writer class among the Natives of this country.

Footnote 35:

Signifying the distinction between the women or a good and that
of a licentious character.

Footnote 36:

This is one of the names of Durga, meaning the goddess of
Plenty.

Footnote 37:

Signifying, have you not taken away her whole possession? Then,
how can she show her pity by supporting the poor?

Footnote 38:

That is, he will make every thing dark to you, as at the time of
the new moon. In short, he will kill you.

Footnote 39:

That is, nothing; as the cold has no effect on the frog.

Footnote 40:

That is, purify themselves by bathing.

Footnote 41:

Sitola is the goddess of the small-pox; and the meaning of the
above is that if that goddess be kept satisfied, the disease of
the small-pox cannot come; and if come, will pass away.

Footnote 42:

This refers to Nobin Bose. The cacha signifies the piece of
cloth kept by the sons on the death of their parents for one
month, when the pinda or offering to the dead is made.

Footnote 43:

Lakhman was the brother of Rama. When they were gone to make war
with Ravana of Lunka, (Ceylon) in a certain battle Lakhman
suffered very much by the Sacti-sela (the name of a superior
engine in a battle).

Footnote 44:

This is a sign of shame or fear.

Footnote 45:

The planet Saturn is said to have a very bad influence. Whenever
it comes upon one, the utter ruin of that person is thought very
near.

Footnote 46:

Ironically, the house of Prosperity.

Footnote 47:

The Kaista is the caste of writers.

Footnote 48:

Caot is the name of a mean caste, and the word Kaet is only a
common form of expression for the term Kaista.

Footnote 49:

The vulture is taken for a detestable bird.

Footnote 50:

Signifying, else how can he bear so many kickings?

Footnote 51:

This is said only in reference to his dress.

-----

----------

FIFTH ACT—SECOND SCENE.
THE BEDROOM OF NOBIN BOSE.

-------

_Aduri crying when preparing Nobin’s bed._

_Aduri._ Ah! ha! ha! where shall I go? My heart is on the point of
bursting. They have beaten him so severely that the pulse is
moving very slowly; our mistress will die as soon as she sees
this. When Nobin was taken by force to the Factory, they were
tearing themselves and weeping under the shade of that tree; but
when brought towards our house, they did not see that.

(_Aside._) We shall take him into the house.

_Aduri._ Bring him into the house. None of them are here.

_Enter_ SADHU _and_ TORAPA _bearing the senseless Nobin on their
shoulders_.

_Sadhu._ (_Making Nobin Madhab to lie on the bed._) Madam, where
art thou?

_Aduri._ They began to see, standing under the tree. When this
person (_pointing to Torapa_) flew away with him, we thought he
was taken to the Factory. They began to tear themselves under the
tree. I came to the house to call certain persons. Will our
mistress remain alive when she sees this dead son? Do you stand
here; let me call them here.

(_Exit Aduri._)

_Enter the Priest._

_Priest._ Oh God, hast thou killed such a man! Hast thou stopped
the provision of so many men! We do not find any such symptom that
our eldest Babu will sit up again.

_Sadhu._ God’s will. He can give life to a dead man.

_Priest._ On the third day, Bindu Babu, according to the Shastras,
celebrated the offering of the funeral cake (_pindadán_) on the
banks of the Ganges; it is only through the entreaties of his
mother that preparations are being made for the monthly ceremony
(_shradh_). It was determined that after the celebration of the
ceremony, their dwelling place is to be removed; and I also heard
that they will no more meet with that cruel Saheb; then why did he
go there to-day?

_Sadhu._ Our eldest Babu has no fault, nor has he any want of
judgment. Our madam and the eldest Bou forbad him many times. They
said, “During the days we are to remain here, we will bathe with
the water of the well, or Aduri will bring the water from the
tank; we shall have no trouble.” The eldest Babu said “With a
present of 50 Rupis, I shall fall at the Saheb’s feet, and thus
stop the cultivation of the Indigo on the side of the tank, and
shall speak nothing of the dispute in such a dangerous time.” With
this intention our eldest Babu took me and Torap with him, and
going there with tears in his eyes, said to the Saheb, “Saheb, I
bring you a present of 50 Rupis; only for this year, stop the
cultivation of the Indigo in this place: and if this be not
granted, take the money, and delay that business only till the
time when the ceremony is to be performed.” There is sin even in
repeating the answer which the wretch gave, and the hairs of our
body stood on an end. The rascal said, “Your father was hung in
the jail of the Yabans[52] with thieves and robbers; therefore
keep your money for the sacrifice of many bulls which are
necessary for his ceremony.” Then placing his shoe on one of the
eldest Babus knees, he said “This is the gift for your father’s
ceremony.”

_Priest._ Narayan! Narayan.[53] (_Placing his hand on his ears_).

_Sadhu._ Instantly the eyes of the eldest Babu became red like
blood, his whole body began to tremble, he bit his lips with his
teeth and then remaining silent for a short time gave the Saheb a
hard kick on the breast, so that he fell on the ground upside down
like a bundle of _bena_ (a certain grass). Kes Dali, who is now
the jamadar of the Factory, and other ten surkiola immediately
stood round him. The eldest Babu had once saved these from the
hands of robbers; so they felt a little ashamed to raise their
hand against him. Mr. Wood gave a blow to the jamadar, took the
stick out of his hand and smote with it the head of the eldest
Babu. The head was cracked, and he fell down senseless on the
ground; I tried much, but was not able to go into that crowd.
Torapa was observing this from a distance: and as soon as the men
stood round the eldest Babu, he with violence rushed into this
crowd like an obstinate buffalo, took him up, and flew off.

_Torapa._ I was told “to stand at a distance, lest they take me
away by force.” The fools hate me very much; do I hide myself when
there is a tumult? If I had gone a little before, I would have
brought the Babu safe, and would have sacrificed two of those
rascals in the Durgah of Borkat Bibi (the temple of Benediction).
My whole body is shrunk on observing the head of the Babu; then,
when shall I kill these? Oh! oh! the eldest Babu saved me so many
times, but I was not able to save him once. (_Beats his forehead
and cries._)

_Priest._ I see a wound from a weapon on his breast.

_Sadhu._ As soon as Torapa rushed into the crowd, the young Saheb
struck the Babu with the sword. Torapa saved the Babu by placing
his hand in front of his own, which was cut, and there was the
sign of a slight bruise on the Babu’s breast.

_Priest._ (_Deeply thinking for some time, reads_).

“_Man knows this for certain, that understanding and goodness are
necessary in the friend, the wife, and in servants._” I do not see
a single person in this large house; but a person of a different
caste and of another village, is weeping near the Babu. Ah! the
poor man is a day-laborer, and his very hand is cut off. Why is
his face all daubed over with blood?

_Sadhu._ When the young Saheb struck his hand with the sword, like
an ichneumon making a noise when its tail is cut off, he in agony
from the pain of his hand flew off after seizing with a bite the
nose of the elder Saheb.

_Torapa._ That nose I have kept with me, and when the Babu will
rise up alive again I will show him that (_shows the nose cut
off_). Had the Babu been able to fly off himself, I would have
taken his ears; but I would not have killed him, as he is a
creature of God.

_Priest._ Justice is still alive. The Gods were saved from the
injustice of Ravana, when the nose of Surpanaka was cut off: shall
not the people be saved from the tyranny of the Indigo Planters by
the cutting off of the elder Saheb’s nose?

_Torapa._ Let me now hide myself; I shall fly off in the night.
That fool will overturn the whole village on account of his nose.

(_Exit Torapa bowing down twice on the
earth near Nobin Madhab’s bed._)

_Sadhu._ So very weak is our madam become by the death of her
husband, that there is no doubt she will die, when she sees Babu
Nobin in this condition. I applied so much water, rubbed my hand
over the head so long; but nothing is bringing him to his senses
again. You, Sir, call him once.

_Priest._ Eldest Babu! Eldest Babu! Nobin Madhab! (_with tears in
his eyes_) Guardian of ryots! Giver of food! moving his eyes now!
Ah! The mother will die immediately. When she heard of his being
bound with ropes above ground, she resolved not to take the rice
of this sinful world for ten days. This is the fifth; this
morning, Nobin Madhab taking hold of her shoulders shed much tears
and said, “Mother, if thou dost not take food this day, then I
shall never take the rice with the clarified butter; thus placing
the sin of disobedience to the mother on my head; but shall remain
without food.” On which the mother kissing her son Nobin, said,
“My son, I was a queen, now am I become the mother of a king. I
would never have been sorry, had I once been able to place his[54]
feet on my head at the time when he departed this life. Did such a
virtuous person die an inauspicious death? It is for this reason
that I am remaining without food. Ye are the children of this poor
woman; looking on you and Bindu Madhab, I shall, this day, take
for my food the orts of our reverend priest. Do not shed your
tears before me.”

(_Aside, cries of sorrow._)

Coming.

_Enter_ SABITRI, SOIRINDRI, SARALOTA, ADURI, REBOTI, _the Aunt of Nobin,
and other women of the neighbourhood_.

There is no fear, he is still alive.

_Sabitri._ (_Observing Nobin on the point of death._) Nobin
Madhab! my son, my son, my son, where, where, where art thou! Oh!
Alas!

(_Falls senseless._)

_Soirindri._ (_With tears in her eyes._) Oh young Bou! take hold
of our mother-in-law; let me once see the Lord of my life, in the
fulness of my heart. (_Sits near the mouth of Nobin._)

_Priest._ (_To Soirindri._) My daughter, thou art a great lover of
thy husband, a woman of constancy; the frame of thy body was
created in a good moment. For one who is so entirely devoted to
her husband, and who has every thing good on her part, Fortune may
give life to her husband again; he is moving his eyes, serve him
without fear. Sadhu, remain here till our madam be in her senses.

(_Exit Priest._)

_Sadhu._ Just see and place your hand on her nose. The body is
become stiffer than that of a dead body.

_Saralota._ (_Speaking slowly to Reboti, after placing the hand on
the nose._) Her breathing is full, but the fire coming out of the
head is so very intense that my throat, as it were, burns.

_Sadhu._ Has the Gomastah (head clerk) fallen into the hands of
the Sahebs while he is gone to bring the physician? Let me go to
the lodging-house of that physician.

(_Exit Sadhu._)

_Soirindri._ Ah! Ah, my Lord! that mother for whose abstinence
from food thou hast grieved so much; that mother, for whose
weakness thou hadst served her feet; that mother, who for some
days was, by no means, able to sleep without placing thee in her
lap, that very same dear mother is now lying senseless before
thee, and thou art not seeing her once (_seeing Sabitri_). _As the
cow losing her young one wanders about with loud cries, then being
bit by a serpent falls down dead on the field_; so the mother is
lying senseless on the ground being grieved for her dear son. My
Lord open thine eyes once more; call thy maid-servant[55] once
more with thy sweet voice and thus satisfy her ears once. The sun
of happiness has set at noon for me; what shall my Bipin do?
(_With tears in her eyes falls upon the breast of Nobin Madhab._)

_Saralota._ Ye who an here take hold of our sister.

_Soirindri._ (_Rising up_). I became an orphan while very young;
it is for this death-like Indigo that my father was taken to the
Factory, and he returned no more. That place became to him the
residence of Yama (Death). My poor mother took me to the house of
my maternal uncle, and there through grief for her husband, she
bade adieu to the world. My uncles preserved me; I remained like a
flower accidently let fall from the hand of the gardener. My Lord
took me up with love and increased my honour. I forgot the sorrow
for my parents, and in the life of my husband my parents were, as
it were, revived (_deep sigh_). All my griefs are rising up anew
in my mind. Ah! If I be deprived of that husband who keeps every
thing under the shade of his protection, I shall again become the
same helpless orphan.

_Nobin’s Aunt._ (_Raising her with the hands_). What fear my
daughter? Why become so full of anxiety? A letter is sent to Bindu
Madhab to bring a doctor. He will be cured when the doctor comes.
(_Falls down upon the ground._)

_Soirindri._ My aunt-in-law, while I was a girl I made a
celebration of a certain religious observance; and placing my
hands on the Alpana[56] (the white-washing prepared for the
festival) prayed for these blessings: that my husband be like
Rama, my mother-in-law like Kousalya, my father-in-law like
Dasaratha, my brother-in-law like Lakshman. My aunt! God gave me
more than I prayed for. My husband is as Raghunath (Rama) brave
and a provider of his dependants; my mother-in-law is as Kousalya,
having a sweet speech and an earnest love for her sons’ wives; my
father-in-law is always happy in saying Badhumata, Badhumata,[57]
and is the brightener of the ten sides.[58] Bindu Madhab, who
surpasses the autumnal moon in purity, is dearer to me than was
Lakshman-deva to Sita-devi. My aunt, all has taken place according
to my desire; only there is one in which I find some
disagreement—I am still alive. Rama is making preparations for
going to the forests, but there is no preparation for Sita’s going
with him.[59] Ah! he was so much grieved on the abstinence of his
father; again, he took the cacha for the celebration of his
funeral ceremony; but before that was done he is preparing to go
up to heaven (to die.) (_Looking on his face with a steady sight_)
Ah! his lips are dry. Oh! my friends and companions, call my Bipin
at once from the school; I shall once more (_with weeping eyes_)
through his hands pour a little water of the Ganges into his dry
mouth. (_Places her mouth on that of his._)

_All at once._ Ah! Ah!

_Nobin’s Aunt._ (_Takes hold of her body and raises her._) My
daughter, do not speak such words now (_weeps_); if my sister were
in her senses, her heart would have been burst.

_Soirindri._ Oh! mother, my desire is that my husband be happy in
a future state in the same proportion as he had suffered misery in
this. My Lord, I your bond-maid will pray to God for life; thou
wast most virtuous, the doer of great good to others and the
supporter of the poor. The Great Lord of the Universe, who
provides for the helpless, must give you a place. Ah! take me, my
Lord, with thee, that I may supply thee, with the flowers for the
worship of God. “Ah! what loss! what ruin! I see that Rama is
going to the wilderness leaving his Sita alone. What shall I do?
Where shall I go? and how shall I preserve my life? Oh friend of
the distressed, Oh Romanath! Oh Great Wealth of the woman, supply
me some means in this distress, and preserve me. I see that Nobin
Madhab is now being burnt in the fire of Indigo. Oh, Lord of the
distressed! Where is my husband going now, making me unfortunate
and without support,” (_placing her hand on the breast of Nobin,
and raising a deep sigh_). The husband now takes leave of his
family, having placed all at the feet of God. Oh Lord, than who
art the sea of mercy, the supporter of the helpless, now give
safety, now save!

_Saralota._ Sister, our mother-in-law has opened her eyes; but is
looking on me with a distorted countenance, (_weeping_). My
sister, our mother-in-law never turned her face towards me with
eyes so full of anger.

_Soirindri._ Ah! ah! our mother-in-law loves Saralota so much,
that it is through insensibility only that with such an angry face
she had thrown this champa on the burning pot.[60] Oh my sister,
do not weep now; when our mother-in-law becomes sensible she will
again kiss you and with great affection call you “the mad-woman’s
daughter.” (_Sabitri rises up and sits near Nobin; and looking
steadily on him, with certain expressions of pleasure_).

_Sabitri._ There is no pain so excessive as the delivery of a
child, but that invaluable wealth which I have brought forth made
me forget all my sorrows on observing its face (_weeping_). Ah! if
Madam Sorrow did not write a letter to Yama (Death) and thus kill
my husband, how very much would he have been pleased on seeing
this child. (_Clasps with her hand_).

_All at once._ Ah! ah! she is become mad.

_Sabitri._ Nurse, put the child once more on my lap; let me pacify
my burnt limbs. Let me once more kiss it in the name of my
husband. (_Kisses Nobin_).

_Soirindri._ Mother, I am your eldest Bou; do you not see me. Your
dear Rama is senseless; he is not able to speak now.

_Sabitri._ It would speak when it shall first get rice. Ah, ah,
had my husband been living what great joy! How many musical
performances! (_Weeps_).

_Soirindri._ It is misfortune upon misfortune! Is my mother-in-law
mad now?

_Saralota._ Take our mother-in-law from the bed, my sister; let me
take care of her.

_Sabitri._ Did you write such a letter, that there is no musical
performance on this day of joy? (_Looking on all sides and having
risen from the bed by force, then going to Saralota_) I do entreat
thee, falling at thy feet, madam, to send another letter to Yama,
and bring back my husband for once. Thou art the wife of a Saheb;
else why shall I fall at thy feet?

_Saralota._ My mother-in-law, thou lovest me more than a mother,
and such words from your mouth have given me more pain than that
of death. (_Taking hold of the two hands of Sabitri_) Observing
this your state, my mother, fire is, as it were, raining on my
breast.

_Sabitri._ Thou strumpet, stupid woman, and a Yabana, why dost
thou touch me on this eleventh day of the moon?[61] (_Takes off
her own hand_).

_Saralota._ On hearing such words from your mouth I cannot live
(_lies down on the ground taking hold of her mother-in-law’s
feet_). My mother, I shall take leave of this world at your feet.
(_Weeps_).

_Sabitri._ This is good, that the bad woman is dead. My husband is
gone to heaven; but thou shalt go to hell. (_Claps with her hand
and laughs_).

_Soirindri._ (_Rising up_). Ah! ah! our Saralota is very
good-natured. Now having heard harsh words from her mother-in-law,
she is become exceedingly sorry! (_To Sabitri_) Come to me,
mother.

_Sabitri._ Nurse, hast thou left the child alone? Let me go there.
(_Goes to Nobin hastily, and sits near him_).