Padmini by Mridula Behari

Author:Mridula Behari
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789387326361
Publisher: Penguin Random House India Private Limited
Published: 2017-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

The city was agog with excitement. The news that Gora had risen to the challenge spread like wildfire. He was to address a select gathering of soldiers, generals, nobles, vassals and warlords in the assembly hall.

A wave of elation ran through the terrified citizens. There was something to do; a heave on the surface that could mean something more than merely facing assault with their hands tied. And it was also because they had immense love and trust for Gora and Badal.

Once the stir began, the course of events started picking up pace. An atmosphere of expectancy prevailed.

The auditorium was packed with warriors of all ranks. People continued to stream in. It looked as though the number of people waiting outside outnumbered those inside the hall. Common people were not allowed to enter, but their curiosity to read the future course of action from the expressions of the generals was irrepressible.

Padmini occupied a seat close to the latticed gallery on the upper floor of the auditorium, from where she could watch the proceedings. Seated behind were her attendants and other women from her apartment.

Ajay Singh, Bhim Singh, Sangram Singh, Bagh Singh, Bhawani Singh, Jaitaran, Surya Mal and other distinguished personalities entered the jam-packed hall.

The courtiers rose. The tumult came to a halt.

The front row was occupied by the members of the war council. Soon after, Prince Veerbhan, followed by Mahamantri Mahan Singh and Gora and Badal, appeared. Once again, all the assembled members were on their feet and silence prevailed.

Padmini glanced at the members of the war council in the front row. Suddenly, she noticed a ten- to twelve-year-old boy among them. A unique mixture of innocence and solemnity was visible on his face. He had a strong physique and long arms, not normally seen among boys his age. He was observing the proceedings with rapt attention.

That good-looking boy with a seraphic grace took her breath away. Who was he? She signalled Sugna, who was sitting close by, to come to her. ‘Is Likhvanbai here?’ she asked.

‘Yes, she is here. Shall I call her?’

‘Please do.’

Likhvanbai was there in a moment. There was a courteous look on her face and a shine in her eyes. Age had not dented her agility and vigour. The reddish glow on her copper face reflected her knowledge and wisdom.

‘Is there anything I can do for you, Ranisa?’

‘Bai!’ said Padmini, ‘Who is that boy sitting in the front row?’

Likhvanbai fixed her gaze at the boy, trying to recognize him. ‘You mean the one seated next to Ajay Singh?’

‘Yes, that boy.’

‘He is the son of late Ara Singh, the eldest son of Lakshman Singh, who was a brave fighter of the Mandalik fort in Sisod. His name is Hamir. He is the heir to the jagir, the estate of Sisod.’

‘Hamir’s father was killed in the battle of Malwa recently. After Ara Singh’s heroic death, his wife performed jauhar by jumping into the fire to save her honour,’ she continued.

‘Under whose care and protection is he being brought up, Bai?’

‘Ajay Singh, his father’s younger brother, is his guardian.

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