FOURTH ACT
First Scene edit
The Criminal Court of Indrabad Enter Mr. Wood, Mr. Rogue, the Magistrate, and an officer, sittting. Goluk Chunder, Nobin Madhab, Bindu Madhab, the Attorneys of the Plaintiff and the Defendant, the Agent, Nazir, a Bailiff, Servants, Ryots etc. 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 Ramayana. 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 to lying, deceiving and forgery; they easily forge and tell lies, and are incessantly engaged in immoral action. Leaving their wives, they spend their time in the 'blissful abode' of prostitutes. The Zemindars hate the attorneys; but for 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 only 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 Planters, 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 as 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 Sahebs', 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 polughs and kine, I will annually give the Saheb Co. 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[1]; 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 writing with my finger, not with my ears. 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 pending 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 Rs. 200, or two persons as security, and that the subpoenas 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. Rogue, 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. (speaks with the Nazir). They (i.e. the Boses) are great only in name. Not much wealth left. This amount was had by selling the jewellery. 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. They have been paid elsewhere.
(Exit all
Second Scene edit
Indrabad: The Dwelling of Bindu Madhab 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 you will give him that. Bindu. The Jailer 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 body is old; he had 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 anything". 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 place 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 anxious on learning the deadly illness of Khetromany; 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 gave that medicine. Enter the Deputy Inspector Dy. 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. Dy. 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, will 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
Dy. 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 (a Sanskrit teacher) of the College Welcome, Sir! Pundit. My body is naturally somewhat of a warm nature. I cannot bear 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. Dy. 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. Dy. 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 yoked to the plough. 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 Mahommedan judge). Bindu. The decree of Providence. Pundit. Whom did you appoint as Muktyar? Bindu. Pradhan Mullik. Pundit. Why did you appoint him your Mukhtear? 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."[2] 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 gaol. 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
Third Scene edit
The Prison-House of Indrabad 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! Babu Bindu Madhab expressed great sorrow at his (father's) not eating 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[3] of Svaropur"; is that now put at an end? You have now at last made your peace with Bipin with whom you had so often quarrelled over the eldest Bou saying: "She is 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 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 (gate keeper) of hell, else why have you such a character? Darogah. Sir, you are wise, you are wrongly 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 Matanganagar, 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 they had taken the advance for Indigo, so why should they have to go to the go-down again? I understood, they took me for a planter; I gave the milk into that ryot's hand, and went away from that place. Dy. 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 sweeper's basket." Pundit. Let us take away the dead body. Doctor. I shall have to examine the body a little. You can bring it out then. (Bindu Madhab and the Deputy Inspector, loosening the rope, bring out the corpse.)
(Exit all
Footnotes edit
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