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

  Chapter III

  _BY THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE_

  Jhansi had fallen. At the revolt of their troops the Foreigners weretaken completely by surprise. They hastily retreated to the Star Fortwhere, after a valorous defense for three days, lack of food andammunition compelled them to surrender. They were obliged to seek termsof Ahmad Khan who was conducting the siege.

  If they evacuated the fort would they be permitted to leave the stateunmolested? was the request made under a flag of truce.

  In response, Ahmad solemnly swore upon the holy Koran that if theForeigners would open the gates no harm should befall them.

  But the oath of the Mohammedan was not regarded as sufficientlybinding. The Foreigners required a further assurance of safety from theRani.

  In her name Ahmad reiterated his vow of protection. This was all thehope of security they could possibly look for in their desperatesituation. The Rani had ever been regarded as an upright woman. Uponthe faith of her word they opened the gates and laid down their arms.Then under Ahmad's direction they marched out to a field nearby,--apitiful, defenseless band, of men, women, and children.

  The sun never shone upon a more brutal tragedy.

  Beside a clump of trees all were ruthlessly butchered. Their honoralone was spared. Without a plea for mercy, without a cry of anguish,these heroes met a cruel fate, that might have been averted by a lessexacting government.

  Ahmad Khan was elated almost to a condition of intoxication by thisfinal successful act of the revolt. He was now prompted to strikeanother immediate blow to gratify a long secretly nourished ambition.While outwardly he had professed intense devotion to the Rani's cause,in his heart, he aspired to seat himself on the throne of the Rajas ofJhansi. As to the Rani, he purposed that her rule should be encompassedby the walls of a luxurious _harem_.

  At the head of a crime-frenzied Mohammedan band, bearing upon thepoints of their bayonets ghastly trophies of the recent massacre, heset forth on a triumphant progress to the palace.

  To secure his object, he instructed his followers to overawe the Hindupopulation, devoted to the Rani's cause, by fierce gestures and loudshouts in his honor.

  He entered the gate set in the massive stone wall, and waved his swordaloft crying--

  "The Faith. The holy Faith. Success to the Faith of Mohammed."

  His soldiers pressed closely upon the flanks of his horse. Theybrandished their weapons and struck dismay into the hearts of the Hinduguard, by adding exultingly to their distinctive shout of victory--

  "And may Ahmad Khan, the Servant of God, long reign in Jhansi."

  Onward the mob swept through the city, again and again vociferouslyproclaiming Ahmad Khan, Raja of Jhansi. The joy of the Hindus overtheir deliverance from Foreign rule gave place to alarm. They watchedwith misgiving a second _coup d' etat_ on the part of their hereditaryenemies, and began to wonder whether they would not fare worse underthe rule of a follower of Mohammed, than they had done under that ofthe Foreigner.

  In her palace the Rani anxiously awaited news of the surrender. ThroughAhmad she had given the assurance that the Foreigners' lives would bespared. This course she had strenuously urged upon her lieutenant.Apart from her womanly repugnance to ruthless slaughter, she clearlyperceived the advantage she would gain by holding them as prisoners toexchange for the recognition of her right to the throne of Jhansi. Tokill the innocent, the already defeated, did not occupy a thought inher mind.

  The news came swift and ominous. Not only had a tragedy taken place,but her own authority was in danger of usurpation.

  The exultant Mohammedan cry rolled forward to the walls of the palace.It penetrated to the Rani's ears at first as a welcome sound; butas it rose in the courtyard bearing aloft the name of Ahmad Khan, adisquieting thought flashed into her brain.

  She hurried to the _Darbar_ hall, entering at one end, as Ahmad,surrounded by his officers, crossed the threshold at the other.

  The Rani halted and waited. Intuitively she gleaned confirmation of hersudden alarm from their faces.

  Ahmad advanced and saluted her with pointed courtesy. He was a tall,powerfully built man, whose swarthy irregular features indicated amingling of low caste blood. As a whole his face was not unhandsome,though the expression of his mouth and chin denoted cruelty andtreachery--the latter, perhaps, an accomplishment rather than a failingto the Oriental mind.

  "Greeting, fair Lady," he exclaimed. "Jhansi is won. The Foreignershave surrendered."

  She directed a searching glance to read the veiled meaning expressed inhis intonation as well as in his manner.

  "They have surrendered. Then where are they"? she asked. "Hast thou notbrought any of them hither"?

  A cruel smile broke upon Ahmad's face as he turned and pointed with theblade of his sword to the open doorway, through which could be caught aglimpse of the surging mob without, uplifting their bloody trophies.

  "Aye," he explained, "I have brought some of them here. The rest I havesent to a secure prison."

  His gesture was observed by his followers. The shout rose with greatervolume than before--

  "_Deen! Deen! Futteh. Mohammed._"

  "Success to the Faith of Mohammed."

  For a moment the Rani covered her eyes with her hands, as if to blotout the gruesome spectacle. Then she demanded sternly--

  "Why hast thou done this, my Lord? Surely thou hast not killed themall"?

  "Aye, all, fair Lady. And why not"? he returned, in plausible accents.

  "Because I commanded you to spare their lives if they surrendered," sheretorted, passionately.

  Ahmad bowed low with feigned contrition.

  "But, my Lady Lachmi Bai," he protested, "a higher authority, theEmperor of Delhi, had commanded me to spare none of them. Further hisMajesty hath been pleased to place the government of the State ofJhansi in my hands until more settled times."

  The two stood for a short period confronting each other in silence,Ahmad with a look of unconcealed triumph on his face, on that of theRani, anger mingled with defiance.

  "So this was his purpose! A plot within a plot revealed."

  He strode up to her and with assurance took her by the hand. Then hespoke in a lower voice.

  "Ah! Fair Rani. Thou art but a child, a girl fit rather to play withgems than swords and scepters. But fear not, thou shalt rule in Jhansi.Thou knowest well for what I hunger. All that thou longest for, thoushalt possess in return. It is a good bargain, is it not, BeautifulOne"?

  Her glance swept from his face to the crowd of his officers standingto his order in the background. She realized that the dominion forwhich she had so long and patiently striven was about to be seizedby another at the moment of its accomplishment. By one, too whosereligious principles were repugnant, and whose profession of personaldevotion she had but tolerated for reasons of state. She saw the trapinto which she had fallen, and from which an immediate counterstroke ofdiplomacy could alone save her.

  Her mind was quick to grasp the situation and suggest a remedy.

  With an effort she curbed her resentment and turned a look of approvalupon the traitor.

  "Aye, thou speakest truly," she replied, in a thoughtful tone. "I am,as thou sayest, but a girl, to whom the reins of government would beof little pleasure. I had longed that the Foreigners be driven forthfrom Jhansi. Now they are here no more to anger me, why should I not besatisfied? But, O Ahmad," she continued confidentially, "I would speakwith thee alone. Send, I pray thee, these people of thine from thepalace. I like not their fierce looks and clash of arms."

  Ahmad was surprised. He had anticipated a stormy scene with the Rani,and a possible resort to force before she could be brought to submitto his will. Consequently he was gratified to meet with so littleresistance to both his political and personal designs. For the momenthe failed to remember that the brain which had displayed such masterlycraft in plotting the downfall of the Foreigners would be swift to usethe same power in frustrating his own project.

  In compliance with h
er desire he faced his officers.

  "Go," he commanded. "Return to the cantonments and in my name seize allthe possessions of the Foreigners."

  When the soldiers had left the hall the Rani drew close to him andspoke in a beguiling voice.

  "O my Lord, thou must see how poorly I am attired in honor of so greatan event. I would retire for a short space, to adorn my neck withjewels, and my hair with flowers; so that I may appear worthy of thenoble Ahmad Khan's approval."

  Blinded by vanity, he was flattered and deceived by her cajolery. Hestretched forth his arms to enfold her in an embrace.

  "Thou shadow of an _houri_," he exclaimed amorously.

  She eluded him by a quick movement.

  "In a little," she returned, playfully. "See that thou waitest until Icome again to thee. Then shalt thou swear by thy Prophet's beard, thatLachmi Bai hath wit as well as beauty."

  "Until death," he replied, "only tarry not too long, Fair One."

  She cast toward him an enthralling glance, and passing from the hall,hurried to the inner apartments of the palace.

  "Now by Allah"! he reflected, exultingly. "The fortune of Ahmad Khan,the Humble Servant of God, doth rise as the sun in a cloudless heaven."

  The Rani's action was swift and silent. She summoned those upon whomshe could rely and spoke in urgent accents.

  "Go quickly," she commanded to one, "into the bazaars and summon all mypeople to the courtyard of the palace." To another, "Let my retainersarm themselves and guard every outlet so that no man passes in orforth. Tell Prasad and my officers, that I need their presence on thebalcony overlooking the main entrance. Go, with wings on your feet.Hasten, for there is no time to be lost."

  She passed into a private chamber and hastily arrayed herself in amagnificent embroidered _sari_, the silken clinging texture of whichdisplayed her form to its perfection of royal beauty. Round her neckshe hung ropes of pearls, and in her hair she entwined a wreath offragrant blossoms. Thus attired she proceeded to the wide balconyoverlooking the courtyard.

  A throng of people had gathered and crowded about the main entrance.Others were hurrying from the bazaars and side streets at the biddingof the Rani's messengers. With animated countenances, they asked ofeach other the meaning of the summons.

  Behind the domes and turrets of the rock citadel, the sun was sinkingtoward the horizon. It cast broad shadows over the courtyard, nowfilling rapidly with a surging, excited, human mass. The Rani wasquickly joined by Prasad and officers faithful to her service. Withthese in attendance she moved to the edge of the parapet.

  Immediately an outburst of enthusiasm rose from the people, gatheringin force until a great shout filled the air about the palace.

  "Lachmi Bai. Lachmi Bai. Rani of Jhansi," they cried.

  She leaned over the parapet and smiled.

  Again the cry rose, "Lachmi Bai. Lachmi Bai. Rani of Jhansi."

  She raised her hand to enjoin silence. Gradually the tumult ceased.

  Then she spoke to them. Her resonant, clear, voice filled the openspace. Each word fell musically upon the ears of her audience.

  "My people," she began. "At last you have been freed from the rule ofthe Foreigner. To-day, a great blow has been delivered by you for ourindependence--a blow that will resound in the most distant provincesof our land. Through your loyalty and courage, the end for which wehave so long striven has been attained. To you belongs the spoil, thetreasure that has fallen into our hands. It is your reward."

  A murmur of applause told that the point had been well received.

  "But my people," she proceeded. "You are still encompassed by greatperil. The Foreigner is destroyed, but others of his race may returnto try and wrest from you, your country. Enemies, too, may rise fromwithin as rapacious and as hateful of your religion. It is necessarythat you choose without delay a fearless and capable ruler."

  A few voices called on her by name, but she again silenced them.

  "As you well know," she continued, "by our law, to me belongs the rightof succession to the throne of Jhansi."

  "Aye, truly," many cried. "Lachmi Bai. Lachmi Bai. Rani of Jhansi."

  "But, my good people, as the noble Raja, Ahmad Khan, hath pointed out,I am but a girl, uninstructed in the wiles of statecraft, unused tothe wielding of a sword in dangerous times. A Raja, he declares, mustbe seated on the throne of Jhansi. Why not then the illustrious AhmadKhan"?

  Spontaneously the cry rose, "For us no stranger, no Mohammedan! We wanthim not to rule over us. Lachmi Bai. Lachmi Bai. Rani of Jhansi."

  "But, good people," she persisted, as if earnestly pleading Ahmad'scause. "Ahmad Khan is a brave soldier. He is"----

  Her voice was drowned in an uproar that shook the walls of the palace.Her name alone was borne upward by thousands of unyielding throats.

  "Lachmi Bai. Rani of Jhansi. Lachmi Bai. Rani of Jhansi."

  She stretched out her arms lovingly toward them. She appealed to themwith a captivating smile.

  "Would you then have Lachmi Bai for your ruler in Jhansi"?

  A great shout rose and confirmed her in her right to the title. Thethrongs surged back and forth in the endeavor of those furthest away toreach a spot nearer to her person.

  "Come to us," they cried. "Come down amid thy people, O Rani."

  With a radiant countenance, she passed down the flight of stone stepsinto the courtyard. Unguarded she moved among the mass of people,stirred to a frenzy of enthusiasm by her presence. Some knelt in herpath to touch the hem of her garment, while others waved their weaponsaloft, vowing they would defend her to the death.

  Darkness fell with the swiftness of the Tropics. She turned to re-enterthe palace, and torches flared to light her path. They gave to thescene a weird, majestic splendor--the irregular outlines of the palaceovershadowed by the huge black mass of the fortress; the exultant,white robed throng; the stern faces of the soldiers; the girl, whosemysterious being swayed their emotions like the wind playing upon lotusreeds.

  In the _Darbar_ hall Ahmad Khan impatiently awaited the Rani's return.He was startled by the cries of the populace, and dismayed at thediscovery that his egress was blocked. Uneasily he paced back andforth, wondering what these ominous signs betokened. He cursed hisimprudence at having dismissed his followers at so critical a moment.

  "Tricked, I doubt not," he savagely exclaimed. "But one more fool wholoses a crown in exchange for a woman's smile."

  The Rani and her officers swept into the hall. Ahmad's hand impulsivelygrasped the hilt of his sword--a gesture which Prasad imitated by halfwithdrawing his from its scabbard.

  The Hindu noble advanced a few paces, regarding Ahmad's sullencountenance as if willing to accept a challenge.

  "Peace, my Lords," the Rani cried authoritatively.

  She laid a restraining hand on Prasad's arm.

  "Peace. It is my will. This is no hour to broach a feud."

  She then fearlessly advanced to Ahmad's side, and addressed him calmly.

  "My Lord Raja," said she. "My people will have it that I rule overJhansi."

  She held up her hand to draw his attention to the acclamations whichpenetrated the innermost recesses of the palace.

  "You hear them," she continued. "I espoused your cause to the best ofmy ability; but, it seems, they will have no other than Lachmi Bai tobe their Rani."

  "And now," she concluded, addressing all present, "I look to you,Ahmad, Prasad, and all my brave officers to unite for one object, thedefense of my throne and Jhansi."

  Ahmad glanced round upon the determined faces of the Rani's loyalsupporters, as they vowed to maintain the crown upon her head. Herealized that, in turn, he had been outwitted. By a low obeisance heoutwardly acknowledged her authority.

  "The people are God's," he murmured, "the country is the _Padshah's_,and the _Raj_ is the Rani's."

  Thus was Lachmi Bai proclaimed Rani of Jhansi.