All the important activist/freedom fighters who were peril to British government during their reigning years in India were kept in cellular jail of Andaman, a.k.a. “kala pani”. There were seven wings of the jail. It was said that one that goes there never comes back. It was like a hell for prisoners. Ocean waters every where, nowhere to go. They had to do a painstaking hard work under British officers, who were allowed to get the work done any how.
26 July 1902, 11:38pm,
“Call the doctor, hurry up!” cried one officer raucously at nocturnal sentinel. Few officers and a doctor rushed towards him and what they saw really made them tensed. A young man was lying unconscious on the floor with blood in his mouth; no one knew what happen to him.
“I don’t understand what happen to him, he did the same amount of work as he does regularly,” said officer Curl, who watches the prisoners while they work.
He was taken to the jail’s hospital, where doctors examined him and told that he was suffering from tuberculosis.
“His chances of survival are very low, we don’t have the medical facilities here to treat him”, said the doctor.
This brings a sense a relief on some faces.
“By the way who is this young man?” asked doctor curiously.
“Arnav,” replied officer Curl.
Soon doctor realized the reason of such reaction. Arnav was the icon, idol of the young generation. His statements could be powerful enough to bring change in the face of the then India, they were very dangerous for the British government and could encumber them to rule in India for a much a long time.
“How much time does he have?” asked one officer to the doctor.
“The work they do and the food that they get will only help him to live hardly four to five months,” said doctor Bennet.
All the officers and the doctors decided not to reveal this to anyone not even to Arnav himself.
CHAPTER: 2
Arnav’s black blond hair, black eyes, broad chest, friendly smile, thin moustaches and 5”11 inches long height could make anyone fall in love with him. He was the Prince of Jodhpur, the only son of Maharaja Bhim Sing and Maharani Sumitra Devi. Maharani always hated the British government for they use to take a lot of tax from the Maharajas, which in turn was taken by the poor farmers and people. Maharaja on the other hand always supported the British. He always used to say that the government is taking us to the new world, we are more civilized now and if we support them, they will never hurt us. Arnav was the apple of his parent’s eyes; he filled the gap between his parents. The main reason they tolerated each other for 50 long years was Arnav. He came in their life when their marriage was at its end, people say that god send Arnav to bring smile in every ones life.
Arnav spent more of his time with his mother and was influenced by her opinions for the British. He always believed in non-violence. From a small age he started connecting with poor people whose conditions were extremely pity. He use to sleep on floor and refused every type of comforts. His parents were extremely worried about him but they soon realized that their son was here for a special purpose and they let him go.
Eager to learn new things Arnav had good command over English, Hindi, Tamil, and Urdu, and wrote many poems, and stories. His appearance alone makes the half battle win and rest his speaking ability. He had that charisma to make people fond of him. Even the British were kind to him; they always wanted him to join them as he was a mass favorite and his official involvement with any mass movement would be jeopardy for the government.
CHAPTER: 3
“I think we should send him back, he should get the medical attention as soon as possible”, said doctor Bennet.
The news was sent to Officer Royal Loomis. He was the in-charge of the jail. His blue eyes, white skin with grey hair, 6 feet long height in all handsome face of 28 years always catch every ones eyes. Arnav was sentenced for one year of jail here; so that he succumbs in front of British government, reveal what ever he knew, also be away from his supporters.
Arnav once saved Officer Royal when the latter was few meters away from the death, he slipped from the roof where Arnav and other prisoners were working every one turned their faces but Arnav jumped and saved him and from that time Officer Royal was little gentle with him.
“He needs medical attention, sir,” said Officer Royal to his immediate superior.
“How could a person like you, so clever even think of it. He is prince in his estate, not here. If we send him back then we cannot stop those bunches of basket cases to stand up against our government,” cried the superior “but by the way why you are so worried about his condition?” asked he suspiciously.
“He saved my life,” whispered Royal.
“Does it mean that we have to pay him back by putting our whole government at danger,” cried the superior irately.
There was silence for few minutes and then the superior officer Robert Loomis broke the silence and said, “You are my little brother and I am really thankful for that young man, he came like a messenger of god and saved you. Royal you know very well how much we love you but my brother? Duty comes first.”
“The only thing I can do is allow you to meet him any time and order every one else to be kind towards him,” said Officer Robert and left the room.
It was very hard for Royal to accept the fact that the one who saved his life was going towards the death and he was not able to do any thing, except watching him dying. Royal decided that if he could not give him a long life then he would definitely try to give him the happiness in his last days. He started connecting with him more and more. Arnav’s command in so many languages and his talks really impressed Officer Royal and they soon became good friends. It happened for the first time that a prisoner of cellular jail was treated so friendly. Soon their friendship was in air and as soon as Officer Robert heard it, he immediately called Royal and ordered him not to cement this friendship. It really hurt Royal and since it was an order he had to respect it.
Slowly Arnav’s handsome young face became pale; the light in his eyes was diminishing and his high fever, sore throat, stomachache made him thin and weak. One day Royal came to meet Arnav and his condition brought tears in his eyes.
“I know I am dying,” said Arnav to Royal, “Can you please tell what I am suffering from, and at least I should know it before dying.”
“It is tuberculosis and you will not die,” replied Royal.
“Yes I will not,” smiled Arnav, “can you do me a favor, my friend,”
“My honor, any thing for you my friend,” replied Royal.
“Can you bring me some pages; I want to spend my rest life doing my favorite thing, writing,” said Arnav.
There was a silence for few minutes; Officer Royal knew very well that it was not possible. But he also knew that it was his last chance to give him happiness, and finally he decided that he will provide him pages and pen and asked him to write when no one is around.
During Arnav’s last days he wrote as many poems and stories as he can in Hindi and English. The only change that came in his health was he became weaker, and finally on 17 February 1903 Arnav died. His death shook Officer Royal completely. He did his last rites as per the Hindu culture and soon after that he took Arnav’s all writings and resign from the job.
Arnav’s last words were continuously playing in his ears, “please let every one know what I wanted.”
Royal did the same and gave his writing a shape of books. It was published all over the India. His writing made the British’s most painful dream come true. His writing did what he always wanted from the people, to fight and get your land back from foreigners. There was a huge change in the mentality of people; they knew very well what they desire and what they deserve. There was mass movement every where. People stand up against the British government to get their country back.
Arnav’s books were banned but it was too late then. Royal Loomis was declared as traitor and was sentenced for a life time imprisonment in England. Royal was happy because at last he succeeded in saving the life of a person who once saved his life. Arnav came here to do some special work and he did the same.
Time very rarely give humans people like Arnav, who lived after his death and Royal Loomis who lived to make his friend live forever.
« return.