---1---
Rajdhar, youngest prince of Tripura, son of king Amarmanikya turns to commander in chief Isha Khan and says, “I have told you many times not to disrespect me Commander!”
The old Pathan general has a bunch of arrows in his hand. He tests their tips for sharpness. He doesn’t say anything, just turns and cocks an eyebrow at Rajdhar and then resumes his inspection of the arrows.
“If you ever call me by my first name again, then I will protest to the king!”
The old Isha Khan raises his head again and asks in a mocking voice, “Really?”
Rajdhar knocks the floor with the tip of his scabbard and says, “Yes really!”
Isha Khan cannot resist the young Rajdhar’s chest puffing and sword waving any more, he bursts out laughing. Rajdhar’s face becomes beet red and contorted with anger.
Isha Khan folds his hands and mocks, “O Majesty, O My Most Noble Highness, instruct me, what should I call you? Huzoor? My lord? Commander of the world, king of all ki…”
Rajdhar hardens his voice even more and says, “ I may be your student, but you seem to forget that I am a prince!”
Isha Khan loses his gaiety and shouts, “Enough! Silent! Don’t you say another word! I have work to do!” Then he goes back to his arrows.
Just then, IndraKumar, the second prince walks in. He is a tall man with a strapping chest. A man of immense strength and vitality. He cocks his head and asks with a grin, “So what's the matter here then?”
Isha Khan loses his scowl and embraces IndraKumar. Laughing, he says, “Listen to this one here. This young brother of yours, his majesty here, he complains that he feels disrespected if I do not address him as Lord!”
“Is that true!” IndraKumar burst out laughing.
“Shut up brother!”, Rajdhar seethes.
“Rajdhar, what should I call you? Your honored Grace! Hahaha!”
The youngest prince shakes with anger. “Brother! Shut up I am telling you!”
“Alright your grace!”
“Brother, you are a fool!”
Indrakumar pats Rajdhar’s back and says, “Calm down brother! You keep your cleverness and don’t be afraid of this fool. I will not steal your cleverness.”
Isha Khan smirks and says, “He is become too clever nowadays if you ask me!”
“Way above our fool heads.”, agrees Indrakumar.
Rajdhar mutters angrily and leaves. His sword jangles against his hip as he stomps off.
---2---
Prince Rajdhar is nineteen. He is a short, dark and well built man. He doesn’t keep his hair long like the other young princes. He has thick straight hair cut short like broom bristles. His eyes are beady but sharp of vision. His teeth are larger than normal and ruin what would otherwise have been a handsome face. His voice is one that can command but not console. Everyone believes him to be very intelligent, and he himself is convinced about this too. This makes him underestimate his two older brothers. His temper is a source of terror for the household staff. Needed or not, he goes around the palace knocking his sword and giving everyone orders. The servants fold their hands and courtesy and kow tow, they call him his highness and his majesty and most noble lord, but nothing works against his wrath. Rajdhar has his eyes on everything and Rajdhar must have everything. He has no qualms about it. Once he has almost abducted one of his brother ChandraNarayan’s horse. The crown prince had known about it and laughed, but not said anything. Then another time he has lain claim like it was his birthright on one of Indrakumar’s silver plated bows. Indrakumar has warned him, “Listen, I do not want to take back what you have already stolen, but if you lay your hands on my things again, I will make sure those hands are not fit to pick up anything again.” Rajdhar, however, is deaf to his brothers’ warnings. People say behind his back, “The young lord may be royal born, but there is no royalty in him.”
Rajdhar knows that as the youngest son, he has an edge over King AmarManikya. The king adores him. He goes to the king now and complains about Isha Khan.
The king commands Isha Khan to be brought before him. “Commander, the Prince is not a boy anymore and he must be given the respect he deserves.”
“Your Majesty, I respect the princes as much as I respected you when you were under my tutelage.”
“I must insist that you do not call me by my name!”
Isha Khan turns to him and says, “Shut up boy! I am talking with your father. Pardon me your majesty, but a sword doesn’t befit the young prince. When he grows up, he can push pens like a clerk in the royal treasury, nothing more!”
He points at ChandraNarayan and IndraKumar who have just come in and says, “Look well your Majesty. I see a crown prince in him. And look here, I see a noble prince!”
The king asks, “Rajdhar, what is this that I hear from Khan sahib. Haven’t you been able to satisfy him with your swordsmanship?”
“Your Majesty, I ask you to test us all in our archery skills. If I do not win, disavow me. I will leave the royal palace forever.”
The King says, “Alright, the archery test will be next week. Whoever is the surest shot, he shall have a diamond engraved sword from me.”
---3---
Indrakumar’s archery skills were uncommon. It is told that once one of his men had thrown a gold coin from the palace roof, and that Indrakumar had shot it with an arrow and sent it flying a hundred hands away before the coin had hit the ground.
Rajdhar is worried that he let himself get carried away. He has boasted much in front of father. He is not worried about the eldest prince, who has never been a good shot. IndraKumar, he would be tough to beat though.
After a lot of thinking, atlast Rajdhar has a scheme. He tells himself, “I may or may not know how to shoot an arrow, but my mind is sharper than any arrow, with it I will pierce every target.”
The two older princes and Isha Khan are out inspecting the grounds where the archery tests are to take place on the morrow. Rajdhar comes and says, “Brothers, tonight is a full moon. The tigers would come on the banks of Gomti to drink. How about we go and hunt tonight at the riverside?”
Indrakumar asks in disbelief, “What a thing to hear! Rajdhar feels the urge to hunt today. I have never heard of such a thing.”
Isha Khan gives Rajdhar a dirty look and says, “ But he has always been a hunter. He lays his traps inside the house. His hunting is a terrifying thing. There is not a soul in the royal palace who has not fallen in his traps atleast once.”
ChandraNarayan notes that this hurts Rajdhar and defends him by saying, “ Lord Commander, your words are as sharp as your sword. They cut through every defence.”
Rajdhar laughs as if its nothing and says, “Do not worry about me brother. Khan sahib’s words may be sharp, but they are soft as feathers on my ears.”
Isha Khan twists his thick moustache in anger and shouts, “Paah! If you had ears, then I would have set you straight a long time ago!” Isha Khan is too old and seen too much to be afraid of anyone.
IndraKumar bursts out laughing, but ChandraNarayan’s remains silent. IndraKumar notes the crown prince’s stern expression and stops laughing. He comes close to his elder brother and asks in a softer voice, “So what say brother, should we go hunting tonight?”
“It’s a lie going hunting with you brother. Going with you means a vegetarian hunt for everyone else. You go and shoot all the animals, while we have to contend ourselves hunting gourds and jackfruits.”
Isha Khan starts laughing and thumps IndraKumar’s back and says, “The crown prince is right son. Your arrow leaves the bow fastest and never misses. Who will outdo you?”
IndraKumar brushes the compliments aside and says,, “No jokes Dada! You must come. It would be no fun hunting without you.”
“Alright then, I will come. Rajdhar has wished to hunt today, let’s not disappoint him.”
IndraKumar loses his smile and says as if hurt, “But why Dada, can’t we go even if it is just my wish?”
“What are you talking about, I go hunting with you every…”
“So that has lost its novelty then has it?”
“It pains me when you misunderstand me like this.”
IndraKumar falters in his anger. “But I was only kidding. Of course we will go hunting. Let’s go, there are so many arrangements to be made.”
Isha Khan tells himself, “IndraKumar can take ten arrows to his chest, but even one unkind word from the older prince hurts him.”
---4---
When the preparation for the hunt is almost over, Rajdhar creeps into the chambers of IndraKumar’s wife KomolaDevi. His sister in law sees him in hunting gear and laughs and asks, “What’s this brother in law? You are all armed and shielded. Where is the war? Am I the enemy?”
“Dearest thakurani, today we three brothers are going hunting.”
“ You mean you are going too! All three brothers together. This is not a good sign. ”
Rajdhar laughs louder than necessary as if she has cracked a great joke but does not reply. KomolaDevi continues, “This cannot be, I am tired of being left alone everyday while he is off hunting. I am tired of worrying about him everyday.”
Rajdhar adds, “Today the hunt is in the night time.”
“It will not be. Let me see how he leaves today.”
Rajdhar suggests, “Sister, I have an idea. Hide his bow and arrows.”
“Where should I hide them?”
“Give them to me, I will take care of it.”
“That is not a bad idea at all, in fact, that would suit me very well.”, But KomolaDevi says to herself, “I know you are not doing this just to help me, but what is your plan you sly fox. ”
“Come with me to the armoury then.” She unlocks the door and stands aside. The moment Rajdhar steps in, she locks it again and declares laughing, “Alright brother in law, I will take my leave then.”
Just after sunset, Indrakumar searches his chambers from corner to corner but cannot find the keys to the armoury anywhere. KomolaDevi asks in jest, “Are you searching for me? But I am not lost.”
IndraKumar pays no attention to her for the time of the hunt is near.
She steps in his way and flirts, “Oh can you really not see, even when it is right in front of your eyes.”
He pleads with her, “Please wife dearest, do not obstruct me now, I have lost something important.”
“I know what you have lost. Promise to fulfil one wish of mine and I will help you search for it.”
“Alright I promise.”
“Then I wish that you will not go hunting tonight. And here are your keys.”
“That can’t be done, I cannot keep that promise.”
“Is this the value of a Moon dynasty prince’s word?”
IndraKumar laughs and gives up, “Alright. I’ll keep my word. I will not go tonight.”
“So tell me, have you lost anything else. Think hard and answer.”
“Umm… nothing comes to my mind”
“What about the gemstones of seven kings, what about your golden moon?”
IndraKumar smiles and shakes his head, puzzled.
“Fine then, come with me and I will show you.” She takes him to the armoury and opens the door. Kumar finds Rajdhar sitting quietly on the floor and bursts out laughing, “Ho ho, golden moon indeed!”
“He is our greatest weapon after all.”
“There you are right madam, he is the sharpest.”
“But not more than your tongues!” Rajdhar says to himself. He is relieved to be out of the dark room.
KomolaDevi turns sombre and says, “Go Kumar, I release you from your vow. You go and hunt well tonight.”
“As her ladyship commands. I shall hunt tonight.” He puts an arrow to his bow and then very slowly draws the string back and aims it at her and releases. The arrow flops close to her feet and he says, “Aaah, but I miss tonight!”
“No, I am not joking. You go hunt tonight.”
IndraKumar drops the bow and arrows and leaves the room without another word. To his older brother, he sighs, “Looks like the hunt won’t be possible tonight brother.”
ChandraNarayan smiles knowingly and nods, “Understood.”
---5---
The sun rises on the day of the archery test. A crowd has gathered in the royal grounds outside the palace. The kings golden throne and umbrella shine in the early morning sunlight. The people cover the little ups and downs of the hilly ground. A thousand heads rise and fall like waves. Boys have climbed up trees and have the best views. One of them slowly lowers his hand and carefully picks up the turban from a fat man’s head and puts it on another. The bare headed man tries in vain to catch the boy but ends up panting and shaking the tree branch. The boy keeps his balance on the swaying branch and makes faces at the man. A crowd has gathered to laugh at the fat man’s breathless anger.
Another man is going home with a large pot of curd on his head. He looks at the crowd and stops to find out what the fuss is about, and a moment later realises that his head feels light. By the time he recovers from his open mouthed astonishment, the pot has travelled far, relayed by a chain of hands. Someone says, “Looks like your cheese has been moved brother. Never you mind. Everyone bears a few losses in life now don’t they.” This consoles the curd man deeply and he leaves.
Everyone in the village hates Haru Barber. Seeing him there in the crowd, people start making up dirty little ditties with his name. The angrier Haru gets, the funnier these hidden poets of the crowd become. People start applauding the poems and soon enough a chorus of catcalls ensue. Haru gets red faced and shouts at the crowd and raises his fist and stamps the ground. In all this, his shawl comes undone and gets muddied. He flings his slippers at the crowd and then regrets that he has lost them for good. He returns home cursing the whole world.
Little children sitting on shoulders break out into wails from time to time, piercing all other noise.
Suddenly bugles are blown. Drowning all the noise, loud cries of praise for the king fills the skies. Babies cling tighter to chests and cry out in fear. Dogs in all the lanes of town raise their heads and howl. Birds fly away abandoning their posts, alarmed. Only a few wise crows gather on the branches of a beechwood and hold a parliament. They soon reach a conclusion and start shaking their black heads left and right and caw with some secret conviction.
The king comes and sits on the throne. The royal entourage fills up the pavilions. The princes are here, bows strapped on their backs. A soldier carries the target. The jester is here too. Soldiers stand in rank behind the pavilion. The royal band beat their drums and shake their heads in a trance. Its urgent beat infects the crowd. The mood is festive.
Isha Khan raises his voice and asks the princes to present themselves.
IndraKumar turns to his older brother and says, “Dada, you must win today. I will have it no other way.”
“Then you must have it no other way I am afraid. The world will not come to an end if my puny arrow misses its mark. And even if it did come to an end, I am afraid I don’t see how I will win.”
“Dada, if you lose, then I will miss the target too.”
ChandraNarayan holds IndraKumar’s hands and says, “No bhai, do not kid like this. We must keep the ustad’s honour.”
Rajdhar stands next to them silent, his face ashen with worry.
Isha Khan commands the oldest prince to pick up his bow. ChandraNarayan remembers the family gods and takes position. About two hundred hands away five banana trunks are tied together. There is a big eye shaped leaf pinned to its center, on which is drawn a black eye, the target. The crowd stands in a half circle around the prince and the pavilion. It is forbidden to stand on the side of the target.
The oldest prince nocks an arrow and takes aim and with a deep breath, releases the string. The arrow flies over the target. Isha Khan tears at his beard in angst. He raises a white eyebrow but remains silent. IndraKumar’s smile fades and he believes that ChandraNarayan has missed to embarrass him.
“I am sure Dada can do it only of he puts his mind to it, but he just doesn’t.”
Isha Khan gets irritated and says, “ Your Dada is clever everywhere else, just not with an arrow. Maybe because he is not as sharp as you think.”
indraKumar gets angry and is about to retort, but Isha Khan realises this and quickly moves aside and commands Rajdhar to take his position.
“Let Dada go first.”
“This is not the time to answer back boy, obey my command.”
Rajdhar gets angry but remains silent and picks up his bow. He takes aim and shoots. The arrow pierces the ground. ChandraNarayan tells him, “You were close brother. A little bit further and you would have pierced the target.”
Rajdhar says confidently, “But you are mistaken brother, i have pierced it.”
“No, your eyes deceive you, the target stands whole.”
“No, the target stands with my arrow in it. It will all be clear once you inspect it closer.” ChandraNarayan gets confused and falls silent.
At last, on Isha Khan’s command, IndraKumar picks up his bow with reluctance. ChandraNarayan pleads, “Bhai, I am incapable. IYou wrong me by being angry. If you miss that target today, know that the missed arrow will surely pierce my heart.”
IndraKumar takes a little dust from his older brother’s feet and says, “Bless me Dada. I will pierce that target today and it will not be otherwise.”
He takes aim and shoots. The target is pierced. Bugles are blown and the drummer belts out a beat and the crowd cheers. The crown prince embraces IndraKumar. IndraKumar’s eyes are wet with joy. Isha Khan blesses him and says, “Son, may you live long.”
Just when the king is about to present the diamond studded sword to IndraKumar, Rajdhar objects and proclaims, “You all are mistaken. It is my arrow that has pierced the target.”
The king says, “That can never be.”
“I request your majesty to please go and have a closer look at the target.”
The entourage walks to the target and discovers IndraKumar’s name carved into the arrow that lies on the ground.The arrow piercing the target has Rajdhar’s name on it.
“You be the judge your majesty.” says Rajdhar.
Isha khan says, “The quivers must have been swapped.”, but on inspection it is found that such is not the case. Everyone stares at each other mystified.
“We should have the test again.” Isha Khan declares.
Rajdhar shakes his head and declares with great hurt in his voice, “I cannot agree with that. This lack of faith is a great injustice to me. Have I asked for the prize? Give it to my older brother, I do not want it.” He presses the sword into IndraKumar’s hands.
“Keep away. I will not accept that sword from you. You keep it yourself!” IndraKumar says with disgust and drops the sword. It falls on the ground with a clang. Rajdhar smiles and folding his hands, picks it up.
With great feeling in his voice, IndraKumar declares, “Your majesty, we will soon have a war with the Arakans. I will go to that war and win my prize. Majesty, order me.”
Isha Khan holds his hand and growls, “You should be whipped for dropping the sword his majesty presents you. You have dishonored him.”
“Do not touch me old man!” IndraKumar says and frees his hand from Isha Khan’ grip.
The old commander is heartbroken by this. “What is this son? Is this how you will talk to me now? You have forgotten yourself today son.”
IndraKumar’s eyes well up with tears. “Forgive me master. You are right, I have truly disgraced myself today.”
The eldest prince says in a gentle voice, “Calm down bhai. Let’s return home.”
IndraKumar takes the dust from his father’s feet and says, “Pardon my rudeness father.” As they return home, he turns to his older brother and says, “Dada, I have truly been defeated today.”
But the matter remained that no one could really understand how Rajdhar had won.
---6---
The day before the test when Rajdhar had been locked in the armory, he had picked up one of IndraKumar’s arrows and replaced it with one of his own. He had placed the arrow such that it would be the one most easily drawn. Things had happened just like Rajdhar had hoped for. Thanks to the caprices of fate, IndraKumar had picked up the very same planted arrow.
Eventually, IndraKumar has pieced the puzzle together, but he has not shared his theory with anyone. Inwardly however, his disgust for his younger brother has become a firm conviction. He keeps urging the king for permission to mount a campaign against the Arakans in the east.
The king starts thinking in earnest about this.
This story is almost 300 years old. Tripura was an independent kingdom then, and Chottogram was its vassal. The kingdom of Arakan bordered Chottogram, and they would raid the villages occasionally. This led to conflicts between Tripura and the Arakans.
Things have come to such a pass that the chief of Arakans and AmarManikya now both prepare for war. After a lot of deliberation, the king grants his permission. The three brothers leave for Chottogram with legions 5000 strong. Isha Khan goes with them as Commander in chief.
They set up camp on the banks of the Karnaphuli. The Arakan chief is safe in a valley on the other bank with a small battalion, while the rest of his 22,000 strong army lies on the west bank of the river and prepare for war.
The battlefield is hilly terrain. The opposing troops position themselves on hillsides facing each other. Whichever side attacks first must leave high ground and come down into the valley that lies in between. The higher hills around them are full of gooseberry and beechwood forests. There are a few abandoned huts in the valley. They are of peasants who have fled in the face of the imminent bloodshed. A few farmlands sown with rice and cotton and potatoes and watermelon lie unharvested, the hill folks gone. There are also charred, bald patches in the forest where the slash and burn farmers have torched the woods. After the rains, they will sow grains there. In the south flows the Karnaphuli, and in the west are high peaks.
The troops wait for almost a week, both hoping the others would be the first to attack. IndraKumar is eager to attack, but ChandraNarayan is reluctant to give up the high ground. He wants the Arakans to attack first and so he delays. They argue back and forth and ultimately decide to attack.
They plan the attack the entire night. Rajdhar proposes, “Dada, you two attack with ten thousand troops. I will hold my five thousand in reserve for when the time arises.”
“Rajdhar wants to keep his distance from the battlefield.” IndraKumar mocks.
“But I like the sound of his proposal, it seems prudent.” says ChandraNarayan. Isha Khan agrees and says that such a move will be wise. They agree to Rajdhar’s proposal.
The ten thousand troops of the two older princes are divided into five battalions of two thousand troops each. It is decided that they will storm the enemy lines at five points at the same time and try to break through.
The archers march at the front, followed by the rest of the infantry yielding spears and swords. The cavalry brings up the rear guard. The Mog troops of Arakan have set up their lines behind a long bamboo forest. Nothing comes of the first day’s attack. The army of Tripura fails to break the enemy’s defenses.
---7---
The second day ends in futile skirmishes and meaningless deaths. The tired soldiers rest now. Only a few fires dot the opposing hillsides. Hyenas run in packs on the battlefield, having their pick of severed limbs. In unison, they howl blood curdling wails that make the soldiers tremble.
Rajdhar is two miles upstream with his 5000 soldiers and a fleet of boats. He has managed to span a bridge of boats across the Karnaphuli. There is not a single torch, not a single footstep as the soldiers silently cross the river. In the dark, the water flows silently underneath the boats, and over it flow a torrent of steel and flesh. The tide is low. The troops have a hard time climbing the steep mountains on the other side of the river.
Rajdhar had orders from Isha Khan to take his troops and row north under cover of the dark. He was to cross over on the other side and sneak up behind the enemy troops and wait. When the Mog troops would tire from the days skirmishes, Rajdhar would surprise them from behind.
But Rajdhar has ignored Isha Khan’s order. He has not told a soul of his plans. He travels now under the dark of the night to the camp of the Arakan chief . It is nestled in a valley surrounded by hills on all sides. The remoteness of the camp assures its occupants of their safety, and they sleep peacefully. They can tell the camp from far by the light of torches pitched outside tents. Like a dark torrent that washes the roots of the mountain trees every summer, five thousand men, five thousand swords make their way through the tall trees and descend into the valley. There is not a sound as they soldiers keep tune to a silent beat.
Then, in unison, five thousand warriors yell out war cries. The tiny camp’s sleep is shattered. Men scamper out of the tents in terror. Some think it is a nightmare, some think of evil spirits, while some can’t think at all.
The king of the Arakan surrenders without bloodshed. He says, “You cannot stop this war by my imprisonment or death. The High council will name my brother HamchuPamu king. The war will rage on. Instead, release me, and I will sign you a treaty conceding our defeat.”
Rajdhar agrees to this and the king of the Arakans has a treaty drawn, signed and sealed with the royal sigil. To Rajdhar he presents an ivory crown, 500 Manipuri stallions and 3 large elephants. The signing of the treaty and the gifting rolls through the night and onto daybreak. In the night’s darkness, there was a touch of the unreal about this sneak attack, but the day’s sun lays bare the humiliation of the Arakans for everyone to see. A forest full of angry eyes stare at the signing of the treaty in the valley below. No one says a thing.
“No more delays, send word to your commander in chief to cease hostilities immediately. The war must be raging like a wildfire by now.”
A band of riders and the royal ambassador leave camp with the scroll of the treaty.
---8---
Just as day breaks, Yuvraj and Indrakumar attack from the west and the east. The oldest prince laments, “If only we had brought 5000 more men!”
IndraKumar says, “If the gods above help us, then we will win with what we have, and if for some reason they are not happy with us, then it is best that less sons of our soil die. But the gods are with us today. I know it! Har har bom!” he cries.
Raising his spear at the opposite hill, he charges towards the enemy. His cries rouse the troops and they charge with him like a raging loo. They are unstoppable. The enemy line crumbles under their ferocious momentum. Hand to hand skirmishes break out. Heads and bodies pile up on the fields like freshly sickled harvest. IndraKumar’s horse is axed down and he falls to the ground. Cries arise that he is dead. Throwing his ax, IndraKumar knocks an Arakan knight off his horse and crushes these rumors. He climbs onto the horse and stands up to his full height on the stirrups. He brandishes his blood clad sword and cries out in a thunderous voice “Har Har Bom Bom!”
The flames of violence roar louder. Fearing an imminent rout, the Arakan troops on the west side do not wait anymore. They charge towards the Yuvraj’s battalion. His soldiers are taken in a surprise. A rout ensues and they are easily scattered. Out of control horsemen stampede over pikemen. Isha Khan and the Yuvraj try with all their strength to rally the troops but fail. They blow their horns again and again, hoping Rajdhar attacks from behind but nothing happens.
Isha Khan growls, “It is worthless to call that fox. He has gone and burrowed himself in a hole somewhere till night comes.” He jumps off his horse and faces west and recites namaz. He slashes and hacks like a man who knows death is assured. As the dead pile up around him, it is as if his youth returns to him.
IndraKumar defeats the sortie from the west and comes riding through. He rallies a band of the Yuvraj’s scattered horsemen and they come for the prince’s help. The battle rages around them like a hurricane. The war horns cry out wail after desperate wail, but no answer comes from Rajdhar’s troops.
Then suddenly, the shrieks of the wounded and the neighing of the horses are the only noise. Everyone stops where they are as if a spell has been cast. The word spreads that riders have come from the king’s camp bearing a scroll of treaty. The King of Arakan has conceded defeat. The soldiers of Tripura cry out Har har bom bom. The defeated Mog soldiers stare at each other puzzled.
---9---
Rajdhar returns joyous with the captured riches, his beady little eyes shining with joy. He shows off the ivory helmet to IndraKumar and says, “Look what I have got for mastering the art of war.”
IndraKumar gets angry and says, “War? When did you fight a war? That crown does not suit you. Yuvraj shall have it.”
“I have won it, so I will wear it.”
“Rajdhar is correct, he deserves it.”, agrees Yuvraj.
Isha Khan growls, All the crowns of the world can’t hide the fact that you disobeyed a direct order from the commander in chief when we were in active battle. If it were upto me, you would return with a broken pot on your head.”
“You talk a lot Khan sahib, but don’t forget that you wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t come.”
“I might not be here, but at least I wouldn’t be hiding in a hole while everyone else is fighting.” IndraKumar says.
“IndraKumar, you wrong our little brother. The truth is that we were in deep trouble if he hadn’t come.” says Yuvraj.
“We would have been in no trouble without him. If he wasn’t here, I would have won that crown with honour in the battlefield, not sneal around and steal it. I would have given the crown to you, not kept it for myself.”
Yuvraj ignores him and takes the crown and declares, “Brother, if you hadn’t come today, we would have been finished. I crown you for this.”
IndraKumar’s heart burns with anger seeing the crown on Rajdhar’s head.
“Dada, he steals the crown under the cover of night like a sly fox and you honor him such, but not a single word of praise for me? I was ready to lay my life and yet you say that without Rajdhar we would have been finished. Didn’t you see me cut down enemies from dawn to dusk? Did I run away, was I ever a coward? Was I not there at your side every moment? Then how do you say that without your beloved Rajdhar, we would all have been finished?”
“I was not talking about my own safety!” retorts an angry Yuvraj.
Seething with anger, IndraKumar stomps out.
Isha Khan says, “Yuvraj, you do not have any right to bestow this crown. As commander in chief, all spoils of war belong to me.” He picks up the crown off Rajdhar’s head and goes to crown Yuvraj but the eldest prince moves aside.
“No, I cannot accept it.”
“All right. Then no one will get it.” He cries and kicks the crown into the flowing Karnaphuli. “Rajdhar has broken the statutes of war, he deserved to be tried under martial law.”
---10---
Next day, a broken hearted IndraKumar leaves camp with his remaining troops. The rest of the soldiers roll up their tents and saddle their horses to return home. They have just begun when there is a peril.
When Isha Khan had kicked the crown a day before, Rajdhar had said to himself, “Let’s see who rescues you when I am not there.”
He had sent a secret message to the Arakan camp. The message had said that there is internal conflict in the Tripura army. It has invited the Arakans to take advantage of this split.
IndraKumar’s troops are several miles ahead of Isha Khan and ChandraNarayan when the Mog soldiers attack from behind. Rajdhar takes his battalion and moves aside.
Yuvraj’s 3000 troops are surrounded by a Mog army four times its size. Isha Khan says, “No rescue today. Leave the fighting to me and run with your life prince!”
Yuvraj says with conviction, “No one can outrun death forever” He looks around and adds, “Besides, where would I run. It is far convenient to fight here than to flee. O lord, all is your mercy!”
“Then come son, let us fight a death of dance before they get us.” Isha Khan points his sword at a gap in the wall of enemies and charges with a few soldiers. The Tripura soldiers fight with a careless frenzy that comes when death is assured. Isha Khan swings swords in both hands and fells anyone that comes near him.
There is a little creek flowing through the battlefield. Its water turns red as the bodies pile up. Breaking the enemy lines, Isha Khan almost reaches the top of a hill before an arrow to the chest fells him. He cries the name of Allah and tumbles down the hill.
The Yuvraj has arrows sticking out of his thigh, back and left palm. The mahout of his elephant is shot and falls off. The elephant is frightened and stampedes through the battlefield. The Yuvraj tries in vain to rein in the mad animal. At last, weak from all the pain and blood loss, he faints on the elephant’s back by the banks of the Karnaphuli.
---11---
The moon has risen. The little wildflowers that usually bathe in the moonlight are crushed tonight under thousands of hands and feet and heads and torsos. The little stream which would make the moon’s reflection dance on its gentle flow every night is stifled under dead horses. Its water is red tonight. In the daytime there has been a fantastic feast of death here. Fear anger and despair has foamed in a thousand hearts. The clashing weapons, screaming wounded, neighing horses and blowing horns had filled the skies with their noise. But now, in the moonlight, there is only silent peace. The dance of death is over. What remains is an abandoned upturned stage. There is no noise, no life, no consciousness, no heartbeat. One side of the mountain is in shadows, and on the other moonlit side stand a few tall trees. They bear silent witness with their shaggy heads to the whole scene.
Indrakumar gets news of the ambush and comes to find Yuvraj. He finds the prince sitting by the bank of the river, reading his prayers and taking sips of water. His eyes close and open in fatigue. There is a feeble breeze blowing from where the sea would be. The river flows noisily next to him. The lonely moon has cast the heavens above in a milky light.
“Dada!” IndraKumar cries out with a sadness that makes heaven and earth shiver. ChandraNarayan flinches awake and raises his hands to embrace his brother. In the Yuvraj’s arms, IndraKumar breaks down and weeps like a child.
In a weak voice, ChandraNarayan says, “Thank heavens you are here. I knew you would come, that’s why I have clung on so long. How can I go leaving you angry. But now you have come, I have found your love again. Now I can die in peace.” And with that, he snaps the arrowhead sticking out of his chest. Blood spurts out, and his hand turns cold.
He whispers, “I do not regret this death, but alas we lost.”
IndraKumar cries, “The loss is all mine Dada.”
Yuvraj folds his hands and prays, “Give me a place in your bosom O merciful. My act here is over, accept me like I am.” He closes his eyes. His life goes out along with the moon that sets behind the west bank of the river.
---Epilogue---
The victorious Mog army snatch away all of Chottogram from Tripura. They even raid the capital Udaipur. King Amarmanikya flees to Deoghat and commits suicide for his shame. IndraKumar fights till his last breath with the Mogs. He had no wish to return home with his life and his shame.
As king, Rajdhar rules for only three years. He drowns in the Gomti river.
IndraKumar’s wife had been with child during the war. It is her son KalyanManikya who is crowned after Rajdhar. He is as valorous as his father. When Emperor Shahjahan attacks Tripura, KalyanManikya defeats them.