Glimpses of the Untold History of the Indian Freedom Struggle - Part 18

Kashibai had deliberately restricted her movement within Dulherao’s household only to the areas where the women of the house moved. Dulherao was extremely cunning, and he had worked with Kashibai for three months earlier. Kashibai was certain that such a sly, deceitful, and greedy man could easily recognize her if she came into his direct presence.

Since it was well known that Lamani women provided herbal remedies and performed effective massages for aches in the limbs, back pain, headaches, and even for removing lice from the hair, Kashibai and Motibai soon began receiving plenty of work inside Dulherao’s household.

Dulherao had eleven wives and also kept four additional women outside marriage. These fifteen women constantly quarrelled among themselves, and taking advantage of their disputes, Kashibai and Motibai managed, within just fifteen days, to learn every corner of Dulherao’s house. They also gathered information about where Dulherao went, where he came from, and what his other habits and interests were.

Sardar Manjunath Pahadi and Mundar Begum moved around the village and carefully gathered information about where Dulherao’s lands were located and what the villagers were like. One fact became clear: ever since Dulherao had become a jagirdar, in the past one and a half months he had distributed sweets, grain, and clothing generously among the villagers. As a result, the entire village had come under his influence. Moreover, most of the villagers were either his close or distant relatives, so it was certain they would support him.

However, one piece of information was quite surprising. Although Dulherao’s house was filled with servants, there was not a single armed soldier inside.

During the nightly meeting, Kashibai told everyone, “Dulherao’s house is essentially like a large mansion. The villagers support him, and there are nearly forty to fifty male servants and thirty to forty female servants working there. Even at night, about half of them stay inside the mansion. In such circumstances, if we attack, the entire village and all the servants may fight against us. Dulherao himself has four rifles, and his three brothers are skilled fighters. What should we do?”

Motibai replied calmly, “We must wait another week. We cannot afford to be impatient. The houses in the village are closely packed together, and nearly two hundred and fifty men from about one hundred and fifty houses could come to Dulherao’s aid. Whenever Dulherao travels within his Jahagir, he never moves without at least fifty men accompanying him, and every one of those men carries some sort of weapon. We are only sixty-five.”

For the first time, Lalabhau Bakshi, who usually never lost his composure, spoke in a frustrated tone. “If the plan is to kill Dulherao through a secret guerrilla method, I cannot accept it. Our objective is that this treacherous traitor must be punished before the public, and that too after being made to suffer. If we kill him secretly, how will our purpose be fulfilled?”

Seeing Lalabhau Bakshi, normally calm and steadfast, become restless, Motibai sensed something was wrong. She took him aside into a nearby tent along with Sardar Manjunath Pahadi and respectfully asked, “We have complete faith in your courage, wisdom, and loyalty to Rani Lakshmibai. You are always patient in your actions. But from what you said earlier, I feel that you are in a hurry to complete this mission, and there can be only one reason for that. Your health must be failing. Tell us the truth. You have the oath of Rani Lakshmibai upon you.”

At these words, tears flowed from Lalabhau Bakshi’s eyes. “Yes. The wound from the sword strike on my spine is very deep, and it bleeds constantly. My weakness is increasing, and before I die, I must eliminate Dulherao and Smith.”

Respectfully acknowledging Lalabhau’s age, Sardar Manjunath Pahadi examined his wound and was shocked. “How have you endured this? How many cloth plugs have you stuffed into the wound?”

Motibai immediately called Kashibai and her mother Gangabai. Unknown to most, Gangabai was an exceptionally skilled healer. She removed the cloth plugs from the wound, examined it carefully, and said, “Why did you delay for so many days? I have medicines with me, and I can also stitch any wound.”

For a moment, Lalabhau and Manjunath looked at Gangabai with surprise and suspicion. Motibai reassured them, “Gangabai inherited her knowledge of traditional medicine through generations. She also learned stitching wounds while working under a British doctor, and that too on the orders of Rani Lakshmibai. She then trained five men and five women in this skill. Because of them, we were able to hold the fort for so long. Even seven of the queen’s deepest wounds had been stitched. But Rani Lakshmibai had little time and did not spend long in treatment.”

Hearing this, Lalabhau agreed to receive treatment, and by morning his confidence had returned.

Over the next two or three days, more information about the villagers emerged. One important discovery was that the men of the village were neither addicted to vices nor immoral. However, they were greedy, and like Dulherao, each of them hoped to gain British favor and become wealthy.

Upon learning this, Sardar Manjunath Pahadi took Mundar Begum into confidence. She assumed the role of a British officer who had come to hunt in the forest beyond the village, accompanied by about ten Indian soldiers. Meanwhile, the number of their Lamani group had gradually grown to nearly one hundred and fifty.

In order to please this supposed British officer in the forest, the village men began helping her in various ways. Mundar Begum had the ability to produce a masculine voice. She was tall, strong, and fair in complexion, making the disguise convincing.

Within just three days, she spread a rumor among the villagers that the British officer had been sent specifically to keep watch on Dulherao. Anyone who assisted the officer might receive a generous reward, because Dulherao had insulted the honor of the officer’s superior’s wife.

Within four or five days, this rumor had reached every villager, and no one was willing to support Dulherao.

Seven days later, on the night of the full moon, it was decided that a direct and open attack would be launched on Dulherao’s mansion. However, thirty-five women soldiers from the Durga Dal would first enter the mansion disguised as maidservants and hide at different locations inside. The attack would then come from both outside and within the mansion.

The spirit of valor burned strongly in everyone’s hearts. Lalabhau Bakshi, Manjunath Pahadi, Mundar Begum, and Motibai were almost counting each passing moment.

Only one person remained completely calm — Kashibai Kunbin.

(The story continues....)