Third
Part
They
were in trouble having committed some political offence. The
king who cared more for power than for good government asked
our kind-hearted Queen to hand them over to his officers. She
refused, as it was against her principle to turn out refugees.
For this refusal the king declared war against our
country.
"Out
military officers sprang to their feet at once and marched out
to meet the enemy.
"The enemy however, was too strong for them. Our soldiers
fought bravely no doubt. But in spite of all their bravery the
foreign army advanced step by step to invade our county.
"Nearly
all the men had gone out to fight, even a boy of sixteen
was not left home . Most of our warriors were killed, the rest
driven twenty five miles of the capital.
"
A meeting of a number of wise ladies was held at the Queen's
palace to advice and to what should be done to save the
land.
"
Some proposed to fight like soldiers; others objected and
said that women were not trained to fight with swords and
guns; nor were they accustomed to fighting with any
weapons.
A
third party regretfully remarked that they were hopelessly
week of body."
"
If you cannot save your country for lack of physical strength
said the Queen, try to do so by brain power".
"
There was a dead silence for a few minutes. Her Royal Highness
said again," I must commit
suicide if the land and my honor are lost. "
"Then the lady
Principal of the second University , (who had collected
sun-heat), who had been silently thinking during the
consultation, remarked that they were all but lost; and there
was little hope left for them. There was however, one plan
which she would like to try, and this would be her first and
last efforts: if she failed in this, there would be
nothing left but to commit suicide. All present solemnly
vowed that they would never allow themselves to be enslaved,
on matter what happened."
"
The queen thanked them heartily, and asked the lady principal
to try her plan."
"
The lady principal rose again and said, before we go out the
men must enter the zenanas. I make this prayer for the sake of
pariah. "Yes, of course," replied Her Royal
Highness."
"
On the following day the Queen called upon all men to retire
into zenanas for the sake of honour and liberty.
"
Wounded and tired as they were, they took that order
rather for a boon! They bowed low and entered the
zenanas without uttering a single word of protests. They were
sure that there was no hope for this country at all.
"
Then the Lady Principal with her two thousand students marched
to the battle field, and arriving there directed all the rays
of the enemy.
"
The heat and light were too much for them to bear. They
all ran away panic -stricken, not knowing in their
bewilderment how to counteract that scorching heat. When they
fled away leaving their guns and other ammunitions of war,
they were sun-heat.
"
Since then no one has tried to invade our country and more.
"
"
And since then your country men never tried to come out of the
zenana?
"
Yes, they wanted to be free. Some of the police
commissioners and District Magistrates sent work to Queen to
be effect that the military officers certainly deserved to
be imprisoned for their failure; but they never
neglected their duty and therefore they should not be punished
and they prayed to be restored to their respective offices."
"
Her Royal Highness sent them a circular letter intimating to
them that if their services should ever be needed
they would be sent for, and that in the meanwhile they should
remain where they were."
"
Now that they are accustomed to the purdah system and have
ceased go grumble at their seclusion, we call the
system Murdana, instead of Zenana.
"
But how do you manage " I asked Sister Sara," to do
without the Police or Magistrates in case of theft or
murder?"
"
Since the Murdana System has been established, there has been
no more crime or sin; therefore we do not require a policeman
to find out a culprit, nor do we went a magistrate to try a
criminal case."
"
That is very good, indeed. I suppose if there were any
dishonest person, you could very easily chastise her . As you
gained a decisive victory without shedding a single drop
of blood, you could drive off crime and criminals too
without much difficulty!"
"
Now , dear Sultana, will you sit here or come to my parlor
? " she asked me.
"Your kitchen is not inferior to a queen's boudoir!" I
replied with a pleasant smile, "but we must leave it now
for the gentlemen may be cursing me for keeping them away from their
duties in the kitchen so long." We both laughed heartily.
more
in next issue....
