ANDAMAN SHEEKHA

The True Mirror of A & N Islands

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier
Part XXIV, (Continued from last week)
Colonel Cadell sat at his desk writing slowly, with long pauses, draft of a letter addressed to the Governor General in Council.

The subject of his letter was “Indefensibility of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands”.

He had before him copy of a demi-official letter on the same subject by his predecessor Gen. Barwell. It was dated 30th May 1878.

From a soldier’s point of view he felt that the Islands could be taken in a matter of hours in case of an attack by an enemy power.

The little garrison on Ross Island held less than two hundred European troops. They only had an old gun meant mainly for ceremonial purposes. The guard ship had one more gun, a smooth-bored cannon with very limited range. The loyalty of the sepoys and convicts was doubtful.

Sitting alone in the huge Government House on Ross Island Cadell pondered about the ways the islands could be defended against enemy attack.

He visualized an attack, mainly by the Russians.

There were alarming reports of the Russians moving closer to the borders of India. They too wanted a piece of the cake that was India, along with the British, the French, the Dutch and the Portuguese. They were threatening the North West Frontier Areas, but they have a huge armada also. In case they want they can easily send a fleet from their Black Sea ports, take the Andamans, regroup and then attack Calcutta, the capital of British Indian Empire.

Finally Cadell took his official letter pad and started writing a fair copy. After writing “Confidential” at the top he wrote in his flowing hand, “ In view of the apparently not improbable eventuality of war with Russia I deem it my duty to bring the defenceless state of this settlement to the consideration of the Government of India. If no means are taken to protect the settlement, Port Blair might become a very convenient rendezvous for the enemy cruisers sent to prey on the commerce of the Bay of Bengal.

Cadell paused to check his notes and continued, “Under the circumstances I trust the Government of India will see fit, in the event of war, to order torpedoes to be sent to Port Blair with someone of experience to place them and make use of them in time of need.

A gentle knock on the door interrupted him. A look of irritation crossed his face but quickly vanished when he saw Birch glide in.

Birch came to attention and saluted.

“Hello, Bill. Is everything under control? All the convicts accounted for? I don’t want to hear of one more escape.

“No sir. I just got semagraph reports from all the divisions. All returned from work and accounted for. Two deaths in hospital; one still birth from the Andamanese Home.

“That’s jolly good. I was writing a letter to the Government about the defencelessness of our islands in the event of war. Are there any more letters to be sent to the Government?

“Here are two petitions sir, for release of Quadir Khan and Narayan Singh. You told me to remind you sir.

“Oh, yes. I want to help them. But we don’t know how the government would react to our proposal. It all depends on the reports from the collectors of their home district, whether their return would revive any old blood feuds, cause disorder and increase crime rate.
Cadell’s mind went back to the files he read of both the convicts.

Both men were lifers;both were convicted for murder; both used poison to kill; both were from Peshawar; both have completed their prison terms and living as ticket-of-leave men at Port Blair; both have applied for absolute release.

“How would these men be received in their home town, Peshawar, the ‘murder capital’ of the world at that time?”, he thought.

A majority of the convict population of Port Blair, for obvious reasons, hailed from Peshawar.

However, Cadell wanted to help the duo. In spite of the horrific crimes they had committed before transportation both have behaved well in the settlement and helped the administration. Quadirshowed gallantry during the anti-Jarawa operations. Narayan was mild mannered and helped in the convict school, having been a teacher before he was sent to the islands. He must prepare their case histories, give his recommendation and send them for acceptance by the government.

Quadir’s crime was horrific. He lived in Peshawar with his two wives, Khan Begum and Farida. Farida was the younger and more beautiful of the two. She wanted to do away with Khan Begum so that she could have Quadir all for herself. Consulting a professional poisoner she procured a potent poison which she mixed in the food of Khan Begum. But Khan Begum, suspecting foul play refused to eat the food. Desperate to kill her Farida made Quadir hold her while she forced the poisoned food down her throat. However, Khan Begum did not die immediately. She died only after making a full statement before a magistrate. When the DC enquired from the family members of Khan Begum their reply was typical of the Pashtun tribes. “She was his wife and chattel; he was entitled to do with her whatever he liked,” they said.

Both Quadir and Farida were convicted. But Farida died before being transported. During the early days of imprisonment Quadir was convicted for theft and sent to the chain gang for two year. But he changed afterwards and did excellent work in the operations against the Jarawas. Cadell wanted to reward him for his services.

Narayan’s case was different. He was a respectable teacher in Peshawar. In September 1851 he had a dispute with the mother of one of his students, an 11 year old boy. During the altercation Narayan shouted at the woman and told her that he would “eat her son’s head” to punish her. The same evening, when the child came for his tuition he poisoned him and killed him, to take revenge on the mother. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. When the penal colony came up in 1858 he was sent to the Andamans. He has already spent more than 25 years in the islands.

Cadell knew their release depended on their being “professional poisoners” or not.

It was believed that, after the suppression of ‘Thuggee’ in India the Thugs who escaped turned to ‘”Poisoners”. Like the Thugs they too would approach a victim and win his confidence. Then they would offer them food or drink laced with a variety of poisons which were readily available to them in the form of seeds, herbs or minerals. Once the victim became unconscious they would rob him. Unlike the Thugs, who killed their victims by strangling them with a silk scarf, the poisoners only made them unconscious. Their favourite poison was an extract from the seeds of ‘datura’ mixed with ‘bhang’. Gangs of poisoners ravaged the travelers on the Indian roads and railways those days.

Cadell knew that the two men were not professional poisoners. They only committed the crimes in a moment of passion. He started dictating his letter to Birch asking for clemency and absolute release for the two. Two more men would return from the ‘hell on earth’. (To be continued…. )

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier
Part XXIII, (Continued from last week)

 

Aves Island in hove into view as the whaler made a sharp turn to port. The thickly wooden island did not present any suitable landing place for a boat. But Hemraj knew there was a small patch of beach on the other side. The men pulled on the oars till the boat rounded a bluff. Before them, on the starboard side was a nice sloping beach of white, glittering sand. The water was crystal clear, an emerald green. The men jumped into the water and hauled the boat high on to the beach, then dragged it into a clump of bushes. With practiced hands they set up the camp in the clearing beyond the beach. A fire was lit; a big vessel placed on it, and rice was soon boiling. The two large fish caught at the mouth of the inlet were cleaned and coated with spices, ready for frying. Dal was boiling in another smaller bowl.

After a hearty meal the men sprawled on the cool sand. They can rest here for at least a couple of days, before setting out on what would be the last leg of their epic journey.

Hemraj estimated they could hit the mainland coast in about six days in the prevailing weather conditions. But he could not predict where they would make landfall. It could be anywhere between the land of the Tamils and the Bengalis. Most of the coastal region is controlled by the British. There would be surveillance. The newly laid telegraph lines would make identification easier for the district authorities. They should make good use of the railway line to disperse quickly in different directions. They should not repeat the mistakes of those who escaped earlier but were recaptured and brought back to the Andamans within months. Their biggest mistake had been going to their hometown as soon as they reached the mainland.

As the sunset over the bay a hushed silence descended on the island. Except for the chirping of the crickets and the buzz of the mosquitoes there was no sound at all. The men dug a pit, threw in some driftwood and lit a fire. Sprawled over the soft sand they were in an exuberant mood. Hemraj remembered the stories Mr. Portman used to tell them, of ancient sailors who sailed home after a great war, but had to wander for ten years, shipwrecked on many islands, meeting strange monsters and witches and finally reaching home.

“I wish the British are driven out of our country, sooner or later”, Hemraj started. “We’re afraid of returning to our own country for fear of recapture by these goras who came from outside”.

“I wish they’d never come”, Nekram, who hardly opens his mouth, said. “They are very bad people; worse than out Zamindars. But they have the power, and weapons. They are ruled by one Rani. We’re ruled by so many princes, and most of them are stooges of the British.

There was a brief silence. Kursun took a branch from the fire and lit his cheroot.

“Not all the British are bad”, a voice spoke up suddenly.

All heads turned towards Bhaman Singh, sitting propped up against a fallen tree trunk. “There were many who fought on our side during the Mutiny”, he said.

Everyone knew that Bhaman was a sepoy in the Native Infantry and saw action in many places before he was captured and sent to the Andamans.

“I too heard of it, from none other than Capt. Wimberley. He too sympathized with the cause of the mutineers. Especially the summary executions in which many innocents were hanged”, Sheobrat piped in.

“I have seen it, and knew that person, but you must promise never to reveal his name to the British in case you are recaptured”, Bhaman said.
“By God, we shall never” all answered in one voice.

“He was a Sergeant Major of a regiment of Highlanders, a man named Gordon. Tall, well-built, handsome, and a true leader of men. He was also a crack shot and artillery expert.

“Like most Englishmen he liked fair play. He knew that the East India Company was looting the country. Many people in England opposed it, but their Rajas supported it because they used to get a share of the loot.

“Gordon saab was often seen in the company of the sepoys sharing his thoughts. I was a young recruit that time, and would sit with the others listening to their conversations.

“When the Mutiny broke out I was in Delhi. I took part in the battle of BadlikiSerai, in which Gordon and another white man were fighting against their own men, their own Highlanders.

“The rebels saw the advancing British and opened a fierce cannonade on them from vantage points in the Serai. Muskets, cannons and guns of all caliber poured shot and shell against the British. Almost every shot found its mark, playing havoc among the advancing columns of the British. The British were amazed at the range and accuracy of the rebel guns. The technique of using the modern ordnance, they thought, was as yet unknown to the native soldiers. What they did not know was that a British artillery non-commissioned officer was personally directing the fire, checking the loading, elevation and firing of the guns.

The men listened with rapt attention. There was no other sound except the occasional hooting of a distant owl from the forest.

“In the battle Gordon’s companion fell. We were forced to retreat. We knew that Delhi was destined to fall. At the head of the British was the redoubtable Brigadier General Nicholson. He was fearless, riding into the thick of the battle and cutting down many rebels with his sword. People started calling him the butcher of Delhi.

“On the day Delhi fellNicholson was in the front line. He was not aware death awaited him at the hands of his own countryman. No one would ever know that it was Gordon saab who fired the fatal shot that killed Nicholson a few days later. He took shot from a distance of a thousand yards, a moving target, and hit him. Poor Nicholson lies buried in a cemetery in Delhi, killed in the hour of victory.

“The death of Nicholson was a great blow to the British. But they got Delhi, and we were pushed further and further towards the east. Gordon continued to lead the rebels, along with

“DoodhnathTiwari also told me that a white officer joined the rebels on the day Frederic Cooper, the notorious Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar executed 282 sepoys of the 26th Native Infantry Battalion and dumped their bodies down a well near Ajnala”, said, Bisheshwar, who was busy tending to the fire and roasting some fish that were caught in the evening.

“Yes, such reprehensible acts turned many British to the side of the rebels. Many cried at the mass executions and resigned their commission. But there’s more about Gordon. I’ll tell you tomorrow, when we take our last break before we set out again. Good night friends”, Bhaman Singh said as he curled up to sleep.

“Good night Bhamanbhai, don’t forget to tell us the rest of the story tomorrow, please”, the others said and they all searched for a comfortable place to sleep. (To be continued….)

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier
Part XXII, (Continued from last week)

“So, tell me that long story you said you’d tell me in the morning”, Col. Cadell said, as he poured a generous shot of whiskey into the glass in front of Capt. W.B. Birch. They were seated in comfortable chairs on the open terrace at the back of the Government House on Ross Island. A huge harvest moon rose above the horizon, bathing the landscape garden with a soft light. The sea shimmered like quicksilver.

“One can never imagine this kind of luxury back home in England”, Cadell thought, as he leaned back and got ready to listen to Birch’s story.

“To your health sir”, Birch said, as he raised his glass, “and to our great victory over the rebels in 1857, in which you showed great valour”.

The flattery pleased Cadell. The suppression of the Mutiny was, for him, the greatest achievement of his life. He never lost an opportunity to talk about the various engagements in which he played a key role.

A liveries servant brought plates full of delicacies and kept before the two. Cadell stretched his feet and placed them on a cushioned footstool.

“Sir, Liakat and I came to Port Blair at about the same time, in 1872, shortly after the assassination of Lord Mayo”, Birch started.

“He was one of the last of the mutineers to be caught, and one of the wiliest and most dangerous. But there’s an element of romance in his story, which makes it different from that of the others.
“I was in charge of the police in Sylhet during the Lushai uprising about that time and used to come to Calcutta frequently. The news of the capture of the great rebel made headlines in all the Calcutta papers. It was also reported in some papers back home in Britain and even America.The British rejoiced at his capture as he was held responsible for the many deaths of British subjects at Allahabad during the uprising.

“As I was in the police department I had contacts in Bombay police who kept me informed about his capture. At that time Bombay had a legendary police chief, one Mir Abdul Ali. Although he belonged to the Muslim faith he was loyal to the British. For his outstanding services we conferred on him the titles ‘Khan Bahadur’ and ‘Sardar’. We may call him a ‘hereditary detective’ as his father too worked for the Bombay Police for fifty years and cracked many tough cases.

“After escaping from Allahabad in 1858 Liakat wandered from place to place, changing names and in disguise. This way he evaded arrest for fourteen years. The police were on the lookout for him but whenever they almost had him in their net he would slip away, thanks to his own faithful informers. Finally he was traced to Baroda where he was living under the name of Abdul Kareem.

“There was not a shred of evidence to arrest him as no one came forward to identify him as the same Maulvi against who a warrant was pending since 1858. Meanwhile intelligence was received that he was in Bombay and about to leave the city for an unknown destination. Assistant Commissioner of Bombay Police MrEdgington managed to get orders from government to arrest Kareem which were received moments before he was about to board a train for Central India from Byculla railway station.

“Even then there was no proof to show that he was indeed the same Liakat Ali, the ally of Nana Sahib. The task of proving this was given to Mir Abdul Ali.

“At the time of arrest Liakat had with him a strange looking bamboo stick, with a crystal knob. When the knob was unscrewed it revealed a hollow space which contained gold ingots. The documents in his possession were in code. Mir Abdul Ali deciphered them, revealing a secret plan to overthrow the British.

“Based on the evidence Liakat was taken to Allahabad and put on trial. It was certain he would be sent to the gallows, but then a sudden twist took place”, Birch paused.

“A white woman came and testified that Liakat actually saved her life by disguising her as an Indian woman and claiming her to be his sister. This was sensational news indeed, when to most of the British he was a murderous fanatic.

“At the time of the Mutiny Liakat was a school master at Allahabad, an extremely handsome man of about twenty-five, and a fiery orator known for his piety. You may see he still is a handsome man. He was held responsible for spreading disaffection among the sepoys of the 6th Regiment of the Native Infantry stationed at Allahabad. You are aware that the sepoys, who were loyal to the British suddenly turned against them and killed all the officers.

Cadell stiffened at the mention of the Rebellion. It brought back memories of massacres and mass executions.

“I was told Liakat held a reign of terror in Allahabad for ten days. Almost all the British subjects in the city were slaughtered during that time. When Brig. Gen. Neill reached there Liakat fled, we all know that”, Cadell said, pouring himself another large drink.

“Yes sir, but there’s another side to the story which is oft not reported. Some believe he could not control the sepoys who were under the influence of the Nana, but saved the lives of many British. The woman I mentioned just now, Amelia Bennett was one of them. Some feel there was a romantic angle to the story, but we really don’t know.

“Anyway, based on her testimony he got transportation instead of the noose. We find in him a model prisoner. I was told he was very close to Fazal e Haqq, whose tomb is on the way to Corbyn’s Cove, during the uprising. As soon as he was brought here he first visited that Mazar and prayed there. I believe he told fellow prisoners he would also like to be buried there when he dies.

“Well, there are some fascinating characters among these convicts I must say”, Cadell said, wiping his walrus moustache. “But, do you think there was anything between him and Amelia? I mean really something… It hurts my feelings that a British woman would fall for a man like him ”.

“Sir, that would forever remain a mystery. Many times I tried to make him talk about it, but he wouldn’t. Let’s hope no such disgraceful thing happened. However, you need not feel bad about it, for Amelia is not British. She’s of mixed French and Indian parentage. What more can we expect from such background? I have taken much of your time with this story. Good night sir, and thank you for the drinks.

Birch rose and saluted, turned about and walked down the wooden staircase of Government House with unsteady steps.

(to be continued…)

 

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier
Part XXI, (Continued from last week)

Long Island offered a good rest for the tired fugitives. They repaired and replenished the boat, preparing for the long journey ahead. As planned earlier the next stop would be Aves Island, at the mouth of Mayabunder. They would be safe from the prying eyes of the aboriginal spies of MV Portman there.

They started well before daybreak. Pushing the boat into the deep waters they hoisted sail. They should cover as much distance as possible before dawn to avoid being spotted.

With a favourable wind and billowing sails they were running free in a gentle sea. The hand lines thrown astern brought in a good catch of barracuda and king fish. With their bellies full and effortless sailing the men forgot the sad story of Nobin that Hemraj told them the previous day. They were drawing closer and closer to their final destination. But the thought of leaving the beautiful islandsalso filled them with sadness.

The sheer beauty of the Islands worked as a balm to sooth the tortures of the cruel prison system of the Andamans. Except for those in the Chain Gang and solitary confinement life was comfortable for the convicts. They got good food, medical facilities and hope of settling down in the islands.

A huge white-bellied sea eagle soared high above the boat, circling as if trying to figure out if it would fit into its talons.

For the men it was a good omen. They watched the eagles every day, and envied their freedom. They watched them swoop down near Aberdeen beach with outstretched talons and snap up the fish close to the shore. The ease with which they flew for long hours without as much as flapping a wing filled them with wonder. How they wished they too had wings like them so that they could fly away from this hell on earth!

By noon Aves Island was visible on the horizon. They were retracing their earlierroute but avoiding the islands inhabited by the aborigines.

“I must go to Bombay but I’m really scared of going there”, Bisheswar suddenly said, “not after what I saw there in 1857”.

“What did you see? Please tell us”, all the men asked in unison.

“Hey Debideen, take the tiller”, Bisheswar said, moving to a more comfortable position in the stern. He lit his pipe, took long drag and started his story.

“During September 1857 I went to Bombay to join as a recruit in the Bombay Marine. The East India Company was recruiting marines to man their growing number of warships. I was selected. We started training immediately. Our drill instructor was a Havildar of the Marine Battalion named Syed Hussain. As instructor he was very popular with the troops he trained. He was a devout Muslim. Another man, MangalGuddrea, who was a private in the 10th Regiment of the Native Infantry garrisoned in Bombay also used come to the barracks. He was a devout Hindu.

“Both Hussain and Mangal received news of the uprisings in various parts of the north and central India since May that year. They also learnt about the new rifle and the cartridges that threatened their faiths. They held secret meetings and exhorted the Marines that they too should rise against the British. The naval might of the British was gearing up to rush supplies and arms to their beleaguered companions in Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut and many other places. If the shipping is paralyzed it would help the mutineers.

“The two men told us how the British exploited Indians for over two centuries to expand their empire. Indian sailors manned the frigates of the Company ever since the formation of the Royal Indian Navy in 1612. Indian sailors were recruited as crew for the Indian Marine, which later became the Bombay Marine. Indian dockyards built the ships of the Royal Navy which proved to be far better than many built in England. Royal Indian Navy ships manned by Indians helped consolidate the British Empire by attacking the ships of the rival colonial powers. They aided the army in defeating Tipu Sultan, suppressed the piratical Joasmi tribes in the action at Ras-el-Khaimaand embarked troops to attack Rangoon in the Anglo-Burmese Wars and in the siege of Multan during the Anglo-Sikh War. In return for all this what the Indian marines received was racial discrimination and abuse from their white officers.

“The two soldiers narrated how a trooper of the Bombay Lancers and many sepoys of the 12th Bombay Native Infantry had been executed at Nasirabad when they raised the banner of revolt. Similar uprisings have been reported from other parts of India also. They called upon us to mutiny and take control of the ships.

“At that time Bombay had a Police Commissioner named Charles Forjett. ‘Forjettsahib’ had become a household word in Bombay, celebrated for his spectacular feats of detection. He would wander the streets of Bombay in disguise to gather information. To further terrorize the people Forjett set up a gallows in the yard of the police station. Anyone brought to the police station was taken there and shown what would be their fate if they fomented trouble.

“The news of the secret meetings reached the ears of Forjett. One of his detectives, a Subedar, discovered that sepoys were gathering in the house of one Ganga Persaud in the Sonapur area. Persaud, known as a priest and a physician, catered to the spiritual and medical needs of the sepoys. Forjett immediately abducted him and extracted details of what was going on his house. After threatening him with the gallows he made Persaud to conceal him in a small room from where he could watch the goings on in the dark room. Through holes bored into the wall he listened to the conversation of the sepoys. It was clear that plans were being made for an uprising on 15th October, Diwali day. Forjett made four more visits, bringing along Maj. Barrow, the officer commanding the army. Barrow identified his own men among the gathering: Syed Hussain and MangalGuddrea were too conspicuous.

“I was young and a fresh recruit. I didn’t understand much of what the two told us. Luckily I was not in the room when Forjett spied on it.

“Forjett acted fast. The two were arrested. An exemplary punishment has to be meted out to them to drive fear into the hearts of Bombayites. Only a most horrible public execution could do that.

“On October 13, 1857 Drill Havildar Syed Hussein of the Marine Battalion and Private MangalGuddrea of the 10th NI Regiment were court-martialed and sentenced to death by being blown from the muzzle of a cannon.Extensive arrangements were made for carrying out the execution on Bombay Green.

“I, along with the soldiers of the Marine Battalion and the 10th Native Infantry, to which the offending soldiers belonged, were made to fall in to the right and left of the parade ground to watch the execution.

“Guns of the Royal Artillery from the Fort have been drawn up in a semicircle to the left of the formed up soldiers. Four guns of the Ordnance Department, loaded with canister and grapeshot were positioned in front of the soldiers. Three hundred white seamen from the ships in port, armed with muskets and cutlasses were made to fall in beside the guns to protect them.

“At about four O’clock the two condemned men were marched in their uniforms to the parade ground from their cells in the Fort. Escorted by men of the 95ththey marched fearlessly and stood firm and erect. The guards stripped them off their uniforms and lashed them to the muzzles of the guns. The signal was given, and,in a moment, the ground of Bombay Green was strewn with fragments of their bodies.

“I can never erase that spectacle from my mind. I ran away from the barracks that night. I was apprehended within days as a deserter and sent here. My name is still in the police records. I’m told there’s another smart police officer there now. He’s an Indian but very much respected by the British for his detective work. It wouldn’t take him long to identify me and send me back to Cadell Sahib.

“Well, that was not the only place where sepoys were blown from the mouth of a gun. Anyway, avoid Bombay. We should not go directly to our home towns. You should bear that in mind. Haul down the sails and ship your oars now. We’re about to land on Aves Island”, Hemraj said. ( To be continued….)

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier
Part XX, (Continued from last week)

Col. Thomas Cadell, VC., Chief Commissioner of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, got down from his horse. A group of people in white shirt, dhoti and turban waited for him in the clearing. Four officers in spotless white drill suits came forward and saluted. He was guided to a place where a wooden plaque was fixed on a brick platform. Beyond that the land has been cleared and divided into plots. Capt. Birch, who accompanied Col. Cadell addressed the people in Hindustani.

“Listen you people, today Colonel sahib has come all the way to lay the foundation for a new village. You know very well you have all earned this special favour because of your good conduct and loyalty towards the government. This village should develop as a model village. Col. Cadell will now distribute the ‘pattas’ for your house sites. It is only proper this village should be named ‘CadellGunj’ so that you and your descendants will remember the great man who gave you this land. Let there be three cheers for Col.Cadell.

The group cheered lustily.

Birch continued…

“Within six months Colonel sahib has brought about far reaching reforms for the benefit of the Ticket-of-leave men. More villages will be added soon. We hope to tackle the Jarawa problem also. We want your cooperation in tracking down runaways. If any of you have any information about the whereabouts of Hemraj or his associates please come forward and let us know. You can meet me in absolute confidence any time in my office on Ross Island. You will be suitably rewarded, as always.

The crowd nodded.

“Now I request Col. Cadell to address the gathering…

Cadell came forward, twirled his walrus moustache and spoke.

“My dear Islanders, today is an important milestone in the history of these islands. Here’s one village of self-supporters which will be a model village. We have provided all facilities here. There’s a good source of water. The land behind the settlement could be developed into good farmland. We need your help to build bunds to keep off the seawater. Then we shall drain the swamp and make it arable land. It is not impossible. Once done, it will be for you and your descendants, forever. I have signed on the pattas. You will enjoy the fruits of this land for generations.

Cadell wiped the sweat from his brow.

Birch got the signal. He took over immediately.

“Now I shall call out the names. The nominee shall come forward, stand at attention, salute, take a step forward, collect the patta, take a step backwards, salute, about turn and go back to his place. Do you understand?

“Jee sahib,” the crowd answered.

The patta distribution ceremony was completed. Liveried servants brought tender coconuts.

“Bill”, Cadell said, “I hope my name doesn’t get corrupted to ‘cattle gunj’ with the passage of time. See how the names are changing even now. Phoenix Bay has become ‘Poniks Bake’…”

“No sir, it’s impossible. We shall continue to rule these islands forever. We’ll teach them good English.

“You wanted to tell me something about the convict letters. What’s it? Is it for Hemraj?” Cadell said while sipping his tender coconut.

Birch took out an envelope from his coat pocket.

“Sir, its nor from Hemraj, but its for Liakat Ali, the Allahabad Moulvi. I found it while censoring the letters that came by the last mail steamer.

Cadell looked at the envelope. It was in English, written in a beautiful hand.

“My dear Liakat”, the letter read. “Hope you are doing well. I know all letters are censored in jails. I hope you get to read this. I can never forget the love and affection you showed me during those terrible times when Nana’s soldiers were hunting for the British. If not for you I would have been dishonored and dead by now. I will forever remain indebted to you for this. I hope our roads cross again somewhere.

Lovingly

Amelia

“Who the hell is this Amelia?” Cadell roared.

“Sir, that’s a long story. I’ll tell you in the evening, when we get back to Government House” Birch said.

Cadell understood that Birch was inviting himself for a drink.

“Alright, join me for drinks.” He said.

The village headman came and saluted. The horses were lead to the podium. Both the men mounted. The horses trotted away followed by the army of servants in bullock carts. ( To be continued…)

 

 

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier
Part XIX, (Continued from 23rd Dec 2013 issue)
Long Island had coconut palms, fresh water and plenty of fish. After stocking up the provisions the men decided to sleep in the boat itself, ready to said at the crack of dawn. Their talk shifted to what they should do as soon as they get home. Thoughts of the wife and children left behind many years ago came to their minds. Hemraj’s words, however, dampened their spirits.

“You can never be sure what you may find when you get home. Remember we have been away for more than twenty years. Even if you are away for a short duration terrible things happen. Don’t you know Nobin babu’s story?” Hemraj asked.

“What happened? We never met him. Is he still in the Andamans?” Questions poured in.

“You didn’t meet him because he was one of the few who got a reprieve in three years and went back. But it was a shocking story, what happened to him.

“Please tell us Raj”, the others pleaded.

Hemraj sat cross-legged, leaning against the mast and started his story.

“In the September of 1873 a sensational murder shook the whole of Calcutta. A compositor working in the press of the military department had murdered his newly married wife. The murder made headlines in most Calcutta papers, more so because the perpetrator of the crime was known to be a well-educated and mild mannered man who came from a respectable Calcutta family. No one ever expected he would commit such a terrible crime.

“Nobin lived in the Kumartali area of Calcutta, in the vicinity of the Hoogly, with his parents. After he got the government job his parents arranged his marriage with the charming Ila, just sixteen. Ila was the daughter of a poor farmer from a nearby village. Nobin was madly in love with his wife and doted on her. He would take her for long walks on the Maidan or for drive in a tonga to see the attractions of the city. They would visit the temples at Dakshineswar and then walk to the Botanical Gardens. Occasionally they would go to the theatre also to see the latest Bengali productions. Life appeared to be beautiful for Nobin, with a good salary and chances of promotion in the press.

“When Ila asked for permission to visit her parents at Kromal Nobin readily agreed. There was going to be a holiday the next week, the 24th of May, the birthday of Queen Victoria. He would go to Ila’s place on that day and bring her back. Nobin was unaware what was going to happen at the in-laws.

“On the Queen’s birthday Nobin put on his best dress and went to Ila’s place. He hoped to stay for the night and bring her back the next morning. As he approached the house he noticed signs of sudden prosperity. Ila was loaded with jewels. When he enquired where they came from he was told that the father-in-law had sold his two cows and bought the jewels with the money. Somehow the explanation did not sound convincing enough for Nobin. When he tried to find out from the neigbours the source of this new-found wealth he got evasive replies. However, Nobin’s persistent questioning of some neighbours brought about a terrible revelation. Nobin was horrified to know that his in-laws have been sending his wife to the Mahant of a temple about two miles from Kromal. The visits have become too frequent for the neigbours to ignore. A dalal and a member of the family accompanied Ila to the Mahant’s place. Since then there had been a sudden improvement in the financial condition of the family.

“Nobin was shattered. The thought of his wife going to the Mahant, whose reputation was well known in the neighbourhood drove him crazy. He confronted his father-in-law, but the old man dismissed the reports as the concoctions of jealous neigbours.

“With suspicion and jealousy gnawing at his heart Nobin took Ila and went to the house of an aunt who lived nearby. When they were alone in the night he begged her to confess if she had ‘desecrated’ herself to the Mahant. Ila broke down and told him how her father, step-mother and elder sister connived with the dalal and induced her to go to Jarokishen. She also confessed that the dalal had also ravished her after the Mahant had satisfied himself. Sobbing uncontrollably she told Nobin that she had been defiled, become unholy, and that he should marry again, allowing her to remain as his servant. If he completely rejected her she would take poison and kill herself.

“Nobin couldn’t sleep that night. The revelations, coming from the wife herself, describing in graphic detail what the Mahant and the dalal had done to her tortured his mind. All the dreams he had of raising a happy family and living with his parents on the comfortable income of a government job lay shattered around him. He rolled on the ground weeping like a child. Being of a gentle nature the thoughts of violent revenge had not yet materialized in his mind. He thought of taking his own life, rather than live with the stigma of being pointed out as a cuckolded husband.

“The next day Nobin heard more reports of his wife’s misconduct from his aunt and the neighbours. Unable to control his fury he struck at her with his hand. It was the first time he had ever used force against anyone in his life. Slowly thoughts of revenge started taking shape in his mind. First he thought of killing his father-in-law. But then he would be hanged or jailed for life and then Ila would be a more easy prey for the Mahant and the dalal. He would take her back to the city first and think about the action later.

“When he reached his father-in-law’s house to take Ila he overheard the man asking his maid servant about a letter he had dispatched to the Mahant through her. The woman told him that the Mahant had posted men to watch the roads leading to Calcutta to kidnap Nobin’s wife and bring her back. That was the last straw for Nobin. He made up his mind; he would kill her and “endure whatever the future had in store for him”. Looking around he found a ‘boti’ a large sharp knife used for cleaning fish. Ila was cutting betel nuts in the courtyard, sitting on floor, her head bent. Her veil was drawn down covering her face, ashamed of looking at Nobin. An occasional tear dropped into the bamboo tray that held the betel nuts. She worked mechanically chopping the nuts into small pieces. She too had not slept in the night. Guilt and fear kept her awake.

“Nobin lifted the veil off her head exposing her slender neck. Ila kept working, unable to lift her head and look him in the eye. He waited a few minutes, silently gazing at her neck and then suddenly struck the exposed part with the boti, almost severing the head from the trunk. Blood spurted like a fountain. Ila slumped forward and died silently, without uttering a word. Nobin came out calling aloud that he had killed his wife and coolly walked to the Gomasta to whom he surrendered after telling him what he had done, and why. When brought before the magistrate he made a full and clear confession. The case came up before the Sessions Judge at Hoogly. Surprisingly the Jury ruled that Nobin was not guilty of murder because he was of unsound mind at the time he committed his crime. They cited many examples to prove their case. However, the Judge did not agree with them and referred the case to the High Court.

“The High Court Judge turned down the verdict of the Jury saying there was scarcely any evidence to show that he was insane. He felt that the Jury was swayed by the public outcry. In the lengthy judgment the Judge said that “the prisoner has committed culpable homicide amounting to murder” and sentenced him to transportation for life.”

“When the sentence was pronounced there was intense excitement all over Calcutta. Petitions from prominent citizens, colleagues at the press and even a Maharanee were sent to the Lt. Governor of Bengal requesting a mitigation of the sentence or even acquittal. However, the Lt. Governor rejected all the petitions. Nobin was sent to Andamans on sentence of transportation for life.

“His story reached Andamans earlier than he did. It was in my boat he was brought to the shore. He was never hand cuffed or put in irons. Everyone was sympathetic towards him. He was given a light job in the press that had just come up. Meanwhile his friends kept working to prevail on the government for his release. Soon their efforts paid off. Nobin was released within three years and went back. Nobody knows what happened to him later.

“God, this gives me the creeps. What would happen if we find something like that when we get home?” a voice whined in the darkness.

“Simple. Kill and get back to the Islands. Find a convict wife and settle down”, another answered.

The story cast a pall of gloom over the company. Everyone fell silent and soon slept off, waiting for the dawn to start the penultimate leg of their voyage.

To be continued…

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier
Part XVIII, (Continued from last week)

The officiating Senior Medical Officer Dr. Rajendra Chandra Mitter was a busy man that morning. A new ward was being inaugurated by the Chief Commissioner Col. Cadell. The whole hospital was scrubbed clean. All the patients were given a good haircut and shave. Their hospital dresses were spotlessly clean. A red ribbon was tied to the entrance to the new ward. The road leading to the hospital was decorated with buntings and palm fronds.

It was meant for the growing number of lunatics in the settlement.

The foundation for the ‘Lunatic Ward’ was laid during Gen. D.M. Stewart’s time. He felt it was not good for the image of Port Blair to have lunatics roaming free on the streets. Their number seemed to be increasing every day. As there was no special arrangement for them he proposed that a special ward be built in Haddo hospital for their care and confinement. They shall be given some light tasks to keep themselves occupied. They shall, henceforth, be known as the “Convalescent Lunatic Gang”. The “Convalescent Lunatic Gang” came into being.

Prominent among the crowd was Rasool Baksh, convict No. 16087. Known all over Port Blair for his merry disposition Rasool was a ‘harmless lunatic’. He could be seen anywhere in the bazaar, laughing and breaking out into song whenever spoken to. He was a particular favourite of the late Senior Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Dougall who took special care of him. Rasool too loved him as if he were his own father. The death of Dr. Dougall of typhoid was a great shock for Rasool.

The sounding of the bugle announced the arrival of Col. Cadell. He came on horseback, followed by Capt. Protheroe and Capt. Birch.

Dr. Mitter came to the porch, saluted and received Col. Cadell. Rasool also rushed forward and saluted.

“Kaise ho, Rasool?” Cadell enquired.

“Tu kaise ho?” Rasool replied, in his characteristic fashion. It was this reply that got him into trouble with Gen. Stewart.

Anticipating the reply, Cadell laughed and slapped him on the back. He cut the ribbon and entered the ward.

The ‘harmless lunatics’ greeted him in their own way. Cadell didn’t bother, having known them.

But there was one ‘sullen face’ he did not like. It was not a lunatic’s. He knew it well. There was no response to his query from the ‘sullen face’.

Cadell knew that he had to put the ‘sullen face’ among the lunatics so that he may not do the ‘hard labour’ like the other convicts, which he richly deserved for the crime he had committed.

The ‘sullen face’ was a young man, well built, dark complexioned with piercing eyes. Cruelty was visible in his looks.

Cadell’s mind went back to his descriptive roll, and the fat file that was attached to it. The details of the horrific crime he committed flashed in front of his eyes.

Dibya Singh Dev, the Raja of Puri, was the son of Raja of Khemandi. He was adopted by the childless Raja of Puri when he was four years of age. After he attained majority he assumed the title of Raja of Puri. His main duty was to administer the temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri.

A look at Dibya Singh’s face told Cadell that he had access to opium. In spite of the stringent measures opium was freely available to the convicts in Port Blair.

According to the file Dibya Singh was addicted to bhang and opium from a very early age. He was a spoilt child. Instead of learning to read and write from tutors he spent all his time in the special wrestling pit he built inside the palace, in the company of bad friends.

Dibya Singh’s administration of the temple affairs was not liked by the hereditary priests. He started levying a fee on the worshippers and reduced the quantity of the ‘prasad’ served to them. The priests complained to the Commissioner at Cuttack. Annoyed, Dibya Singh got the priests beaten up by his bodyguards.

Worried about his unruly behavior the Queen mother requested one Sibadas, a man believed to have divine powers of healing, to treat him. When Dibya Singh learnt that Sibadas gave some sacred ash for him he became furious. His friends convinced him that it was a plan to poison him.

One day Dibya Singh’s cronies lured Sibadas inside the palace. He was taken to the wrestling pit where inhuman tortures were perpetrated on him.

Col. Cadell shuddered at the descriptions in the file “ … a piece of pith thrust up the rectum and then set on fire… an iron wire inserted into…and quicklime poured over it…different parts of body burnt…”.

The torture went on for four hours. When Sibadas’ screams stopped he was thrown out of the palace for dead.

But Sibadas did not die. He regained consciousness and crawled to the temple. He was picked up by policemen on duty and take to the police station. The collector and superintendent of police arrived. Sibadas, in spite of the great pain, made a dying statement. He was taken to the hospital where he survived for another two weeks suffering terrible agony. During the time the Raja was arrested and brought before him. He identified him and his nine accomplices.

The Sibadas murder case shook not only Orissa but the whole India. The British, always sympathetic towards native princes tried to down play the case. But the evidence was too strong against Dibya Singh. The sessions court at Cuttack sentenced him and four others to transportation for life to Andamans.

Dibya Singh’s lawyers appealed against the verdict in Calcutta High Court. It was struck down and Dibya Singh taken to Presidency jail to be sent to Andamans.

The convict roll showed the date of Dibya Singh’s arrival in Andamans – 4 September 1878. And the term of his imprisonment — ‘for life’. Because of his violent nature his legs were put in fetters.

As a special concession he was put in the Lunatic gang and given light tasks.

“You deserve to be hanged Mr. Raja. What a pity! One day the people in India may think you are also a freedom fighter!”, Cadell thought, as he went past him.

As he completed the inspection and was about to mount his horse Rasool came towards him.

“When’s Hemraj coming back?” he shouted. Cadell’s face clouded.

“I’ll invite you to witness his flogging followed by hanging at Viper gallows very soon…” Cadell shouted as he spurred the horse.(to be continued….).

 

Viper Prison Break

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N. Francis Xavier
Part XVII, (Continued from last week)

The gentle breeze hardly gave the speed required for the now heavily laden whaler to cross the dangerous coastline and head into the open sea.

The men were too tired to try the oars. They must conserve their energy to pull if required in an emergency.

They have lost all sense of time. But the monsoon was still active. It might be August still. They would get a favourable wind for at least another month.

Hemraj quickly weighed the options before him.

They will not be able to cover the entire distance in one day. They must camp in a safe place. Austen Strait was a passage that would take them to the west coast. But Portman had already entered it, and his broken steamer might still be there, undergoing repairs.

Hemraj mentally charted a course that would keep them out of danger.

Their first stop would be Long Island. They would beach the boat in the lee of the Island. It was totally uninhabited, with thick forest. Hemraj remembered visiting the Island with a party from Burma who planned logging operations there.

After a day or two there they would set out for Stewart Sound, passing Cuthbert Bay and camp on Aves Island at the mouth of Austen Strait.

The third and last camp would be in the maze of islands inside Port Cornwallis. Chatham Island where a settlement was established by Blair in 1792 may provide them shelter and water.

Even as Hemraj charted the course the boat glided past Peele Island, Nicholson Island, and Wilson Island. Outram Island was visible on their starboard side. Neill and Havelock have been left behind.

The wind had picked up and the whaler was moving faster. Hemraj remembered Doodnath Tewari telling him that the Islands were all named after British Generals who fought to suppress the Mutiny. Luckily most of them have been killed. But the names of some of them still aroused dread among the sepoy convicts. That was the intention of the government in naming the islands in Ritchie’s Archipelago. The phantom generals guarded the escape routes of the convicts.

Neill was the most notorious. Known as the ‘Butcher of Allahabad’ Brigadier General James Neill used ruthless methods to punish the mutineers, or anyone suspected to be associated with the Mutiny.

There were many sepoys in Port Blair who were witnesses to his ‘bloody assizes’ at Kanpur.

Neill was a Colonel in the Madras Fusiliers at the time of the Mutiny. In contrast to the short statured Havelock he was a big man with great shaggy moustaches and eyebrows.

He was a veteran of the Second Burmese War and the Crimean War. He was just six weeks in India when news came about the outbreak in the north. Neill left Madras with his regiment at a moment’s notice and proceeded to Banares. The day after his arrival he completely and ruthlessly crushed all the mutineers.

Allahabad fort was relieved against heavy odds, saving the lives of the few Europeans who held it out against a vastly superior number of mutineers. Neill inflicted terrible punishment on the captured mutineers.

His eagerness to crush the mutiny brought him in conflict with his senior officer Gen. Havelock. He considered Havelock too slow. Had he marched to Kanpur a couple of days earlier he could have prevented the Bibighar massacre, Neil thought.

Neill arrived in Kanpur on 20 July 1857, five days after the terrible massacre of British women and children in Bibighar. He has just been promoted Brigadier General. The sight of the relics of the massacre – the still-blood smeared floor of Bibighar, the clothing and hair of infants and final messages scratched on the walls made him boil. He made all the British soldiers to visit the “Slaughter House” where the women and children were killed and the well into which their bodies were thrown. Scores of suspects were rounded up each day and hanged on a gallows erected close to the place. Most of them were innocent natives or deserters who had nothing to do with the massacre. It was a well-known fact that the sepoy mutineers refused to shoot the women and children. It is believed two butchers, led by a woman associate of the Nana committed the heinous crime. But for Neill all Indians were suspect. He inflicted ruthless punishment against anyone caught in the vicinity.

Hundreds were sentenced to death in summary trials held by Neill. Before they were to be hanged Neill made them to go through his reprehensible “licking orders”. The condemned men were made to lick clean a square foot of the blood splattered floor of Bibighar. They were then flogged by sweepers before being taken to the gallows.

The sepoys told Hemraj how an innocent man was condemned by Neill for the alleged murder of Gen. Wheeler at the Sati Chaura Ghat. The man, a Duffadar in the 2nd Light Cavalry, addressed the crowd from the scaffold before being hanged. He professed his innocence and told them that he was being punished unjustly for a crime he had not committed. His last words were that one day his infant some, growing up in Rohtak, would avenge his death by killing Gen Neill or any of his descendants.

But death came to Neill much earlier. He was shot through the head during the Second Relief of Lucknow.

Some sepoys believed that the man’s son has now come of age and would one day avenge the death of his father by killing Neill’s son, Maj. A.H.S. Neill, working as an officer in the Second Regiment of the Central India Horse.

“Perhaps his nemesis was in his own regiment, and Maj. Neill was blissfully unaware of it”, thought Hemraj.

“Turn the head of the boat towards the inlet you see on the left Sheo, and keep South, Middle and North Buttons on your right”, Hemraj ordered as he leaned against the mast.

The men started preparations for making camp. (To be continued…..)

Nolitha

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N. Francis Xavier
In a solitary cell of the Robben Island prison a tall, powerfully built man sat in front of his desk and gazed intently at the picture of a woman, nude except for a piece of red cloth tied round her head. On the desk, neatly arranged, were thick books and writing materials. Behind him, on the wall were other photographs. The narrow cell had a barred door and a high ventilator typical of most colonial jails. The man has spent eighteen years in the cell. The man was Nelson Mandela.

Could there be a connection between Nelson Mandela and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands?

At the outset it may appear preposterous. Mandela never came to the Islands. India was already a free country when he started the fight against the apartheid regime of South Africa. However, on second thought, some similarities do emerge.

Mandela, of course, was a freedom fighter of South Africa, much like the freedom fighters that were sent to the Andaman Islands. He too fought against foreign rule based on racial discrimination and exploitation of the majority by a small white minority regime. He too was exiled to the notorious Robben Island prison just as our own freedom fighters were sent to the Viper Island prison or the Cellular Jail. He too was subjected to the same kind of tortures meted out to our own freedom fighters – solitary confinement, hard labour, cruel punishment and insults.

But, did he, during his confinement on Robben Island, chance upon any reference to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands?

A reading of the epoch making autobiography of Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom throws up some interesting facts.

During the long years of incarceration on Robben Island, to beat the solitude and boredom, Mandela would read books, write letters, and, fantasize about what he would do after his release from prison. Gazing upon the pictures of his loved ones and writing letters to them was one way of escape from solitude. In a letter to his wife Winnie he writes:

“Your beautiful photo stands about two feet above my left shoulder as I write this note. … Nolitha stands on the table directly opposite me. How can my spirits ever be down when I enjoy the fond affection of such wonderful ladies?”
pp. 591-92

‘Nolitha’ was the name Mandela invented for the woman in the photo he kept on his desk. In a letter to his daughter Zindzi Mandela writes:

“By the way, has Mum ever told you about Nolitha, the other lady in my cell from the Andaman Islands? … She regards the pygmy beauty as some sort of rival and hardly suspects that I took the picture out of the National Geographic.”
p. 592

The National Geographic referred was the July 1975 issue that carried an exclusive photo feature on the tribes of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands by the famous photographer Raghubir Singh. In one of the photos Raghubir Singh captures a Jarawa belle in moment of spontaneous merriment. It was this photo that mesmerized Mandela and made him give her a name, and also a place in his cell along with the photo of his wife.

Mandela’s sudden transfer from Robben Island, his release and election as the first black president of South Africa is history. Nolitha was forgotten, till she surfaced again in 2004. Between the pages of one of the two note books Mandela used for drafting the letters he wrote while in Robben Island prison was found the same picture.

A prison guard on Robben Island who used to censor the letters of the prisoners took away the books and kept them with him for about 23 years before returning them. He could have sold them and made a fortune but his conscience did not permit him. Mandela recognized the books as his own, and Nolitha too. When asked why he kept the picture Mandela said he saw in the exuberance of the woman a “celebration of life”.

What could have been on Mandela’s mind when a couple of months after the rediscovery of the photo the Islands were devastated by the tsunami?

TIPS TO MAKE YOUR MARATHON RELATIVELY EASY

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DR SUDIP CHAKRABORTY,M.D (MEDICINE)

In continuation with my previous three articles on marathon, this one is the last of the series. It feels great to see increasing number of joggers at Marina Park early in the morning. It is like marathon is in the air.

If you live in a place for long enough, you become the place. It happened with me. Being a third generation son of these islands, I am witnessing a sea change in the attitude of Islander’s especially inadequate physical activity and rise in cardio vascular diseases that include diabetes. Therefore, these articles are aimed for a change in habits, however small it might appear. No amount of kudos will be enough for Andaman chamber of commerce for organizing a event which has the potential of transforming health and saving the loss of man days because of ill health.

So here follows the ten points;
1) Have a pacer. Pacer is a friend or known person who runs for some distance during various stages of race. They are invaluable source of motivation and keep you from quitting.
2) Keep as many relatives and friends at as many points of marathon route with juices, coconut water etc so that you are well motivated and encouraged. Moreover, in this process invariably you will some inspire some of your friends to run the race next time.
3) Try to keep your mouth moist by sucking some gum or toffee. It fools the brain that you are well hydrated and postpones tiredness to some extent.
4) Keep your eyes fixed to the ground beneath and try to run on a straight line. You will have fewer distractions and won’t know how many people has crossed you, thus saving your ego from getting hurt.
5) Pain is inevitable except for seasoned runners. So don’t be surprised and take it on your stride.
6) Brisk walking is more strenuous than slow jogging. It hurts tendon achillies and heel of foot.
7) Conserve energy, probably the most important thing by less talking, going slow and at sustained manageable pace and avoiding mouth breathing as much as possible.
8) Match your breath with the sound of your footsteps. Develop a rhythm and concentrate on it. In no time, you will see the finishing line.
9) Read motivating books on long distance running like ultra marathon man by Dean Karnazes , runners world guide , Lure of long distance etc.
10) Finally some powerful quotes to keep your mind from going astray;
a) Pain is temporary and regrets forever.
b) What counts in a battle is what you do when the pain sets in.
c) Success seems largely a matter of hanging on when others have let it go.
d) That which does not kill you, will make you stronger.
e) He, who suffers, remembers.
f) If you are going through hell, you rather keep going. There is not much scenery to look around.
g) Second half of marathon separates boys from men and girls from women.

So here is wishing all the marathoners good luck. A reward of higher self-esteem, self-respect and mind expansion is waiting for you. Go and earn it.