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INDIRA
ezxjan cS^ara?
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The caravan of Bhim Rao, a veteran warrior and farmer of Kotar, wound its unhurrying way through the barren and rocky tract of the Chandela territory. Bhim Rao was bound for Mahoba, taking with him all his worldy possessions — his money, his whole stock of cattle and his motherless daughter Indira.
Indira was sixteen years old, mcst beautiful, and the apple of her father's eye. He had had nothing but the tyranny of the cruel and dissolute chief of Kotar, and planned to shake the dust of his native land off his feet, and seek a peaceful haven in the neighbouring state of Chandela Rajputs.
He went through the lonely barren path with his lordly caravan, a walking temptation to any robber minded to attack. And the worst and most desperate of all so minded was one Kalu with a price upon his head.
Kalu's chance came when the caravan had reached a narrow winding way between tall rocks. There his band fell upon Bhim Rao, with swords and spears. Bhim Rao and his handful of men defended the caravan valiantly but without avail. Bhim Rao fell slain by Kalu's sword; and after that there was no more heart in them.
Indira, stricken and agonised, knelt by her father's body, clasping it in her arms, heedless of all else.
Thus she did not see a fresh company of men, uniformed, and led by a tall young captain, come up at full speed by a path between the rocks, and attack the robbers. She looked up in bewilderment as the fighting broke out afresh.
It did not last long. Kalu and his band cornered and outnumber
ed fought severely to the finish and died like trapped rats.
The young captain saw Indira, and came over to her. His eyes looked with wonder upon her exquisite beauty.
"Who are you, maiden?" he asked.
"I am Indira, daughter of Thakur Bhim Rao, of Kotar," she said "this was my father's caravan, and this" — her voice shook — was my father."
"I am Dharam Singh, an officer in the Chandela army," the young captain said "my commander Veer
Sain ordered the suppression of this robber. My duty is to bear the tidings of his death, together with all booty found in his possession to our headquarters at Mahoba. And you, Indira — I will see that you have safe conduct wherever you wish to go."
He took her to Mahoba where Commander Veer Sain listened to their tragic encounter with the robbers and commanded in all kindness and sympathy that she be provided with a comfortable home
"I am Indira. This was my father's caravan and there was my father."
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