At the Lahore High Court continues...

The Political Department was willing to do so provided he gave an undertaking that he would give up drinking. This he was not willing to do, as he would not like to give an undertaking which, he knew, he would not be able to keep. After considerable persuasion, I was able to make him sign the undertaking and immediately thereafter he was given back his ruling powers and allowed to return to his State. He kept his word for some time but soon relapsed. This eventually led to his death at quite a young age.

In the Spring of 1923, I managed to take a bungalow on lease on Fane Road, next to the one occupied by Sir Manohar Lal. It was situated near a rain water drain which later on was converted into a sewer. Those who lived here gradually became immune to foul smells!

I managed to live in this house for over I4 years. My landlord, Rai Bahadur Narshingh Das, belonged to the old aristocracy of Lahore and owned almost all the houses on Fane Road, most of them occupied by lawyers. On account of the concentration of so many lawyers here, Fane Road was called ‘Sharks Lane.’ My house was a little away from the road. I was once surprised by a client rushing breathless into my office! A brother lawyer had fooled him that he was Mehr Chand Mahajan and managed to secure his papers. The client, however, discovered the ruse before he had paid the lawyer any fee and leaving his papers he came straight to me!

During this period I became a member of the Engineers’ Club at McLeod Road. The club was situated in the premises of the P.W.D. Office. The Engineers at Lahore had a right to become its members but very few, if any, exercised this right. The membership of the club was limited.

to be continued...

( This account is maintained by Har Anand Publication)