I am Rejected at Birth Continues.....

Here I lived in the house of my relatives, Laiq
and Sohna Behdu. One of the sons of the family, Menku, was of
the same age as myself. We soon became playmates.

Menku now
runs a confectionery shop at Nurpur. I always make it a point to
visit him whenever I am at Nurpur.

A few months later I was shifted to the school hostel. There I
lived till I was promoted to the fourth primary class. The hostel
and the school were situated in the famous fort of Nurpur. This is
the fort which Ram Singh Pathania defended for several months
against the British in the Second Sikh War. Ram Singh was let
down by his own men. While he was performing Puja, the invaders
made an attack and were able to effect an entrance. Ram Singh got up from his Puja and fought hard but was killed.

The fort fell into the hands of the British. The Ballad of Ram Singh Pathania is still sung in these parts on festive occasions.

The diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria was celebrated in 1890
with great pomp and show. Bands played, parades were held, and
prayers were said for the great Queen wishing her long life. Boys sang songs in her honour.

However, the most important item that
interested me along with other students was that each of us was given five delicious Ladoos to celebrate the occasion! The schools;
were closed for a whole week for the celebrations. All over the
country there were scenes of joy and merry-making.

Durbars were
held, and Indians vied with one another in showing their loyalty to the crown. Some Indians who were invited to London for the
occasion made the customary Nazars (offerings as a sign of allegiance) on being presented to the Queen.

During 1900 and 1901 there was much fear in India of a possible Russian invasion. School boys chanted “Russia will come and
invade India.” The astrologers added to the fear by predicting
that there would be a great earthquake and all the land would be submerged in water.

To be continued....