The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of pre-1947 India is the struggle for independence. I have some perceptions about those times, believing that everyone born before 1947 was a freedom fighter. People either joined Mahatma Gandhi’s peaceful campaigns or Bhagat Singh’s aggressive ones, based on their personal choices. It seemed everyone was sent to jail at least once in their lifetime. The youth were driven by a fervent desire to gain freedom from the colonial empire. Back then, "falling in love" seemed like an undefined concept in our country.
One fine day, my friend, who could read my mind, offered me a chance to travel back in time with his remarkable time machine.
"Hey bro, you should travel to any time before 1947 and meet your fantasies," said my friend Siddhartha.
"Are you kidding?" I responded.
"No, seriously. The device is ready to go. The only bug is that you can't return for six months. But don't worry, your present time won't be lost. When you come back, you'll rejoin us as if you never left," he explained.
"Okay, then, I would probably visit my grandparents' hometown, Alwar, in 1920. Let's see if they were having a great time."
We both chuckled.
The time machine had been successfully tested several times before, so I wasn't afraid. Though I had no clue how I would handle the people of different times, generations, and mindsets, I brushed aside all uncertain thoughts. I took my grandparents' blessings by folding my hands in front of their picture and packed my backpack with clothes and a few eatables.
I started my journey and landed in Alwar. It was a sunny morning on October 2, 1920.
The city looked more like a village, with vast bare land. I could hardly see any houses, though some astounding architectures caught my attention. Men were properly dressed in dhotis, kurtas, and pagdis. Women were wrapped in dhotis with covered faces. Carts and bicycles were the most favored means of transport, though people mostly walked. Men and women moved in different groups, with men leading and guiding the chattering women. It was just as I had imagined. I was amazed to see people working on October 2, which is Gandhi Jayanti, until I recalled that it was 1920 and Gandhiji was still alive.
I quickly reached the Mohalla, where my grandfather and his family had lived. Almost everyone on my way to my ancestors' Haveli glanced at me with anger. As I entered the Mohalla, the women shouted, "They have come, they are here!" and dragged their children inside their houses. The men hid themselves too. I had no clue what I had done wrong to cause such fear and hatred among my people. Did I look that scary?
Then I saw a boy fearlessly walking towards me. "Hey, go back where you came from! We want to live a free life here."
I asked the boy, "Hey young man! What's going on here? What did I do wrong? Why is everyone scared of me?"
The boy angrily replied, "I am not scared of you, you white idiot. You English people can't ruin us. We will throw you out of my country." He then punched me hard in the stomach.
Gathering my strength, I replied, "I am not English. My name is Ravi. My grandfather lives here. His name is Madan-Lal. He is the Tehsildar of Alwar District."
The boy curiously interrupted me, "Oh! You sound like us. But there is no Madan-Lal here except me. How do you know that I want to become Tehsildar?"
I had forgotten for a moment that I had traveled to the past. It took some time for me to realize it. The person standing in front of me was my teenage grandfather. How young, fearless, and dynamic he looked. I was filled with excitement. I couldn’t explain to him that I came from his future. He probably wouldn’t understand.
I diverted his curiosity. "I mean, you could become Tehsildar. You are young and dynamic."
"Thanks, but I need to pass class X to become one. I have been failing class X exams for the last three years. You know what? Narmada is 14 years old already, and if I don't pass this year, she will marry someone else. Her father is a rich contractor. The financial gap can be bridged by my job as Tehsildar, which would allow my marriage proposal."
"Hold on, Daadu. You will become Tehsildar and marry Ms. Narmada. I can see it..." I stopped myself from revealing the truth. "May your mouth be filled with ghee and sugar. But how will I pass the class X exams? Despite topping the class, I failed all subjects except Maths and Hindi. I got zero in English, which I believe is useless. That’s one of the reasons I don’t like English people. No one explains science the way it should be. We have to memorize it, which I can’t. Above all, I haven’t seen Narmada since the last Jagannath Ji Mela," he said with disappointment.
"Hey, don't worry. I will teach you the subjects if you promise to introduce me to Ms. Narmada," I offered, desperate to meet my grandmother.
"How could you help me? Have you already passed class X?" He was doubtful.
"Yes, I can help you. I am pursuing a Ph.D. and studying science in English," I explained.
"What? What is a Ph.D.? Is it after class X? If something exists after class X, why do it if you can become Tehsildar first? It's a waste of time and money. My parents can't even afford private tuition fees. You seem educated and probably the only option to solve my problem," he said, partially convinced of my higher studies and teaching him.
After two months of rigorous planning to dodge his relatives and friends, we finally met Ms. Narmada, my grandmother, at the fair. My grandpa introduced me to his girlfriend. I touched her feet. She was extremely shy but quite happy with my grandpa.
Upset, she asked, "Bauji wants to marry off all his daughters on the same day soon. When will you become Tehsildar? I can't marry someone else."
"Don't worry, Narmada. You will become the mother of my children. That's my promise. Someone is calling your name. We have to go now," my enthusiastic grandpa reassured her.
We returned to the city and studied hard for the next few weeks. When my six-month stay was almost over, I told him I had to go. He was disappointed.
"I did very well in the exams. You have been a great help. Can't you wait until my results? I want you to attend my wedding. I will convince your parents. Please stay with me," he insisted.
A tear hung at the edge of his eyelid. Neither of us could resist our emotions.
"Hey bro! I would stay if I could. But I promise we will meet again," I said, holding back my emotions.
"Do you promise? Will I see your parents too?"
"Yes, you will surely meet them. I assure you," I smiled.
We exchanged smiles and said goodbye.
It was a wonderful time spent with him and his surroundings. I was astonished to see my forefathers and their family of 100 members living together under one roof with limited resources. They ate together. Despite financial constraints, my grandpa never left his family and became Tehsildar, the only boy in the Mohalla. Above all, he fell in love with my grandma and passionately achieved his dream of marrying her. What a wonderful journey it was with him. I will cherish it all my life.
