[ Object of this chapter is to set the foundation for our journey, explain the cause of tension between Zamindars and company in Bihar, and create a link between our story and it. It also illustrates the relationship between villagers and Rudra and his relationship with his wife. ]

Bihar was seized by the British after the battle of Buxar. The Company controlled one more place, although this time the local zamindars caused a lot of trouble. Zamindars wanted their autonomy back, so they did not send any revenue collections to the company. They looted the British charges instead and reclaimed their money.

The East India Company was worried about this since the zamindars have gotten even more restless after the revolt in madras province. As a result the company decided to turn to the methods it knew best. Replacing their loyal men with those who raised their heads against them.

Silliot Manihari

Muzaffarpur

Bihar

A girl who looks no more than twenty-three who wore a light saree that looked even more beautiful than it was on her muddy skin tone. The gentleness of her moments, by the way, suited her perfectly. She had a sharp nose on which her traditional Bihari nose pin sat like a king. Her eyes were big, round and as deep as the night sky on new moon, sat nicely on her sharp features. Her smile which she wore like a jewel enhanced her beauty ten folds. She wore mangal sutra around her neck and three pair of white Shankha paired with red choori in her hand. Her anklets made a sweet sound as she walked as if they were telling the person in front of them to give way to their barer. Her name was Ganga the celestial river that which purified one's heart and cured theme.

"At least have breakfast, dear. You always get up early and start working. Is your health not important?" she asked, putting the breakfast on the table with her own two hands. "Ganga, who will help my people if I don't? I will have it after I solve their water problem." Her husband replied. "And to who will they complain to if you fall sick. Chachi you only say something to him, he never listens to me." She said with a worried look on her face. Referring other people as one's Brother, sister, Aunty and uncle was widespread practice in the native Indian culture. It brings a sense of oneness within the person as the saying goes "Vasudev kutumbhakam" We are one big family.

"Son, why don't you listen to your wife? Not everyone is blessed with a wife as loving as yours. We will wait for you" the old lady smilingly asked.

"How can I eat while everyone stands hungry outside my home. Amma" Answered Rudra. Ganga's husband and the Thakur of this village.

"Who said I will let them stand outside. Am I that cruel?" She said to Rudra with a puppy face and continued " please grace us with your presence everyone. Come in and eat with us"

Thousands of years ago, the kings and queens of Bharat assigned the duty of collecting taxes to the most influential, loved, and respected family in every village, who were mostly the zamindars. They were titled Thakur. However, they served an additional duty as well. It was to protect their citizens from any threat, be it a group of thugs or an army of invaders. Due to such high honor given to them by the kings and queens and out of respect for them, people of these villages used to go to them if they faced any problem be it a family matter or passing judgment upon the criminal.

Rudra's grandfather was martyred during the war against the Turkish/Mughal kings, so when those kings were overthrown in the battle of Buxar, he grew hopeful that his people would be freed, but the company managed to seize control. As quickly as he gained hope after the battle, it was shattered again. And so, Rudra too became one of the zamindars who didn't send the collected revenue to the company. With only difference that he didn't even collect it.

As Thakur Rudra ate breakfast with his people, the company's army marched toward his home. Trembling anything that come in front of them be it the dirt or humans. Upon reaching his home, one of them took out a scroll and began reading it as loudly as he could. Hearing the commotion Rudra and everyone else came out

"This is to inform Thakur Rudra the zamindar of Silliot Manihari village" he spoke "That if he did not relinquish his position as the Thakur of the village and his property within the next twelve hours, he shall face the company's wrath" he warned. "If he defies it and stands against the company, then he will be executed and anyone who aids him will be imprisoned." then they all turned and walked towards the village exist.

villagers turned enraged at the announcement. Someone could not come and give a death threat to the person they all loved and respected and then leave alive. They stopped the soldiers at the village exit and captured them without Rudra's knowledge.

The message was clear. Either give up or be killed. It wouldn't have been a problem if they had asked for his wealth, but they asked for his people instead. How could he abandon them? Rudra saw no other option in front of him. Ever since he was a child he didn't like wars. Those who have never seen a war are not afraid of it those who have seen its aftermath up-close are.

In the afternoon,

Rudra was stressfully thinking about it with his eyes closed alone in his personal library sitting on his chair. When he felt a gentle warmth in his hand. He opened his eyes to see Ganga sitting beside him.

She asked "wasn't one of the vows to share all your worries with me". Rudra showed a sign of relief as if all his questions were answered he said "what should I do Ganga? Leave the villagers in the hands of a puppet of the white army or wage a war against them leading to countless deaths on both sides?"

Ganga who always had an answer to his each and every question. A solution to his problem could only Answer this with silence.