What if….
Mountbatten was rudely woken up by his orderly, in the wee hours of the morning.
It was a cold Delhi morning. The mists rising enveloped most of the stately buildings, still trying to retain their past glory, while they hands that carved them and the voices that commanded long lost and buried. The tall, gargantuan trees that had stood for centuries, watching men and women enact their roles in a drama unfurling for decades and centuries stood cloaked in that early morning fog like Druids, about to cast a magic spell.
“What is it?” he asked in his clear voice, alert and attentive, even when rudely woken.
“Pardon me your Lordship, there is a man, an Indian who insists he has something of grave importance.”
“So, what is it?”
“He refuses to tell any one but yourself.”
“Take him to the study. Hand me my dressing gown, will you?” aid the commanding voice, as he prepared to greet the stranger.
“Who are you? And what is this earth shattering news you have?” asked the Lord of the gigantic colony, India.
“Sir, its about Mr Jinnah.”
He was immediately alert. That man had been like a thorn in his side, neither accommodating nor complying. A pucca brown sahib with his plethora of linen suits and British schooling. He had yet to see a smile on the man’s face.
“Yes, what about him?”
“Sir, he is very ill. In fact his doctor thinks he will not live to see his next birthday.”
“Rubbish! What are you saying? We are working day and night to resolve the partition of India, and he has staked his claim to be the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, a country for muslims.”
“Sir, I am an intern working with Doctor Jal Ratanji Patel. I overheard the two honourable people talking and came to know of Mr Jinnah’s tuberculosis which he asked the good doctor, not to reveal to anyone. Knowing what is in the offing… I rushed over as soon as I could.”
Mountbatten sat speechless, staring like a statue into the swirling mists outside.
“Are you certain?” he asked after a long moment and releasing a soft sigh.
“Absolutely! And I also know, only you can ensure my country is not put through any further torment of splitting it into fragments.” The young man said in a steady baritone, holding the gaze of the most powerful man in India at that moment.
The glow on his face, combined with the conviction, compelled the Britisher to give his plans a relook.
“And, why do you think so?”
“I had a vision Sir, while I meditated, that many foxes, jackals and vultures were ripping apart a tiger, shot by cunning not strength or in any fairness, by a man in red clothes, holding a large gun. Slowly that tiger took up the shape of a woman, a devi, which transformed into the map of India, torn apart. That vision need not come true. And its only in your hands. I know you are morally and ethically guided, to keep my people and my nation safe as the British withdraw.”
Louis Mountbatten was taken aback. Once again he was rendered speechless.
“And who would you like to see, taking over the reins of your fledgling nation, young man?”
“Subhash Chandra Bose, Sir! He has the calibre and the dedication. His Azad Hind Fauj already proves it. I am sure you agree!”
The older man nodded his head as he rang the bell to call his orderly.
Author’s note: This is a work of fiction and imagination, and generous dollops of artistic licence. What if the partition never occurred, can you imagine what would be the effect on life, property and development in the Indian subcontinent?
This blog is a part of ‘Currents of Kindness Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai https://arusticmind88.wordpress.com/ and Sukaina Majeed https://thenightreader28.wordpress.com/)
What an intriguing idea, Anamika!
I really liked how you mixed historical realism with a touch of mysticism (and a topic close to my heart!)
The vision of the tiger turning into the map of India was powerful and invoked goosebumps. The conversation between Mountbatten and the young man felt tense and believable.
A great “what if” that makes you wonder how different things might have been. Only if, it has been reality.
Thanks Natasha! What if dreams came true?
Crisp and evocative — the narrative creates intrigue with minimal dialogue. A compact and promising historical vignette.
What if, this was the narrative? Thanks Tomichan!
This is a very unique take on the inclusitivity theme. It would have been a different scenario altogether if the country was not split in fragments.
Includes everyone, with hopefully no loss, pain, or trauma. Thanks Reubenna!
If this were to happen, we would be living in very different times. But, that was not to be, unfortunately!
Thanks for stopping by Janaki! I have often wondered, what if… there had been no partition? The present would be different as would be the present world.
Such an thought-provoking blog. For a minute I felt it wasn’t a fiction and indeed a great twist on what if! Love the way you narrated it. Thank you for the blog!
Thanks Sameeksha! What if it was true?
Such a thought provoking post. Subhash Chandra Bose was indeed a choice but then politics happened. I wish your story were true we could have saved so many and so much.
Thanks Pinki! Include everyone and leave no one behind!
Oh what a vision that was, which sadly turned out to be true. If only your ‘If Only’ take turned out to be true. Sigh!
It would have been so brilliant… so much heartbreak, deaths, atrocities, pain avoided. And the money that could have gone towards improving the lives of millions. And the wealth of knowledge??? Oh it makes me feel like a child in Wonderland.
There is actually a school of thought that hypothesies about all the what-ifs and what-might-have-beens in history. It is rather fascinating and they make good plot points for writing fantasy.
Great job with the story! B)
Thank you! That’s interesting isn’t it? What might have beens, in history… battles won rather than lost and some lost rather than won… Would the world be better? Happier? who knows!
Only you could think of something creative and interesting like this. Mountbatten must be shaken in his grave and Bose will bless you from the heavens. What else can I say that I haven’t said before- Love you and your creativity.
Thanks Aparna! Glad you enjoyed my imagination!
Very intriguing. It made me ponder as to what if… I’m sure many of us have pondered over this. It’s well written.
What if… indeed! Your narrative is pacy and if it had been true, how much suffering and trauma could have been avoided. Unfortunately, the fact of Jinnah’s ailment came out much after the decision was made and India was cut up. That vision of the tiger being mangled, and turning into Mother India, was so intriguing. Love your vision!
Thanks Deepti! I truly appreciate your views!
Your narrative is fast and pacy. The mystic element of the story is particularly striking.
However, I personally do not believe in looking back or thinking about what-ifs. I think it is a rabbit hole from where one might never ever emerge!
Thanks Harshita! Each of us have a unique POV which makes our conversation interesting, isn’t it?
Quite a unique take on the theme. Belonging to a family of refugees who had to rebuild their lives after the partition, I have often wondered what it would have been like if the partition hadn’t happened. If our history had not been erased.
It will be an interesting conversation we have when we meet. Thank you for sharing your views!
This is defietely a what if we all sometimes think about the geo-political scenario of the entire subcontinent would have been completely different