For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Mahatma Gandhi, Part-II

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09415777229, 094055338

E-mail- dr.yogendragandhi@gmail.com;dr.yadav.yogendra@gandhifoundation.net

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Mahatma Gandhi, Part-II

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “We reached here yesterday noon quite comfortably. I hope you had my wire in time. Sardar and Rajendra Babu came with me. So we were quite a large company. But we came by a train in which there was no discomfort caused to fellow-passengers. Only we came by the passenger train from Itarsi. My programme is that I am in and about Wardha till the middle of May. I hope your throat is quite in order. You must get rid of these ailments. How you can do so I do not know. But I do feel that there is a simple natural remedy.”62 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are right in saying I worry about nothing and therefore not even about your persistent cough which you so lightly regarded. But not to worry is not to neglect or underrate such information. Why should you be so delicate? Why should the slightest change in the weather upset you? If it is the diet that is at the bottom, you must revert to the old regimen. On no such account may you endanger your health. There are occasions in a person’s life when everything has to be sacrificed. Surely a new regimen suddenly adopted is not such an occasion. My own inclination is always on the side of nature cure. But that you may not adopt unless Shummy co-operates, you believe in it, and you get a proper guide. A guide is obtainable but Shummy may not agree and you may not have faith in it. Mere liking is of no consequence. Please do not play with your ailments. Even a rebel has to submit to the laws of nature. I look forward to better news tomorrow.”63

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You do like to be told that letters from you are always welcome and wanted. Well, this is to tell you once for all that you must write regularly except when you can’t do so without straining yourself. It must never be a task. You are wrong as in usual for idiots. Your letters were duly received in Lucknow. But poor Kanu absent-minded forgot that you were in Simla. My memory is bad enough but it was quite in order for the purpose of sending you the wire. I must however confess that I thought of it a few hours after my arrival. I must find the yarn you want. I shall try to get it twisted. Don’t be ill again. What is the use of having the car there? Surely it can be well looked after in Jullunder.”64 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Only idiots can think of idiotic interpretation and because you are such a brilliant specimen and agent of the A. I. V. I. A., naturally you will like the rest to belong to your species. Heaven help poor me their guide! Do you think anything on earth can be done without trouble? You can’t do even your unpacking without trouble. Then what is the use of your saying that I should redeem my promise to send you honey if it can be done without trouble? I tell you that it cannot be done without some trouble. But that trouble is going to be taken and honey is being sent. You will cover the expense when you next send your cheque. The parcels to follow will be sent to you direct from Calcutta or Shillong, V. P. P. if you like. You will tell me when you will want the next parcel. Let all eat this honey, if they prefer it to the Australian. I am sure the Shillong honey is any day better than the foreign stuff, if only because it is fresher. Your lace, mattress and the reversible sari must be in the box that was being packed for you. You must receive it by this time. I know there was some bungling about it. You are not the only idiot. You may be the princess among them! Are you? I go tomorrow to Nagpur, probably return on 25th, 27th for certain. I go to Segaon, 5 miles from here, on 29th or 30th, returning when required. I go with Sardar on 9th May or about the date no Nandi Hill, Mysore. Mahadev and others accompany me. Or else I would have insisted on Mahadev going to you for a month. We descend to Bangalore about 1st June and leave it about 10th June. This outing is necessary because Dr. Ansari wants Sardar to go to a hill-station. He would not go without me. If I had not to go to Mysore, I would have passed a fortnight with the sister at Panchgani. I am sorry to disappoint them. Of course I inflict myself on you, if I have to come to Simla. I do not think I shall have to just yet. As for you, I shall hold you to the three winter months with me and then you will diet yourself under supervision. What would Shummy say about it?”65

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “A copy of good Ramayana with notes which Mahadev has will be sent to you. Your cheque has duly arrived. The amounts will be duly distributed as per instructions. The Simla parcel should contain the soft fiber mattress, the reversible sari, your lace and two knives. I returned from Nagpur last night. I did plenty of work but without much strain. The W.C. is now on. But they are all at Jamnalal’s place. I hope your expectation will be fulfilled and you will be free from throat trouble at least for four months.”66 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You won’t be a rebel if you were not an idiot. So it is always a question which title suits you most. And since no one can take titles for oneself and Rebel is your choice, I suppose I should prefer the use of Idiot. But though called Tyrant I pamper you so that the rebel of today may be a willing slave of tomorrow. Well, I am at last in Segaon. Pyarelal is with me. I wanted him. Ba was to have come but she was unwell. You will be glad to learn that I walked almost the whole distance. I was none the worse for it. I took the bandi for the remaining 3/4 of a mile because we had missed the way and the others were getting uneasy about me. We came yesterday. The night was glorious.. The reversible sari was surely your own choice. Was it a shawl or sari, I forget. If the khes has come back to you it is a mistake. It has to come back to me. I hope you get your money. No more now as Mahadev must take this and leave at once.”67

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “As Mahadev is here and has brought your note, I must send this through him. Your post generally comes in the evening in Maganwadi. I am not, therefore, able to deal with your letters the very day. In Segaon, your post comes late at night which is the same thing. So there is no delay about incoming letters. You are right. ‘Idiots’ must not meet in broiling heat. Next year we meet in February of early March unless you invite us to Simla! Your Lucknow parcel must be with you by this time. Yes, I have almost all the creature comforts I need. What I do not have, I do not miss. And I could have them, if I want. He is going with me to Nandi and I hope to have the tonsils removed in Bangalore. You may depend upon it I am having a royal time in Segaon.”68

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Surely by this time you have had more than one letter from Segaon. I am sure in a day or two you would have begun to like the place and the life. Ba came with me yesterday. I walked the whole distance. It took me full two hours. But then we again missed the way a little. We were all novices without a guide. And I was silent. I can comfortably do the whole distance on 13/4 hours. I was none the worse for the walk and was ready for the evening walk. Mahadev and Lilavati walked in at 8.30 p.m., and slept on the ground where the operations are going on. We all sleep there, surrounded on all sides by double trenches supported by the excavated earth. We eat the vegetables grown here. We do not therefore get a variety but there is more than compensation in the thought that we are taking what is grown locally. This restriction, if persisted in, will soon induce a cultivation of other vegetables. You wrote to me the other day saying you had advice of dispatch of parcel by Miss Ala worth over Rs. 600. You even hoped that it won’t contain the khes you had sent. Where is that parcel? Instructions together with addresses were duly passed. But everything was topsy-turvy. All were overworked. I am sorry about the parcel having gone to Simla. I know what worry it is to have things wrongly addressed. I had spoken to Khurshed more than once and then to Jerajani. Let us see what finally happens. You need not send your cheque before the receipt of the parcels. By way of curiosity I would like to know how much extra the wrong address has cost. I am sure you should accept the Jullundur nomination if it comes to you. And I take it; you have taken over the college responsibility. These things cannot be put away lightly. You are right about Ku. He is coming to Nandi Hill. I shall see what is possible. I shall not have the operation performed unless I am sure that it is necessary and the surgeon knows his work. Bharatan too will be going probably to Kodaikanal.”69

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “This is being written on the train nearing Madras. We were in a crowded train at Wardha and were divided into three parties. Towards 10 o’clock we all had sleeping room quite comfortable. I wished you were with us. Except for the heat you would have enjoyed the journey. On way I have already collected Rs. 186 for the Harijan cause. I hope to make up Rs. 200 before reaching Madras. I shall cease to be tyrant when you become a willing slave instead of a rebel for nothing an imaginary rebel to an imaginary tyrant. Whether your idiocy will permit you to see such an obvious thing is another question. I shall wait, watch and see. I hope the parcel contains much you wanted. What about the bigger one for Ala? I can’t understand why you have not got the lace. I must inquire. Ku. and Shanta will follow me in a day or two. I have asked Ku. to stop in Bombay a day or two longer, in order to have a thorough examination. I hope you were a match for your opponents in the matter of birth-control argument. Non-violence is not an easy job. It is the subtlest force in the world. It easily eludes one. But I know that in the matter of non-violence you may be beaten in argument; you won’t be dislodged from your conviction which had come to you before your reason had approved of it. Is that not so? My address is Nandi Hill, Mysore State or simply Bangalore City.”70

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Those who try to approach the villagers have to forget that there is such a thing as telegrams. A weekly post is all they have and often not even that. In Segaon there is supposed to be a weekly delivery but I am told the postman in Wardha hands the letters to any Segaon man whom he comes across and whom he trusts! Your letters are all torn up after I have read and answered them. I hope you got my letter written on the train in pencil hand. It was posted at Madras. I walked up the hill from the base. It took me 21/2 hours; the distance covered was over 5 miles. I walked very slowly. Hence there was no fatigue. It was Dr. Ansari who wanted the Sardar to pass the summer on a hill. And he himself is no more. Evidently his death was quite sudden. For me it is a very personal loss. I relied upon his advice in so many matters. The pressure put upon you not to resist your nomination to the Jullunder Municipality, I quite understand. I do not mind you’re trying to make Simla less insanitary. Only don’t you catch the infection. Why don’t you move the Municipal Committee? Of course, what is true of Segaon and Sindi must be true of the black town of Simla. I suppose you know that the old Indian part of Madras is to this day called black town. It has not occurred to any of the city fathers to change that name, though they give patriotic names to some of their streets. We cannot all of a sudden develop sanitary habits because we have up to Simla heights. But the M. Committee can, if it will, enforce proper sanitation. Many things are enforced over there. Sanitary enforcement will be least open to objection. Well, Nandi Hill is really a model of sanitation, of course enforced from above. The air is beautiful. The calmness is divine. Cars or carts or even are rickshaws. Only 30 families can live here comfortably. More are not allowed. I do not know a more secluded, cleaner, quieter hill. Sardar is in raptures over the stillness. I know you will love it, if you were here.”71

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “It is quite like you to be laid up. How I wish I could exercise the authority of a tyrant to drag you down to this beauty spot. No worry, no noises, not a particle of dust, perfect quiet, subdued foliage and refreshing coolness, no social functions, nice tennis ground, beautiful walks. But what can a poor tyrant do to an idiot-rebel? Therefore you will suffer and eat the dust of Simla rather than breathe the dustless fresh air of Nandi. I hope to have better news in your next letter. Don’t you go near those dirty places in this state of your health?”72

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You must have seen all I have written about Dr. Ansari. I may weep over his death selfishly. But there need be no sorrow over his death, if one is certain, as I am, that it is only the perishable body that has perished, not the indestructible soul within. Having put off the old garment, it will put on a new and better one. His services are not lost. If we have faith we may be sure that he is serving even now though in an unseen manner. Being used only to relying upon the feeble and often unreliable evidence of our senses, we refuse to believe that things go on which transcend our senses and which are far more durable and useful than the passing show our senses note and make us alternately weep and laugh. Enough of this wisdom-spinning. Yes, I shall try to secure for you ivory goods and the rest within the limits assigned by you. Ku. Is flourishing. Dr. Subba Rao will examine him and Shanta about the 20th instant. I hope you have been able to persuade Dalip to take “rest and be thankful”. The court work will go on without him for a few weeks or months. The services have taken good care about their work. Why do you worry about your inability to invite Mira? These are limitations of a joint family which both you and I must recognize. Friendships do not exist, must not, for selfish gratification. Mira is quite happy though she is melting in Wardha heat. She is joyous in that she is superintending the creation of my hut. She is looking after the minutest detail with the greatest care. And she is glad too that I shall be her neighbour in the very near future D.V. You are exasperating. When you meet me you will forget all about Kallenbach. Why not out with the talk? Let me share the joke or own up the shame, if I see any in what I might have said. But I hear so many things about myself about which I am an utter stranger that I shall not be surprised if what you have heard ranks among them.”73

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are adding to your titles. Your breast won’t hold them all. Then perhaps you will shed some or better still select one and reject the rest. Terrible lightning has just now burnt up all the fuses and we are in utter darkness. A little light has been made up for me with cotton wicks and eating oil. This bungalow seems to have no substitute for electric lights. It was good you got the Tr. Maharani to give you Rs. 500. I do hope they will accept your terms about Urdu broadcast. You certainly deserve congratulations. Mrs. Marsden will be supplied with Mahadev’s fine yarn. His is the finest. I must trace the lace. It must not be lost.”74

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your note-paper is certainly very good. It shows the very great progress made by the hand-made paper industry. I think it is a good idea you’re sending for uncut paper and having it cut to order there. Perhaps that would support a few poor people there, if you get enough orders there. The question then would be whether it would be worthwhile you’re devoting your time to such details. You must be the best judge. You have to make the best use possible of your time in Simla consistently with the preservation of your health such as you have. You are quite idiotically reserving so many things to tell me when we meet. When that great event comes to pass, you will have forgotten most of the things. I am sure you are not making notes of these reservations. For once therefore you had better be a little wise and reserve nothing for the next meeting. There will be enough to discuss when we meet. And I hope you are telling the Adampur people whatever they need to be told. Certainly you should tolerate nothing fraudulent, no matter what it costs. No cost is too great to pay for your putting down fraud in a pure movement. Did I tell you about Tara’s death during her pilgrimage to Badri-Kedar? You will see all about this in Harijan. She was one of the noblest of women I had the good fortune to meet.”75

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are a proper family party judge, Government Member, Doctor; with rebellious sister in their midst and you want the Collector Brother in your midst to finish your happiness. Remember that feeding up an exhausted brother is not the only manner of expressing a sister’s love. She has to know the food that is required for a given constitution. I know cases where rich and nutritious food has resulted in harm. But you have lived with me in vain if you do not know how to choose the correct articles. The manner of preparing them must be your very own. When I read the sentence in your letter, attributed to me as having ever said to Kallenbach, I couldn’t believe it. I re-read the thing and then I laughed. I never lay down the law like that even for little children. Though K. had immense faith in me, he would not tolerate the autocracy and arrogance attributed to me. And faith like his would not require such assertions of infallibility. You must now fill in the gap and tell me who regaled you with the precious information and I might be able to throw some more light on the grave problem! But my denial should not be taken to mean that I won’t lay down the law for rebels and idiots and require obedience because it is given by me. I must live up to the title given to me if only to give you the satisfaction of proving your rebellious spirit! And then heaven help me, if such assertion being heard by somebody is quoted as an authentic example of my arrogance! When we descend to Bangalore I shan’t have time to give you such nonsense. Here there is quiet and therefore comparative leisure for giving you senseless things. I do hope this hospitality even of nearest and dearest is not proving a strain on your weak body. I know what closest attention to the tiniest details, of which you are capable when it is a matter of loving service, means to the person giving such love. Happily Shummy is there to prevent you from overdoing it. Mira was badly ill but she is better now. She was taken to J.’s bungalow. She must have returned to Segaon. Rameshwari Nehru comes here today for three days. She had a very successful tour in the Harijan cause in Travancore. There was no indication in your note on Lucknow Exhibition that you did not want it published. I read it carefully, made alterations to hide your identity and let it go. You will tell me how it reads. And why did you not want it published? Next time you will mark all such things suitably so as to indicate your wishes. That note had little value if it was not meant to tell me people what a town-bred woman had felt about the Exhibition.”76

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “We descended yesterday and work began. We toured the gold area the whole day, collected over Rs. 1,000 for Harijan cause and returned after 10 p.m. not much tired. It is warm in Bangalore compared to Nandi Hill. And nothing pleases after the bracing air and isolation of Nandi Hill which for me has a charm which no other hill possesses. It was not without a sigh I left Nandi. Sardar is almost disconsolate. He won’t even go out for a walk. I had my usual hour. But Bangalore itself is undoubtedly pleasant at this time of the year. Only Nandi has spoiled us. I am glad you are again able to spin. Yes, your envelope is good. But you must not pay through the nose for them. It must be an idle hour’s job for someone who is in the household or given to those who would be thankful to earn an honest anna. Why should you feel helpless? Why not be wholly satisfied with what you can get through during the day? You may be angry with yourself when you neglect anything. But what can you do when time runs against you? You must have seen Harilal having adopted Islam! He must have sensation and he must have money. He has both. I am thinking of addressing a general letter to Mussalman friends. I will see how it shapes itself.”77

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I congratulate you on not being nominated. If some of the things you have drop out of them, it would be a gain. As to the Y. M. C. A., I would not hazard an opinion without having fuller knowledge. I have myself chosen the ivory things for you today. They will be sent to you by the depot with invoice.”78

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Empty bottles are more needed in Segaon than perhaps in Maganwadi. But I am not less in Maganwadi for being in Segaon than when I was there without Segaon. But no extra exertion should be put forth to secure them. Whatever you have to spare should come my way when you are coming. The razors are not used for knives. They are used for shaving. You shall see the specimen knives when you come. Yes, you will occupy a corner wherever I am both on your way to Walt air and return. Self-praise is no praise. And when one always insists that she can never be coerced the hearer will take it with a grain or two of salt. A la J. you belong to a system that is based on coercion. Therefore the less you talk of not being coerced the better!! The return of the khes to you is a double-distilled stupidity. Did you get the lace too? Poor Jerajani sent me a copy of the letter he sent to his people saying that the khes was to come to me and the lace to you. This is an idiotic circle. Are you responsible for the infection? Anyway do write a strong letter of protest to the sender. And do not spend money on sending it. You should bring it. You must obey.”79

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Do not be alarmed at the reduced prices of the articles sent to you. I asked for it because you were to sell them as swadeshi propaganda and might have to lose on them, too, if you are unable to dispose of them. Let not your princely pride be wounded. You should charge the full selling price plus postage, etc. No idiocy allowed in business matters. For these things you are no Rajkumari but a simple sevika and trustee. I have a copy of the letter and bill sent to you. Hope you are quite restored.”80

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your exploit in going with drawing-room slippers and missing your way and walking till you were exhausted was worthy of an idiot. You have more than earned the title! This letter will probably be the last from Bangalore. We leave here on 12th, reaching Wardha 14th. Yes, Mira is quite well working as hard as she can at my hut. Vidya hi Seva is quite good. But it is better to have Seva hi Vidya. Why not Vidya Sevayai, meaning Knowledge for Service? I suppose you will have it somewhat like this: This as artistically drawn as is possible to do. But you know what I mean.”81

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “We reached here yesterday morning. The weather is superb. The clouds all the day and a cool breeze, not much rain yet to speak of. I hope, if there is no rain in the morning, to leave for Segaon tomorrow, though my hut is not quite ready yet. Things move slowly in villages. But I know there will be no difficulty about getting a dry corner for myself. Rameshwari Nehru is with me. She travelled 3rd class with us all the way. Of course 3rd class with me is no discomfort except for the crowds that gather at every station. She had two nights with us in the train. Her tour in Travancore was quite successful. She will be leaving Wardha on Wednesday. Kanti went to Poona and returns on Friday. Navin stayed behind to learn the art of carving. He expects to be able to carve ivory-goods like what I have sent you. Ba had a sandal-wood box sent to her. It was no use to her. I thought the best use was to send it to you either to sell or keep. It was left with Navin to send by post. I hope you are better and the weather has improved. You must find a better place to go to in summer. From your descriptions Simla seems to be none too good.”82

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “It is a great thing for a rebel to own defeat. At last you have a plethora of letters from me! Your humiliation delights me. But you are not to think of making yourself sick in an attempt to overtake my letters. Remember you are in Simla having calls on your time which I have not. You wouldn’t be an idiot if you had guessed why I had chosen the brooches with flimsy pins. Your dense head could not see that the purchaser or wearer belonging to the exploiting class would have a solid gold pin put on in the place of the flimsy one. The question is: is the carving of the brooch good or not? Is it neat enough? I gave much time to the selection of the two brooches. Most were loud. These two I thought might pass Your Highness’s test.”83 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your complaint about my faint writing is quite legitimate. Nor are you the only complainant. I must improve village ink. Village ink and village paper is not a combination I can yet advertise. You will admit, however, that if I give in, improvement may become impossible. Rebels like you must persist in their rebellion and you will soon find that even the tyrant will have to mind his manners. Perhaps I shall have to give up using this thin paper. Tell me if you were able to read this without the magnifier you have certainly done well over your sales. I have answered your objection about the shoddy pin for the brooches. If the answer is not satisfactory, they will, I am sure, exchange the brooches for any article you may fancy of the same value. I hope you got the sandal-wood box that was separately sent to you. You must get out of this chronic overwork even if it is to be by living in Segaon. I can build you a hut according to your plan. You can drive straight from the station reaching Segaon at the most in 11/2 hours. You should do it in one hour. You must not drive if it is raining or if it is just after a heavy downpour. My hut has thick mud-walks, twice the breadth of ordinary brick-wall. The mud is rain-proof. I think you will fall in love with the hut and the surroundings.”84

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Three rupees have been paid. You have already had letters from Segaon which I leave for a week on 27th to be in Wardha for several meetings. It has been raining daily off and on. There was no damage here or none to be noticeable. Of course, only an idiot could expect customers to cure their purchases of defects. I fully expected to make the brooches presentable to the royalty adding the extra cost entailed in doing so. However, it is something that you thought at last of the right thing. I see nothing wrong in your trying to give to Arjan the best of your knowledge and experience. Ba did not want the sandal-wood casket.”85 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The length of the kerchief is 13/4 of the length of this paper and width 11/2. I have no measure-tape or rod here. Yes, you were free to keep the sandal-wood box for yourself. Ba had expected as much. There is not likely to be heavy rain at the end of July. If there is, you will walk part of the way. It will be perfectly pleasant. It is only a certain class of people who die many times before their death. Thank heaven you do not belong to that class. Are you not the lion brand?”86

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Having returned to Segaon last evening I can deal with correspondence. How can a young man of 67 say from experience whether men (for women I won’t be allowed to speak) become obstinate on old age creeping in? Yes, I would gladly forgo the pleasure of having Idiot talk to me by post when she is attending to Malaviyaji who needs considerate listeners like you. How I would love to see him rest for a year! But he won’t. He will die-in harness. God bless him. Nevertheless he departs from dharma in refusing to rest when both mind and body need to. You and I must not imitate him, though you are inclined always like him to overdo things. You must recognize it as an unpardonable weakness. I shall find work for you in Bezwada if I know definitely when and how many hours you will be there. You must impose silence on yourself to give your poor throat some rest. Do you know that a specialist has enjoined on Jawaharlal a week’s complete silence on pain of having a complete breakdown? Not even a whisper allowed. Will you listen? Or will you prove the idiotic obstinate princess who will listen to no one? You will give me the definite date of your coming. Mira is happy in her cottage. Her village instinct is a marvel to me.”87 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “We shall not come closer by reason of letters. Absence of them can’t separate us or create coolness. Why should you become a chronic invalid? Your sense though of an idiot evidently led you aright. For your Simla khadi experiment seems to be succeeding beyond expectations. I suppose I must call it a mere accident. Idiots can’t design good things! The cottage here is a picture. I have just now a young sadhu. He is a great bhajani, singer of bhajans of his own composition. He will be with me for a month. I occupy one corner, he occupies another, and the third is occupied by Munnalal, a co-worker. The first accommodates a plank bedstead which you have seen. That corner will be taken up by Ba, if she comes, and you. So, you will prepare yourself for the proper village life. No privacy except in the bathroom which you will share with me. You must shudder to think of the fate that awaits you. You will enjoy the newness. There is no noise in spite of the seemingly crowded state of the room. All rounds is open and beautiful. Fresh breeze is blowing throughout the day. It is quite cool. Perfect walks all over. When you come for two nights you will tell me what changes you will want. You are there perhaps much more crowded than you are likely to feel here. All of us sleep under the sky without a roof separating us from it. Nevertheless you should bring your mosquito net and the cork for your thermos which you have made mine. I am managing with the one which is now almost all eaten away. Agatha expects to attend the Ceylon Conference which you have tabooed for yourself. This is the newest sample of Maganwadi paper. You will have this in an envelope of Maganwadi make.”88

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “There are tyrants and tyrants. You will see on 22nd how you feel. If the night is fine, the roads dry and you do not feel fatigued, drive to Segaon after having your food. I shall be ready to give you a shake down at Segaon. If the fates are not propitious, you will sleep at Maganwadi and walk or drive, as you will, to Segaon in the morning. You must not be tired out in any way. You may brave all kinds of experiences, subject to the tyrant’s will, on your return when you are expected to stay for a period.”89 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “What have you done? Shummy says you “return an ill woman” and naturally he says he “feels very disappointed all round”. You shall not be cross with him for having told the truth. The wire distresses me. What could be wrong with you? I have sent you a peremptory wire. I hope you will not leave me in suspense and will give me a faithful report. Why Shummy is disappointed all round? You will enlighten me. You told me not to write to Shummy. But I could not ignore the wire. I have sent him a brief note. I do hope there is nothing seriously wrong with you. More when I know the whole truth. Yes, Mira left for Betul yesterday and Puri occupies her hut. Your corners are vacant and the bathroom? All the playthings gone! But how can you return to me if you cannot keep good health here?”90

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am writing this at J.’s in the early morning to catch the train. I can’t give you the assurance that I am without anxiety. How can I be when you act so rebelliously? You were docile in the presence of the tyrant. Behind his back the rebellious spirit breaks out. Therefore the only way to free me from anxiety is for you to get quickly well and, if fish-eating would restore you, you should unhesitatingly take it. But I can give you this assurance that nothing that Shummy can say will affect me in the least. His great anger is the measure of his love for you. Brought up as he is, he has every right to accuse me of having ruined your health and otherwise disturbed the even tenor of your life. How can he feel otherwise? I had told you that much was to depend upon your returning to Simla in a first-class condition. You did not, you could not. We would settle accounts after you have got well and look better than ever before. You would continue to write and wire daily while the illness lasts. You must not take up any work till you are completely restored. I hope you had my wire yesterday. I came to Wardha yesterday. I walk back this evening. Mira is returning today from Betul.”91 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Why must you send vegetables too? Surely that is repugnant to the village sense. Trust me to ask for what I need from you. There is no hurry about the surgical instruments. I can wait till Shummy is himself again. You have to make up your mind to win him back. It is sheer nonsense for you to talk of running away from the home. It is so unlike you. ‘Love is patient and long suffering.’ And what are you if not embodiment of love? Your precious association with me is not going to make you less loving and less lovable. If you have not been able to give satisfaction to the family by showing better health, surely it is within your power to show an equable mind and a love that will quench the fieriest anger. Do wire to me that you have reconquered Shummy. I tell you the thought of his pain over your illness haunts me all the day long. I do not know how I can appease him except by your unmistakably showing him that you have not lost, but if possible gained by your contact with me, in all that counts. Mira came back yesterday. The appointments in Betul were too dirty for her.”92

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are good. You are sending me full letters and wires. I needed them all. Your letters are also cheerful. But whilst I do not worry in the sense you do. I must confess that your illness has given me a rude shock and Shummy’s estrangement has proved unbearable. You must walk to his room and stoop to conquer. Bathe him with your tears. I want his wire that he has forgiven me from his heart. It hurts me to think that I should be the cause of estrangement between you and him. Here you were perfect in your obedience. I want you to obey me in this from your heart. Voluntary obedience always carries its own conviction. And I know that your obedience will restore the harmony of the household. The exact, method of winning over Shummy I must leave to you. When you are entirely restored, I shall discuss with you and Shummy, if he is then composed my own opinion about the cause of your painful collapse. It may be well for you to reduce the quantity of milk rather than giving up eggs. The heaviness need not be looked for in that direction first. And if the doctor agrees, you should take a little garlic always. I cannot vouch for it but I am inclined to think that onion oil should be good for eczema. I was not amused over subhas’s fear. There is much truth in what he says. If you were feigning strength however unwittingly, under the impulse of your enthusiasm and your intense love for me, naturally the separation would produce a collapse. You alone could be the judge of the condition, which you can fathom by introspection.”93 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “All these few days I was in no mood to play. Hence I had forgotten that you were a Rebel, Idiot, etc., etc. Now I am somewhat composed. You have still to send me the news that there is reconciliation between you and Shummy. If you have not gone to him, you must do so at once. I told you I did not like that eruption on the thumb. You must not doctor it yourself. You should see a competent doctor, if Shummy will not attend to you. Nor can I guide you from here as to your food except in a general way. The bath is all right. You are right in raising its temperature. It is enough to have it is at least 5 degrees below the temperature of the body. I must tell you later what I consider was the cause of your breakdown. This is being written after 8 p. m. So I must not write more. Mahadev has kept you fully posted about my health. Hence I need say nothing more except that I am A. Please thank Shummy for the book on snakes of which I saw some beautiful live specimens yesterday.”94

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I had the physical capacity to write to you all these days. But I have been so busy talking things that I have not been able to do any writing except on Monday. I hope you got my letter written that day. Now too I am writing this before retiring for the night. Yes, I had a good letter from Shummy. I do not agree with you that Segaon climate had nothing to do with my malaria. Indeed Segaon is noted for its malarial climate. It is for me to conquer it and not shun it. I hope to be there on Saturday. The plate will be taken tomorrow. It will decide my fate. Your letters, received with extraordinary regularity, have been a rich treasure. You must not trifle with your eczema or the eruption on the thumb. You must put yourself under a competent doctor and do as he tells you. So long as you take eggs, I do not think anybody will insist on your taking meat. I would like you to wire to me saying you have called in skilled assistance. Consult Shummy on the point. You must not be obstinate on the point.”95

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Well, I am at last in dear old Segaon without Ba, Lilavati and Moti. Amtul Salaam is here for a few hours and she goes back to Wardha. Lilavati is in Maganwadi under discipline and Ba has remained there out of sympathy. All is quiet here and looking nice. In front of me are two live snakes in the cage caught yesterday. Your green soap bit is there in its place. It will give a few days’ work still. You will be glad to learn that your thermos was broken to pieces after giving a night’s good use. The door of the cart suddenly opened and the thermos fell out. You are not to replace it any more. I must do the best I can with improvised things. You know by this time that I am shameless enough to ask for things I need. And such a thing is a real good magnifying glass. Tell me what the cost of the thermos broken today was. It is pure curiosity that prompts the question. I hope you have listened to me and taken expect advice about your eczema. It is a thing not to be lightly treated. You won’t be anxious about me. I shall take every care of myself.”96 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “As you want me to destroy your letters at once, I have always to write from memory. Yes, Shummy wrote a sweet letter which I am going to a acknowledge, though he does not want me to. Here is my diagnosis of your illness. You left in the midst of nature treatment. As it was not completed, there was a reaction in a radically changed climate. It would be called a healthy reaction if it could be treated a la nature-cure method. This is not merely hipbaths. There are steam-baths, light-baths, etc. But this was not to be. I was not alarmed over the reaction but over the just resentment in the family. They cannot sympathize with nature-cure methods. Have I made myself clear? Thank God, now there is peace in the family. But you must not trifle with your eczema. I would certainly treat you if you were with me. But that cannot be, certainly not for cure. You have to go through the orthodox method. The quicker the better. Yours is a departure from the orthodox routine. You may not therefore resent the criticism of the family. You will justify your rebellion only by your large-hearted charity, ever-increasing inner joy, equableness and possession of good health. Rebellions can only be justified by success. If you will therefore be patient and wise in your changes, all will be well. Please give my love to Tai, if she is still there. You need not now give me daily letters if you are pressed for time or too lazy to write. Writing to me must be no tax on your mind or body.”97

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am glad your thumb seems to be quite restored. But I shall wait. The oozing must be stopped, not merely suppressed. Please do not trifle with it. I do not mind your feeling lazy and not taking up routine work. But you must not deceive yourself and imagine yourself to be well when you are not. How I wish you could keep Tai there for some time. My love is to her. I have not yet read the Statesman article. It is with me. I shall see what I can do with it. Do not worry over letters to me. Write daily, if it pleases and relaxes you. No strain, please. I shall not imagine all sorts of evil when I do not hear from you, now that I know you are free to miss a day or two.”98 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your apples have been eaten by all with relish. Not an invitation to send more. Khan Saheb was most grateful for the attention given by you to the girls. He wants you to go out of your way to befriend them and direct them the right way. Here is his letter. I am glad Shummy is now attending to you. You will now get well quick.”99

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are in danger of losing caste even with Tai, if you persist in defending my non-violence so long as it has not become your very own. That the savage in us may get the better of us when we are tried does not affect our position, if we even while we are savage know that we are doing wrong. The fact is that in this age of doubt, we are never sure of our ground. Some attractive argument which we cannot answer baffles us instead of humbling our pride in our intellect. These questions of non-violence, birth-control, and the like are eternal problems. So it might be better for you in the long run, never to seek to defend my views. When it is your own views, I know you are more than able to hold your own. I do not want your great ability to be discounted because of your association with me. Rather would I like it to be said that neither your body nor your mind had suffered decay after you began to come to Wardha. I am glad Shummy is now treating your eczema. You must not be touchy about the feet. Is it not better that what is in is now coming out. The only thing is to have a remedy that results in elimination, not suppression. I hope you will have no difficulty in deciphering the leaf. You will have none if you will treat this as part of it. You know what I mean. Even among closest relatives some can be shameless. I belong to that class. Therefore don’t send me a thermos till I call for it. I assure you I am getting hot enough drinks. On that score you need not worry. I entirely agree with you that women are better nurses and more attentive to details than men. Whether it is so for modern women or not you can speak with greater authority than I can. Your recent letters make me feel uneasy. You seem to be overdoing things again. Learn to say “No” when you are physically or mentally too tired. Ba and Manu went to Delhi yesterday. And Lilavati is still at Maganwadi. Mira has no temperature today as yet though this is the day for it.”100

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your eczema has to go. I do not know how. Will Shummy approve of gently steaming the part affected, then applying ice poultice? If you think you can discuss this with him you should do so. But at the same time you must not fret because it is a skin disease. You will be well earlier, if you will cease to think about the trouble. How I wish I was by your side at the present moment! But that cannot be. Please tell Fielden with my regards that he is working himself to death without a just cause. He ought to take leave and get well quickly. Of course the effect of malignant malaria is said to be very bad. I wonder if Mahadev passed on to you the yarn that I was to have died of heart failure at 10 a.m. on Friday last. This was sent by a learned man in all seriousness to Jamnalalji. He told me all about it. And though he made light of the information, he could not help posting poor Mahodaya here for the night. Though he was deprived of the privilege of last rites, he came in handy as Mira happened to have high fever that very day. I hope the access of visitors has not proved a real strain on your scanty resources. I wish you could hide yourself somewhere during the cold season. Any other hill will be better than Simla. Is it impossible to try Mahabaleshwar or Ooty?”101 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “How I wish I could have you under my care in December and onward. But your eczema must disappear before then. Sardar Vallabhbhai is due there on 24th. I have asked him to get Deshmukh to examine you. He is a good all-round man. He might be able to find the real remedy. I take it Shummy won’t mind that. Of course I shall write to Shummy to let you come to me between December and February both inclusive. But I don’t want to write just yet or you will tell me when. The folding charkha will be sent as soon as you send me the address. It will be specially made. I understand what you say about your letters. Your wish is being literally respected. It does seem to me that you should let Shummy put you on a meat diet. Surely you won’t refuse to take meat as medicine. You have not developed that independent conscience. Let the evolution be slow and steady. If I religiously avoid meat even as medicine, it has been a life-long sadhana independently and deliberately undertaken. Anyway I would urge you to yield to Shummy in this repect, if he is sure that he will cure you. You must not expect the impossible from him.”102

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “This is a left hand effort just to give the right a little rest. You do seem to be overworking yourself. You ought to find a way out. The newspaper cutting is funny. They cannot live without lies. Presently they will reduce you to thin air! Then you will fly about everywhere without any escort and I shall provide no corner for you when you choose to waft yourself to Segaon. The only difficulty will be how to make you out a mere airy nothing. Well, by the time you become nothing, I shall have grown a sixth sense enabling me to recognize beings or non-beings of the air. Don’t you think that I have nothing else to do but to write nonsense? I wanted to chat with you. I don’t want to be always lecturing to you on your eczema. And the wretched cutting gave me the text for this letter. The apples have come in again. Are they still from your garden?”103

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “If the unbreakable thermos comes, I shall not return it. As I destroy all your letters, I have inadvertently destroyed the Mahmudabad address. Please repeat it on a separate sheet. Surely it is ‘idiotic’ to pass summer in Simla merely because you possess a house there. You ought to select another summer resort where you can really recoup yourself. Remember one of the attributes of non-violence. It seldom speaks, it simply and silently acts. It appeals not to the intellect, it pierces the heart. The more it speaks and argues the less effective it becomes. Therefore do not hesitate to let your case be lost by default. Apparent defeat may be the hour of victory. Speech is often a sign of weakness. You will please give a trial to meat if Shummy says it is necessary. Your vegetarianism will be on surer ground for your yielding now, if yielding becomes a duty.”104 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “If you do not chew garlic well, it is likely to pass out undigested. It must therefore be well pounded. You may take it the last thing before retiring in an ounce of dahi or at the table. You must send me a copy of your rural broadcast. Khan Saheb wants me specially to thank you for all you are doing for Mehrtaj and Mariam. I am glad they are coming under your influence.”105

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Khan Saheb is delighted that you are giving all that attention to the girls. You should yield to Shummy now and take what meat he wants you to. There will be grace in your yielding now. There will be little or none if you yield when you are driven to it. And there will be no restraint possible. That you took very little meat when you did is no argument to prove that it will produce no effect in your case. Since you have no religious objection, I would like you to listen to me and straightway tell Shummy to prescribe what he likes. You must get rid of the eczema before you begin to move about. I see that you can’t come to me in December. Let us see what is possible in January and February. Of course you are to be in Faizpur at the time of the Congress if you are able to go to Ahmadabad. When do you descend to Jullundur? The idea of building a separate cottage for you in Simla is a chimera. If you had one, you would be torn to pieces. You are physically unfit to have an eternal round of guests. Mira is free from fever but is not she still. But she will be quite well in a few days. I am getting stronger though slowly. You will persevere with the hip-baths and try the sit bath too. I have described the latter to you. Sit on a stool with the legs outside the water which should be level with the stool and then gently wash the genitals with a smooth towel. It is supposed to work wonders. You should take this separately.”106 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I was glad to have your little note saying the toothache was over. I shall anxiously await the Dentist’s report. The unbreakable thermos has arrived after all. Let us see when that too shares the fate of the others. More than half the apples were quite uneatable. Evidently they have now become too delicate for transport. Is there any fun in wasting money like that? Why not put to my credit all the money you thus save. It may then be used for buying good fruit as and when needed. That is a sporting offer that should appeal even to an idiot! I dare not give you more time just now as I have to attend to Nanavati who is laid up with fever whose kind I do not yet know.”107

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I was delighted to hear that you were examined by Dr. Deshmukh even though it was after daylight. Let us hope you will profit by his prescription. Shummy’s antipathy to nature-cure is either a simple pose or simply due to prejudice born of ignorance. Ansari always appreciated it. How I would love to have you with me even in your bad health and nurse you to good health! But you must not be impatient. No one can get out of his or her limitations whether external or internal without patient and persistent striving. I fear your fretting over this eczema is due to the temporary disfigurement. What vanity, if my surmise is right. Your will certainly have to come to me to shed it. And here at least you won’t be conscious of the spots or any such thing. Here you won’t have the society of your peers. Anyway this continual brooding over the ailment worries me. I want you to be above it. Can you do it? Make a brave effort and forget the wretched thing. Of course, when I say nothing about myself you should know that I am well. But I have a sick companion to nurse. He is Nanavati a first-class worker and good singer. He was in charge of the kitchen in Maganwadi. He seems to have a mild attack of typhoid. He is simply on orange juice or honey and hot water. He has hip-baths and enema daily. He is keeping up his strength and is quite cheerful. I expect he will be free in seven days. This is the fifth day. As you know, I love nursing. It is no strain on me. Pyarelal is in charge of the kitchen. He is a sleepless giant. Sardar is due here today.”108

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Two baskets with apples and one containing honey have arrived, also the two glasses. I do hope Deshmukh will see you again. Of course I am not going to strive with you any more about meat. I do want to respect your scruples. I await your experience of the S.A. Delegation. Don’t expect long letters from me just now. I have two serious cases and now Mira is down again. She does not know how to regulate her diet. Who does? Idiots may.”109 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your own blank paper returns to you duly filled. The magnifiers are already being used for various purposes examining patients as well as snakes. I have two live specimens again. Yes, Nanavati is with me three beds going Mira, Nanavati and Balwant singh. The latter is free from fever. The other two cases are obstinate. Fever persists with ups and downs. They all require careful nursing. They are under water treatment and get fruit juices. No cause for anxiety as yet. Of course there is as much illness in Simla as elsewhere and I was told when I came there for the first time that the place was notorious for venereal diseases. But those who choose can certainly benefit by its mountain air. Therefore if the climate agrees with you, you should stay as long as Shummy wants you to. Village work in Manganwal will take care of itself meanwhile. When I go to Ahmadabad I shall see what can be done about the women’s differences. But I hold out no hope. I know the state of affairs there. From what you tell me it seems that you never received any letter from Mridula in reply to yours. And she told me definitely that she had written to you inviting you to her house. Khan Saheb says it is enough that the girls seek and like your company. He says he is grateful to you for the open invitation you have given them. He does not want or expect you to give them lessons. Khan Saheb was never ill. I suggested an examination of his teeth and sent him to Nagpur. One tooth was extracted.”110

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have been obliged to neglect you these few days. My only comfort is that the correspondence has been practically suspended all my time being given to the sick ones. I can’t say they are yet on the mend. The temperature is slowly rising daily. There is no danger as yet. But both are very weak. They will be all right if they have enough vitality. Anyway neither they nor I have any anxiety. The C.S.1 was here today to examine them. They are having only water cure. I have just finished your broadcast. Your experience of the village is excellently reproduced. The other part is not well balanced. You say “old systems... have perished.” If they have, where is the cause for revival? But you yourself show later that they have at most decayed, not perished. And then you begin at the wrong end build roads and houses!! Who can do the thing? Surely sanitation comes first. We were agreed upon it too!! And you began with it. But how should you be Idiot, if you remembered such a very simple fact? And then you have not made a sharp division between what people can and should do themselves and what the State can and should. You do not want more than this, do you? And you are in no need of praise. Of that you must have had a surfeit. If you are only permitted to pass two months with me, I should hope to reconstruct your body. This eczema is certainly a source of anxiety from the medical standpoint. But I do not despair. Of course you won’t go to Ahmadabad, if you are not quite fit. The apples of late have been quite hardy and all in a good condition. You should tell me what the fruit costs each time and what the railage costs. The honey too came in quite safely. I finished the whole yesterday. It was quite nice. I have not yet heard from Lionel. Khan Saheb has all the fruit he can eat. I get apples from you and Ambujam more than I need mosambis from Bombay and oranges locally.”111

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I must utilize it for a few words to you. The patients are doing well, though fever persists. How many villagers can go to hospitals? Both would have gone to the hospital if I had wanted them to. I could not do so without denying my past and the recent article I wrote. So long as God wants me to work on this earth in this body, He will take care of it. Not all the physicians in the world can save me when the hour strikes.”112 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You have certainly provided me with excellent material for Harijan. I shall make judicious use of portions of it. You must then do a little propaganda work, even write to the papers and invite other women to do likewise. If you women would only realize your dignity and privilege, and make full use of it for mankind, you will make it much better than it is. But man has delighted in enslaving you and you have proved willing slaves till the slaves and the slave-holders have become one in the crime of degrading humanity. My special function from childhood, you might say, has been to make woman realize her dignity. I was once slaveholder myself but Ba proved an unwilling slave and thus opened my eyes to my mission. Her task was finished. Now I am in search of a woman who would realize her mission. Are you that woman, will you be one? If Shummy will be happy and healthy going to Europe and won’t go without you, why should you not accompany him? No time for more.”113

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You have been good in that you have been sending me letters without receiving anything from me. I had simply no time after leaving Segaon. And in Ahmadabad I was washed out. Last night there was hardly 3 hours’ sleep for I had to detrain at 12 p.m. at Baroda to see the Tyabjis and entrain at 2.30 a.m. for Surat. On the train for Baroda I had to revise Mahadev’s notes and so there was no time to sleep on the train. Thank God it is all over and now I have made up for the lost rest. For I have been sleeping off and on since 8.30 a.m. I have commenced attending to correspondence only just now 4 p.m. I had a long chat with Lady Vidyagauri, Hansa and others. I had no time to talk to Mridula after the interview and not at all on the Conference matter. I have now written to her. I am glad Shummy has agreed to your being with me for two months. Let us hope and pray that you would be all the better in health for being with me. Ba’s hut is being built. She went with me from Delhi. She will leave Ahmadabad today for Bombay and pass about a week with Ramdas who is not keeping extra well. She will be there about a week. Mahadev will also be going to Bombay tonight. He had a touch of fever. I have kept very fit in spite of overwork. I wish you were with me for some functions which were interesting. I had gone to Rajkot not to see my sister, though she, too, is there. I had gone specially to see my aged cousin5 and his wife6, Kanu’s grandparents who gave all his sic children for the cause. Of course you are going to stay with me in Faizpur. Both the Segaon patients are doing well. They require hardly any nursing. For the most part they are now able to help themselves. What a trail we have all gone through. All’s well that ends well.”114

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I hope this will reach you in Simla. It is joyous news that Shummy denied himself aspirin for full one week and you were gracious enough to have only two tabloids during the whole Simla season. Let us hope now you won’t need even two during your lifetime which extend to 100 years. Your sales of khadi certainly went beyond even my expectations. All this due to the effort of a mere woman frail in body and idiot mentally!!! No, wonder poor khadi workers in Simla are trembling over the prospect of you absence during the next Simla season. But we need not worry about the future which is in God’s hands. You will give a good account of yourself no matter where you are. Nanavati is so well that he is leaving today to pass a few days among the members of his family and friends whilst he is gaining strength. He is a wonderful worker. Mira is chirpy. Balwant Singh is weak. He must overwork himself and take chapati even when he must not. You were extravagant in buying the thermos, the magnificent apples. But you would not be a Rajkumari if you were not extravagant. You are none the less so because you spend on others. If you counted yourself a trustee, as you should, of all you possess including your body, you would be balanced in using them even for your trust. You may not philosophically smile this simple truth away. Remember the value of a rupee in terms of the poor. It means 64 solid meals which millions do not have. Many in Segaon live on a rupee per month, i.e., only two meals a day costing one pice each. But millions do not get this much. How can you and I, knowing this as well as that I am writing this, misspend a pice? Will you be wise for a while? If you will become a woman of my imagination, you will have to develop all your faculties, not excluding account-keeping. And how about you’re Hindi? Will you send me a good portable copy of Granth Sahib in Hindi with translation? No hurry and not an expensive volume. If getting a cheap copy is beneath your princess-like dignity or your capacity, you must leave this commission alone. I gave Kumarappa’s manuscript to Mira for criticism. She read it carefully and has given me her notes. She thought it was heavy, but terse enough, some parts not convincing. I am glad you have revised it. I wanted to pass on Mira’s notes to Kumarappa. But I had no time. If it is not given to the printers, and I find the time, I shall go through the thing myself.”115

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