Tales of Bengal | Page 9

Mughal days (i.e., before British rule, which in
Bengal date from 1765). Young Nalini is reading for his B.A.
examination and wants to be a pleader (advocate). Kumodini Babu
would hardly allow his son to marry the daughter of a poor clerk."
"Still, there is no harm in trying," remarked the wife. "If you don't feel
equal to approaching him, there's Kanto Babu who would do so. It was
his wife who broached the subject to me, which makes me think that
they have been discussing it together."
"An excellent idea," exclaimed Shám Babu. "I'll go to him at once."
And taking his stick, he set out for Kanto Babu's house, which was
barely fifty yards off. In half an hour he returned to gladden his wife
with the news that their neighbour had consented to act as a
go-between.
Kanto Babu was as good as his word. That very evening he called on
Kumodini Babu, whom he found reading the Mahábhárata (an epic
poem). After dwelling now on this matter, now on that, he asked
casually:--
"Have you never thought of getting Nalini married? He is over twenty,
I believe."
"My wife has been urging me to look out for a wife for him, but in my
opinion he is too young for such responsibilities. Better wait till he has
passed the B.A. examination."
"Your wife's idea is sounder than yours, if I may be permitted to say so.
Just think of the awful temptations to which unmarried students are
exposed in that sink of profligacy, Calcutta! How many promising lads
have succumbed to them, wrecking their own lives and causing bitter

grief to their parents!"
Kumodini Babu started. "You surprise me! I had no idea that Calcutta
was as bad as you paint it. We must certainly get Nalini married at once.
I wonder whether you know of a likely match for him. I don't care
about money, but--"
"That I do," interrupted Kanto Babu, "There's Shám Babu's daughter,
Shaibalini. What a pretty creature she is; modest, loving and
kind-hearted! You won't find her equal in this eláqa (lit. jurisdiction). If
you approve, I will gladly be your spokesman with her family."
Kumodini Babu mused awhile before answering. "I know Shaibalini
well by reputation, and she is all you describe her. Shám Babu, too,
comes of excellent lineage, though he is not a Zemindar, and depends
on service. I should not object to marrying Nalini with his daughter.
But wait a bit: what gotra (clan) does he belong to?"
"I believe he is a Dakhin Rárhi," answered Kanto Babu.
"But I am an Uttar Rárhi," remarked Kumodini Babu. "Is not that a
fatal objection?"
For the benefit of non-Hindu readers I may explain that Kayasthas are
split into clans--probably a survival of the tribal organisation which
preceded the family almost everywhere. According to tradition, a King
of Bengal named Ádisur imported five Brahmans, and as many
Kayastha servants from Kanauj in Upper India. From the latter are
descended the Ghosh, Basu, Mitra, Guha, and Datta families. The first
four are generally recognised as Kúlin (Angl., "aristocratic") Kayasthas,
while the Dattas and seven other families are known as Sindhu
Maulik--"coming of a good stock". Ádisur and his companions found
700 Brahmans and the same number of Kayasthas already established
in Bengal. These are the supposed ancestors of a large number of
Kayastha families still termed Saptasati, "the Seven Hundred". The
ancient Greeks reckoned their neighbours beyond the Hellenic pale as
"barbarians". So Brahmans and Kayasthas of Central Bengal styled
their congeners north of the Ganges Rárh, or "uncivilised". The epithet

survives in Uttar (north) and Dakhin (south) Rárhi, but has lost its
offensive meaning. Bárendra is another phrase for the inhabitants of a
tract north of the Ganges, which answers to the modern districts of
Rajshahi, Pabna, and Bogra.
Kanto Babu was evidently perplexed; but after reflecting for a short
time he asked, "Now why should such a trifling matter cause any
trouble whatever? The time has long since passed away when arbitrary
difference of clan was considered a bar to marriage among Kayasthas."
"You are quite right," was Kumodini Babu's reply, "and personally I
am above these old-fashioned prejudices. My daughter-in-law may be
Dakhin Rárhi, Banga-ja, or Bárendri for all I care, provided she be
comely, well-mannered and come of good stock. But will Shám Babu
be equally tolerant?"
"That I can't say until I have consulted him," answered Kanto Babu.
"One thing more I must know. What is your idea of Dená Páona (a
word answering to our 'settlements')?"
"Rám, Rám!" exclaimed Kumodini Babu. "Am I the man to sell my son
for filthy lucre? I hear that Calcutta folks occasionally do so, but I am
quite opposed to the custom. Should Shám Babu agree to this match, I