Page 126 - DENG104_ELECTIVE_ENGLISH_I

Unit 12: A Flight of Pigeons by Ruskin Bond

“Pathans formed thirty per cent of the Muslim population of Shahjahanpur (Muslims forming Notes
twenty-three per cent of the entire population) according to the 1901 census. Most were cultivators
although many were landed proprietors of the district. (True Pathans are descendents of
Afghan immigrants.) “Their attitude during the Mutiny cost them dear, as many estates were
forfeited for rebellion.” (Gazetteer)
Muslims seemed to be better off at that time than 100 years later when India gained independence.
Urdu was more popular for one. I think the grandeur of Urdu went out of the country with
Pakistan. For their massive role in India’s first war of independence, the British clipped the
wings of Muslims by taking their property and riches. Add to it their adamant and resistant
attitude to the laws and systems of whoever is governing the country apart from those of
the Ulema.
“The number of Muslims whose services (to the British) were recognized are extremely small,
as, apart from the two men who sheltered their Eutopoean kinsman, Mr Maclean, in pargana
Tilhar, the only persons recognized were Nasir Khan and Amir Ali of Shahjahanpur, who
buried the bodies of the Englishmen murdered on the occasion of the outbreak and Ghulam
Husain, who saved the commissariat buildings from destruction and for some time protected
several Hindis on the district staff.” (Gazetteer, 1900)
I perceived from the book that Hindu-Muslim unity and respect for each other was existent,
and more so perhaps, despite the absence of current liberal and global education systems. It
might be true because of less economic disparity. The accounts do talk about instances of
Muslim tyranny and Rajputs putting up resistance as a result. A unifying factor between
Muslims and Hindus at that time could be the common enemy-the British.
I am ending the review in a romantic note, the whole truth of which only Ruth Labadoor
knows: “Secretly, I have always hoped that he (Javed Khan) succeeded in escaping. Looking
back on those months when we were his prisoners, I cannot help feeling a sneaking admiration
for him. He was very wild and muddle-headed, and often cruel, but he was also very handsome
and gallant, and there was in him a streak of nobility which he did his best to conceal.”

12.3 Plot

The novel starts with the death of the father of Ruth Labadoor in front of her eyes in a church.
This murder is committed by the Indian rebels who are a part of the Indian Rebellion of 1857
and who have decided to kill all the Britishers of the small town Shahjahanpur. It is then that
Mariam Labadoor, who is the mother of the narrator, Ruth Labadoor comes into action. She
takes their entire family of 6 to their trusted friend Lala Ramjimal who keeps them at his home
and gives them the maximum security and shelter he can give. The Pathan leader Javed Khan
comes to know that there are a few foreigners living in Lala’s home and he suddenly comes
into their house and forcefully takes away Ruth and Mariam Labadoor to his home. The rest
of the book is followed by the various happening in the Labadoor family, who are very
warmly welcomed by different family members of Javed Khan. But, Javed Khan himself is a
cunning man and he pleads to marry Ruth Labadoor. Mariam saves her daughter many times
as she does not want her to marry Javed Khan. She keeps a condition that if the British are
able to take on the country once again, then she would not let him marry her daughter and
if they lose from the rebels, then she would give her daughter to him. The British are able to
take the hold of the country and Javed Khan is killed in one of the fights with the Britishers.
With lots of help and support, the Labadoor family finally reaches the relatives.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 121