The Tale of Pedangi

Kings, generals and conquerors of the middle to early modern age had one thing in common. They rode to their victories on their mounts. It is but natural then that the horses of these great warriors became as much part of the history as their masters created.

The pecking order on great mounts perhaps should start with that of Bucephalus, the black Thessalian mount with a white star on its forehead, that Alexander the Great rode to conquer the world. It is said that Alexander and Bucephalus were soul mates. It is also said that Bucephalus died in the battle of Hydaspes in 326 BC. For Indophiles, it is at Hydaspes that Alexander defeated Porus, or as Indians call him, Purushottam, the King who stood the might of Alexander. Legend has it that Bucephalus was buried Jalalpur Sharif outside Jhelum in Pakistan. Shortly after the death of his mount, on his way back to Macedonia, even Alexander fell to poison (at least that is what the legends say). Selucus I who governed the Indian territories of Alexander even had gold coins minted in honor of Bucephalus.

One of the everlasting legends, in all propriety, belongs to Marengo, the Arabian silver grey steed that carried Napoleon Bonaparte to his victory in Austerlitz. Marengo also was witness to Napoleon’s nemesis at Waterloo. Marengo was carried off to England as a war prize and, as of today, his skeleton is displayed in the Royal Army Museum, Chelsea, England. It is said that even his hooves have been made into snuff boxes and jewels.

It is unfortunate that in India, horses that played part of its history have remained at best part of its folklore, but hardly ever its national symbols. Little do the histories of such mounts play a part in Indian national psyche. If royal mounts in India have such legacies little wonder then that lesser ‘mortals’ among the family of mounts find even rarer mention. But, here is a story that we reckon as different not of the past, but the present India.

The bay mare of the Spanish breed, the mule (hoof number 15328) joined the Indian Army’s RVC service in 1962. Immediately upon her induction she was deployed in the Indo-Chinese operations in a desolate spot of the North East called Pedong. Surprisingly, the young mule survived the horrors of her deployment earning the notice of the Commanding Officer (CO) of the platoon with which she was deployed with remarkable fortitude and stamina. She was promptly christened “Pedongi” by the platoon. However Pedongi earned her spurs nearly a decade later in the 1971 war with Pakistan. While transporting vital arms supply to one of the far flung posts, Pedongi and her mates came under fire from Pakistani troops. After killing the mule drivers, Pakistani troops took the mules captive and employed them for their own purposes. While in the employ of the new masters, Pedongi decided to live upto the saga of valour that Indian Army is famous for. One fine day, having been loaded with the Medium Machine Gun (MMG) to be carried to one of the Pak posts, Pedongi gave its masters the slip and ran back to the Indian lines with the MMG. She trotted nearly 20 Kms before she found her own platoon to ‘report’ to. The CO of 853 AT Company, realizing the gravity and the valour of the mule, raised a citation for bravery for Pedongi. Pedongi was conferred the ‘Vir Chakra’, one of the highest military awards for bravery in the face of enemy by the government of India. Major Chunni Lal Sharma, CO, of her battalion, made Pedongi the mascot of his battalion. Finally, in 1992, Pedongi was specially taken to Delhi where she was presented with a bravery citation and a blue velvet ceremonial rug at the 223 Corps Day Function.

                   

The brave Pedongi made it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the ‘Longest-Serving Military Mule’ in 1997 before passing away peacefully in Bareilly on March 25, 1998. She was nearly 39 years old, indeed the longest serving army mule at her death.

Raja Desingh, the hero of Gingee ballads

On the way to Tiruvannamalai from Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu, approximately 30 kms from Tindivanam are three hills near the town of Ginjee. They form a triangle and overlook each other, with their peaks commanding the entire country side. They are formed of volcanic rock, more colloquially known as granite, with little vegetation on their spurs. There is another reason for the sparse vegetation. Massive granite stone built fortresses sit atop them. The three hills don Rajagiri, Udayagiri and Krishnagiri fortresses as their hats. Their labyrinthine walls, walkways and ramparts hold artificial ponds, massive granaries, elephant yards, barracks, horse grounds and elegant residences (mahal) in their womb. Well protected as they are from ingress on all directions, these forts present their majesty even to the naked untrained eyes. To the trained and evaluating eyes of Chatrapati Shivaji on his southern campaign, they presented what they hold as their secret – impregnability.

Inscriptions by Archaeological Survey of India at the entrance to the forts claim that it was the Naiks of Vijayanagara in 15-16^th century AD who expanded the fort complexes. Historical evidence found near Gingee however, takes the date back to Vikrama Chola (1118-1135 AD) of the Later Cholas. The forts have changed hands from Cholas to Kurumbas, Vijayanagara Naiks, Bijapur Sultans, Marathas, Nawab of Arcot, French, Hyder Ali and finally to the British. It is obvious that the fort complexes grew over time in keeping with the strategic perception of each holder. In the early 18^th century however, Gingee forts lost their preeminence for the battles for the control of Deccan and the Nawab of Arcot territories were fought elsewhere. However, one enduring story of the forts have remained in the ballads and plays of Tamil people – the story of its most famous king, Raja Tej Singh or more popularly, Raja Desingh.

Desingu, Desingh aka Tej Singh was the son of Swarup Singh, a Bundela Rajput from Orchcha (near Agra). In recognition of the military services of the Rajput chieftain, Aurangzeb is believed to have conferred the mansabdari and khiladari (land grants with custody of the forts) at Gingee in 1700 AD. In return, Swarup Singh was to pay a huge tribute to the Emperor through the Emperor’s deputy in the South, Nawab of Arcot. However, in 1714 AD Swarup Singh died of natural causes. Nawab Sadatullah Khan of Arcot claimed a hefty tribute as overdue. The headless fort was unable to meet the demand. The Nawab in turn moved his huge army to Gingee. Hearing his father’s death, Tej Singh hastened to Gingee from Bundelkhand. He hastily mobilized an army to face the Nawab. While his tiny army was routed and he himself was killed at a young age of 22, Tej Singh’s valour in the face of the mighty Nawab became the inspiration for Tamil ballads that are sung even today at Gingee.

It is interesting that a young Bundela chieftain, whose native lands lay 2000 kms from Gingee became the soul of the ballads of Tamil Nadu through his valour in Tamil lands. The forts of Gingee stand mute today, witness to the saga of valour and history of the Deccan. The famous Tamil idol, MGR had acted as Raja Desinghu in a superhit movie of 1960 by the same title. It is also unique to hear of the ballads in Telugu on Raja Desingh, though in strict terms Tamil and Telugu lands were parts of composite kingdoms for many centuries. 

  

Makarakandi

The second Carnatic War of 1751 in many ways defined the course of history in the subcontinent. It conferred an aura of invincibility on the British arms that few princes in India dared challenge in subsequent times. It laid the first building blocks of an empire 'where the Sun never set'. It gave Great Britain an unassailable control over the affairs of the world, the major parts of which it continued to rule for the next two hundred years. And, there was one single 'clerk' of the East India Company who laid this foundation - Robert Clive.

Clive has been much praised and equally maligned for the grit, courage and enviable enterprise that he had displayed in the service of the Empire. His exploits in the Carnatic and later in Plassey (West Bengal) paved the way for his meteoric rise. He retired to England as Major General Lord Robert Clive, KB, FRS along with the name "Clive of India" and millions of pounds in his personal treasury.

Little did he know of the future that awaited him, when in August 1751 he approached Thomas Saunders, Governor of Madras, with a proposal to attack Arcot, the capital of Nawab of Arcot. The contender to Nawabdom, Chanda Sahib, was assisted by the French from Pondicherry. With the Nizam of Hyderabad, Asif Jha, dead and a war of succession in Nizam's domains including Arcot on, the French had usurped their rivalry with British and were strongly backing Chanda Sahib. A hesitant support from British to Muhammed Ali Walajah, rightful successor to the throne at Arcot, was hardly sufficient for Walajah to hold out at his fort at Trichy. Having secured Arcot for himself, Chanda Sahib had laid a siege at Trichy and the odds were against Walajah. The English Directors at Calcutta had actually conceded to the supremacy of the French, resigning themselves to the loss of their influence in southern parts. Thomas Saunders, governor at Madras, had very little forces to supplement Walajah or out maneuver Chanda Sahib.

In this gloomy scenario, Clive approached Saunders with an imaginatively bold plan: attack Arcot, the capital of Chanda Sahib to relieve pressure on Walajah. Saunders, after considerable deliberations, relieved 200 of 350 British soldiers and a further 300 Indian sepoys from Fort St George. He could place only three cannons at the disposal of Clive. An unfazed Clive set course to Arcot with the tiniest army that he could muster thus. Arcot lay 69 miles South-South West. Commencing his forced march of troops on 26 August 1751, Clive reached Conjeevaram (Kanchipuram), a distance of 42 miles, on 29 August. And, the earth shook.

Not from the earth pounding heels of the marching columns or from the mile long train of support elements, but from a thunder storm that lashed Conjeevaram. Camping near the Varadaraja temple, overseeing the securing of his troops and munitions, an exhausted Clive fell to the earth shivering. His body burned and his followers realized that he was seized by the fevers common to India. The British medical help in his troop could hardly relieve him of his suffering. As the night wore, the troops feared the worst for him.

Some of his Indian sepoys approached the bhattar (priest) of Varadaraja temple. The bhattar, after seeing Clive's condition, administered a dose of 'Thulasi theertha' (holy water with basil leaves used in the worship of Vishnu). He assured Clive that Varadaraja, the Lord of Conjeevaram, would cure and protect him. By sunrise, Clive felt rejuvenated and full of life. He decided to offer obeisance to Varadaraja and entered the temple after cleansing himself. He thanked Varadaraja and prayed for victory at Arcot. He also wowed to present the most valuable thing that he comes across in Arcot treasury to Varadaraja, when he wins the fort.

Refreshed and alive, Clive force marched again to Arcot, covering the remaining 27 miles in two days. The garrison left at Arcot by Chanda Sahib panicked at the approach of English troops and fled, leaving a huge cache of arms, canons and the treasury. Furious at the fall of Arcot, Chanda Sahib dispatched his son, Raza Sahib, with 4000 French and native troops from Trichy to lay siege to Arcot. The siege resulted in huge loss of lives to Raza Sahib and loss of the throne to Chanda Sahib. Robert Clive returned to Fort St George with a strong ally, Muhammed Ali Walajah, as Nawab of Arcot, and a vast cache of treasure as tribute.

On his way back, Clive halted at Conjeevaram. True to his wow, Clive paid homage to Varadaraja, thanking him for the victory. He also presented the MAKARAKANDI, an invaluable emerald from the treasurers of Arcot to Lord Varadaraja. Even today, the Makarakandi is worn by the Lord on special occasions.

Clive went on to defeat Siraj Ud Daulah and his French allies in the battle of Plassey six years later, laying the foundation for British Indian Empire. He would also avail to himself vast wealth and title on account of his exploits in India.             

      

Stand Alone

The winner stands alone, said Paulo Coelho in his famous book by that title. But one of the real lessons is somewhere buried in the book. He says "Talent is a universal gift, but it takes a lot of courage to use it. Don't be afraid to be the best.” 

The problem with being the best is that one has to stand alone. In a crowd of a thousand, the best carries a cross. The cross of a thousand burdens that he or she took to be the best. The cross that does not cower one's shoulder, but makes it strong to bear the the sense of being alone with poise. Talent is not the thousand bruises that we gather as we run along the shrubs in the forest of life. It is the shine that we acquire as we scrub the breast plate of our endeavors with the polish of our courage to test life. Yes, life does not test anyone. We test life and tempt our fate. The stronger the will we apply, the more shine gets on to the breast plate. The more shine, the brilliant is the dazzle. And, of course who will miss a dazzle in a forest of dark fears? The winner definitely stands alone, but he stand in the luminescence of his own courage.

A river is not considered as mighty unless it gorges the rocks and streams forth in a deluge, taking down everything that stands in its way. A pliant run of water would scarcely be called a stream and, if at all, only to be seen to run into a pile of sand. A mighty river on the other hand, challenges the earth and makes its own way. A winner is very much like the river, serene when by himself; thundering and roaring, when challenged and illimitable in his stretch.

Stand if you have to, but do not be afraid to stand alone. It is in that loneliness that you will find your real strength. For, you are the child of your own destiny, a destiny that you make for yourself.