Shorty Story : Paithan Chi Illa

Close to the city of Paithan, in a small village called Sauviragram, which lay along the banks of the great river Godavari, lived a woman named Ilaa. Being cotton farmers, her family was well to do, but not among the richest in their area. It was the harvest season, and cotton
had to be picked from the plants. The wholesalers and traders from Paithan would be arriving in just a few weeks, carrying gold and goods for barter. They would exchange what they carried for the cotton that the farmers grew. The bales of cotton had to be ready in time! Work was at its peak!

But Ilaa was not to be found in the fields. She wasn't working. Instead, she was sitting by the banks of the great river Godavari.

'I am sick of this!' she grunted loudly.

Ilaa was doing the job of picking cotton ever since she was 10 years old. She always supported her family as her younger brothers left home for some other work and never returned back to the family.

Yes she was sick of doing the same job over years and she always wanted to be a warrior which explained her grunt year after year. Whenever she was down, she would sit on the bank of Godavari and would remember Saint Eknath's Abhanga "Maze maher Pandhari", her mother used to sing it for her and she grew up listening to it.

Today was no different.

Ilaa was now fed up with doing the same job year after year as she was now 33.She was born in 1630 and fell sick at the age of three. In her sickness Ilaa's left leg became weak and no one would marry her.

At an very early age of 10  she left the hope of getting married and having a family,  as girls used to get married at a much younger age in those days.

From Pratishthanpura to Paithan in the 17th century, Illa had studied history very closely. She always felt proud that she was born just three years away from Shivaji’s birth. The reason was very clear, her childhood friend from Paithan, Tukdoji Malusare was a mavla fighter. Illa learned all the fighter tricks like sword fight, horse riding, jungle search and guerilla war techniques. Tukdoji was in the army of Shivaji and was a much respected warrior.

The way Illa used to fight with him, he would admiringly say “If you were born as a man, you could have replaced any of the fighter in Shivaji Maharaj's army even though you limp."

Illa felt pride in it his words but at the same time felt very sad as women were not a part of soldiers.

Even though Tukdoji taught her all the fights, her idol was Netaji Palakar, the best of Sardars which Shivaji Maharaj ever had. She would listen stories of Netaji Palkar from Tukdoji whenever he would come to Paithan to meet his parents.

Her best stories were how Netaji Palkar's standing among the local population made him known was known as "Prati Shivaji" (Image of Shivaji"). Netaji led battles against the Adilshah at Panhala, Shahapur, Tikota and Vijapur in 1660 which were her favorites.

Illa would always practice in the dark with her sword and would ride endlessly near jungles of Paithan. At the age of 33, yes, she was one of the best but with no combat experience, and this used to make her feel very low. Why couldn’t she help Shivaji Raje in his battle against Mughals and for Hindvi Swarajya.

Almost two hours sitting on the bank of Godavari, she returned home quietly and slept. Ilaa did not feel like having dinner. How she hated her life and how she wanted to dedicate her life for Shivaji Maharaj's fight against Mughals. Illa could not recollect when she fell asleep with her thoughts.

The year was 1663 mid-January and the cold was at its peak in Paithan.Illa got up early for doing her practice. She had learned to disguise as a male warrior and tie her sari in such a way that it did not come in her way to ride a horse and fight. Inspite of 3 degrees in the morning, she would not miss her practice. She had to finish her practice before sunrise to hide that talent from everyone. Only Tukdoji knew that she was a fighter and class apart. Recently Illa had started rock climbing practice as Tukdoji informed her in his last visit that each mavla warrior is a finest climber when the situation would arise.

Due to her limp, Illa had to practice very hard to get the climbing speed. Tukdoji helped her a lot there. Secretly she was in love with Tukdoji and she would think a lot about him. But she knew that Tukdoji was always a warrior and starting a family was never his priority. That was one of the purest relationships. Deep love from one side and friendship from other side.

People use to whisper about them but they never cared. It was a very bold friendship considering conservative minds in those days. Being from a worker family, she was of a lower cast than Tukdoji, who belonged to warrior family.

Tukdoji was very busy and hardly visited Paithan. So no news of Netaji Palkar and his heroic stories. Last she heard was that Netaji Plakar was forcibly converted to Islam and was serving Mughals due to many lost battles.

1663 was a different era for Shivaji Maharaj as he had lost many battles by then and His Swarajya dream was fading.

And on the other hand Shaista Khan, the uncle of Emperor Aurangzeb, and the new Governor of Deccan, had made Shivaji's position look very bad. He had even occupied Pune (9th May 1660). Shivaji had already lost Chakan (August 1660) and Kalian (May 1661).

These loses haunted Illa and she would practice more fiercely.

Two months passed by since January 1663 as the news of losing battles and Shivaji's diminishing power over Mughals was making Illa and entire Paithan, very sad.

The worst news came in March 1663. Illa's hero Netaji Palker was worsted in a Sanguary fight and he had to escape losing much of the booty being brought from the Mughal territory. During these three years (February 1660 – April 1663) Shivaji had lost practically all the 'Swarajya' which he had won.

The beautiful Paithani silk saris that sport intricately embroidered gold or silver borders received a worst blow when Mughal emperor Aurangzeb patronized the Paithani Silk weavers and introduced new motif that was called Aurangzebi. He prohibited weavers to weave ‘Jamdanis’ except for his court and punished the weavers who disobeyed his orders.

Illa thought, now what. What will happen to her beloved Paithan and Swarajya. What will happen to her King Shivaji, Her hero, Netaji Palkar and she thought about Tukdoji, there was no news from him and she started getting all the bad thoughts about him. "Is he dead”, a chilling fear passed down her spine.

End of the March, Illa heard that Shaista Khan had captured Lal Mahal and was staying there royally. It was very sad to know that Shivaji's own palace was used by Mughals.

On that night Illa heard that Tukdoji had come to meet his parents. What could have happened suddenly, to find out she decided to meet Tukdoji. When she met him, Tukdoji said that may be this is his last visit as they are planning a very secret mission in which he can die. On Illa persistence, Tukdoji informed her that on April 5th, they are planning silent attack on Lal Mahal with almost 400 Mavle's and in final 50 who will attack the palace, he is one of the chosen one to be with Shivaji.

There was a pride in Tukdoji's voice as his life's worth is waiting for him and sadness because he might not return to his family. Illa felt very proud of Tukdoji and wanted to express her feeling to him but stopped her as it might make him weak at this demanding time. She kept quiet. Tukdoji told her all the plan of how they will attack and how he would have liked her to accompany him in the battle.

A thought struck to Illa but she controlled it. She almost decided that she will join the battle but with her limp and being lady, Tukdoji will not approve it. Tukdoji left that night, it was 2nd April. Just three days. She kept looking at Tukdoji's horse as he vanished in the dark. She was so proud of him. May be in next birth she will be his bride, Illa thought. She realized even more how she loved him.

She wanted to join the battle secretly but how? Can she plan? She stayed awake whole night doing planning. Aurangabad, where Lal Mahal was situated was 200 KM away from Paithan. So first battle was to reach there and for which she needed strong horse. Her sword and Shield was ready and polished already. To travel 200 KM she will need at least 6 to 7 hrs. She decided to steal the horse from a dealer in the night and she decided to travel on 3rd night and planned to reach Aurangabad on 4th morning and take a rest in secret shelter and freshen up. She decided to stay hide till 4th night, practice her skills on 4th night and again rest of 5th and secretly join Mavles of Shivaji as per location shared by Tukdoji. But she has to take care of her disguise and limp and avoid Tukdoji.

She packed some food for three days and hid it and waited till night of third arrived. It was worst wait as time will not go by.

She was not sure whether she will come back. She left quietly and stole a horse and started her ride with rough terrain. As planned she reached on 4th Morning and stayed hidden near secluded space of Aurangabad. She restated and practiced as per her plan and the night of 5th has arrived. She disguised herself and joined Mavles who were chanting har har mahadev in slow voice. She saw proud Tukdoji in front row and got in the gang of Mavles. No one could recognize her and she felt relieved.

In the early hours of the night (5th April 1663) Shivaji with 400 Mavles(Actually 401 since Illa had joined) entered the Mughal camp through the main gate saying that they were a party of the Deccani soldiers of the Mughal army going in to relieve those who were already on duty.

It was the month of Ramzan. As the moon set, the camp and the Lal Mahal were enveloped in darkness.Illa sneaked into final 50 men quietly and entered the palace through a hole made in the weak kitchen wall behind. They then rushed towards the bed-chamber, cutting the cloth partitions, striking people in their beds.

Illa with soft grunt kill first Mughals and first kill of her life. In that rage she felt calm with clean strike.

Shouts and confusion all around. She was just 15 feet away from Shivaji and his party. Suddenly Tukdoji turned around and she saw something strange but he could not place limp and moved ahead. Illa becoming careful followed him and 10 others to the different room. There was one hiding Mughals soldier tried to strike Tukdoji from behind but alert Illa jumped and slit his throat and Tukdoji did not even realize. It was such a clean strike. Illa felt proud. Suddenly they were in the room of Shaista khan who was running to save his life, his fore fingers were cut off by the blow of Shivaji's sword when he was jumping out of the window.

Shivaji turned around without chasing him to return and saw a limped Mavla. How come he chosen such a soldier. And before he realized, that limp Mavla jumped to the left and blocked double blow of two Mughals soldiers who came to save Shaista Khan. With a block and duck in one blow Illa's sword slashed thru their stomach and silenced them. Shivaji nodded in appreciation as his eyes met with Illa. She felt immense pride as if her life's worth is achieved.

Tukdoji observed the familiar limp and remembered Illa but at that moment they had to rush back. Shivaji said “Chala mazya Shur Virano parat" (Lets go back my soldiers)

This unbelievably successful attack on the Mughal Governor of the Deccan in the most protected area of the Mughal camp, surrounded by thousands of troops, immensely enhanced the reputation of Shivaji's daring, while causing bitter humiliation at the Mughal court, but the most evident and fruitful result of this daring raid was the retreat of Shaista Khan to Burhanpur for safety and his subsequent transfer to Bengal. At one stroke Shivaji had nullified all the gains of the Mughals achieved during 1660-63.

While returning back to SInhagadh, Illa safely turned different way and instead of Sinhagadh, started going to Paithan. She realized that she was wounded on her shoulder but she will not think about the same now as she headed back to Paithan.

Suddenly she saw someone following her heard a shout "Illa wait". That was Tukdoji, now sure that she was Illa indeed.

Illa and Tukdoji slowly started to riding towards Paithan.

Tukdoji said "Dhanya Ahes Tu Naari" (you are great woman).

Illa's story is untold yet but she became a lineage of lady warriors or may be an inspiration to Rani Laxmibai in 19th century.

She mischievously asked Tukdoji “By the way did I tell you my 200 KM ride from Paithan to Aurangabad or you are too tired to listen?”

“Or how about a sword fight tomorrow ha”

Tukdoji just laughed as their horses were seeing dawn at the horizon.