The grasses of Banjihari swayed to the urgent beat of youthful laughter. Lithe legs of young village girls, adorned with twinkling anklets chased down the startled rabbits who ran for their lives. However, the swift rabbits proved more elusive and hid behind the bushes, defeating the young souls, making them breathless and relentless.

"You all are worthless," said the leader of the group Indrani Das. Her body was covered in a faded, thread-bare saree. It has been worn out due to countless washes. It's faded blue fabric was stained from mud. The hem was faded, her pallu worn thin, but she tied it with a determined knot, ready to enjoy out in the woods. She was a small, wiry girl and sharp features and a cheeky smile.

"Stop commenting. They were fast," her friend, Sharmila answered back in disgust. She took a seat under the shade of a tree, resting her head against its thick bark. Sharmila was a petite girl with fair complexion and delicate features.

The afternoon sun shone bright in the midsummer season. The rays of the sun pierced through the thin canopy of the forest, highlighting the shades of green. The air around was fresh as the other girls took their seats on the ground.

"We cannot rest," ordered Indrani.

"Let's get Kanishka di some flowers," said a very tired Meera.

"But she wanted a rabbit," Indrani said, rolling her eyes.

"Indrani, stop it. If you can, go and catch them by yourself. Your useless plan failed this time too. We are not breaking our bones, at least not me. Mr. Sengupta is coming to see me tomorrow," Sharmila replied, frustrated.

"Yes, we have to sent di back to Kalikata without her desired rabbit," Indrani replied with a gloomy voice.

"Guys...have you noticed how everyone in our group is getting married slowly?" Trisha said with a sigh.

"I know it right. Soon we have to bid goodbye to Sharmila too," Meera said hugging her.

"Earlier we lost Kanishka di, now Sharmila too. Meera and Indrani, let's try to stay closer," said Trisha.

"Where's your anklet Sharmila?" Indrani questioned.

"Ahh...it no longer fits me. Anyways guys, I have to help maa in housework, so let's hurry up. Pick some good wild flowers, make it quick," Sharmila answered and all the girls began choosing beautiful forest flowers for their elder sister.

"Indrani, come here," Meera pointed towards a white horse. "What's a domestic horse doing here in the jungle?"

The horse had a coat that was a deep, rich brown, like the color of a freshly turned field, and it's mane and tail were long and free flowing. The horse was bred and saddled for long days in the saddle, able to handle difficult terrain and harsh conditions. It looked strong and healthy.

"Don't you understand?" Trisha cocked her eyebrows.

"It belongs to the Raj," Sharmila commented dryly.

Indrani went close to the horse when they heard footsteps approaching.

"Stop!" An English officer commanded in a stern voice.

The girls stopped at their place.

"It's getting dark, leave," he commanded.

Indrani let out a low scoff and together they marched out of the forest, carrying wild flowers with them.

******

Kanishka sat on the front porch of her mud house, the afternoon sun beating down on her in a soft embrace. She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly, the earthy scent of the soil mixing with the faint fragrance of wildflowers growing near the house. From where she sat, she could see the fields stretching out in every direction, the small green rice stalks swaying in the gentle breeze, and the distant figures of other villagers working in their own fields.  She wore a simple, yet humble saree, draped on her slender finger with long hair cascading her back.

"Kanishka di!" Indrani hugged her.

"My friends!" Kanishka hugged all the girls back. "I missed all of you. The city is terrible."

"It's a lot of fun there, di," Trisha chripped.

"You might call it a fantasy land, but it's actually not. I have realised it by now," Kanishka said solemnly.

"Tell us about your life there, di," Meera asked curiously.

"Wake up early in the morning, prepare meals for the family, housework and listen to taunts from your husband and in-laws if you fail to execute something properly," she answered, with a long sigh. Stress, worries and the oppression was evident from her voice.

"Mrs. Sengupta is coming tomorrow to see me," Sharmila declared.

"That oldie?" Kanishka scoffed.

"Do I have a choice?" Sharmila rolled her eyes. "The only person who is not getting married here, is, by far, Indrani Das."

Indrani, who had been busy fiddling with the petals of the flower all this while, looked at her friend circle with big doe eyes. "Do you see any problem in me?"

"You are a problem yourself. The whole village is afraid of you. You are a boy," Meera remarked, scanning Indrani.

"There is nothing I can do about it. I like to have fun," Indrani replied, nonchantly.

"Alright girls, I don't think that I would be able to attend any of your marriage ceremonies but promise me that no matter what happen, you all will always cherish our treasured memories. Get home, everyone. It's getting late," Kanishka said and all the young ladies waved at their dear friend before setting of to Banshigram, their village.

*******

As they reached Banshigram, they heard a procession of English officers riding on horseback makes their way into the village. The officers were dressed in crisp tailored uniforms, their shoulders adorned with brass buttons. They rode on large, well-groomed white horses, their glossy coats and sturdy frames a symbol of the English East India Company's wealth and power.

The lead officer, a tall man with a stern face, dismounted his horse and approached a central gathering place in the village, where the villagers had gathered to hear the announcement. Curiosity piqued the maidens as they too joined the crowd.

 The lead officer cleared his throat, and with a commanding presence, announced to the villagers, "My fellow citizens, I bring you tidings from East India Company. We have come to inform you that the Company has decreed the collection of taxes from each household in this village. These taxes must be paid in full, and on time, as non-payment will be met with swift and severe consequences. Our young, elite men will be coming to each and every household tomorrow to collect them, hence you all are requested to show them your lands and be honest with the payments."

Their horses neigh as they drove back, leaving the poor villagers worried once again. However, our Indrani couldn't tolerate it and decided to pull up a stunt. Her eyes sparkled with a glint of mischief which was immediately noticed by her best friend, Sharmila.

"You better not pull any stunts again," she said.

"Don't worry, they will not get to know," Indrani smiled.

"You really have to summon danger by yourself, right? Remember no one in this village can save you if you harm those white men," Trisha warmed.

Indrani just laughed and left for her home, leaving her friends worried. Who would dare to stop the little storm of Banshigram?

"Maa the babu sahebs are coming tomorrow to loot our treasury through taxes," she replied, sighing.

"Your baba will not be at home tomorrow so be respectful enough to give them a tour of our harvest. Don't try to act smart," her mother said.

"Why do you always doubt me?"

"Shaitan, you didn't even do the dishes today. Complete them and then only you are getting your food," her mother commanded and walked away to the front porch, leaving young Indrani grumble all by herself.

"How is Kanishka doing?" her mother asked curiously.

"Her life isn't all rainbows and sunflowers," she replied.

"I knew it and the city is making it more difficult," saying this Indrani's mother went out to clean their cow stable.

As the last hue of sun sets, she took a look at her mud house- a testament to their financial condition. She remembered how hard her late father-in-law and husband worked to built a two room mud house with a thatch roof, mud floor and 3 windows. A small kitchen at their backyard and that was also the place where they had their meals. Seeing her own condition, she was now determined to marry off her only daughter a wealthy pandit.