Ilaa

Date:30^th July 2015
Writer: Stuti Sharma                                                                            

Ilaa

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.

There was a cold breeze blowing. Winter was near. It is a time when everything is in a bit of rush due to the harvest. But Ilaa was not as eager as always for the harvest. Normally it would be a time for celebration. They would sell their cotton to the traders and in return will get the price for it. That meant that there would be good food and even sweets. It was the most joyous time of the year.

But this time her father had decided to cut the middlemen and visit Paithan himself so that they can earn more profits. But Ilaa was not happy. Ilaa had always wanted to visit Paithan and see the city for herself. And despite continuous requests her father did not allow her to go with him. Her brothers however were allowed so that they can learn the ways of trade.

She was deep in thoughts when her sister called from behind her. “Ilaa lets go baba is calling. The pooja before harvest is starting.  “ Jumping on the black soil she started running towards her sister. Ilaa returned with her sister to the house.

On the way Ilaa decided to talk to her father once again after pooja. Upon reaching home they got ready for the pooja hastily and joined others. All the family members were there. Her grandparents, uncle and aunty, their five kids, two girls and three boys. Her father was leading the pooja with her mother and her brothers were standing near them.

After the pooja was concluded Hari gave prasad to everybody. Ilaa took prasad from her father. Hari smiled at her. Ilaa smiled back but suddenly turned sad. Hari got confused at her sadness. He bent down on one knee and asked,”Ilaa what happened? Are you allright?”

“Baba I am fine. I just want to talk to you.”

“Yes dear what is it?”

“Baba please take me with you to Paithan.”

“Oh Ilaa how many times should I tell you girls are not meant for such work. You have to stay home and help your mother.”

Ilaa started crying at his father's stubbornness. Hari’s heart softened,” Ilaa dear please don’t cry. I only want your good.”

“Baba I know that but try to understand it might be the only time when I can visit Paithan with you. And if not now I could never see it again. I will be busy in my own house after marriage. Please baba. I can help you too. I will never ask for anything ever again.”

Ilaa’s father loved her too much to say no. He knew nobody will agree with his decision but he didn’t care for others. For him Ilaa’s happiness was more important. He smiled and said,” Ok then. Go and pack your stuff. We will start at the end of the week.”

Illa jumped in happiness. But her family members who were watching them both were not agreeing to the decision. They all started together, “are you mad, what will people say, sending off your daughter for trade, she has to learn cooking and cleaning, you are bringing family name to shame” It was like a  fish market for a second.

Hari bowed a little towards his daughter and whispered,” watch and learn”. He stood up and said,"So who thinks I will bring family name to shame.” Upon this question everybody went quiet. Nobody was ready for Hari’s wrath. "Ilaa will go and its final. Anybody who has a problem can leave my house."Everybody stirred but noone said anything.

Hari went out of the room and everybody dispersed to do their daily chores muttering under their breath about how this was a preposterous a thing to do.

Ilaa smiled and returned to her room to start packing. Her younger sister came into the room and sat beside her."You are so lucky Ilaa", She said.Ilaa turned to her and sat next to her. "I am not lucky Shiela. We just have a very good father.”

“I agree. So will you bring me something from Paithan?”

"Of course I will." And they hugged.

The week passed by like a dream. Everybody was working hard to finish the work on time. Next morning they started early for their journey. They were travelling via Godavari to Paithan moving north. The wind was swift so they could reach Paithan within two days. Along the way Illa marvelled in the beauty  of Godavari watching the sun set and rise. She noticed some other ships which had strange banners Ilaa had never seen before. Overall Ilaa and her brothers were happy to take the journey.

They reached Paithan after two days at nightfall. They decided to rest at night and start in the morning. The next day Illa woke up early. She came out of  her room  and looked around her. It was a small cottage meant to rent the travellers. Alot of ships could be seen at the harbour. People were already moving around in search of a buyer to sell their goods. Illa was eager to look around. She slipped quietly from the cottage. And out at the harbour. Illa could see the ships with strange banners which had crossed them on Godavari on their way.

She was curious to see more so she went near one of them to examine more. Near the ship she could see two people dressed in red suit. Their skin was light and they were speaking some different language. There were two men near them one of them was translating what the fair people were saying to the other person who looked like a farmer. Reaching near she could hear them.

The middleman was saying, “The goras say they will buy your spices.”

“Oh good good. I will take 10 rs per kilo.”

The middleman then translated it for the goras. The goras agreed and took all their cargo. Everybody seemed happy with the trade terms.

Illa thought to herself that normally the spices are sold 5 rs per kg. But the foreigners seemed happy with double the price. She ran to her father who was getting ready for the market.,

She was breathing heavily when she reached Hari. She paused and took a deep breath and started,   ”Baba wait don’t sell your cotton in the market.”

Hari turned and said , What.Ilaa are you mad? This is why we came here.”

“No baba, there are some foreign people near the harbour they will buy your cotton for double the price.”

“Ilaa r u dreaming so early in the morning.” Hari said.

“No baba please. Come with me.”

Hari thought for a moment then called his men and sons he asked them to get ready to go to the market taking a turn around at the harbour near the ships. They went to the harbour and found the foreigners. Ilaa pointed towards the man who was the translator,” he speaks their language. You can take his help."  His baba went to the man and started talking .Illa was looking at the men imitating and after a minute or two the translator nodded and both the men shook hands.

Her father gestured them to stay and went with the man to the ship. They waited what seemed like a very long time. And about an hour later her father came down the ship with three men following closely. Hari ordered his men to load the cotton in the ship. And one of the goras handed him a leather pouch which looked rather big.

Hari shook hands with all the men. The goras left. Hari gave five gold coins to the translator and shook   hands with him. He came to his children and hugged Ilaa. “My dear Ilaa we have got four times the normal price. “ Everybody cried in happiness. It was a good day.  Hari turned towards his sons and said,” I think I have four sons in the family now. Ilaa could not hold her tears at her father’s compliment. They all hugged each other and decided to return the other morning. Upon returning their village Ilaa’s father explained everything to the village Panchayat and asked the elders to allow females of the family to accompany their families in trade.

The panchayat were impressed by Hari’s trade achievements and respected him a lot. The Panchayat agreed with Hari and allowed the female, who were willing, to accompany their family members in trade or business with equal respect and rights. Hari was proud of his daughter. Her present mindedness had opened new ways of living for the village. The women were not considered fit for housework only. They were entering a new era where women were getting treated equally in society.

  

Little did Ilaa know that she did not only witnessed the initial trading of 17^th century of Europe on a large scale but also had ignited a fire which will in future make Paithan “The modern Maharashtra.”