The Youngest Daughter of 1857

(Note: This story is purely imaginative)

Once upon a time, there was a poor farmer who spent most of his time working in the fields. He did not have any sons, but he still felt like the luckiest father in the world because all three of his daughters were loving and caring.  

It was the time of the 1857 revolt. India was struggling for independence, and most of the youngsters were participating in the war.  

The farmer’s youngest daughter also wanted to participate. She wanted to do something for her country. But she was very worried about her father’s deteriorating condition. She decided to make arrangements for her father before joining the war.  

She shared her wish with her eldest sister and expressed her desire to serve the nation. Her sister appreciated her decision and assured her, “We will take care of Father.”

Then the youngest daughter sought permission to join the war. She went to her father. The father felt very proud and said, “Go, and be as brave as Rani Lakshmibai.” She took a pledge in front of him that she would endeavour to be like Rani Lakshmibai.  

She got in touch with some of the warriors. She expressed her deep desire to fight for the nation, but the warriors did not believe her and started making fun of her.  

She felt very disheartened that they were treating her as a weak woman. Finally, she decided to teach them a lesson so they could understand the power of women.  

Very skillfully, she laid a trap and took them captive. Afterwards, they apologized and felt ashamed of their biased remarks. A team was being prepared for the revolt. Though they were amateurs, they had great fortitude.  

They were like the setting sun, but they still had the courage to do something for the nation. The farmer’s youngest daughter was very witty. She made a plan against the East India Company. They followed the plan and attacked the army of the East India Company. Now was the right moment to see how skilful and brave the youngest daughter truly was!

Meanwhile, her two elder sisters were helping their father plough the fields. They were doing work that was considered “men’s work” at that time. The farmer was very proud of them and decided to reward them.  

One night he called both daughters and told them that their mother had possessed some supernatural powers. Because of that, they had inherited the same. He told them how to awaken those powers: they had to recite the word “Eikraj” repeatedly.  

Both sisters replied humbly that they did not need the power, because “with great power comes great responsibility.” They suggested that the power should be given to their youngest sister, as she had a philanthropic heart.  

Hearing this, the farmer said, “Think of your youngest sister and repeat this mantra four times.” Both sisters did so. And in the end, the youngest daughter received supernatural powers.  

With these powers, she killed most of the East India Company’s army and also saved her companions.  

Thus, she saved her village from the Britishers. Though very few people knew about her, she was one of the women who fought silently in the 1857 revolt. Sadly, she was killed by one of her own companions.