Indigo Summary, Lesson Explanation, Word Meanings | ISC Class 12 English Prism Book

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ISC Class 12 English - Indigo-Summary

 

Indigo Summary and Explanation

ISC Class 12 English Chapter Indigo Summary, Theme, Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings from English Prism Book 

Indigo Summary – Are you looking for the summary, theme and lesson explanation for ISC Class 12 English Prism Book (A Collection of ISC Short Stories) Chapter – Indigo. Get Lesson summary, theme, explanation along with difficult word meanings.

 

ISC Class 12 English Chapter – Indigo

(1968) Translated by Satyajit Ray

 

Indigo is a short story by Satyajit Ray that explores supernatural themes and colonial history. The story follows Aniruddha Bose, who faces strange events while staying in an old indigo planter’s bungalow. He had a supernatural experience where he was  transformed into a 19th-century Englishman, being the 100th death anniversary of a British indigo planter, the ghost enters the narrator to express his feelings through a diary entry.

 

 

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Indigo Summary 

Aniruddha Bose, a twenty-nine-year-old advertising professional in Calcutta, decides to take a week’s leave and drive to Dumka to visit his old friend Promode. Although he is an experienced and cautious driver, his trip begins later than planned due to a visit from an old family friend. As he travels through open country, a severe storm called norwester or Kalbaisakhi which is a local thunderstorm accompanied with rain, occurring in summers in the Indian states of Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar, suddenly hits. His car suffers two flat tires, leaving him stranded and helpless on a deserted road. He has no more spare tires and has lost his way to Dumka.

As the rain becomes a drizzle, he spots a light coming from a nearby cottage. He leaves his car and, following a narrow footpath, finds a man named Sukhanram, a caretaker of an old dak bungalow. Sukhanram offers him coarse chapatis and dal for dinner, and a bed in the bungalow for the night. Aniruddha learns from Sukhanram that the bungalow was once owned by an English indigo planter and that an indigo factory used to be nearby. Aniruddha goes to bed, thinking about the past and congratulating himself on finding shelter.

Sometime during the night, Aniruddha is awakened by a scratching sound and the barking of a hound. He realizes his wristwatch, torch, and suitcase are gone. He then discovers a shocking transformation: his clothes are different, his skin is pale, his features have changed, and his voice has an English accent. He finds a mirror and sees the reflection of a thirty-year-old Englishman with a sharp nose, thin lips, blond hair, and a look of hardness and suffering in his eyes.

Feeling his limbs move on their own, Aniruddha sits down and writes in a leather-bound notebook. The entry, dated April 27, 1868, reveals that he is an indigo planter, dying of malaria. He confesses that he was greedy and too ashamed of his past actions to return to England. He believes he will die on this foreign soil, joining his wife Mary and son Toby. He expresses guilt over how badly he treated the natives but worries most about his faithful dog, Rex, who he fears will be killed after his death. He stops writing as his hands begin to shake.

He then pulls a pistol from a drawer, goes out to the veranda, and sees a large greyhound. The voice, which is not his own, calls out “Rex!” When the dog approaches, the hand holding the pistol rises. Aniruddha watches in horror as the finger pulls the trigger, killing the dog. The sound of the gunshot attracts attention from the direction of the factory. The Englishman returns to the room, bolts the door, and, with the pistol to his head, commits suicide.

Aniruddha wakes up to the sound of knocking and Sukhanram’s voice offering tea. It is now April 28th, 1968, which is the 100th death anniversary of a British Indigo planter, who used to live there. The sun is out, his wristwatch is back on his arm, and Sukhanram informs him that a car repair shop is nearby. The supernatural experience is over. Aniruddha is left wondering if anyone would ever believe his incredible story about the night of the hundredth anniversary of the English indigo planter’s death.

 

Summary of the Lesson Indigo in Hindi 

कलकत्ता में उनतीस वर्षीय विज्ञापन पेशेवर अनिरुद्ध बोस एक सप्ताह की छुट्टी लेने और अपने पुराने दोस्त प्रोमोडे से मिलने के लिए दुमका जाने का फैसला करते हैं।  हालाँकि वह एक अनुभवी और सतर्क चालक हैं, लेकिन एक पुराने पारिवारिक मित्र के आने के कारण उनकी यात्रा योजना से देर से शुरू होती है।  जैसे ही वह खुले देश से गुजरता है, अचानक एक गंभीर नौर ‘वेस्ट तूफान आता है।  उनकी कार के दो फ्लैट टायर फट जाते हैं, जिससे वह सुनसान सड़क पर फंसे और असहाय हो जाते हैं।  उसके पास अब कोई अतिरिक्त टायर नहीं है और वह दुमका के लिए रास्ता भटक गया है।

जैसे ही बारिश बूंदा-बांदी हो जाती है, वह पास की एक झोपड़ी से आने वाली रोशनी को देखता है।  वह अपनी कार छोड़ देता है और एक संकीर्ण फुटपाथ का पीछा करते हुए, सुखनराम नाम के एक व्यक्ति को पाता है, जो एक पुराने डाक बंगले का कार्यवाहक है।  सुखनराम उसे रात के खाने के लिए मोटी रोटी और दाल और रात के लिए बंगले में एक बिस्तर देता है।  अनिरुद्ध को सुखनराम से पता चलता है कि बंगला कभी एक अंग्रेज नील बागान मालिक के स्वामित्व में था और पास में एक नील कारखाना हुआ करता था।  अनिरुद्ध सो जाता है, अतीत के बारे में सोचता है और आश्रय खोजने पर खुद को बधाई देता है।

रात के दौरान कभी-कभी, अनिरुद्ध को खरोंचने की आवाज़ और एक हाउंड के भौंकने से जगाया जाता है।  उसे पता चलता है कि उसकी कलाई घड़ी, मशाल और सूटकेस चले गए हैं।  फिर उसे एक चौंकाने वाले परिवर्तन का पता चलता हैः उसके कपड़े अलग हैं, उसकी त्वचा पीली है, उसकी विशेषताएँ बदल गई हैं, और उसकी आवाज़ में अंग्रेजी उच्चारण है।  वह एक दर्पण पाता है और एक तीस वर्षीय अंग्रेज का प्रतिबिंब देखता है जिसकी तेज नाक, पतले होंठ, सुनहरे बाल और उसकी आँखों में कठोरता और पीड़ा दिखाई देती है।

अपने अंगों को अपने आप हिलते हुए महसूस करते हुए, अनिरुद्ध बैठ जाता है और चमड़े से बंधी एक नोटबुक में लिखता है।  27 अप्रैल, 1868 की प्रविष्टि से पता चलता है कि वह एक नील बागान मालिक है, जो मलेरिया से मर रहा है।  वह स्वीकार करता है कि वह लालची था और इंग्लैंड लौटने के लिए अपने पिछले कार्यों से बहुत शर्मिंदा था।  उसका मानना है कि वह अपनी पत्नी मैरी और बेटे टोबी के साथ इस विदेशी धरती पर मर जाएगा।  वह इस बात पर अपराधबोध व्यक्त करता है कि उसने मूल निवासियों के साथ कितना बुरा व्यवहार किया, लेकिन अपने वफादार कुत्ते, रेक्स के बारे में सबसे अधिक चिंता करता है, जिसे उसे डर है कि उसकी मृत्यु के बाद उसे मार दिया जाएगा।  जब उसके हाथ हिलने लगते हैं तो वह लिखना बंद कर देता है।

फिर वह एक दराज से एक पिस्तौल खींचता है, बरामदे में जाता है, और एक बड़ा ग्रेहाउंड देखता है।  आवाज़, जो उसकी अपनी नहीं है, “रेक्स!”  जब कुत्ता पास आता है, तो पिस्तौल पकड़े हुए हाथ उठ जाते हैं।  अनिरुद्ध दहशत में देखता है कि उंगली ट्रिगर खींचती है, जिससे कुत्ता मर जाता है।  गोलीक आवाज कारखानाक दिशासँ ध्यान आकर्षित करैत अछि।  अंग्रेज कमरे में लौटता है, दरवाजा बंद कर देता है, और अपने सिर पर पिस्तौल लिए आत्महत्या कर लेता है।

अनिरुद्ध दस्तक देने और सुखनराम की चाय देने की आवाज से जाग जाता है।  अब 28 अप्रैल है।  सूरज निकल गया है, उसकी कलाई की घड़ी उसके हाथ पर वापस आ गई है, और सुखनराम उसे सूचित करता है कि पास में एक कार मरम्मत की दुकान है।  अलौकिक अनुभव समाप्त हो गया है।  अनिरुद्ध सोच में पड़ जाता है कि क्या कोई अंग्रेजी नील बागान मालिक की मृत्यु की सौवीं वर्षगांठ की रात के बारे में उसकी अविश्वसनीय कहानी पर कभी विश्वास करेगा।

 

Theme of the Lesson Indigo

Supernatural Experience: The Blurring of Past and Present
One of the central themes is the supernatural experience of the blurring of past and present. The story delves into the idea of a spirit or past consciousness manifesting in the present. Aniruddha Bose’s unexplained transformation into the English indigo planter, Eric, allows the audience to experience a historical event through a contemporary character. This suggests that history is not entirely separate from the present and that traumatic events or intense emotions from the past can leave an imprint that transcends time, reaching across generations to impact the living.

Colonialism and Exploitation
Another significant theme is the legacy of colonialism and exploitation. The story directly references the brutal history of indigo cultivation in Bengal and Bihar during the 19th century, highlighting how British planters exploited poor Indian peasants. The planter’s diary entry reveals his own moral decay and his participation in this oppressive system, confessing his cruelty towards the natives. This aspect emphasizes the harsh realities of colonial rule, the suffering it inflicted, and the profound guilt that some individuals, even the oppressors, might carry. The planter’s inability to return home and his miserable end on alien soil can be seen as a form of karmic justice or the inescapable consequence of his actions.

The Power of Human Consciousness and the Unknown
The story touches upon the power of human consciousness and the unknown. Aniruddha’s experience raises questions about identity and the limits of human understanding. His perfect awareness of his altered state, even as his body acts independently, is intriguing. It suggests that consciousness might be a separate entity, capable of observing and recording experiences even when the physical self is controlled by an external force or a past spirit. This adds a layer of psychological depth, exploring the fragility of identity and the mysterious forces that lie beyond conventional perception.

Crisis of Identitylessness
As Aniruddha becomes an Englishman, he questions who he is and where he belongs. This experience allows him to empathise with being a victim and a victimiser on a psychological level. He struggles with what it means to have a body and mind from a different time, especially one tied to colonial power. The story shows how memory helps shape identity. Aniruddha’s experiences lead him to face the historical injustices his ancestors faced. This journey helps him better understand his own identity and responsibilities.

 

Indigo Lesson Explanation

 

Passage: My name is Aniruddha Bose. I am twenty-nine years old and a bachelor. For the last eight years I’ve been working in an advertising agency in Calcutta. With the salary I get, I live in reasonable comfort in a flat in Sardar Shankar Road. The flat has two south-facing rooms and is on the ground floor. Two years ago I bought an Ambassador car which I drive myself. I do a bit of writing in my spare time. Three of my stories have been published in magazines and have been well-appreciated by my acquaintances, but I know I cannot make a living by writing alone.
For the last few months I haven’t been writing at all. Instead, I have read a lot about indigo plantations in Bengal and Bihar in the nineteenth century. I am something of an authority on the subject now; how the British exploited the poor peasants; how the peasants rose in revolt; and how, finally, with the invention of synthetic indigo in Germany, the cultivation of indigo was wiped out from our country-all this I know by heart. It is to describe the terrible experience which instilled in me this interest in indigo, that I have taken up my pen today.

Word Meanings
Bachelor: A man who has never been married.
Advertising agency: A business that creates advertisements for other companies.
Reasonable comfort: A comfortable living standard that is not luxurious but adequate.
Acquaintances: People one knows slightly, but not close friends.
Indigo plantations: Large farms where indigo, a plant used to make blue dye, was grown.
Exploited: Used someone unfairly for one’s own benefit.
Peasants: Poor farmers or farm workers.
Rose in revolt: Began to rebel or protest.
Synthetic indigo: Man-made indigo, produced artificially rather than from plants.
Wiped out: Completely removed or destroyed.
Instilled: Gradually but firmly established an idea or feeling in someone’s mind.

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha Bose, a twenty-nine-year-old unmarried man, had been working in an advertising agency in Calcutta for the past eight years. He mentions that his salary allows him to live quite comfortably in a ground-floor flat with two south-facing rooms on Sardar Shankar Road. He had purchased an Ambassador car two years prior, which he drove himself. In his free time, he enjoyed writing, and three of his stories had been published in magazines and received good feedback from his acquaintances. However, he admitted that he knew he could not support himself solely through the profession of a writer. He states that he had not been writing at all for the last few months. Instead, he had dedicated his time to extensively reading about indigo plantations in Bengal and Bihar during the nineteenth century. He considered himself quite knowledgeable on the subject, understanding how the British exploited the poor farmers, how these farmers rebelled, and how the invention of synthetic indigo in Germany eventually led to the end of indigo cultivation in India. He explained that he had decided to write that day to describe a terrible experience that had sparked his deep interest in indigo.

 

Passage: At this point I must tell you something about my past. My father was a well-known physician in Monghyr, a town in Bihar. That is where I was born and that is where I did my schooling in a missionary school. I have a brother five years older than me. He studied medicine in England and is now attached to a hospital in a suburb of London called Golders Green. He has no plans to return to India.
My father died when I was sixteen. Soon after his death, my mother and I left Monghyr and came to Calcutta where we stayed with my maternal uncle. I went to St. Xavier’s College and took my bachelor’s degree. Soon after that I got my job with the advertising agency. My uncle’s influence helped, but I wasn’t an unworthy candidate myself. I had been a good student, I spoke English fluently, and most of all, I had the ability to carry myself well in an interview.
My early years in Monghyr had instilled certain habits in me which I have not been able to give up. One of these was an overpowering desire to go far away from the hectic life of Calcutta from time to time. I had done so several times ever since I bought my car. On weekends I made trips to Diamond Harbour, Port Canning, and Hassanabad along the Dum Dum Road. Each time I had gone alone because, to be quite honest, I didn’t really have a close friend in Calcutta. That is why Promode’s letter made me so happy. Promode had been my classmate in Monghyr. After I came away to Calcutta, we continued to keep in touch for three or four years. Then, perhaps it was I who stopped writing. Suddenly the other day when I came back from work, I found a letter from Promode waiting for me on my desk. He had written from Dumka —’I have a job in the Forest Department here. I have my own quarters. Why don’t you take a week’s leave and come over …?’

Word Meanings
Physician: A medical doctor.
Missionary school: A school run by a religious organization, often to spread their faith.
Maternal uncle: His mother’s brother.
Unworthy candidate: Someone not good enough or unsuitable for a position.
Instilled: Firmly established an idea or habit in someone’s mind.
Overpowering desire: A very strong and irresistible wish or craving.
Hectic life: A very busy and full of activity.
Quarters: A place of residence or lodging.

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha Bose then felt it was important to share details about his past. His father had been a well-known doctor in Monghyr, Bihar, where Aniruddha was born and attended a missionary school. He had an older brother, five years his senior, who studied medicine in England and was currently working at a hospital in Golders Green, a suburb of London, with no plans to return to India. Aniruddha’s father passed away when Aniruddha was sixteen. Soon after his father’s death, Aniruddha and his mother moved from Monghyr to Calcutta, where they lived with his maternal uncle. Aniruddha attended St. Xavier’s College and earned his bachelor’s degree. Shortly after, he secured a job at an advertising agency. He acknowledged his uncle’s help but emphasized that he was also a suitable candidate himself. He stated that he had been a good student, spoke English fluently, and was particularly skilled at presenting himself well during interviews. Aniruddha mentioned that his early years in Monghyr had given him certain habits that he had not been able to give up. One such habit was a strong desire to escape the busy life of Calcutta occasionally. He had done this several times since buying his car, taking weekend trips alone to places like Diamond Harbour, Port Canning, and Hassanabad. He admitted that he usually traveled alone because he did not have many close friends in Calcutta. This was why a letter from Promode made him very happy. Promode had been his classmate in Monghyr, and they had kept in touch for a few years after Aniruddha moved to Calcutta, though Aniruddha suspected he might have been the one to stop writing later on. One day, after returning from work, Aniruddha found a letter from Promode on his desk. Promode had written from Dumka, informing Aniruddha that he had a job in the Forest Department there, had his own living quarters, and suggested that Aniruddha take a week’s leave and visit him.

 

Passage : Some leave was due to me. So I spoke to My boss, and on the twenty-seventh of April – I shall remember the date as long as I live– I packed my bags and set off for Dumka.
Promode hadn’t suggested that I go by car; it was my idea. Dumka was 200 miles away, so it would take about five or six hours at the most. I decided to have a big breakfast, set off by ten and reach there before dusk.
At least that was the plan, but there was a snag right at the start. I had my meal and was about to put a paan into my mouth; when my father’s old friend Uncle Mohit suddenly turned up. He is a grave old man whom I was meeting after ten years. So there was no question of giving him short shrift. I had to offer him tea and listen to him chat for over an hour.
I saw Uncle Mohit off and shoved my suitcase and bedding into the back seat of my car. Just then, my ground-floor neighbour Bhola Babu walked up with his four-year-old son Pintu in tow.
‘Where are you off to all by yourself?’ Bhola Babu asked.
When I told him, he said with some concern, ‘But that’s a long way. Shouldn’t you have arranged for a driver?’
I said I was a very cautious driver myself, and that I had taken such care of my car that it was still as good as new -‘So there’s nothing to worry about.’

Word Meanings
Set off: To begin a journey.
Snag: A difficulty or obstacle.
Paan: A traditional Indian digestive or stimulant made by wrapping ingredients in a betel leaf.
grave: sad or serious
giving him short shrift: paid very little attention to him.
shoved: pushed with a sudden, rough movement
in tow: following closely behind.
Concern: A feeling of worry.
Cautionary: Careful and watchful.

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha Bose had some leave accumulated from work. So, he spoke to his boss, and on April twenty-seventh,a date he vowed to always remember, he packed his bags and started his journey towards Dumka. Promode had not suggested that Aniruddha travel by car; it was Aniruddha’s own idea. He calculated that Dumka was 200 miles away and would take about five or six hours at most. His plan was to have a big breakfast, leave by ten in the morning, and reach before evening. However, his plan hit a problem right at the start. After he had eaten his meal and was about to put a paan in his mouth, his father’s old friend, Uncle Mohit, unexpectedly arrived. Uncle Mohit was a serious old man whom Aniruddha was meeting after ten years. Therefore, Aniruddha felt he could not dismiss him quickly. He had to offer Uncle Mohit tea and listen to him chat for over an hour, which delayed his plan to leave. After seeing Uncle Mohit off, Aniruddha put his suitcase and bedding into the back seat of his car. Just then, his ground-floor neighbor, Bhola Babu, walked up with his four-year-old son, Pintu. Bhola Babu asked Aniruddha where he was going alone. When Aniruddha told him, Bhola Babu expressed some concern, stating that it was a long way and asking if Aniruddha should have arranged for a driver. Aniruddha replied that he was a very careful driver and had taken such good care of his car that it was still like new, so there was nothing to worry about.

 

Passage: Bhola Babu wished me luck and went into the house. I glanced at my wristwatch before turning the ignition key. It was ten minutes past eleven.
Although I avoided Howrah and took the Bally Bridge road, it took me an hour and a half to reach Chandernagore. Driving through dingy towns, these first thirty miles were so dreary that the fun of a car journey was quite lost. But from there on, as the car emerged into open country, the effect was magical. Where in the city did one get to see such a clear blue sky free from chimney smoke, and breathe air so pure and so redolent of the smell of earth?
At about half-past twelve, as I was nearing Burdwan, I began to feel the consequence of having eaten so early. Hungry, I pulled up by the station which fell on the way, went into a restaurant and had a light meal of toast, omelette and coffee. Then I resumed my journey. I still had 135 miles to go.
Twenty miles from Burdwan, there was a small town called Panagarh. There I had to leave the Grand Trunk Road and take the road to Ilambazar From Ilambazar the road went via Suri and Massanjore to Dumka.

Word Meanings
Ignition key: The key used to start the engine of a car.
dingy: dark and dirty
dreary: boring
redolent: smelling strongly [of something]
Consequence: A result or effect of an action or condition.
Pulled up: Stopped a vehicle.
Resumed: Started again after a pause.
Via: By way of; through.

Explanation of the above passage— Bhola Babu wished him good luck and then went inside his house. Aniruddha glanced at his wristwatch just before starting the car, noting that it was ten minutes past eleven. Even though he avoided Howrah and took the Bally Bridge road, it still took him an hour and a half to reach Chandernagore. Driving through dirty and unpleasant towns, these first thirty miles were so boring that he lost all the enjoyment of the car journey. However, from that point on, when the car moved into the open countryside, the experience felt magical. He wondered where in the city one could find such a clear blue sky, free from factory smoke, and breathing air so clean and full of the smell of the earth. Around half-past twelve, as he was getting close to Burdwan, Aniruddha started to feel the effects of having eaten so early in the day. Feeling hungry, he stopped by a station that was on his route, went into a restaurant, and had a light meal consisting of toast, omelette, and coffee. After eating, he continued his journey. He still had 135 miles left to travel. About twenty miles from Burdwan, there was a small town named Panagarh. At that point, he had to leave the main Grand Trunk Road and take the road that led to Ilambazar. From Ilambazar, the road would go through Suri and Massanjore before reaching Dumka.

 

Passage: The military camp at Panagarh had just come into view when there was a bang from the rear of my car. I had a flat tyre. I got down. I had a spare tyre and could easily fit it. The thought that other cars would go whizzing by, their occupants laughing at my predicament, was not a pleasant one. Nevertheless I brought out the jack from the boot and set to work.
By the time I finished putting the new tyre on, I was dripping with sweat. My watch showed half past two. It had turned muggy in the meantime. The cool breeze which was blowing even an hour ago, and was making the bamboo trees sway, had stopped. Now everything was still. As I got back into the car I noticed a blue-black patch in the west above the treetops. Clouds. Was a storm brewing up? A norwester? It was useless to speculate. I must drive faster. I helped myself to some hot tea from the flask and resumed my journey.
But before I could cross Ilambazar, I was caught in the storm. I had enjoyed such norwesters in the past, sitting in my room, and had even recited Tagore poems to myself to blend with the mood. I had no idea that driving through open country, such a norwester could strike terror into the heart. Claps of thunder always make me uncomfortable. They seem to show a nasty side of nature; a vicious assault on helpless humanity. It seemed as if the shafts of lightning were all aimed at my poor Ambassador, and one of them was sure to find its mark sooner or later.

Word Meanings
Rear: The back part of something.
whizzing: making a high, buzzing continuous sound rapidly through the air
predicament: an unpleasant and difficult situation
Nevertheless: In spite of that; however.
Jack from the boot: A tool used to lift a car when changing a tire, usually stored in the trunk (boot).
Dripping with sweat: Sweating heavily, with sweat falling in drops.
Muggy: Warm and humid.
Sway: To move slowly from side to side.
Blue-black patch: A dark blue or almost black area.
Brewing up: Beginning to form or develop
norwester: a localised thunderstorm and rainfall that occurs during summer in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal (also called kalbaisakhi)
shafts: beams rays
Speculate: To form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence.
Strike terror into the heart: To cause extreme fear.
Claps of thunder: Loud noises caused by lightning.
Nasty side: An unpleasant or bad aspect.
Vicious assault: A cruel or violent attack.
Shafts of lightning: Beams or flashes of lightning.
Find its mark: To hit its intended target.

Explanation of the above passage— As the military camp at Panagarh came into view, Aniruddha Bose heard a loud bang from the back of his car. He had a flat tire. He got out and realized he had a spare tire that he could easily put on. He found the thought of other cars speeding past with people laughing at his difficult situation. However, he took out the jack from the car’s boot and began to change the tire. By the time he finished putting on the new tire, he was sweating heavily. His watch showed half past two. The weather had become warm and humid. The cool breeze that had been blowing an hour earlier and making the bamboo trees sway had stopped, and now everything was still. As he got back into the car, he noticed a dark blue-black cloud patch in the west, above the treetops. He wondered if a storm, perhaps a norwester, was brewing. He decided it was pointless to guess and knew he had to drive faster. He drank some hot tea from his flask and continued his journey. However, before he could pass Ilambazar, he was caught in the storm. He recalled how he had enjoyed such norwesters in the past, sitting in his room and even reciting poems to match the mood. He had no idea that driving through open country, such a storm could cause so much fear. He admitted that claps of thunder always made him uneasy, as they seemed to reveal a harsh side of nature, a violent attack on helpless people. It felt as if all the flashes of lightning were aimed at his car, and one was sure to hit it eventually.

 

Passage: In this precarious state I passed Suri and was well on my way to Massanjore when there was yet another bang which no one could mistake for a thunderclap. I realized that another of my tyres had decided to call it a day.
I gave up hope. It was now pouring with rain. My watch said half past five. For the last twenty miles I had had to keep the speedometer down to fifteen, or I would have been well past Massanjore by now. Where was I? Up ahead nothing was visible through the rainswept windscreen. The wiper was on but its efforts were more frolicsome than effective. It being April, the sun should still be up, but it seemed more like late evening.
I opened the door on my right slightly and looked out. What I saw didn’t suggest the presence of a town, though I could make out a couple of buildings through the trees. There was no question of getting out of the car and exploring, but one thing was clear enough: there were no shops along the road as far as the eye could see.
And I had no more spare tyres.

Word Meanings
precarious: dangerous
Bang: A sudden loud noise.
thunderclap: loud sound of a thunder
call it a day: stopped working
Pouring with rain: Raining very heavily.
Speedometer: An instrument in a car that shows its speed.
Rainswept: Covered or driven by rain.
Windscreen: The front window of a car
frolicsome: acting playfully
Make out: To be able to see or hear something with difficulty.

Explanation of the above passage— In a dangerous and uncertain situation, Aniruddha Bose drove past Suri and was making good progress towards Massanjore when he heard another loud bang that could not be mistaken for thunder. He understood that another one of his car tires had gone flat, meaning it was no longer usable. He lost all hope. It was now raining very heavily. His watch showed that it was half past five. For the previous twenty miles, he had been forced to drive very slowly, at only fifteen miles per hour; otherwise, he would have been far beyond Massanjore by that time. He wondered where he was. Ahead, he could see nothing through the windscreen, which was completely covered by rain. The car’s wiper was working, but its movements were more playful than actually clearing the rain effectively. Even though it was April and the sun should still have been visible, it felt more like late evening. Aniruddha slightly opened the door on his right and looked outside. What he saw did not indicate that a town was nearby, although he could vaguely see a couple of buildings through the trees. There was no possibility of him getting out of the car to explore the area, but one thing was very clear: there were no shops visible along the road as far as he could see. He also realized that he did not have any more spare tires.

 

Passage: After waiting in the car for a quarter of an hour, it struck me that no other vehicle had passed by in all this time. Was I on the right road? There had been no mistake up to Suri, but suppose I had taken a wrong turning after that? It was not impossible in the blinding rain.
But even if I had made a mistake, it was not as if I had strayed into the jungles of Africa or South America. Wherever I was, there was no doubt that I was still in the district of Birbhum, within fifty miles of Santiniketan, and as soon as the rain stopped my troubles would be over-I might even find a repair shop within a mile or so.
I pulled out a packet of Wills from my pocket and lit a cigarette. I recalled Bhola Babu’s warning. He must have gone through the same trying experience, or how could he have given me such sound advice? In future-Honk! Honk! Honk!
I turned round and saw a truck standing behind. Why was it blowing its horn? Was I standing right in the middle of the road?
The rain had let up a little: I opened the door, got out and found that it was no fault of the truck. When my tyre burst the car had swerved at an angle and was now blocking most of the road. There was no room for the truck to pass.

Word Meanings
Quarter of an hour: Fifteen minutes.
Struck me: An idea or thought suddenly came to mind.
Suri: A town mentioned in the story as a landmark.
strayed: moved away from the intended route
District of Birbhum: A specific administrative region in a state.
Santiniketan: A famous place in West Bengal, India, associated with Rabindranath Tagore.
Recalled: Remembered.
Let up: To become less strong or intense
swerved: changed direction suddenly

Explanation of the above passage— After waiting in his car for fifteen minutes, Aniruddha realized that no other vehicle had passed by during that time. He wondered if he was on the correct road, acknowledging that he had been fine until Suri, but considering he might have taken a wrong turn after that, especially with the heavy rain making it hard to see. However, he reassured himself that even if he had made a mistake, he hadn’t wandered into a completely unknown wilderness. He was confident that he was still in the Birbhum district, within fifty miles of Santiniketan, and believed that his problems would end as soon as the rain stopped, hoping to find a repair shop nearby. Aniruddha took out a packet of cigarettes and lit one. He remembered Bhola Babu’s earlier warning, thinking that Bhola Babu must have gone through a similar difficult experience to give such good advice. Just then, he heard loud honking from behind him. He turned around and saw a truck. He wondered why the truck was blowing its horn and if his car was blocking the road. The rain had eased a little, so he opened his door and got out. He quickly saw that the truck was not at fault. When his tire had burst, his car had swerved and was now angled in a way that blocked most of the road, leaving no space for the truck to pass.

 

Passage: ‘Take the car to one side, sir.’
The Sikh driver had by now come out of the truck.
‘What’s the matter?’-he -asked. ‘A puncture?’ I shrugged to convey my state of helplessness. ‘If you could lend a hand; I said, ‘we could move the car to one side and let you pass? The Sikh driver’s helper came out too. The three of us pushed the car to one side of the road. Then I found out from the two men that I was indeed on the wrong road for Dumka. I had taken a wrong turning and would have to drive back three miles to get back on the right track. I also learnt that there were no repair shops nearby.
The truck went on its way. As its noise faded away, the truth struck me like a hammer blow.
I had reached a dead end. There was no way I could reach Dumka that night, and I had no idea how and where I would spend the night.
The roadside puddles were alive with the chorus of frogs. The rain had now been reduced to a light drizzle.

Word Meanings
shrugged: raised his shoulder to express doubt
Convey: To communicate or express an idea, feeling, or information
Predicament: A difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation.
Lend a hand: To help someone.
Faded away: Gradually disappeared or became weaker.
Struck like a hammer blow: Hit hard or affected severely and suddenly.
dead end: a road that is closed at one end
puddles: small potholes of rainwater formed on the ground
Chorus of frogs: The combined croaking sounds made by many frogs.
Drizzle: Light rain falling in very fine drops.

Explanation of the above passage— The Sikh truck driver had gotten out and told Aniruddha to move his car to the side. The driver then asked what was wrong and if he had a puncture. Aniruddha shrugged to show he felt helpless. He asked the driver if he could help move the car to the side so the truck could pass. The Sikh driver’s helper also came out, and the three of them pushed the car to the side of the road. Aniruddha then learned from the two men that he was on the wrong road for Dumka and would need to drive back three miles to get on the correct path. He also found out that there were no repair shops nearby. The truck then left, and as its sound disappeared, Aniruddha suddenly realized the difficult truth that he had reached a point where he couldn’t go any further. He understood that he could not reach Dumka that night and had no idea where or how he would spend the night. The puddles by the road were filled with the sound of frogs. The rain had by then slowed down to a light drizzle.

 

Passage: I got back into the car and was about to light a second cigarette when I spotted a light through the window on my side. I opened the door again. Through the branches of a tree I saw a rectangle of orange light. A window. Just as smoke meant the presence of fire, a kerosene lamp meant the presence of a human being. There was a house nearby and there were occupants in it.
I got out of the car with my torch. The window wasn’t too far away. I had to go and investigate. There was a narrow footpath branching off from the main road which seemed to go in the direction of the house with the window.
I locked the car and set off.
I made my way avoiding puddles as far as possible. As I passed a tamarind tree, the house came into view. Well, hardly a house. It was a small cottage with a corrugated tin roof. Through an open door I could see a hurricane lantern and the leg of a bed.

Word Meanings
Spotted: Saw or noticed.
Kerosene lamp: A type of lamp that burns kerosene oil for light.
Occupants: People living or staying in a place.
Investigate: To carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation, etc. so as to establish the truth.
Branching off: Dividing into two or more parts from a main part.
corrugated: shaped into folds
hurricane lantern: an oil lamp with a glass chimney to protect the flame from high winds

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha got back into his car and was about to light another cigarette when he noticed a light shining through the window on his side. He opened the door again and saw a rectangular orange light through the tree branches, which he realized was a window. He reasoned that just as smoke indicates fire, a kerosene lamp suggests human presence. This meant there was a house nearby with people inside. He got out of his car, holding his torch. The window was not far, so he decided he had to go and investigate. He saw a narrow footpath that branched off from the main road and appeared to lead towards the house with the light. He locked his car and began walking. He carefully avoided puddles as he walked. As he passed a tamarind tree, the structure with the light came into view. It was not really a large house, but a small cottage with a corrugated tin roof. Through an open doorway, he could see a hurricane lantern and part of a bed.

 

Passage: ‘Is anybody there?’ I called out.
A stocky, middle-aged man with a thick moustache came out of the room and squinted at my torch. I turned the spot away from his face.
‘Where are you from, sir?’ the man asked.
In a few words I described my predicament. ‘Is there a place here where I can spend the night?’ I asked, ‘I shall pay for it, of course.
‘In the dak bungalow, you mean?’
Dak bungalow? I didn’t see any dak bungalow.
But immediately, I realized my mistake. I had followed the light of the lantern, and had therefore failed to look around. Now I turned the torch to my left and immediately a large bungalow came into view. ‘You mean that one?’ I asked.
‘Yes sir, but there is no bedding. And you can’t have meals there’
‘I’m carrying my own bedding: I said. ‘I hope there’s a bed there?’
‘Yes sir. A charpoy.’
‘And I see there’s a stove lit in your room. You must be cooking your own meal?’

Word Meanings
Stocky: Broad and sturdily built.
squinted: looked with eyes almost closed
Spot: a small round or roundish mark, differing in colour or texture from the surface around it. Here the light spot of the torch.
Dak bungalow: A type of guesthouse or rest house built during the British colonial period in India for travelers.
Lantern: A lamp with a transparent case protecting the flame or electric light, typically having a handle and often portable.
charpoy: a bed consisting of a wooden or metal frame strung with ropes

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha called out, asking if anyone was there. A stocky, middle-aged man with a thick mustache came out of the room and squinted at Aniruddha’s torch. Aniruddha moved the light away from the man’s face. The man asked Aniruddha where he was from. In response, Aniruddha briefly explained his difficult situation and then asked if there was a place where he could spend the night, adding that he would certainly pay for it. The man questioned if he meant the dak bungalow. Aniruddha was confused, as he hadn’t seen any Dak bungalow. However, he immediately realized his mistake. He explained to himself that he had been focused on the lantern’s light and had not looked around properly. He then turned his torch to his left, and a large bungalow immediately became visible. Aniruddha asked if the man was referring to that one. The man confirmed it was the dak bungalow but stated that there was no bedding and that meals were not provided there. Aniruddha replied that he was carrying his own bedding and hoped there would be a bed. The man confirmed that there was a charpoy, a type of bed. Aniruddha then remarked that he saw a stove lit in the man’s room and presumed that the man must be cooking his own meal.

 

Passage: The man broke into a smile and asked if I would care for coarse chapatis prepared by him and urad-ka-dal cooked by his wife. I said it would do very nicely. I liked all kinds of chapatis, and urad was my favourite dal.
I don’t know what the bungalow must have been like in its heyday, but now it was hardly what one understood by a dak bungalow. Constructed during the time of the Raj, the bedroom was large and the ceiling was high. The furniture consisted of a charpoy, a table set against the wall on one side, and a chair with a broken arm.
The chowkidar, or the caretaker, had in the meantime lit a lantern for me. He now put it on the table. ‘What is your name?’
I asked.
‘Sukhanram, sir.’
‘Has anybody ever lived in this bungalow or am I the first one?’
‘Oh, no sir, others have come too. There was a gentleman who stayed here for two nights last winter.’
I hope there are no ghosts here,’ I said in a jocular tone. ‘God forbid!’ he said. ‘No one has ever complained of ghosts.’

Word Meanings
coarse: rough
Urad-ka-dal: A type of lentil dish, often thick and salty in taste.
heyday: at the peak of its existence
The Raj: Refers to the period of British rule in India.
Chowkidar: A caretaker or watchman.
caretaker: a person employed to look after large buildings
jocular: humorous or amusing
God forbid!: An exclamation expressing a strong hope that something will not happen.

Explanation of the above passage— The man, Sukhanram, smiled and offered Aniruddha coarse chapatis made by him and urad-ka-dal cooked by his wife. Aniruddha replied that it would be very nice, stating that he liked all kinds of chapatis and that urad was his favorite dal. Aniruddha then thought about what the bungalow might have been like in its best days, but observed that it was now far from what was typically considered a dak bungalow. The bedroom, built during the British Raj, was large with a high ceiling. Its furniture included only a charpoy, a table against one wall, and a chair with a broken arm. Meanwhile, the chowkidar, or caretaker, had lit a lantern for Aniruddha and placed it on the table. Aniruddha asked him what his name was, and the man replied that his name was Sukhanram. Aniruddha then inquired if anyone had ever lived in that bungalow before him or if he was the first. Sukhanram responded that others had indeed stayed there, mentioning a gentleman who had spent two nights the previous winter. Aniruddha then jokingly expressed his hope that there were no ghosts there. Sukhanram immediately dismissed the idea, saying that no one had ever complained of ghosts.

 

Passage: I must say I found his words reassuring. If a place is spooky, and old dak bungalows have a reputation for being so, it will be so at all times, ‘When was this bungalow built?’ I asked.
Sukhan began to unroll my bedding and said, ‘This used to be a sahib’s bungalow, sir.’
‘A sahib?’
‘Yes sir. An indigo planter. There used to be an indigo factory close by. Now only the chimney is standing.’
I knew indigo was cultivated in these parts at one time. I had seen ruins of indigo factories in Monghyr too in my childhood.
It was ten-thirty when I went to bed after dining on Sukhan’s coarse chapatis and urad-ka-dal. I had sent a telegram to Promode from Calcutta saying that I would arrive this afternoon. He would naturally wonder what had happened. But it was useless to think of that now. All I could do now was congratulate myself on having found a shelter, and that too without much trouble. In future I would do as Bhola Babu had advised. I had learnt a lesson; and lessons learnt the hard way are not forgotten easily.

Word Meanings
Reassuring: Making someone feel less worried or afraid; comforting.
Spooky: Frightening or eerie, often associated with ghosts.
Sahib: A respectful title used by Indians for European gentlemen, especially during the British Raj.
Indigo planter: A person who owned or managed a plantation where indigo (a plant used to make blue dye) was grown.
Cultivated: Grown or farmed plants
Ruins: The remaining parts of a building or structure that has been destroyed or fallen into disrepair.
Telegram: An old method of sending messages over long distances using electrical signals, printed on paper.
Congratulate myself: To feel pleased with one’s own achievement or success.
Lessons learnt the hard way: Knowledge or experience gained through difficult or unpleasant experiences.

Explanation of the above passage— Sukhanram’s words about the bungalow not having ghosts relieved Anuruddha’s worry. He thought that if a place was genuinely spooky, especially old dak bungalows known for being so, it would always be spooky. He then asked when the bungalow had been built. Sukhanram, while unrolling Aniruddha’s bedding, replied that it used to be a sahib’s bungalow. Aniruddha asked if he meant a sahib, and Sukhanram confirmed that it was an indigo planter’s bungalow and that there had been an indigo factory nearby, though only its chimney remained now. Aniruddha already knew that indigo had been grown in those areas at one time, as he had seen ruins of indigo factories in Monghyr during his childhood. It was ten-thirty when Aniruddha went to bed after eating Sukhanram’s rough chapatis and urad-ka-dal. He had sent a telegram to Promode from Calcutta stating that he would arrive that afternoon, and he knew Promode would naturally wonder what had happened. However, he decided it was pointless to dwell on that now. At that moment, he could only be pleased with himself for having found shelter without much difficulty. He resolved to follow Bhola Babu’s advice in the future, acknowledging that he had learned a valuable lesson, and lessons learned through hardship were not easily forgotten.

 

Passage: I put the lantern in the adjoining bathroom. The little light that seeped through the door which I had kept slightly ajar was enough. Usually I find it difficult to sleep with a light on, and yet I did not extinguish the light even though what I badly needed now was sleep.
I was worried about my car which I had left standing on the road, but it was certainly safer to do so in a village than in the city.
The sound of drizzle had stopped. The air was now filled with the croaking of frogs and the shrill chirping of crickets. From my bed in that ancient bungalow in this remote village, the city seemed to belong to another planet. Indigo … I thought of the play by Dinabandhu Mitra, Nildorpan (The Mirror of Indigo). As a college student I had watched a performance of it in a theatre on Cornwallis Street.
I didn’t know how long I had slept, when a sound suddenly awakened me. Something was scratching at the door. The door was bolted. Must be a dog or a jackal, I thought, and in a minute or so the noise stopped.

Word Meanings
Adjoining: Next to or connected to something else.
Seeped: To flow slowly through small openings.
ajar: open
extinguish: put out
Drizzle: Light rain falling in very fine drops.
Croaking: The low, rough sound made by a frog.
Shrill: high-pitched and piercing.
Chirping:  making short, sharp, high-pitched sounds.
crickets: insects like grasshoppers but with shorter legs
Ancient: Very old.
Remote: Far away from other people, towns, or cities.
scratching: rubbing against
Bolted: Fastened a door or window with a metal bar or bolt.
Jackal: A wild animal similar to a dog, often found in parts of Asia and Africa.

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha placed the lantern in the bathroom next door. The small amount of light that came through the slightly open door was enough. He usually found it hard to sleep with a light on, but he did not turn it off, even though he really needed to sleep. He was concerned about his car, which he had left on the road, but he felt it was definitely safer to do so in a village compared to a city. The sound of the light rain had stopped. The air was now full of the croaking of frogs and the loud chirping of crickets. Lying in his bed in that old bungalow in the distant village, the city seemed as if it belonged to a completely different world. He began to think about Indigo, specifically the play called Nildorpan (The Mirror of Indigo) by Dinabandhu Mitra. He remembered watching a performance of this play in a theatre on Cornwallis Street when he was a college student. He was unsure how long he had been asleep when a noise suddenly woke him up. Something was scratching at the door, which was bolted shut. He thought it must be a dog or a jackal, and within about a minute, the noise stopped.

 

Passage: I shut my eyes in an effort to sleep, but the barking of a dog put an end to my efforts. This was not the bark of a stray village dog, but the unmistakable bay of a hound. I was familiar with it. Two houses away from us in Monghyr lived Mr Martin. He had a hound which bayed just like this. Who on earth kept a pet hound here? I thought of opening the door to find out as the sound seemed quite near. But then I thought, why bother? It was better to get some more sleep. What time was it now?
A faint moonlight came in through the window. I raised my left hand to glance at the wristwatch, and gave a start. My wristwatch was gone.
And yet, because it was an automatic watch, I always wore it to bed. Where did it disappear? And how? Were there thieves around? What would happen to my car then?
I felt beside my pillow for my torch and found it gone too. I jumped out of bed, knelt on the floor and looked underneath it. My suitcase too had disappeared.
My head started spinning. Something had to be done about it. I called out: ‘Chowkidar!’
There was no answer.

Word Meanings
Stray: A domestic animal that has wandered away from its owner or home and is lost.
Unmistakable: Not able to be mistaken or misunderstood; clearly recognizable.
bayed: howled loudly
hound: a type of dog used for hunting or racing
Faint: Barely perceptible; dim.
Gave a start: A sudden brief movement of the body, often due to surprise, alarm, or shock.
Automatic watch: A mechanical watch that winds itself automatically by the movement of the wearer’s wrist.
Torch: A flashlight.
Knealt: Past tense of kneel; to be in or assume a position in which the body is supported by a knee or knees.
Spinning: Feeling dizzy or disoriented.

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha Bose closed his eyes, trying to sleep, but a dog’s barking stopped his efforts. He recognized that it wasn’t the bark of a normal village stray, but the clear, deep baying sound of a hound. He was familiar with this type of bark because his neighbor in Monghyr, Mr. Martin, owned a hound that bayed in the same way. Aniruddha wondered who would keep a pet hound in such a remote area. He considered opening the door to investigate, as the sound seemed very close, but then decided it was better to try and get more sleep. He wondered what time it was.A soft moonlight entered through the window. Aniruddha raised his left hand to check his wristwatch and was startled to find it missing. He usually wore it to bed because it was an automatic watch. He immediately questioned where and how it had disappeared and if there were thieves around, worrying about what might happen to his car. He then reached for his torch beside his pillow and found that it was also gone. He quickly got out of bed, knelt on the floor, and looked underneath, discovering that his suitcase had disappeared as well. His head began to spin with confusion and concern, and he realized he had to do something. He called out for the chowkidar, but there was no response.

 

Passage: I went to the door and found that it was still bolted. The window had bars. So how did the thief enter?
As I was about to unfasten the bolt, I glanced at my hand and experienced an odd feeling.
Had whitewash from the wall got on to my hand? Or was it white powder? Why did it look so pale?
I had gone to bed wearing a vest; why then was I now wearing, a long-sleeved silk shirt? I felt a throbbing in my head. I opened the door and went out into the veranda.
‘Chowkidar!’
The word that came out was spoken with the unmistakable accent of an Englishman. And where was the chowkidar, and where was his little cottage? There was now a wide open field in front of the bungalow. In the distance was a building with a high chimney. The surroundings were unusually quiet.
They had changed.
And so had I.

Word Meanings
Unfasten: To unbolt or unlatch something; to undo a fastening.
Glanced at: Took a quick look at.
Odd feeling: A strange or unusual sensation.
Whitewash: A white liquid mixture used for painting walls, often a simple lime-based paint.
Vest: An undershirt, or a sleeveless upper garment worn under a shirt.
Throbbing: A strong, rhythmic beating sensation, usually associated with pain.
Veranda: A roofed, open-air gallery or porch attached to the outside of a building.
accent: A distinctive way of speaking that leaves no doubt about its origin.
High chimney: A tall, slender structure through which smoke or gases are released from a building.

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha went to the door and discovered that it was still securely bolted. He also noticed that the window had protective bars. This made him wonder how any thief could have entered. As he was about to unlock the bolt, he looked at his hand and had a strange sensation. He wondered if whitewash from the wall or some white powder had gotten onto his hand, questioning why it looked so pale. He remembered going to bed wearing only a vest, so he was confused as to why he was now wearing a long-sleeved silk shirt. Feeling a throbbing pain in his head, he opened the door and stepped out onto the veranda. He called out “Chowkidar!” but the word that came out was clearly spoken with the accent of an Englishman. He then noticed that the chowkidar and his small cottage were gone. Instead, there was now a wide, open field in front of the bungalow. In the distance, he could see a building with a tall chimney. The area around him was unusually quiet. He realized that his surroundings had changed, and so had he. The disappearance of the chowkidar’s cottage and the appearance of a factory-like building suggest that a significant amount of time has passed, or that the narrator has been transported to a different reality. He has been transformed into an English Indigo Planter, who used to live there 100 years ago.

 

Passage: I came back into the bedroom in a sweat. My eyes had got used to the darkness. I could now clearly make out the details.
The bed was there, but it was covered with a mosquito net. I hadn’t been using one. The pillow too was unlike the one I had, brought with me. This one had a border with frills; mine didn’t. The table and the chair stood where they did, but they had lost their aged look. The varnished wood shone even in the soft light. On the table stood not a lantern but a kerosene lamp with an ornate shade.
There were other objects in the room which gradually came into view; a pair of steel trunks in a corner, a folding bracket on the wall from which hung a coat, an unfamiliar type of headgear and a hunting crop. Below the bracket, standing against the wall, was a pair of galoshes. I turned away from the objects and took another look at myself. Till now I had only noticed the silk shirt; now I saw the narrow trousers and the socks. I didn’t have shoes on, but saw a pair of black boots on the floor by the bed.

Word Meanings
Make out the details: To see or distinguish the small parts clearly.
Mosquito net: A net used to protect from mosquitoes, often draped over a bed.
Frills: Decorative ruffles or folds of fabric.
Aged look: Appearing old or worn.
Varnished: Covered with a protective, glossy coating like on wood.
Ornate shade: A highly decorated cover for a lamp that diffuses light.
Steel trunks: Strong, metal storage boxes.
Folding bracket: A support piece that can be folded against a wall when not in use.
Headgear: A hat or other covering for the head.
Hunting crop: A short whip used in hunting.
Galoshes: Waterproof overshoes, typically made of rubber.
Complexion: The natural color, texture, and appearance of a person’s skin.
Features: The distinct parts of a face, such as the nose, lips, and chin.

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha returned to the bedroom, sweating. His eyes had adjusted to the dim light, allowing him to clearly see the details of the room. He noticed that the bed now had a mosquito net, which he had not been using. The pillow was also different from his own, having a decorative border with frills. The table and chair were in their usual places, but they no longer looked old; their polished wood gleamed even in the soft light. Instead of a lantern, a kerosene lamp with a fancy shade stood on the table. Other items in the room slowly became visible. In one corner, there were two steel trunks. A folding hook on the wall held a coat, a type of hat he didn’t recognize, and a hunting whip. Below the hook, a pair of waterproof overshoes stood against the wall. He looked away from these objects and examined himself again. Previously, he had only noticed the silk shirt he was wearing, but now he saw that he also had narrow trousers and socks on. He wasn’t wearing shoes, but a pair of black boots were on the floor by the bed.

 

Passage: I passed my right hand over my face and realized that not only my complexion but my features too had changed. I didn’t possess such a sharp nose, nor such thin lips or narrow chin. I was wavy and that felt, the hair on my head and found that there were sideburns which reached below my ears.
In spite of my surprise and terror, I suddenly felt a great urge to find out what I looked like. But where to find a mirror?
I strode towards the bathroom, opened the door with a sharp push and went in.
There had been nothing there but a bucket. Now I saw a metal bath tub and a mug kept on a stool beside it. The thing I was looking for was right in front of me: an oval mirror fixed to a dressing-table. I looked into it, but the person reflected in it was not me. By some devilish trick I had turned into a nineteenth- century Englishman with a sallow complexion, blond hair and light eyes from which shone a strange mixture of hardness and suffering. How old would the Englishman be? Not more than thirty, but it looked as if either illness or hard work, or both, had aged him prematurely.
I went closer and had a good look at ‘my’ face. As I looked, a deep sigh rose from the depths of my heart.

Word Meanings
Sideburns: Hair grown by a man down the sides of his face in front of his ears.
Strode: Walked with long, decisive steps.
Devilish trick: A malicious or mischievous act; here, an unsettling, almost supernatural event.
Sallow: Of a person’s skin or complexion, an unhealthy yellow or pale brown color.
Prematurely: Happening or existing before the normal or expected time.
Depths of my heart: The deepest, innermost part of one’s feelings or being.

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha passed his right hand over his face and realized that not only his skin color but also his facial features had changed. He noted that he did not originally have such a sharp nose, thin lips, or a narrow chin. When he touched his hair, he found it was wavy and that he now had sideburns extending below his ears. Despite his surprise and fear, he suddenly felt a strong desire to see what he looked like. He wondered where he could find a mirror. He walked quickly towards the bathroom, pushed the door open forcefully, and entered. Before, there had only been a bucket in the bathroom. Now, he saw a metal bathtub and a mug placed on a stool beside it. The object he was looking for was right in front of him: an oval mirror attached to a dressing-table. He looked into it, but the person staring back was not him. It seemed by some strange, evil trick that he had transformed into a nineteenth-century Englishman with pale skin, blond hair, and light eyes that showed a confusing mix of hardness and pain. He wondered how old the Englishman might be, concluding he was no more than thirty, but appeared to have aged too quickly, possibly due to illness, hard work, or both. Aniruddha moved closer to get a better look at his new face. As he observed it, a deep sigh came from deep within him.

 

Passage: The voice was not mine. The sigh, too, expressed not my feelings but those of the Englishman.
What followed made it clear that all my limbs were acting of their own volition. And yet it was surprising that I – Aniruddha Bose-was perfectly aware of the change in identity. But I didn’t know if the change was permanent, or if there was any way to regain my lost self.
I came back to the bedroom.
Now I glanced at the table. Below the lamp was a notebook bound in leather. It was open at a blank page. Beside it was an inkwell with a quill pen dipped in it.
I walked over to the table. Some unseen force made me sit in the chair and pick up the pen with my right hand. The hand now moved towards the left-hand page of the notebook, and the silent room was filled with the noise of a quill scratching the blank page. This is what I wrote: 27 April 1868.

Word Meanings
volition: free will
Permanent: Lasting or intended to last or remain unchanged indefinitely.
Regain: To get something back; to recover.
Bound in leather: Covered or wrapped in leather.
Inkwell: A small container for holding ink, typically for use with a quill or dip pen.
Quill pen: A pen made from a bird’s feather, used for writing with ink.
Unseen force: An invisible power or influence.
Scratching: Making a harsh, grating sound, like a pen on paper.

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha realized that the voice he heard was not his own, and even a sigh he made expressed the feelings of the Englishman, not his. What happened next showed clearly that all his body parts were moving on their own, without his control. Despite this, Aniruddha Bose was completely aware of this change in his identity. However, he did not know if this change would last forever or if there was any way to become himself again. He returned to the bedroom. Then, he looked at the table. Underneath the lamp, there was a notebook with a leather cover, open to an empty page. Next to it, there was an inkwell with a quill pen dipped inside. Aniruddha walked towards the table. An invisible power made him sit in the chair and pick up the pen with his right hand. This hand then moved towards the left-hand page of the notebook, and the quiet room was filled with the sound of the quill scratching on the blank paper. The date written was April 27, 1868.

 

Passage: Those fiendish mosquitoes are singing in my ears again. So that’s how the son of a mighty empire has to meet his end-at the hands of a tiny insect. What strange will of God is this? Eric has made his escape. Percy and Tony too left earlier. Perhaps I was greedier than them. So in spite of repeated attacks of malaria I couldn’t resist the lure of indigo. No, not only that. One mustn’t lie in one’s diary. My countrymen know me only too well. I didn’t lead a blameless life at home either; and they surely have not forgotten that. So I do not dare go back home. I know I will have to stay here and lay down my life on this alien soil. My place will be beside the graves of my wife Mary and my dear little son Toby. I have treated the natives here so badly that there is no one to shed a tear at my passing away. Perhaps Mirjan would miss me – my faithful trusted bearer Mirjan. And Rex? My real worry is about Rex. Alas, faithful Rex! When I die, these people will not spare you. They will either stone you or club you to death. If only I could do something about you!

Word Meanings
Fiendish: Extremely unpleasant or wicked; here, suggesting a cruel or tormenting quality.
Mighty empire: A very powerful and large group of countries ruled by a single leader or government.
Blameless life: A life free from fault, guilt, or wrongdoing.
Alien soil: Foreign land; a place that is not one’s native country.
Shed a tear: To cry; to show sadness or grief.
Trusted bearer: A faithful servant or attendant, often one who carries things.
Spare: To refrain from harming, punishing, or killing someone.
Club to death: To beat someone to death with a heavy stick.

Explanation of the above passage— The indigo planter, Eric, recorded in his diary that he was once again troubled by the constant buzzing of mosquitoes. He lamented that a powerful man from a mighty empire was destined to die because of such a small insect, questioning why God would allow this strange fate. He noted that Eric, Percy, and Tony had already managed to escape earlier, and he suspected that his own greed for indigo had kept him there, even though he had suffered many attacks of malaria. He then corrected himself in the diary, stating that he should not lie, as his countrymen knew him too well. He admitted that he had not led a faultless life back home, and he was sure they had not forgotten his past misdeeds. Because of this, he did not dare to return to his home country. He realized he was fated to remain there and die on foreign ground, expecting to be buried beside his wife, Mary, and his young son, Toby. He acknowledged that he had treated the local people so poorly that no one would cry when he passed away. He wondered if perhaps his loyal and trusted servant, Mirjan, would miss him. His main worry, however, was for his dog, Rex. He expressed sorrow for faithful Rex, believing that after his own death, the local people would not show mercy to the dog and would either stone or club him to death. He wished he could do something to protect Rex.

 

Passage: I could write no more. The hands were shaking: Not mine, the diarist’s.
I put down the pen.
Then my right hand dropped and moved to the right and made for the handle of the drawer.
I opened it.
Inside there was a pin cushion, a brass paperweight, a pipe and some papers.
The drawer opened a little more. A metal object glinted in the half-light.
It was a pistol, its butt inlaid with ivory.
The hand pulled out the pistol. It had stopped shaking.
A group of jackals cried out. It was as if in answer to the jackals’ cry that the hound bayed again.
I left the chair and advanced towards the door. I went out into the veranda.
The field in front was bathed in moonlight.
About ten yards from the veranda stood a large greyhound. He wagged his tail as he saw me.

Word Meanings
Diarist: The person who writes in a diary. In this context, it refers to the English indigo planter whose consciousness is possessing Aniruddha.
Glinted: Shone with a brief, flashing light.
Pistol: A small firearm designed to be held in one hand.
Butt: The handle of a pistol.
Inlaid: Decorated by being set into the surface of something.
Jackals: Wild animals similar to dogs, known for their distinctive cries.
Bayed: Barked or howled loudly, typically by a large dog like a hound.
Advanced towards: Moved forward in the direction of.
Veranda: A roofed, open-air porch or gallery attached to the outside of a house.
Bathed in moonlight: Fully covered or illuminated by the light of the moon.
Greyhound: A tall, slender breed of dog known for its speed.

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha Bose found that he could not write any more. He noticed that the hands that were shaking were not his own, but those of the diarist. He then put down the pen. Next, his right hand moved down and to the right, reaching for the handle of a drawer. He opened the drawer. Inside, there was a pin cushion, a heavy brass paperweight, a pipe, and some papers. The drawer opened a little further, and a metal object shimmered in the dim light. It was a pistol with an ivory design on its handle. The hand pulled out the pistol, and it was no longer shaking. Outside, a group of jackals cried out. It seemed as if, in response to their cries, the hound barked loudly again. Aniruddha left the chair and moved towards the door, then went out onto the veranda. The field in front of the bungalow was bathed in moonlight. About ten yards away from the veranda stood a large greyhound. The dog wagged its tail when it saw him.

 

Passage
‘Rex!’
It was the same deep English voice. The echo of the call came floating back from the faraway factory and bamboo grove-Rex! Rex!
Rex came up towards the veranda.
As he stepped from the grass onto the cement, my right hand rose to my waist, the pistol pointing towards the hound. Rex stopped in his tracks, his eye on the pistol. He gave a low grow!
My right forefinger pressed the trigger.
As the gun throbbed with a blinding flash, smoke and the smell of gunpowder filled the air.
Rex’s lifeless, blood-spattered body lay partly on the veranda and partly on the grass.
The sound of the pistol had wakened the crows in the nearby trees. A hubbub now rose from the direction of the factory.

Word Meanings
Hound: A type of dog, often used for hunting, known for its keen sense of smell and distinctive baying bark.
Throbbed: Vibrated with a strong, rhythmic beat.
Blinding flash: A very bright, sudden burst of light that temporarily makes it hard to see.
Gunpowder: An explosive powder used in firearms and fireworks.
Lifeless: Dead; without life.
Blood-spattered: Covered or marked with drops of blood.
Hubbub: A confused mixture of sounds; a commotion or noisy activity.

Explanation of the above passage— The man called out “Rex!” in the same deep English voice. The sound of the call echoed back from the distant factory and bamboo grove. Rex, the greyhound, approached the veranda. As the dog stepped from the grass onto the cement, the man’s right hand lifted to his waist, aiming a pistol towards the hound. Rex stopped suddenly, his eyes fixed on the pistol. He let out a low growl. The man’s right index finger then pressed the trigger. The gun vibrated with a bright flash, and the air filled with smoke and the smell of gunpowder. Rex’s body lay still, covered in blood, partly on the veranda and partly on the grass. The sound of the pistol had awakened the crows in the nearby trees, and a commotion now began to rise from the direction of the factory.

 

Passage: I came back into the bedroom, bolted the door and sat on the bed. The shouting drew near.
I placed the still hot muzzle of the pistol by my right ear. That is all I remember.
I woke up at the sound of knocking.
‘I’ve brought your tea, sir.’
Daylight flooded in through the window. Out of sheer habit my eyes strayed to my left wrist.
Thirteen minutes past six. I brought the watch closer to my eyes to read the date, April the twenty-eighth.
I now opened the door and let Sukhanram in.
“There’s a car repair shop half an hour down the road, sir,’ he ‘Said. ‘It’ll open at seven.’
‘Very good,’: I said; and proceeded to drink my tea.
Would anyone believe me when they heard-of my experience on the night of the hundredth anniversary of the death of an English indigo planter in Birbhum?

Word Meanings
Muzzle of the pistol: The front end of the barrel of a gun.
Strayed: Moved away from the correct or expected place.
Flooded in: Entered in a large quantity or flow, like water.
Proceeded to: Began to do something.

Explanation of the above passage— Aniruddha returned to the bedroom, locked the door, and sat on the bed. The sound of shouting grew closer. He placed the still warm end of the pistol by his right ear. That was the last thing he remembered before losing consciousness. He woke up later to the sound of knocking. A voice announced that tea had been brought. Daylight was now pouring in through the window. Out of habit, Aniruddha looked at his left wrist, where he saw that it was thirteen minutes past six. He brought the watch closer to read the date, which was April the twenty-eighth. He then opened the door and allowed Sukhanram to enter. Sukhanram informed him that there was a car repair shop about half an hour down the road and that it would open at seven o’clock. Aniruddha replied that it was very good and began to drink his tea. He then wondered if anyone would believe him if he told them about his experience on the night of the hundredth anniversary of the death of an English indigo planter in Birbhum.

 

Conclusion

Indigo is a short story by Satyajit Ray about Aniruddha Bose, who faces strange events while staying in an old indigo planter’s bungalow. He had a supernatural experience where he was transformed into a 19th-century Englishman, being the 100th death anniversary of a British indigo planter, the ghost enters the narrator to express his feelings through a diary entry. Students can take help from this post to understand the story and also learn the difficult word meanings to get a better grasp of Indigo. This lesson includes a summary of Indigo, which will help students of ISC class 12, Prism book to get a quick recap of the story.

 

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