Toofan Singh: Hareshwar Roy
Toofan Singh: Hareshwar Roy
It is an old story. At that time, Maharaj Daulat Rao Scindia was the ruler of the Gwalior state.
One day, a handsome young man arrived at Scindia ji's court. Greeting him, he said, "Your Majesty, my name is Toofan Singh. I have presented myself here with the desire to become a soldier in your army. I am confident that you will fulfill my wish."
Maharaj Daulat Rao needed as many soldiers as possible for his army. At that time, he was fighting a war against the British. Therefore, the Maharaj said to the Commander-in-Chief, "Commander, let this young man's ability be tested before a decision is made."
Following the Maharaj's order, the Commander asked the youth to step outside the court with him. However, the youth remained standing in his place. Seeing this, the Maharaj asked, "What is the matter, young man? Do you wish to say something?"
"Your Majesty, I want to give the test of my bravery right here before you," the youth said with great humility.
"But how can all this be possible here in the court?" said the Maharaj.
"It is possible, Your Majesty. The respected Commander already has a sword. Let him strike at me with his sword, and I shall defend myself," the youth said confidently.
Hearing the youth's words, everyone present in the court was stunned. They became eager to hear the Maharaj's decision.
After thinking for a moment, the Maharaj said, "Commander, let this young man's wish be granted."
Upon receiving the Maharaj's order, the Commander drew his sword from its sheath and said, "Be on your guard, young man!"
As soon as he heard this, the youth moved into a defensive posture with lightning speed. His eyes locked onto the sword. Without blinking, he waited for the strike.
The Commander made the first strike. The youth defended himself with supreme skill. He made a second strike, but that strike also went in vain. Then, the Commander began making blow after blow. On the other side, changing his stance continuously, the youth kept rendering every strike harmless.
The Commander became drenched in sweat. Meanwhile, shifting his position, the youth leaped into the air and, with immense dexterity, flicked the sword right out of the Commander's hand. The Commander was left bewildered. The entire court echoed with the thunder of applause.
After that, Toofan Singh politely greeted the Maharaj and the audience. He then placed the sword at the Commander's feet and touched them in respect. The Commander embraced the brave youth. Maharaj Scindia too was deeply moved.
Toofan Singh got a job in the Maharaj's army. Toofan Singh was true to his name ("Toofan" meaning Storm). In the battlefield, he created a storm with his gleaming sword. When he arrived on the battlefield riding the back of his shaggy mare named Lakhiya, chaos would erupt in the enemy's army. Hearing his name, the British would shudder.
Impressed by Toofan Singh's bravery, Maharaj Scindia promoted him within a few days.
Toofan Singh was a peculiar soldier. He always wore loose-fitting clothes and spoke very little. He often slept isolated from the other soldiers. No one had ever seen him taking a bath. All in all, his character seemed mysterious.
Once, it so happened that Toofan Singh was severely injured on the battlefield. In an unconscious state, he was taken to the doctors. During the treatment, the doctors were shocked to learn that Toofan Singh was a young woman.
When Maharaj Scindia received news of this sensational secret, he was stunned. He became extremely anxious to meet Toofan Singh.
When the Maharaj reached the injured Toofan Singh, she had regained consciousness. Seeing the Maharaj, she began to smile. The Maharaj smiled as well. After this, the Maharaj said, "Toofan Singh, we are admirers of your bravery. However, there is an intense curiosity to know, why did you hide your true identity from us?"
Hearing this, it did not take long for Toofan Singh to realize that her secret was out.
Therefore, she deemed it best to reveal the truth.
"Your Majesty, circumstances compelled me to hide my reality," said Toofan Singh.
"Your Majesty, my name is Padma Singh. I also have a twin brother who looks identical to me. Right now, he is living the life of a prisoner in the jail of the Maharaja of Bhopal."
"Your Majesty, my father was a brave soldier in your army. Before his death, he trained both of us siblings in sword fighting, horse riding, marksmanship, and other skills."
Padma Singh continued, "Your Majesty, after father's death, our family became burdened with debt. Mother could not bear the blow of poverty and passed away to heaven."
"After this, the moneylenders began troubling my brother. We were unable to pay off the debt, Your Majesty. Our life became miserable. One moneylender complained against my brother to the Maharaja of Bhopal. As a result, he was arrested and thrown into prison," said Padma.
Saying this much, Padma Singh's eyes filled with tears. In a choked voice, she continued, "Then I was left completely alone, Your Majesty."
"I took a firm resolve to free my brother by clearing the debt. This task was not possible in female attire; hence, disguising myself as a man, I enlisted in your army so that I could save money from my salary and set my brother free," Padma Singh explained.
Hearing the story of Padma's devotion to her brother, the Maharaj was deeply moved. Through one of his messengers, he sent the debt amount to the Maharaja of Bhopal and had Padma's brother released and brought to Gwalior.
Padma's brother turned out to be even braver than Padma. Therefore, Maharaj Scindia appointed him to a high position in his army and married Padma to a high-ranking army officer.