A Debt of Honour

  • Krishan Kalra
  • India
  • Oct 31, 2014

 

 

Circa 1895, in the desert village of Jamali in West Punjab, my grandfather, Ram Narain, 18, joined his elder brother, Diwan Chand, in the small family business. He was later to become a prosperous commodity trader and mill owner in Sargodha, as well as an Assessor and Kursi-Nasheen appointed by the British rulers; but at the age of 18,  Ram Narain had to toil hard for feeding the large family. Diwan Chand had started the business seven years earlier, with a total capital of one thousand rupees, all contributed by affluent relatives – the Bajaj family of Kaka village. The young man had worked diligently and honestly and earned – after all expenses – a handsome profit of fourteen thousand rupees over seven years. When Ram Narain joined him, the family decided to pay back the Bajaj brothers their share of the profit – 50 per cent as per agreement – and become independent.  However, parting with seven thousand rupees from the business was not feasible.  It was therefore decided to call on the rich Balouch clan in a canal bank town some 50 miles away, and seek a loan. The brothers hired a horse for the journey. They rode in turns, with the other walking along. Starting at pre-dawn, they made it to the Balouch haveli by dusk. Their generous hosts fed them well and made them comfortable for the night. Early the next morning, the older brother explained the reason for their mission. The benefactors held a family conclave and decided to honour the request. In fact, the loan from the Balouch clan was interest-free and payable-when-able; they also had not asked for any ‘equity’ (share). Seven thousand worth of sterling silver coins were packed in two gunnysacks and given to the brothers. With enough food packed for the journey, the brothers then started their journey back to home. The return took longer, because of the bulk load of over 80 kilograms of silver that was loaded on the horse; both the brothers had to walk all the way back. They finally made it back by midnight. The next expedition was to Kaka village, to pay back the Bajaj brothers. There was no written agreement then; trust was the lone guarantee sought…or given. Some elders of Jamali village accompanied the young men, and it was decided that they would all request the Bajaj brothers for an ‘ardaas’ in the gurudwara – to thank the Lord for the partnership settlement and to wish the brothers well in their new independent venture. The Bajaj family asked for some ‘extras’ for granting this ‘favour’: a roll of muslin worth one-and-a-half-rupees, mishri  (sugar candy) worth half a rupee for each of the four brothers, and one rupee for ‘prashad’. The ardaas done, the delegation returned home triumphantly and wished the Kalras God-speed in their new venture. The family has never looked back.


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