"Traitors do not have rules"

The searching of precious weapon 'KATAR'

Traitors do not have rules

                The Arabian Sea was turning into blue colour when Sun rays started to spread on it. Vizhinjam international Sea port, Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala, one of the largest Sea ports in India. The day had started little busy there. An European cargo ship arrived there and workers were busy in unloading the ship. In the passenger section, a big passenger ship was getting ready to depart. That was not a big ship. It was like a big cruise. Usually there are no passenger ships to Maldives from Thiruvananthapuram. But this was a special team sent by Indian government to do archaeological research in Maldives. It was a three storey cruise with a group of 100 archaeologists. Myself and my friend Gowtham were sitting in the top floor and we were discussing with drinks. Gowtham looked into my eyes deeply and started to speak.

                “Why Maldives? Why did you choose Sea transport, as there are so many cheap flights to Maldives from Thiruvananthapuram? I don’t understand you as usual.”

I sipped one gulp of scotch whiskey. I was feeling cool early morning Sea breeze. Let me introduce about myself. My name is Irshad, a Senior Research Archaeologist in Archaeological Survey of India(ASI). We were heading towards Maldives with my team of 100 archaeologists. Myself and my friend Gowtham were organizing this team. You will come to know about my character later.

I sipped one gulp of scotch whiskey and asked a question instead of answering his question.

                “Was there any flight services from Trivandrum to Maldives during 11^th century.”

                “No.”

                “An archaeologist should get involved completely. We already knew that the Cholas travelled from Trivandrum to Maldives by Sea ways. We are going to find their lives there. We are going to excavate their land. Before that we should know and realise the thinking of Chola at that period. We should synchronise with their mind waves. Archaeology is an art. Unless you become a Chola, you will not be able to find anything about them.”

Gowtham listened without interrupting.

                “Irshad, I really don’t understand why you volunteered this project. This project was going to Deepak’s team. You convinced the President of ASI and got this project. Why do you want to go to Maldives. What is the special in this research. Though Maldives is a tourist place, the place where we are going to excavate is a dry island. I don’t understand why are you taking this risk. I am upset". 

I just smiled at him and replied,

                “Where there is a pain, there is a gain. I will explain you everything later. Lets have this drink.”

We had an another peg of scotch whiskey. The cruise reached the mid Sea and traveled towards the Indian Ocean. The engine sound reduced and the cruise traveled along the south direction with the help of wind and engine. I was given a nice first class compartment. I read some books like ‘The Rise and Fall of Early Cholas’, ‘The Rise and Fall of later Cholas’, ‘Weapons used in Medieval ages. Then I had some nice sleep after a delicious lunch.

That midnight, I was standing in the top corner of the cruise watching the sea at night time. I was having a beer at that time and I was alone. I was enjoying the night time sea breeze. There were only the engine sound and ocean driven sound with me at that time. I was thinking about the Cholas, how did they travel this big Ocean without this modern technology. How did they overcome the hurdles. I hope all my questions will be answered soon in this research.

The dark Ocean was moving up and down like they are the King of this world. I could imagine the Chola’s small boat managed to tackle the sea storm and traveled towards Maldives. The Chola sailors were working hard to overcome that heavy rain. Definitely there should be a man who controlled the entire team. Without him they were not able to succeed. My imagination stopped when I heard some noise behind me. I turned back. Gowtham was standing with a tin beer in his hand and raised the tin towards me.

                “Cheers.”

                “Cheers.”, I too raised my tin.

                “Hello Irshad, I guess so many things are going on your mind now.”

I smiled at him and replied,

                “Not so many things. Only one thing. I cannot think anything else apart from this.”

                “Look Irshad, You are maintaining too many suspense. I have been asking you some questions like why Maldives? Why to take risk? But no answer yet. Now, you are talking something which I don’t understand. I know about you. Please tell me what is your plan?”

Again I gave him the same smile and started walking. He also walked along with me.

                “Gowtham, I volunteered this project, not only for archaeological research. Surplus Money!”

I could see his bright face after I said surplus money. I continued again.

                “I have volunteered this project for the weapon ‘KATAR’.”

                “Katar? The three blade weapon? What special in it. Its just a weapon."

                “No Gowtham. Its not just a weapon. That is going to give us surplus money.”

                “Can you please elaborate?”

                “I have read about this Katar weapon in so many research papers. Its not just a normal weapon. Its a ornamental weapon made up of diamond, platinum and some priceless stones which is not yet named. Even so many people tried to find it, but failed. I have made research on this for three years and I have come to a conclusion. This weapon should be there in Maldives. This priceless weapon is going to change my life. Even the entire India will not be able to buy this weapon. You cannot predict or assign a price to this. Thats why it is called priceless.”

                “So, you are going to find it and steal it?”

                “No. You are wrong Gowtham. If I steal, definitely I would be caught. I am not a fool to steal it.”

                “Then?”

                “I am going to handover it to Indian government.”

                “Are you fool?”

                “Have you ever wondered that there are so many broken ornaments in Indian Museum and Archaeological Survey!”

Gowtham gave me a sarcastic smile and he understood my plan. Each and every nook and corner of the world has some traitors like me.

                “How are you sure that the weapon will be there in Maldives?”

                “According to history, the weapon was lastly with Veerakalanjiyan, the Chola warrior. He came to Maldives for some reason and this weapon was lost there. After that, there were no evidences of this weapon. This weapon should be there in Maldives. I believe my instincts.”

                “During that period, the usage of this Katar weapon is quite common. You may find several weapons in the research site. How will you find this priceless weapon!”

                “It looks like a normal Katar weapon with a medium size ‘H’ shaped handle with a trigger and a sharp blade at the other end. If you pull the trigger, the sharp blade will split into three blades, with one at the centre and the other two at the other two sides. This ‘H’ shaped handle has all ornamental structure like Diamonds, Platinum and some unnamed stones. This weapon will look unique and also I believe my instincts.”

I smiled at him.

                “Don’t you think we are against our country?”

                “What our country did to us? They are still paying low wages to us and earning more money. The important thing is, this country is very poor as it is incapable of buying this weapon. I am going to take half of the stones and sell it to some rich European countries who are ready to buy this kind of stones".

                “Irshad, You are brilliant.”

                “Gowtham, you should know one thing. Traitors do not have rules.”

                We reached Maldives one afternoon. I was given accommodation in a Resort in Mukrimagu. Some of them got accommodation in Sarahadhee Magu. I had a nap that afternoon. The resort was such a beautiful place at the shore of Laccadive Sea. I was sitting at the sea shore and was looking at my laptop about this project. Gowtham came and sat beside me and started to speak.

                “As you asked, these are the LiDAR images of that site.”

He gave me some documents which contains some images regarding that site. I was looking at the aerial view of that site and started to speak.

                “How are we going there?”

                “We have an archaeological research analyst here. He will guide us for this project.”

                “These LiDAR images are not clear. Please arrange some remote sensing research there.  So that, we will know the regions for excavation.”

                “Yes Irshad. Will arrange.”

                “Where are the research papers that I asked?”

                “Its there in my room.”

                “No problem. I will get it later.”

Gowtham nodded his head and he left that place. I was looking into the documents again. LiDAR images, one of the most important factors in archaeology. This will give us the clear picture of the site that we want to excavate. The place that we were going to excavate is Bokaifushi island, a small island. This is somewhat far from where we stayed. I waited at the shore till the sun set. I directly went to Gowtham’s room, collected the research papers and went to my room. I opened the first research paper. It stated that English, Dutch and Portuguese invaded India in order to find this weapon Katar. I wondered how this weapon cheated their eyes. The entire world was searching for it three hundred years back. Later, everyone fed up with searching the weapon. But my sincere hard work is going to get me money. No no. Surplus money. I smiled to myself. But I have several unanswered questions. Where is that weapon now? Who had this weapon? How did he miss that priceless weapon? By thinking about these questions, I opened the second research paper and started to read.

                Eleventh century, the golden period for all Kingdoms of India except the Chola Kingdom. Because, the Chola kingdom started to decline at that period. Thats why I called it was the golden period of all other kingdoms. No one can imagine the power of Cholas. The one and only kingdom, which rules most of the parts in south Asia, in spite of so many political hindrances. They were strong in all categories like martial arts, arts, medicines, literature etc. But that period (11^th century) was not a golden period of Cholas.

                During eleventh century, one of the factors which is used to evaluate the power of a king is Tiger Hunt. That day, Kulothunga Chola III’s second prince Manimaran went to jungle for Tiger Hunt. He already had experience in Tiger Hunt. So he came alone in a horse. He has sharp eyes. No one will be able to look into his eyes more than 5 seconds; well developed body like a Mighty warrior. He had a bow in his right hand and a basket of arrows in his back. He wore a kind of leather belt in his waist. There was a big sword in the left side of his waist and a shining weapon was fixed in the right side of his belt. That shining weapon is Katar, the priceless weapon with platinum, diamond and unnamed stones.

                That was a dense forest. He was able to see the things only 10 meters apart. That region was fully covered with dense trees. He was pointing the arrow here and there and slowly moving deeply into the jungle. Though the sounds of birds, river, green atmosphere were around, he felt thrill there. There was a small river running on the way which he had to cross. He got down and checked the depth of that river. The river was not so deep. Meanwhile the horse drank some water. He jumped on the horse and started moving slowly towards the other end. After he reached the other end, he saw a beautiful, gigantic Tiger was standing on the left side. He was mesmerized for a second, as he saw that gorgeous Tiger was walking under a tree and searching for something. Later, he realized himself and took the bow. He aimed the arrow towards the Tiger’s throat. Once he fired, it will cut the Tiger’s throat and stop the respiratory system. He strengthened his hands and started to concentrate on the target. He was waiting for 2 minutes for a chance to shoot. Because, if he missed the target, it might end with his death. He got that exact timing to shoot. He increased the tension in the bow string by applying pressure. At that time he heard some weird noise from his back. When he turned back, an another Tiger was jumping towards him. He had no idea what to do, he was stunned by this sudden incident. The Tiger hit his chest and he fell down on the ground. He lost his bow near the horse and the belt fell down away from him. The sword and the ‘priceless’ Katar weapon were fixed to the belt. Now he was weaponless. He could not do anything at that time. Now the Tiger was aiming and waiting for a exact timing to shoot itself at him. It was walking in a semi circle way without moving its eyes on him. Once it got the exact timing, it jumped towards him. But before it reached him, an another living object jumped on the Tiger in a lightning speed. That was a human, with fierce eyes, well built body sitting on the Tiger with the ‘priceless’ Katar weapon in his hand. He did not give even a second for the Tiger to act. He stabbed the Katar to the Tiger’s chest, exactly where the heart is located and pulled the trigger. The single blade split into three which tore the Tiger’s heart and lead to sudden death. Manimaran had closed his eyes and he did not notice what happened there. When he opened his eyes, he saw his warrior Kalanjiyan was standing in front of him with Katar weapon in his right hand.

                “Warrior Kalanjiyan?” Manimaran exclaimed.

                “Yes my Majesty”

                “How did you come here?”

                “The King asked me to follow you for safety my Majesty.”

Manimaran did not have any words to praise Kalanjiyan’s effort of saving him. The next day, Kalanjiyan was rewarded by the King for his brave heart. The King publicly announced,

                “From today, the warrior Kalanjiyan will be named as ‘VEERA KALANJIYAN.”

Everybody started to shout ‘Long live Kulothunga Chola III’. That time, an unusual incident happened. There was a extreme silence at that time. The prince Manimaran rewarded his ‘priceless’ Katar weapon to Veerakalanjiyan for saving his life. The ‘priceless’ Katar weapon with platinum, diamond and unnamed stones was shining in Veerakalanjiyan’s hand.

                I closed the research paper and had a deep breath. I wondered about that man. But I could see only the shining weapon. My eyes became heavy and slowly I started to sleep.

                The next morning, we were all getting ready to the site. A tall and lean guy came with Gowtham. He must be a Maldivian.

                “Hey Irshad, This is John Christopher. He is going to guide us in this project.”

I looked at him for a second.

                “Hi John, nice to meet you. Do you speak English?”

                “Yes. I can speak Hindi also.” He replied.

                “Thats good.”

He started again,

                “The one and only transport to Bokaifushi is sea transport. First we will go to Sarahadhee Magu. From there my friend will arrange three boats.”

I thought for a second and replied,

                “How long will it take to reach there?”

                “Approximately three hours!”

We traveled in a small tempo from Mukrimagu to Sarahadhee Magu. The city looks so beautiful and well developed. People are so brisk in working. I was admiring about the Maldives people, the way of dressing, the roads, the language they speak. We got down in front of a small lane in Sarahadhee Magu, We entered into the lane and it lead us to several lanes further. John Christopher guided us in front. We traveled through several small lanes and finally reached the shore. Three boats were waiting for us. John Christopher introduced an another tall lean guy. We shook hands with him and got into the boat. That looks like a big fisher boat. The boat slowly detached from the shore and traveled deep into the sea. We crossed two islands on the way and finally we reached Bokaifushi island. The island looks dry with limited trees, hot sand and a big tree in the center. There were small huts spread all over the island. Approximately there were only 100 people living there. We got down from the boat. People were staring at us strangely. As soon as we got down from the boat , a group of archaeologists started to build tents there. An another group of archaeologists were unloading the boats with all things including research instruments. I went on analysing the island. The first dry island I have ever seen. I was wondering how people are living here. Even there were no coconut trees in the right hand side. There was a big tree at the centre. That tree was really very big. People stared at us for sometime and they resumed their routine work again. But an old man was staring at me and following me wherever I went. He looked at us as we are aliens. I walked towards that big tree ad analysed the structure. The old man was continuously following me. He told something in Maldivian Dhivehi language. 

                “He is saying that this tree is 1000 years old tree.”

John Christopher came from the other side. I smiled at him which means ‘thank you’. What an expressive old man. When he speaks, his eyes and entire body speaks with us. He speaks with expressions and actions. It seems I did not need a translator when speaking with this old man. Our archaeologists were very fast. They built the tents and unloaded all the things to tents from the boats. Myself and Gowtham were given a separate tent. The first procedure is to analyse the site before start digging. I was commanding them with the help of LiDAR images. Since those things were not clear, we need further research on the site. The Science Research team were ready with the equipments to analyse the site. By looking into the LiDAR results and other remote sensing research results, I guided them in their research.

                “I want to know the depth of sand in this place. I think we have to excavate the region below the sand."

The Science team noted down whatever I told. I analysed each and every place and giving them the directions.

                “This is 1000 years old tree. There must be only roots and parts of trees. No need to excavate a 100 meter circumference around the tree.’

I went into my tent and drank some water.

                “Things are happening very fast it seems!”

Gowtham came in.

                “Yes. I think I have reached very nearer to my target.”

                “Can I ask you a question?”

                “Yes Gowtham.”

                “According to your plan, you are going to take a small part of the weapon and handover it to Indian government?”

                “Yes”

                “After this process, there are so many further processes like Lab process. Don’t they think like you?”

                “Gowtham, I told you already right. Traitors like me are present in all nook and corner of this world. There are equal number of traitors as Good people around us. Also, one more thing, these traitors do not have rules.”

That place looked so weird at that night. The heavy sea breeze entered into the small gaps of tents and gave some strange sounds. Gowtham slept early. I was sitting under a small lamp and reading the research papers, which was given by Gowtham.

                Eleventh century, people call the islands of Arabian sea and Indian ocean as Western islands and the islands of Bay of Bengal as Eastern islands. The Cholas ruled the entire Western islands, which we call it as Lakshadweep and Maldives now. These islands had Care Takers, who were assigned by Chola kingdom. One of the Western island’s (which is Maldives now) Care Taker came to India to meet Kulothunga Chola III for administration and finance meet. He was given high level hospitality in the capital city of Cholas. He was stunned by these hospitalities. The entire city was celebrating as a festival because of his arrival.

                “I am just a normal Care Taker. Not a powerful King like you. But why these many arrangements?”

The Kulothunga Chola III and the Care Taker were travelling in a Chariot. There were nobody in the Chariot with them except the Chariot rider and the Minister of Chola Kingdom. The Minister was always with the King as he was the only trusted person of Kulothunga Chola III.

The King smiled and replied,

                “This is our culture. Even a normal man will be treated as a King, when he comes to visit our place.”

The Care Taker just wondered about the people of this Kingdom, their affection, their briskness, the smiling faces. ‘The City of Heaven’.

Kulothunga continued,

                                “How is the finance there. Everything is okay? What about weather? I am ready to help you always.”

The Care Taker smiled and replied.

                “Even a small stone will become gold under the sheds of Chola Kingdom. We have everything, as we are a part of Chola kingdom.”

He was enjoying the streets of that Chola city. He believed that it would be the richest city in the world. One thing impressed him a lot. In each and every street, there was a temple, not a normal temple. Those were the temples of art. The sculptures, the art work present in the temple were extra-ordinary. He was really wondering the extra ordinary art works present in all temples found in Chola streets. He was stunned by these temples. How is it possible to build these kinds of temples in all streets. He was speechless. The Chariot stopped at the end of the road. That was a strange place. All roads end at that place. Both the King and the Care Taker got down from the Chariot. At the moment the Care Taker got down and he opened his mouth in excitement. A very big temple was standing high in that place.

                “This is our Prestigious temple. I use to come here once in a week.” Kulothunga said.

The Care Taker stood for a minute and wondered the construction of that big temple. He analysed the tall tower whether it touches the sky or not. He forgot to blink his eyes. There were more than thousand sculptures embedded in that tall tower. They entered into that temple. They felt cold. The Care Taker thought this temple might have been constructed using rocks and calcium. The statues looks so real like humans. He wondered these statues must be made by God’s hands. He mesmerized by seeing the beauty of calcium paintings inside. The speciality of this calcium painting is it was drawn within a minute. They pour liquid calcium on the rocks and draw a painting before it gets dry. He wondered, how this one minute painting looked so real. He enjoyed each and every second inside that temple. To be frank, he lost the presence of God inside the temple. He could see only these art works.

                On the way back, the Care Taker was talking about his excitements by seeing the art work of Chola kingdom. The King heard everything with a divine smile. The Chariot stopped at a place where a small temple construction was going on. The King and the Care Taker got down. Some people were working in constructing the temple, sculptures, paintings etc.

                “They are our temple construction team.” Kulothunga said.

The Care Taker was looking at them in surprise. Veerakalanjiyan stood at the middle and supervising the team. The King introduced Veerakalanjiyan to the Care Taker. The ‘priceless’ Katar weapon with platinum, diamond and unnamed stones was shining in Veerakalanjiyan’s waist.

                I closed the research paper. I was thinking about the prosperity of Chola Kingdom and the great warrior Veerakalanjiyan and his love to his motherland. But I could visualize only the ‘priceless’ Katar weapon.

                Next day, we started to excavate the site. The people were watching at what we were doing. The old man was sitting on a rock and watching us.

                “Be careful in excavation. Whatever you find, first show it to me. Be careful with the weapons you use. It may spoil the artifacts “, I commanded everyone.

Day by day my curiosity towards the Katar weapon increased. We found several things in excavation. But not that weapon.  I was not calm at that time. My curiosity slowly became irritation and then extreme anger. I started to shout at everyone. I was behaving like a psyco. I was driven only by the thought of that weapon. Apart from this, nothing was in my mind. Few days passed by. 75 % of excavation was completed. Slowly I was loosing my hope. That midnight I was sitting alone in the sea shore. Gowtham came and stood behind.

                “Irshad?”

I slowly turned back and returned back to my previous state. He continued again.

                “Irshad, I think you are loosing your concentration.”

                “My three years research! That weapon should be here. But no clue. I have sacrificed my entire life for this.”

                “First come inside and take rest. Then only you will be able to concentrate. I think you can do it. Don’t loose hope.”

Gowtham pressed my shoulder. I stood up and went into tent with him. But I was not able to sleep. I was mad about that Katar weapon. I took the research papers and started to read again.

                The decline of Cholas happened not in a single day. It took several years. The Kingdom was slowly killed like a slow poison. Kulothunga Chola III’s period was one of the critical periods of Cholas. Without a political crisis and strategies, the Kingdom would not be destroyed or defeated.

                Kulothunga Chola III and his prince Manimaran were discussing something in their Palace garden.

                “My son, the condition of this country is getting worse day by day. I have become old. I am afraid about this Kingdom now. This Kingdom have never faced such political problems before. I believe you. I have trust on you. After this King, you should take all the responsibilities. Never let this powerful Kingdom down.”

Manimaran noticed his father’s sorrowful eyes and started to speak.

                “Dad. Don’t worry. I will take care of everything. I will never allow this Kingdom down.”

Kulothunga smiled and continue,

                “Our Princess Harsha Vardhini refused to marry Hoysalas Prince.”

Manimaran surprised, “Why?”

                “I guess she has fallen in love with someone.”

Kulothunga worried a lot.

                “What? Love? The one and only Chola Princess Harsha is in love with someone? I am going to kill her now.”

                “Don’t do that Manimaran. She is our girl. She has rights to decide her life partner.”

                “But dad?”

Manimaran was not satisfied. Kulothunga Chola III continued,

                “So the King Hoysala Ballala III has become angry. I think, we will loose their political support soon and they will become our enemies.”

He continued again,

                “The King Maravarman Sundara Pandian is becoming stronger in the south. This period is the most critical period in Chola history.”

Manimaran has not seen his father like this much worried. He did not have any words to console him.

                “I think I am disturbing your conversation my Majesty!”

Both the King and the Prince turned back towards the voice. The Minister was standing behind.

                “Not at all my Minister.” Both the King and the Prince stood up.

                “Any news Minister?” Kulothunga asked.

                “Yes my Majesty. We have got an information from the Care Taker of Western island”

The King raised his eyebrows in surprise. The minister continued again.

                “When he came here he was stunned by our art works in temples. Being a part of Chola Kingdom, he wants us to help him in constructing temples there. Also, they are facing so many threats there. So he requests us to send our temple construction team along with a security team.”

The Minister looked at the King.

                “Dad, in this condition, it is not possible. We will tell him that it is not possible now.”

                “No my son. If someone requests for something to us, we should not refuse in any kind of situation. That is our culture. I will not give up my culture at any cost. Minister, immediately make all arrangements for our temple construction team and Veerakalanjiyan’s team to go to Western islands.”

                “Veerakalanjiyan’s team?” Manimaran exclaimed and continued again,

                “Veerakalanjiyan is our powerful warrior of Chola Kingdom. He has to be here. He will do anything for his motherland.”

                “My son. Thats why I am sending his team. We should always give the best of us when someone requests.”

Manimaran got angry and left that place.

                “Young blood!” Kulothunga smiled.

Chola people do anything for their beloved people. This is the reason why Manimaran gave the costliest weapon of Chola to Veerakalanjiyan.

                The temple construction team and Veerakalanjiyan’s team were getting ready to depart. They were going to travel in a small size boat. The boat designer was examining the boat before the team got in. The boat started its journey towards the big ocean in the south. The boat was made up of wood with a single steering. It had a tall sail that driving the boat with the help of wind. Days passed by. Veerakalanjiyan passed his time by exercising and practicing martial arts with his team.

                One night, they were affected by a sudden sea storm. That was a big storm. The tides raised to a greater altitude. That was a very small boat. It was not capable to withstand this heavy storm. Everyone worked hard to overcome this situation. Veerakalanjiyan controlled the entire team since he had experience on sailing.

                “Come on. Quick. Work fast. Raise the sail to the top. Turn the boat on the storm blows perpendicular to the sail.”

As Veerakalanjiyan guided, somehow they had overcome the sea storm. Everyone became tired and rested on the floor. Veerakalanjiyan was sitting in the corner of the boat and looking at his Katar weapon. The ‘priceless’ Katar weapon with platinum, diamond and unnamed stones was shining in his hands.

                I closed the last research paper given by Gowtham. After this incident, there were no information about this Katar weapon. According to the historical research papers, the weapon Katar was lastly found in Maldives. But nobody know what happened to Veerakalanjiyan’s team in Maldives. Everything was hidden behind the untold history. But I believe my instincts. The weapon Katar should be here.

                That day was our last day of our project, the last day of excavation and my last hope. Tomorrow morning we were leaving for India. All the archaeologists were working in the final stage of excavation. I was keenly observing the site. My eyes were scanning all the areas like a scanner. My dream, my money, surplus money, my future. Where are you? Hours were passing by. Thats lunch time. I did not feel hungry and I did not want to eat anything at that time. I was sitting on a rock and looking at the sea. After sometime, the old man and John Christopher sat on an another rock beside me. They were talking something in Maldivian Dhivehi language. The only thing I learnt after I came here is Maldivian Dhivehi language. I could understand, but not speak.

John Christopher asked the old man,

                “Why you people are still living here? The nearby islands are well developed with all facilities. Why can’t you migrate!”

The old man smiled and replied,

                “This is our place. We were born here.”

John continued,

                “This looks stupid. What this place have done for you so far. A dry island with no trees, even you cannot do agriculture here. Instead of struggling here, you can come to our place and live happily.”

The man calmly replied,

                “What this place have done for us? Instead of asking this, we should ask ourself what we have done to this place, our birth place, the motherland. What can we do for this motherland. Instead of blaming our place, why can’t we do something for this motherland, the place where we born, the place where we learn what is life, the place which feeds us, the place which protects us till now. This place is more than a mother.”

There was extreme silence at that time. The old man continued,

                “Patriotism is not only standing in the border and fighting with the enemies. Whatever we do for our place is real patriotism. There is no need of weapons, no need of energy, no need of money. The love and care for the land where you live is also called Patriotism.”

                The last day of excavation is completed. They found several things like coins, pots, statues etc, but not the Katar weapon. The entire excavation period is completed. Including this period, I have worked hard for more than 3 years for this weapon, but in vain.

                That midnight, I was not able to sleep. I was lying on the bed and thinking. There was heavy wind and black clouds were surrounding that place. They showed the sign of heavy rain. I was thinking about Veerakalanjiyan’s patriotism on motherland and the old man’s philosophy of patriotism. They were disturbing my mind a lot. But my heart still beat for that Katar weapon. I started to sleep.

                The small boat reached the Western island at a night time. People living there looked at them in surprise. Veerakalanjiyan got down from the boat and stepped into the island. They saw the Tiger flag flying on the boat. After seeing this, one security guard was running towards the city an disappeared in darkness. After sometime, a Chariot was coming towards Veerakalanjiyan’s team. The Care Taker, who came to India before got down from the Chariot and came towards the team.

                “What a surprise! We are heartily welcomed you to our place.”

He seemed to be surprised. Veerakalanjiyan replied,

                “As soon as we got your information, we started from there and came here. The Great Kulothunga never refuses when someone requests.”

The Care Taker raised his eyebrows.

                “What? We did not send any information to you. We heard about the political problems. We were about to help you. But we did not send any information to you.”

                “But we received an information requesting for temple constructing team to build temples here.”

                “No. We have already started to build our own temple with your inspiration.”

Veerakalanjiyan looked at the direction where he pointed. There were two fresh built statues.

                I suddenly woke up from sleep by hearing a heavy thunder sound. It was heavily raining there with heavy thunders and wind. I wore a jerkin and came out from the tent. I was observing the entire excavation site. There was a fully closed tent. This tent was used to safeguard the artifacts from rain. I observed all the artifacts present there. I saw the two statues.

                Veerakalanjiyan felt, something wrong was happening there.

                “I should go now.”

The Care Taker replied,

                “No. It is not good to leave from here now. Stay here this night. Tomorrow morning you can leave. We are expecting a heavy storm today.”

Veerakalanjiyan looked worried.

                “No. I should go now. Something wrong. I want to save my King and my motherland.”

Veerakalanjiyan did not listen to the Care Taker’s words. He left that place with his team. They started the sea travel again. As the Care Taker told, a heavy storm affected the boat. This time, the storm was very strong. They could not withstand. The boom of the boat (a long pole attached to the bottom of a boat’s sail, that is used for changing the direction of sail) was broken. Without that, they could not continue. Somehow they manually adjusted and reached an island on the way (which is Bokaifushi island now)

                “We have to stay here. No other ways.”

One of the team members told. Veerakalanjiyan got down from the boat and analyzed the place. There was a big tree standing in the middle of the island. Veerakalanjiyan stood near and looked at the tree.

                Suddenly I got an instinct. I ran towards the big tree with a iron rod. First I analyzed that place and started to dig under the tree. I remembered the sentence that I told to the archaeologists ‘Do not excavate for 100 meters circumference around the tree’. I dig it for sometime, for some extent.

                Veerakalanjiyan stood in front of that big tree and analyzed the structure. Someone stabbed with a big knife at his back. Veerakalanjiyan lost his balance for a second and turned back. One of the temple construction team members stood behind with a big knife in hand. Veerakalangian took the Katar weapon from his waist and tried to hit him. But before that he stabbed his chest again with that big knife. Veerakalanjiyan lost his balance completely and fell down on the ground under the tree. The Katar weapon also fell down on the other side under the tree. Veerakalanjiyan tried to withstand and hold his life. He said to himself, “I should live for my motherland”. He tried, but no use. He had become one of the greatest warriors, who sacrificed the lives of their motherland.

                I dig under the tree in three different places. I could not find anything. I dig the fourth spot under the tree. I was digging continuously in that heavy rain for 40 minutes. Finally and finally I saw a shining thing struck in between the roots of that tree. I slowly and carefully took that thing out from there. The thing was the old Katar weapon, which I was searching for. The ‘priceless’ Katar weapon with platinum, diamond and unnamed stones was shining in my hands for the first time.

                In eleventh century, the Minister of Kulothunga Chola III joined with Maravarman Sundara Pandiyan and played a strategy inside. With the help of this Minister, Maravarman Sundara Pandiyan conquered most of the places in Chola Kingdom and the fall of the later Cholas started.

                Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had arranged a press meet about the archaeological research in Maldives. The ASI President was sitting in the middle, myself and Gowtham were sitting beside. The ASI President started to speak.

                “Before giving you the details, I would like to tell you the importance of archaeology in today’s world. Long long ago, there was a place called Costa Rica. The culture in Costa Rica survived for several years even after some vulnerable volcanic eruptions. The archaeologists are still researching on that place to know about their infrastructure, the structure of their land, the prevention techniques they used. The archaeologists believe that they would help people in preventing them from heavy natural disasters. That why archaeology is considered as an important science in today’s world. The research that we made in Maldives revealed some untold truth about Cholas. I heartily congratulate my team for this achievement. Let me read out the artifacts we found there. Three kinds of old coins, two statues of Goddess, two metal pots, an old stone painting, and a broken wooden wheel of a Chariot. Any questions?”

                The press people shot some questions towards the ASI President. Gowtham came near me.

                “Ok Irshad. Leave it. Continue your research. I know you can do it. Don’t loose hope.”

I smiled at him and left that place. The ‘priceless’ Katar weapon with platinum, diamonds, and unnamed stones was shining deeply inside the Indian Ocean. I did not want to spoil the precious weapon. If not me, someone would definitely steal it and make it as money. I did not want this to happen. It is better hidden inside India instead of selling to some other countries. Because, Patriotism is not only standing in the border and fighting with the enemies. Whatever we do for our place is also Patriotism. The love and care for the land, where we live is also called Patriotism.

THE END

               

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

All incidents and few characters mentioned in this story are completely fictitious. Any characters or persons resembled are completely co-incidental. This is just my imagination. No intention of affecting anything.

Reviews

[Kutty]

“Even a small stone will become gold under the sheds of Chola Kingdom. We have everything, as we are a part of Chola kingdom.” After reading these lines I really got interested in knowing the history of "Chola Kingdom"

With the character Caretaker, Even I was enjoying the streets of that Chola city and I entered inside the temple along with him and felt cold on my imagination. Beautiful narration Irshad Sir:) You made me to travel in chola kingdom.

[Karthick]

Awesome :) One of the Best i have read. Keep going :)

[Ashokkumar]

Nice Historical story......