The AnnihILAtion

Close to the city of Paithan, in a small village called Sauviragram, which lay along the banks of the
great river Godavari, lived a woman named Ilaa. Being cotton farmers, her family was well to do, but not
among the richest in their area. It was the harvest season, and cotton had to be picked from the plants.
The wholesalers and traders from Paithan would be arriving in just a few weeks, carrying gold and goods
for barter. They would exchange what they carried for the cotton that the farmers grew. The bales of
cotton had to be ready in time! Work was at its peak!

But Ilaa was not to be found in the fields. She wasn't working. Instead, she was sitting by the banks of
the great river Godavari.

'I am sick of this!' she grunted loudly.

Its a practice and everyone has to abide by the system. You are no exception Ilaa. Sacrificing ones life
for their love can be extremely divine a voice echoed from all over the boundaries Ilaa had drawn.
Divinity? A women, since time immemorial, was respected, honoured, worshipped and even treated
superior compared to man. She is the goddess of creation and why do people here not understand that
giving a woman her complete rights can be extremely divine? The violence in the name of SATI has
etched an infuriated rage deep in my heart and I will do whatever it takes to demolish this absurd act
roared Ilaa.
Nobody in this town will agree with you. No Idea prevails without the support of the majority. The
people decide the moral issues of the day, not a majority of one a voice echoed back.
Majorities do not decide what is right or wrong. Your conscience does. We must never ever kneel down
before the tyranny of majority replied Ilaa in anger and left the foot marks on the banks before she
departed.

The city of paithan was rich in its art, trade business and had made remarkable economic progress
outside India as well and its ruler Ambar Malik was quite happy with the way things were happening but
soon, the Mughals had their eye on this wealthy place. Ambar Malik humbled the might of the Mughals
and made way for Mughals to occupy the place. Fatehpur was renamed as Aurangabad, the capital of
Mughals, named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and Paithan was located within the limits of
Aurangabad. The invasion of Mughals made concubinity spread its tail even in Paithan, as a result of
which, lot of homeless women after the war became slaves, some became concubines and thus Sex
slavery made its way to satisfy the Mughal rulers.

Ilaa was too determined to abolish the Sati practice and she started educating people regarding the
same. Street dramas, preaches, rally with a message on the hoardings were undertaken by Ilaa to make
people of the village understand the cruelty of such a practice. Meanwhile, she hid all her dreams about
her life, her life partner and with a selfless mind, she focused on rescuing woman from burning
themselves in the name of Sati System and as the time passed, Ilaa was popular in the city of paithan as
a woman who has dedicated her life to fight for women rights.
 Yes. I do realize I am getting old but right now my focus is only towards the poor widow woman
who is throwing her life away every now and then for nothing. I am a woman too and I can never marry
a person who supports such a cruel act what my eyes witness frequently said ilaa.
You certainly do not live in Vedic times. You belong to 17th century my dear. Learn to accept the things
the way it is and share your life with a man whom you can rely upon at difficult times and experience
the divine feel of being a Mother, raising a kid and growing a family asserted a voice from behind.
Ilaa was thoughtful for a while before she departed in silence
On one of the days, Aurangzeb had visited the beautiful city of Paithan and was dumbstruck after a
beautiful scene on the road caught his eyes. Ilaa was performing an act on the street playing a role of
sati saavitri, highlighting the fact that Sati didnt kill herself rather she played a trick and won the
yamaraj (god of death) and got her husband back. Aurangzeb was so lost in her play that He applauded
as soon as the play ended gaining the attention of Ilaa. Ilaa smiled with a Namaste to the king, put her
head down and stood in silence.
I was mesmerized with the beauty you carry with you and I want to take you to my empire and let all
my rulers witness this majesty said Aurangzeb.
Please forgive me my lord. I never intend to attract anyone. I was spreading awareness about the Sati
system with a play and there is a need to outlaw the Sati practice. I dont intend to harm what you
desired for but lives of widow is far more important to me now than the happiness of the rulers
apologized Ilaa.
You are absolutely unique, just like everyone else but you are very beautiful in your thoughts as well.
Hope we will meet soon said Aurangzeb before He departed the place.

Over the days that followed, Ilaa to an extent was successful in restricting the practice of Sati system.
She was found to be the hope of poor widows and sheltered them in a farm house giving them a job to
survive. She started Sericulture which was a boon for lot of women to restrict themselves from slavery.
Since Paithan was popular for its paithani silk sarees, Ilaas contribution to it added more value to its
glory. The whole of Paithan loved Ilaa for her selfless service and she started feeling a sense of
belongingness which was very much needed for an unmarried Ilaa.
Hearing the news of Ilaas service to the society, Aurangzeb sent a message to congratulate her for
her good work and it was quite evident to the whole of paithan that the king is eyeing at Ilaa and people
cautioned Ilaa to be very careful in this matter.
A day finally arrived when Aurangzeb appeared before Ilaa and expressed his feelings with a hope
that Ilaa will be his. Since Ilaa was found to be silent, He continued.
Islam allows only 4 wives for a man and with all the respect, I can take you only as my concubine, a
royal treatment, a rich life with a rich person who is rich in bravery said the king with a smile.
Concubine ? Woman as a widows pyre, woman as a slave, woman within 4 walls and now woman as
a pleasurable commodity. Are men really incapable of appreciating woman as a person who apart from
being the genesis of creation also carries with her a fruitful life filled with lot of desires? Why cant she
be given her basic rights, the right to live, right to take decisions, right to choose the right life partner?
Men and women were always regarded as the two wheels of the chariot since ancient times and in spite
of that, why cant we get rid of this shameless male dominant society? cried Ilaa.
Commodity? Take that word back. Its my love towards you that has kept me calm so far. A society
needs to be male dominant. A woman cannot fight like a brave man in the war said the King.
The toughest war woman always comes across is life itself especially when the King we all honour
approached a common woman to be his concubine. Are men completely incapable of living this life to
the fullest without a woman accompanying him for his pleasure? Love is never about the pleasure man
always associate with. Its a divine feeling, a purity, a blissful state, with no single thoughts on
selfishness. If you truly love me, respect me, say goodbye to this violent slavery and sex slavery. Let all
the women who are subjected to violence in your kingdom get freed and live a life they always wished
for. I would like to see your love towards me in this way, a respectful way retorted Ilaa and the crowd
applauded for the words spoken.
The silence encroached the king, and he took his time before he blurt out the final words. The dawn
awaits your presence at my chariot and the king departed with multiple thoughts running on his mind.

[On the banks of Godavari]

You might have a mindset of ancient Vedic times, but you belong to the city of 17th century paithan.
You grew among the people who belong to the 17th century paithan. You grew amidst witnessing such
cruel acts every now and then, and half of your mind belongs here to this cruel world and the other half
to the ancient times. Accept the situations around you and start a life you always dreamt of but buried
deep under yourself a voice shot back when Ilaa was constantly worried as to what to do when dawn
ascends, the next day.
No. I dont agree. Its not possible to accept the situation around me when I believe men and women
share the same basic rights. I cant imagine to be a sex slave to the king and pleasure him, love him for
the fear of my life. I better kill myself before the king forces me to climb his chariot
Ilaa, did you spend all your life fighting against the male dominant society just to see yourself lying on
the banks of Godavari till eternity and never wake up ? roared a voice from underneath.
Ilaa left the place in deep silence.

As the dawn ascends, King with his closed chariot, decorated with flowers arrived at paithan and 5
more chariots followed the king, shocking the entire Paithan people. Ilaa stood firm at the center of the
street with a blank mind and Aurangzeb said My beautiful chariot awaits your presence. Watch them
closely from inside. You might find the decoration very pleasing.
With all the fear, Ilaa approached the chariot and after slowly opening the curtain, she went inside to
look for the decoration. The entire crowd was in deep silence and Ilaa took her time to step out of the
chariot and when she did, her eyes had welled up with tears and she bowed them down with respect ,
came towards the King, folded her both hands and positioned herself in the Namaste pose, every part of
hers showing deep respect to the great king. All the woman who were employed as slaves, concubines,
came out of all the chariots, surrounded Ilaa and celebrated their freedom with a tear in their eyes and
their heart thanking Ilaa for her wonderful work.
Soon, Ilaa helped them all to have a life of their own by providing them a job in silk farming and found
her joy in the happiness of these people.

[On the banks of Godavari]

I am indeed very happy. My eyes witnessed the joy of hundreds of women said Ilaa jovially.
Does it really matter to you anymore? At least now start your life a voice shot back.
I am content with the way things are happening in and around me. Leave me alone said Ilaa
I know, deep inside, you are still awaiting that best man, the man you can share your life with, without
whom your life will always be incomplete cried an IMAGE reflected from the waters of river Godavari
and soon Ilaa left the foot marks on the banks before she departed.
The Year 1664 marked the death of Ilaa, a woman who once lived in 17th century Paithan and strived
hard for the womans rights and hearing the news, Aurangzeb in extreme grief mourned for the
departed soul. For the love He had towards Ilaa, He outlawed Sati system in the year 1664.
- Nakul Gowda