Sitting at the edge of a vast canyon, a man dressed as an ancient Indian warrior was deeply engrossed in thought. He heard footsteps approaching from behind him, it was a soldier
"O Great Leader! The assembly awaits your arrival."
"Hmm..." the warrior grunted.
This giant of a man then got up and let out a sigh. He walked down a flight of stairs to the courtyard where thirty men were sitting chatting with each other.
They don't even know!
As the gathering saw him approach, silence fell among them. He took his place at one end of the assembly. Even sitting, he seemed as tall as a grown man.
He looked at each and every member of the assembly, and then he looked at the soldiers that stood guard behind these members. Satisfied that he had everyone's full attention, the warrior said,
"My dear brothers, we have gathered here for the annual meeting of the members of the ruling committee. Each one of you have made tremendous strides in your regions and as your leader I am proud of your achievements. Congratulate yourselves for a great year of peace and prosperity."
Everyone cheered loudly. The warrior raised his hand and the crowd fell silent again.
"However, I have not invited you just to congratulate you or assign you your fair share of gold. I have invited you to decide on a proposal that I now present."
He clapped his hands, a soldier handed him a papyrus roll. Opening the roll, he said,
"The members are aware that my family members have served the people of Trigarta well. It is for this reason that my family members have been elected as the leader of the Kats (pronounced Cuts) for centuries. Therefore, I now propose that we no longer hold such meaningless elections and that I be declared the King of Trigarta."
As he folded the roll back, vigorous discussions started among the members. Finally, one man got up, and said,
"I support this proposal. Hail the King!"
This was followed by numerous other members joyfully supporting the proposal.
Except, one man. He remained silent. Until the warrior spoke to him directly,
"Brother Vikram, do you not agree with this proposal?"
Vikram stood up, and the crowd fell silent once again. Vikram was a powerful man and controlled vast lands and key temples that held Trigarta's fortunes. His approval was important. Vikram said,
"Our people have enjoyed freedom, peace and prosperity for centuries. We have defended not only our lands, but those of our allies. We have provided mercenaries for powerful kings like the Gandharas when they needed people. Our skill in battle comes from meritorious soldiers who are elected after fifty days of games in which many perish each year. Our skill in diplomacy and administration comes from meritorious members who are elected each year by the people they rule and protect.If you or any one else becomes king, we cannot be sure about the freedom of the people or of the merit of the leaders who will be born in subsequent generations. Therefore, I cannot support your proposal. My people will not be a part of this."
The warrior nodded to the soldiers standing behind each member, and before Vikram knew it, he was chained and taken away. Much to the shock of the people present at the assembly. After a few seconds a scream was heard in the distance, which continued until a loud thud conveyed what had happened to Vikram.
"Friends, I thank you for your support. You will continue to administer your regions as before. Vikram did not understand that we are 'Ayudhjeevis', we live on war not on fortunes earned by our temples. Do you all not agree?"
Everyone nodded. He continued,
"Please enjoy the scrumptious feast that our cooks have to offer. Tomorrow, I will be anointed King of Trigarta. Head over to the palace, I will join you soon."
He stood up and so did everyone. They all started moving towards a temple like structure in the distance.
Just as the warrior was about to leave, an old woman was seen running towards him, wailing as she ran.
"Bhumi..." she said "Nooo! Say this isn't true? SAY YOU DIDN'T KILL YOUR BROTHER!" the woman grabbed the warrior by the arms and gripped them tightly as she continued to cry.
The warrior was unmoved.
"Mother. I did not kill my brother. Vikram committed suicide, as any of the soldiers here will tell you. He said he wanted to be King, but everyone disagreed with him. He threatened to jump, but I never thought he would do such a thing. Isn't that right soldiers?"
All soldiers nodded in unison. One or two even said, "Yes, he jumped because he could not become King."
The woman continued to cry. She began to faint, when Bhumi caught her and made her sit on his throne.
"O Raaj Mata! This son of yours will be anointed king tomorrow. Your grandsons and their grandsons will rule this land forever. We will be the Katoch(the most superior Kats) forever!"
But, the old woman did not hear a thing. She had already lost consciousness.
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