(Author: Ki. Rajanarayanan Translation: Radha Soundar & R.S. Saha )
The Company mentioned the locust infestation and the suffering it brought the village, praising the Kottaiyar house for the family’s help and generosity. They promised that, in the future, they would quickly answer the call for help.
“Don’t side with enemies of the government,” they said, “Do not listen to rumors. You have always been loyal to governments. Queen Victoria has sent us here to do good things for you.”
The council felt this was good. They unanimously accepted Queen Victoria’s rule.
Unfortunately.
As days passed, that faith was slowly destroyed. The white man’s government ignored the people’s yearning for freedom that burned like an ember under a covering of ash.
No one realized that it was the calm before the storm.