THE BETROTHAL OF SHANTI BEGUM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10753, 26 April 1913, Page 4

THE BETROTHAL OF SHANTI BEGUM.

(" The Queen.'') '■ Shanti, come and peep through the window quickly. See, he comes, and the Begum Sahiba, his mother, also."

But Shanti shook her head without moving. ''Not so, sister; it- has never been the custom for the women of ouz family to gaze before marriage upon the face of a man, and I do not break the old laws. 1 '

Hushi Begum, the elder sister, shrugged her shoulders with a tolerant air. She was already married, and the mother of a small daughter who was to be brought up out of purdah and educated at an English school. This shocked Shanti, so the sisters rarely spoke of it. Hushi and Shanti Mere the girl children of a small but independent Nawab in Southern India, who had died suddenly and mysteriously one night when the and their brother ivero mere infants, and was followed to the grave 'n less than twenty-four hours in the same mysterious manner by their mother.

There were whispers of wicked uncles, of a cook who required backsheesh for cooking rice in a particular fashion; but who would know or tell? Aro not mystery, death and intrigue daily factors in Eastern life? Le roi est mart, viye le roi! That is the essence of Indian philosophy. For once ; however, the plot, if it were one, failed, beexuso Government, the English Government., stepped _ in end took over the affairs of the tiny State unt'l the Jit.tie vm f.houkl bo okj enough to install there as rightful ruler! Meanwhile ' he ' and his sisters wero placed in the charge of an English governess, under the direct and close supervision of "he British 3?aj. That wa<s years ago, and now this sum.? Ha] was fulfilling its . duty to Shmti Betmni by finding her a husband. a.s they had found Ifushi one two years before. Abdooklly Khan., a young Mohammedan chief of some education and premise, was selected as a likely husband, and he and his mother were invited to Shanti'f homo that the marriage migh:be definitely agreed upon. The Rhan stayed upon the broad, creeper-covered verandah, whilst, his mother went through the purdah into the zenana portion of the bungalow lo See the girl and open negotiations. It tvas at this arrival, at the Khan stepping out of his swiftly trotting hullock carriage, followed by the carefully hooded Begum Sabiba, that Shauti had refused to vouchsafe even a glance. Years of companionship with an Englishwoman and education en "Western lines could not break nor weaken tho hold of the customs that had swayed and ruled generations of dead and gone ancestors. '' it is not our custom, such is the East's unchanging motto. The Begum Sabiba came to the girl to examine and question. Shanti must stand tip and show her height and future, and state her knowledge ol wumanly arts and crafts, ami the dowrv was sp.ikon of and mottled, although the political officer liad already stated it to the Khan w lien the alliance was hist mooted. i'"or 'heJ" part. Shanti

Begun: lind no questions nor requests forthcoming. The governess could and did ask much, lmt Shanti accepted the situation with t.ho meek passivity of the Indian woman and said nothm»;. That was Saturday, and. the- mother-in-law being satisfied with all she heard and saw. invitations wore issued for tlio formal betrothal in four days time. The, English ladies in tlio station, who had many times given purdah parties for the young Begums, woro invited, and their husbands also to support the Khan. At noon the ceremony began. On tho broa.l verandah the political officer and tlio English governess received tho guests, including tho future _ bridegroom. whilst weird Indian music penetrated the still air with tho melody that must graco all Hindu and Mohammedan festivities.

The bride's betrothal took place in her own apartment, the bridegroom's 1

in the guest-room, and neither appeared at the other's, but sent an envoy with the ring and offerings. On a nig of crimson velvet, richly patterned in gold and silver. Shanti Begum sat, or rather crouched, surrounded by her female relations and guests, for no man may see this sight. The Khan's mother 1 stood near, and watched the brother's

wife dock the girl in her son'e gift ot a crimson and gold sari and gaily embroidered shawl. Then sho stepped forward and placed the ring on Shanti 6 finger, anointed her face and hands with attar o£ roses, and placed garlands round the drooping neck and on the bangle-laden arms. Tlio Khan's money gift of many golden coins, on a tray of inlaid brass, was presented and placed on the floor by tho bride's feet, followed by the offering of " pans supari," a betel-nut confection wrapped j in silver paper, that plays as conspicuous a part in such ceremonies as does music and so;ig. Now the guests approached with hands full of flowers to throw over the still crouching figure, offering also salaams and good wishes, which tho little Begum accepted with the earn© almost mute impassivity that had characterised her throughout the proceedings. Her part in the ceremony was over, and sh& was loft on tho rug in lon el}" splendour, while the non-pur-dah guests crowded to the guest-room to see the Khan go through a similar ceremony, and afterwards to partake of sweetmeats and refreshments, and to receive the garlands and bouguets with which the Oriental Istes to adorn his guest. That was Shanti Begum's betrothal day, and the wedding is three months bonce. "When the marriage is accomplished Shanti will see her bridegroom's face—not till then! Western progressiveness penetrates the purdah, ah! so slowly, and the East still clutches her women in the jealous thraldom of custom, caste and creed, which but few amongst her teeming millions have the strength or the knowledge or the desire to break through and be free.