Maharaja’s Trousers Out.

Sham S. Misri

During the reign of one Maharaja of Kashmir, (1885-1925), Mahadev was considered the leader of gang of thieves in Kashmir,India. He was never caught in the act of stealing. Mahadev had puzzled the police and the government. Whenever Mahadev went out to steal, he would do so like a cat.  Mahadev would even mew to make people think that it was a cat. Kashmirs would shout "Bhista,” - a sound made to scare away cats - while Mahadev took off with the loot. That is why he was called Mahadev Bhista.

Mahadev was a well-known thief and would rob people of their property and wealth. But, in spite of that, people loved Mahadev because he would steal from the wealthy to provide for the needy.

One day the thieves decided that even though Mahadev was, their leader, he would still have to undergo a test to prove his superiority. The gang of thieves gathered along with Mahadev.One thief stood up and addressed Mahadev,”we all consider you to be our leader. In order to prove your superiority, we would like you to take a test. If you agree, it will enhance your reputation and our trust in you will increase." 

Mahadev became very serious and replied: "Yes, of course, I am ready for a test." As soon as the thieves heard this reply, they blushed. One thief slowly stood up and said:  "All right, Mahadev, we want you to make our Maharaja take off his trousers. These trousers should then be presented to this gathering. The Maharaja should know nothing about it” 

Mahadev smiled and said: "All right, if that is what you want, let me try."

 On hearing this thieves were delighted and the conference of thieves came to an end.

It took Mahadev some days to think. He observed the location of Palace where Maharaja lived. The Palace was on the bank of a river. He studied the location of the Maharaja's bedroom, and the duty hours of the palace guards. He also found a way to reach the Maharaja's bedroom without causing suspicion. After observing all these things, he started his preparations.

Mahadev got a small reed and filled it with red ants. Temporarily plugged the reed with cloth and hid it. Then he left for the palace. It was midnight and pitch dark when he  swam across the river. When he reached the royal palace, he entered the bathroom of the Maharaja through a ventilator. From there, like a cat, he entered the bedroom of the Maharaja.

Maharaja was in sound asleep. He slowly took out the reed and dropped the ants near the Maharaja's feet. These cruel ants spread all over the Maharaja's legs. They made him miserable with their bites. The Maharaja started scratching his legs , and ,in his sleep, he took off his trousers and threw it aside. Mahadev was delighted. He quietly picked up the trousers, and, again like a cat, walked out through the same way  which he had entered.

The next day Mahadev went to the gathering of the thieves with the Maharaja's trousers. He placed the trousers of Maharaja before them. All the thieves were praise  for  Mahadev. They accepted him as their clever leader.