A spear came whizzing out of the trees and pierced the ground barely ten feet from the palanquin. The shaft vibrated giving out an ominous hum. Almost in unison the tree branches and leaves started to rustle all around. It sounded like an army getting ready to strike.
“Alert! Hold!”, ordered the captain to his men as the guards immediately formed a protective circle and cocked their guns. They peered into the trees to try and spot the hidden enemy, knowing that hidden eyes were watching their every move.
The palanquin curtain drew open and out stepped Rani Rashmoni………..
Rani Rashmoni (1793—1861) was the founder of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata. A Low caste Hindu by birth but exceptionally beautiful, she was married to Babu Rajachandra Das (Marh) of Janbazar, Kolkata, a member of a wealthy zamindar family, when she was eleven years old. After her husband’s death she took charge of the zamindari and finances.
Rani Rashmoni features in the story ‘The Chronicler of the Hooghly’, part of my forthcoming book of the same name. Should you wish to receive exclusive previews and free copy of the book, do write to me @ author.esgee@gmail.com.
A New Beginning 
Yes, Sue. You are so correct. I suppose the entwining is really between how I see history through my own belief lenses and how that might have influenced the actions and articulations of the fictional characters created by me.
Thank you for bringing this awareness here.
Shakti Ghosal
LikeLike
Thank you Shakti for sharing this, I know little of your History… so I am sure your book will be enlightening to many my friend 😀
LikeLike
Dear Sue,
Thank you as always for your kind acknowledgement..
Indeed the Chronicler of the Hooghly is a historical fiction. I have however striven to do considerable ‘deep dive’ into the historical aspects.
I am hoping the reader likes the way fictional characters rub shoulders with the real ones coming out of the pages of history.
Regards
Shakti Ghosal
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful and novel way to entwine both past and present my friend… which will give the stories even more depth of meaning 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person