This is a story set in an era before Independence about a Bengali girl who falls for a British officer despite her obvious desire to see her country free from British rule.
It begins with 13-year old Bina’s marriage to Prince Nirmal Chandra, a 30-year old Maharaja of Shonapur who vows, on seeing his beauteous child-wife, to keep her a maiden till she turns 15.
There is another family in which Mrs Komala Roy sends her seven-year old son to St. Joseph’s School in Darjeeling where he grows up into a recluse, perpetually immersed in his books. He completes his schooling and goes to study for doctorate at Oxford. He is called to the Bar and joins one of the country’s leading group of barristers.
After some years, Prince Nirmal Chandra and Bina have a daughter who is named Geeta. She is the apple of her father’s eyes and is taught singing and horse riding besides being imparted the Western system of education much against her mother Bina’s wishes. When Geeta enters college, she becomes very close to her mother. One day she is invited to her friend Mira’s house. Here she meets Jitendra Kumar Roy, son of Mrs Komala Roy. Soon Geeta and Jitendra get married and undertake a journey on a ship to London. Here Geeta meets a British co-passenger named John Everett, who is drawn strongly towards her. John’s wife Anna is engaged in working for women’s freedom while Geeta tells her, “Like you, Mrs Everett, I am very much in favour of freedom, but our concept of that word is somewhat different. Whereas you are fighting for social freedom, I am determined to fight for political freedom.” She asserts, “I will work for the freedom of our country from British domination. I feel very strongly about this.”
The Bengali couple returns to India and goes to meet Geeta’s parents. During this visit, the couple discovers that there is a pulsating tension between the Hindus and Muslims. One day, Geeta discovers that she is pregnant and there is a lot of rejoicing everywhere. Geeta gives birth to a premature baby girl who dies soon after taking birth. Geeta becomes dumb with sorrow.
Geeta receives the news that her parents’ Shonapur Palace has been completely destroyed. She gets worried, wondering if her parents and brother could have survived the attack or not. Everett is posted as the District Collector and seeks pardon from Geeta for having had to imprison her parents as her father had been forced to draw out his pistol to protect himself against the attackers. At this time, Everett lovingly gives the name Acushla to Geeta and it means “a special endearment in Gaelic”, he explains quietly. He throws away his Great Coat which ties him in bondage and decides to leave Anna and find a way to marry Geeta. After a lot of suspense, Everett is able to get what is most dear to him.
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