I have been reading about it. To look for more and finding
more on it fascinates me. And the lack of much written on it disappoints me.
So far, some books (not much available) and scarcely
available content on internet have been the primary recourse to access more
information on them.
Gundas (gang leaders) of Banaras
(Benaras/Kashi/Varanasi) of 18th and 19th Centuries are a
eulogized lot, moving in the legends of the city.
They are brave. They are charming. They are ferocious.
They are soft inside, hiding their ‘heart’ on some past ‘painful’ development.
A built like steel-frame, with a lion’s gaze - they are
the saviours, of the needy, and, some times, of the kings. People love them.
British would do all to eliminate them.
See a beautiful description about Talvarya Dataram Nagar, the
most ‘famous’ Gunda of his time in the 18th Century Banaras (taken
from ‘Tales of Banaras: The Flowing Ganges):
The judge delivered the sentence to Talvarya Dataram Nagar:
20 years in prison on Kalapani
Island. His friends –
already cleared on similar charges – broke out crying inconsolably. Even the
stone like hearts of these brave men were moved. Bound with handcuffs and
shackles, Nagar’s strong body tensed straight like a rod, heedless of the iron
constraints placed upon him. The red veins of his eyes brightened even more. A
hate-filled smile spread on his lips, and he cast an admonishing glance at the
judge. Their eyes met; but the judge unable to bear the fire of his gaze,
looked down. He mumbled under his breadth, “A brave man!” But Nagar, not
hearing him shifted his attention to his friends and followers. Throwing an
angry glance at them, he thundered, “Why are you crying like impotent men? Twenty
years isn’t even a day in the life of Brahma. It’ll pass with the snap of a
finger. Now, tell Babaji that he has the responsibility for my household. And tell
the Mirzapur Babaji that he should look after Sundar. Go! Get along.”
See the adjectives to explain who Dataram Nagar was – as
told and retold in the Varanasi folklore – the judge not able to face Dataram’s
eyes – the judge praising his bravery – all others cleared on similar charged
but Dataram singled out, telling he was the most famous Gunda of his time – not
the leader of a gang, but the beloved role model of his friends and followers –
who walked like a lion even after 20-year prison term.
Yes, there may be historical inaccuracies but exploring on
them makes for some good reading time.