“Soon afterwards certain persons came from a neighbouring country and took shelter in ours. They were in trouble having committed some political offence. The king who cared more for power that for good government asked our king-hearted Queen to hand them over to his officers. She refused, as it was against her principle to turn out refugees. For this refusal the king declared war against our country.
“Out military officers sprang to their feet at once and marched out to meet the enemy.
“The enemy however, was too strong for them. Our soldiers fought bravely, no doubt. But in spite of all their bravery the foreign army advanced step by step to invade our country.
“Nearly all the men had gone out to fight; even a boy of sixteen was not left home. Most of our warriors were killed, the rest driven bock and the enemy came within twenty-five miles of the capital.
“A meeting of number of wise ladies was held at the Queen’s palace to advise and to what should be done to save the land.
“Some proposed to fight like soldiers; others objected and said that women were not trained to fight with swords and guns; nor were they accustomed to fighting with any weapons. A third party regretfully remarked that they were hopelessly week of body.
“If you cannot save your country for lack of physical strength, said the Queen, try to do so by brain power.
“There was a dead silence for a few minutes. Her Royal Highness said again, ‘I must commit suicide if the land and my honour are lost.”
“Then the Lady Principal of the second University,(who had collected sun-heat), who had been silently thinking during the consultation, remarked that they were all but lost; and there was little hope left for them. There was however, one plan which she would like to try, and this would be her first and last efforts; if she failed in this, there would be nothing left but to commit suicide. Al. present solemnly vowed that they would never allow themselves to be enslaved, on matter what happened.”
“The Queen thanked then heartily, and asked the Lady Principal to try her plan.”
“The Lady Principal rose again and said, before we go out the men must enter the zenanas. I make this prayer for the sake of purdah. ‘Yes, of course, replied her Royal Highness.
On the following day the Queen called upon all men to retire into zenanas for the sake of honour and liberty.
“Wounded and tired as they were, they took that order rather for a boon! They bowed low and entered the zenanas without uttering a single word of protests. They were sure that there was no hope for this country at all.
“Then the Lady Principal with her two thousand students marched to the battle-field, and arriving there directed all the rays of the concentrated sun-light and heat towards the enemy.
“The heat and light were too much for them to bear. They all ran away panic- stricken, not knowing in their bewilderment how to counteract that scorching heat. When they fled away leaving their guns and other ammunitions of war, they were burnt down by means of the same sun-heat.
“Since then no one has tried to invade our country any more.”
“And since then your country – men never tried to come out of the zenana?”