Chapter 72 Chapter XVI Lord Curzon's Pilgrimage

The conference was closed, but for the work in South Africa, I had to meet the chamber of commerce and various people, so I stayed in Calcutta for a month.This time instead of a hotel, I got a room at the Indian Club after an introduction.There are several eminent Indians among the members of the club, and I hope to get in touch with them, and draw their attention to the work in South Africa.Gokhli used to play billiards at this club, and when he heard that I was staying in Calcutta for a while, he invited me to live with him.I accepted the invitation gratefully, but felt it inappropriate to go.After waiting for me for a day or two, he came to pick me up himself.He found that I was still being polite and said to me, "Gandhi, you have to stay in the country. Being polite is not acceptable. You should try to get in touch with people as much as possible. I want you to work for the Congress Party."

Before I describe the situation with Gokhli, I would like to mention here an incident that happened at the Indian club. It was about this time that Lord Curzon made his Hajj.Some of the princes and nobles who were invited to participate in the pilgrimage were members of the club.I used to see them in clubs wearing dainty Bengali 'mops', shirts and scarves.On the day of the Hajj, they put on "kansama" trousers and shiny leather boots.I felt very sad and asked one of them why this happened. "Only we know our wretched condition, and only we know that we must endure insults in order to preserve our wealth and our titles," he replied.

"But why the 'kanshama' costume and shiny boots?" I asked. "Do you see any difference between the 'Kanshamas' and ours?" he replied, and then added: "They are our 'Kanshamas,' and we are Lord Curzon's 'Kanshamas.' If I don't do Hajj, I'll have to pay for it. It would be disrespectful for me to do Hajj in my usual clothes. Do you think I'll have a chance of talking to Lord Curzon when I get there? No way!" I sympathize with this outspoken friend.This reminds me of another Hajj. It was a Hajj when Lord Hardinge laid the foundation stone of the Hindu University.Of course the princes and nobles came, but Pandit Malaviaji specially asked me to attend, so I went too.

It pains me to see princes and nobles dressed like women—in trousers and long coats of silk, with necklaces of beads around their necks, bracelets on their hands, and pearls and diamonds on their turbans, In addition, there is a golden hilted sword hanging from the belt. I found these things not a sign of their allegiance, but a sign of their slave status.I thought it was their will to wear these signs of malaise, but I have heard that it is the duty of princes and nobles to wear all these precious jewels on such occasions.I have also heard that some people are so reluctant to wear these jewels that they never wear them except on occasions like Hajj.

I don't know if what I understand is correct.But whether or not they wear them on other occasions, it is embarrassing enough to go to the Governor's Hajj wearing jewelry that only certain women wear. How heavy are the sins and falsehoods that men have committed for wealth, power, and fame!