investigations were incomplete. How did the Marathas win the battle? To find the answer he must look for accounts of the battle itself. He went through the books and journals before him.
At last, among the books he found one that gave him the clue. It was Bhausahebanchi Bakhar . Although he seldom relied on the Bakhars for historical evidence, he found them entertaining to read. Sometimes, buried in the graphic but doctored accounts , he could spot the germ of truth.
He found one now in a three-line account of how close Vishwasrao had come to being killed: ... And then Vishwasrao guided his horse to the melee where the elite troops were fighting and he attacked them. And God was merciful. A shot brushed past his ear.
Even the difference of a til (sesame) would have led to his death. At eight o’clock the librarian politely reminded the professor that the library was closing for the day. Gangadharpant emerged from his thoughts. Looking around he noticed that he was the only reader left in that magnificent hall.
“I beg your pardon, sir! May I request you to keep these books here for my use tomorrow morning? By the way, when do you open?” “At eight o’clock, sir.” The librarian smiled. Here was a user and researcher right after his heart.
As the professor left the table he shoved some notes into his right pocket. Absent-mindedly, he also shoved the Bakhar into his left pocket. He found a guest house to stay in and had a frugal meal. He then set out for a stroll towards the Azad Maidan.
In the maidan he found a throng moving towards a pandal . So, a lecture was to take place. Force of habit took Professor Gaitonde towards the pandal . The lecture was in progress, although people kept coming and going.
But Professor Gaitonde was not looking at the audience. He was staring at the platform as if mesmerised. There was a table and a chair but the latter was unoccupied. The presidential chair unoccupied!
The sight stirred him