This correspondence between the princess and Gandhi had started in quite a formal way with Bapu addressing her as "Dear sister", in 1933. Then, in 1935, he addressed her as "Rebel’, "Idiot" and "What not". However, from 1942 onwards, perhaps because Gandhi was arrested after giving a call to ‘do or die’ and send to Ahmanagar jail, the chain of correspondence was broken.

So who was this mysterious lady Gandhi wrote to? She was Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur of the House of Kapurthala. Now, it is obvious that she was neither an idiot nor untouchable, but she may have rebelled against some of Gandhi’s personal fads. She was well-educated, a linguist of sorts, as she could read, write and speak Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati, English and French with equal ease. She had surprised the French by speaking extempore in French at an official conference in Paris as Union Minister of Health and Family Planning in Nehru’s cabinet.

These letters have been culled form Letters to Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur, which was published a long time back by Navjivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad.

Segaon, Wardha,
13.9.1936
My dear Idiot,
As you want me to destroy your letters at once, I have always to write from memory. Yes, S. wrote a sweet letter which I am going to acknowledge, though he does not want me to`85.But you must not trifle with your eczema. I would certainly treat you if you were with me. But that cannot be, certainly not for cure. You have to go through the orthodox method. The quicker, the better.

Yours is a departure from the orthodox routine. You may not therefore resent the criticism of the family. You will justify your rebellion only by your large-hearted charity, ever increasing inner joy, equableness and possession of good health. Rebellions can only be justified by success. If you will therefore be patient and wise in your changes, all will be well.

Please give my love to Tai, if she is still there.

You need not now give me daily letters if you are pressed for time or too lazy to write. Writing to me must be no tax on your mind or body.

Cartloads of love,
Robber

Letter 101

Segaon, Wardha,
26.9.1936
My dear Idiot,
If the unbreakable thermos comes, I shall not return it. As I destroy all your letters, I have inadvertently destroyed the Mahmudabad address. Please repeat it on a separate sheet.

Surely it is ‘idiotic’ to pass summer in Simla merely because you possess a house there. You ought to select another summer resort where you can really recoup yourself.

Remember one of the attributes of non-violence. It seldom speaks, it simply and silently acts. It appeals not to the intellect, it pierces the heart. The more it speaks and argues, the less effective it becomes. Therefore do not hesitate to let your case be lost by default. Apparent defeat may be the hour of victory. Speech is often a sign of weakness.

You will please give a trial to meat if S. says it is necessary. Your vegetarianism will be on surer ground for your yielding now, if yielding becomes a duty.

Love,
Robber

Segaon, Wardha,
8.10.1936
My dear Idiot & Rebel combined,
Your own blank paper returns to you duly filled. The magnifiers are already being used for various purposes — examining patients as well as snakes. I have two live specimens again`85.Of course there is as much illness in Simla as elsewhere and I was told when I came there for the first time that the place was notorious for venereal diseases. But those who choose can certainly benefit by its mountain air. Therefore if the climate agrees with you, you should stay as long as S. wants you to. Village work in Manguwal will take care of itself meanwhile.

Tyrant

Tithal, Bulsar,
7.6.1937
My dear Rebel, Idiot and what not,
...Am glad there is no oozing. You know now how sinful suppression is. If you had told me, the splinter would have been out in Segaon if it was there that it entered the toe, as it must have. Call thou nothing mean or trifling!

Do you know anything about two Englishmen stealthily removing the Congress flag flying over the Khadi Depot of Simla?`85Did I tell you I had a very good Gujarati translation with notes of Japji together with the original text. It is a shame if there is no such thing in Hindi. But you won’t make a search now. The Gujarati translation meets my wants entirely.

Love,
Robber

Segaon, Wardha,
16.10.1936
My dear Idiot,
Since I have a free moment I must utilize it for a few words to you. The patients are doing well, though fever persists. How many villagers can go to hospitals? Both would have gone to the hospital if I had wanted them to. I could not do so without denying my past and the recent article I wrote. So long as God wants me to work on this earth in this body, He will take care of it. Not all the physicians in the world can save me, when the hour strikes.

Love,
Tyrant

Segaon, Wardha,
18.10.1937
My dear Untouchable,
Some people have the patience to wait for titles, till they come to them. You have no patience and therefore your titles are generally well-chosen. Only the first was ill-chosen. Who will call you a rebel? Not I? Idiot, of course. But I forget. That was a title given to you. You willingly accepted it. Untouchable you are, as all of the Princely blood are. I wonder what will be the next choice`85.

Love,
Tyrant

My dear Idiot,
This is just when we are ready to start.
What is the difference between the radio news and the paper news? Both are equally unreliable. My health has suffered no set-back. I am inclined to think that I can flourish even in midwinter. But I may be over-enthusiastic. The rest from Mahadev.

Love,
Warrior alias Tyrant alias Robber; What next?