Information About the Cover and Publication of This Issue of Indrajal Comics
This comic is issue number 276 (No. 276) of the ‘Indrajal Comics’ series. Its English cover title reads ‘Bahadur and the Murderous Trio’. The cover also states that it is ‘A Times of India Publication’. At that time, the issue was priced at only Rs 1.00 per copy, while the annual subscription fee by post was Rs 26.00.
A tense scene is shown on the cover. In the main picture, Bahadur is seen in his distinctive saffron/orange kurta and traditional dhoti. The robber Shaitan Singh, wearing a black eye patch, is attacking him with a dagger. A dove appears against the pale purple background, alluding to the espionage hidden in the story. The lower corners of the cover also show the frightening faces of the other two dacoits. In this way, the cover presents the entire trio of ‘three bloody brutes’.
Who Wrote and Illustrated This Story of Bahadur?
The comic names the artists who created the story and illustrations. The story was written by the famous writer Abid Surti (Aabid Surti), while all its illustrations were created by Govind Brahmania (Govind Brahmania).
Abid Surti has written an exciting story about crime in the village, the problem of dacoits and the way the villagers protect themselves. Govind Brahmania has depicted Indian villages, chaupals, mud mounds and running horses through his artwork and colours. Emotions of anger, fear, courage and cunning are also clearly visible on the characters’ faces.
Who Is the Sharpshooter Admitted to Nasud?
The story begins at the headquarters of the ‘Civil Defence Dal’ (Nasud). With the help of Police Chief Vishal, these headquarters have been set up in a simple building in front of the village bridge. The young men who come to Nasud for recruitment are thoroughly examined and tested. Meanwhile, a young man named Makhanlal comes to join. He claims that he never misses his target and can even shoot a flying bird.
Bahadur takes him to the terrace to prove his claim. Makhanlal aims accurately at the flying bird and kills it. Impressed by his ability, Bahadur makes him the team’s security officer, with a salary of Rs 350 per month, food and accommodation. Just then, an elderly carpenter named Sukhiya peeks into the room.
Sukhiya pleads with folded hands for Bahadur to admit him to Nasud. He explains that the robber Shaitan Singh had dragged his son from the house, buried him alive in the ground and made horses run over him. He had done all this because Sukhiya’s son had informed the police. Now Sukhiya wants to avenge his son’s death. Bahadur flatly refuses, saying that Nasud has no place for people consumed by revenge. Sukhiya’s son was the same Dinanath who laid the foundation of Nasud. Disappointed, Sukhiya comes out, where he notices Makhanlal.
How Did the Pigeon’s Secret Message Reach Sukhiya?
After this, the story’s secret is revealed. Three dacoits named Shaitan Singh, Lal Singh and Jagga are planning to rob Jaigarh village. Shaitan Singh explains that his spy Biren has changed his name and entered Nasud as Makhanlal. Bahadur, meanwhile, obtains a licence for 25 guns from the police, but the police chief warns him that the guns must be used only as a last resort for self-defence. When Bahadur returns to the centre, he discovers that a sentry has been mysteriously shot dead.
Biren, who has entered Nasud posing as Makhanlal, sends a secret message to Shaitan Singh through a pigeon. He writes that he has started killing the sentries and will ask for Rs 5,000 more, at the rate of Rs 500 for each murder. The elderly Sukhiya, sitting outside, notices the suspicious movement of the pigeon carrying the message. As Biren releases the pigeon, Sukhiya releases his pet eagle. The eagle catches the pigeon in the air and brings it to Sukhiya. In this way, the secret note falls into Sukhiya’s hands.
The police crime branch suspects Sukhiya after the murder of four sentries. Sukhiya then asks to demonstrate his archery skills. He places an apple between Makhanlal’s fingers and makes him stand on the terrace. Makhanlal starts trembling with fear. Sukhiya shoots an arrow, which strikes Makhanlal directly in the chest. He falls and dies. Bahadur gets angry with Sukhiya, but Sukhiya reveals the truth: Makhanlal was Shaitan Singh’s spy Biren, and he had been killing the sentries.
How Did Shaitan Singh Capture Nasud Centre?
Sukhiya shows Bahadur the secret note that his eagle caught and sets a condition: he must be admitted to Nasud. Bahadur smiles and agrees, and Sukhiya receives a Nasud uniform. Bahadur and Sukhiya then tie the same note to the pigeon’s leg and release it towards the bandits’ base so that Shaitan Singh does not learn of his spy’s death.
Shaitan Singh sees the folds in the note and realises that it has passed through several hands and that something is wrong. Meanwhile, the police force led by Deputy Chief Laxman arrives to protect Nasud Centre, but Bahadur does not want anyone to make fun of Nasud. Then Shaitan Singh secretly enters Bahadur’s room, kills the watchman and points a gun at Bahadur’s back.
Shaitan Singh forces Bahadur to call the police chief and order the police force to return immediately. He threatens that, if Bahadur fails to do so, his companions on the roof will open fire. Bahadur sends the police back to maintain the villagers’ trust in Nasud. After this, Shaitan Singh makes Nasud sound the alarm bugle. All the Nasud soldiers working in the village rush to the centre, leaving the entire village of Jaigarh without protection.
Who Saved Bahadur in Jaigarh Chowk?
The three dacoits capture Bahadur and take him to Jaigarh village square behind their horses. There, Shaitan Singh demands two lakh rupees and gold from the village head. He also orders Lal Singh to dig a deep pit in the square so that he can bury Bahadur alive in front of everyone.
Bahadur is put in the pit, and his entire body is buried in soil. Only his head remains above the ground. Shaitan Singh taunts him, saying that this was also the last wish of his companion Kabuli Khan. Meanwhile, Sukhiya and the young men at Nasud Centre see the watchman’s body in Bahadur’s room and understand what has happened. They immediately head towards the village square.
Lal Singh and Jagga drive their horses forward to crush Bahadur’s head beneath their hooves. Just then, two accurately aimed arrows from Sukhiya strike the dacoits, killing them both on the spot. Nasud soldiers surround Shaitan Singh from all sides. Shaitan Singh puts Bahadur on his horse as a shield, but Bahadur pricks the horse’s back with a pin. The horse bucks, and Shaitan Singh falls.
After this, a fierce fight breaks out between Bahadur and Shaitan Singh. With powerful blows, Bahadur knocks Shaitan Singh into the same pit that was dug for him. Bahadur tells the village head to keep Shaitan Singh alive so that the police can take him away. In the end, recognising Sukhiya’s courage and wisdom, the young men of Nasud fully accept him.
What Is the Story of Bahadur and the Three Dacoits Like?
This comic features a compelling and believable action story set against the backdrop of an Indian village. Author Abid Surti emphasises that society cannot be protected by weapons alone. Discipline, the determination to do what is right and people’s participation are also necessary. Through Sukhiya, the story conveys the message that protecting society and fulfilling one’s duty are more important than personal revenge.
Govind Brahmania’s illustrations make the entire story more effective. The way the scenes are depicted on each page, the natural dialogue and the final fight keep the reader engaged. Overall, this issue of Indrajal Comics is a memorable and valuable example of Indian comics because of its distinctive story, strong plot and excellent illustrations.
