Whispers from Mohenjo-Daro

Short Story

We’ve been looking at the statue of the King Priest of Mohenjo-Daro since childhood. This ancient figurine is a silent witness to the five-thousand-year-old civilisation of the Indus Valley. The King Priest has seen the rise and fall of Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, Mehrgarh, Dholavira, and Rakhigarhi.

Often, I sensed a quiet sadness in the half-closed eyes of the King Priest. But when I reflected on it in solitude, I felt perhaps I was just imagining it.

Before wandering the ruined streets of Mohenjo-Daro, I often tried to peer into those half-lidded eyes. A strange radiance seemed to glow from his bearded face. Draped in a shawl with a cloverleaf pattern resembling the ajrak, he looked utterly at peace. Sometimes, when the ruins were empty of visitors, I would quietly sit beside him. Once, as I gazed at him, he blinked. I was startled—utterly stunned. After that, whenever I had a chance, I would return to his side.

This evening, I stood before him with folded hands. He looked sorrowful—eyes closed, lost in deep thought. Then, for the first time, he whispered.

"Are you saying something? I can’t quite hear you," I said, startled.

I assumed he was referring to the incident where some individuals hurled curses at his statue—and this, perhaps, was the cause of his sorrow.

"Are you upset about that recent incident, when some people cursed you?" I asked.

"No, no," he replied. "That’s nothing new. Such things happen. I’m not saddened by that. What troubles me is what followed—the viral video on social media and the FIR that was filed, accusing them of blasphemy and hurting religious sentiments. That’s what has gone too far."

                                                        

"But that act was indeed disrespectful—not just to you, but to our entire ancient heritage," I said.

"You can’t file a case against every wayward thought. And this isn’t disrespect—it’s a mindset, and you cannot outlaw a mindset," the King Priest replied.

"But such thinking must be eliminated!" I protested.

"Not like that. You must understand the root causes," he said.

"Then tell me, what are they?"

"In my view, there are four main reasons: first, ignorance; second, extremism; third, a mindset whose roots lie elsewhere, not in this soil; and fourth, intolerance."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Until ignorance is eradicated, and knowledge and awareness take root, this will keep happening."

                            

"You’re probably right. But still—those who did this must be punished," I insisted.

"I, or the dancing girl, both of us are mere symbols. These curses can’t harm us. And after all, the punishment for a curse is only another curse. What more do you want?" said the King Priest, gently.

I fell silent. He noticed and spoke again.

"Remember the former Soviet Union? After its collapse, Lenin’s statues were torn down all across Russia—from Leningrad to the far provinces. Did that diminish Lenin’s stature? In Afghanistan, the Taliban blew up giant Buddha statues in Bamiyan. Did that reduce Buddha’s greatness? Even here in Lahore, the statue of Sir Ganga Ram was removed and broken. Did that erase his memory from our hearts?"

I had no answer. I was quiet. Seeing my silence, he continued:

"This movement, once started—what if it grows? This time, there were three men. What if next time, it’s a crowd? Then what will you do?" The King Priest looked at me with piercing eyes. I had no response. Because what he said wasn’t impossible.

He spoke again, almost resigned: "If these incidents continue, then remove me. After all, Pakistan has no need for idols."

"Can’t there be another way?" I asked in despair.

He gave no answer. When I looked again, his eyes were closed. The sun had set, and a soft saffron hue lingered on the horizon.

I offered him a final salute and stepped out of the ruins.

Note: Mohenjo-daro, Meaning 'Mound of the Dead Men, is an archaeological site in the Larkana District of Sindh, Pakistan. Built c. 2500 BCE, it was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation and one of the world's earliest major cities, contemporaneous with the civilisations of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.