Chapter the-adventure: The Adventure | Summary

The Adventure by Jayant Narlikar is a unique blend of science fiction and history that explores the concept of parallel universes through the experience of Professor Gangadharpant Gaitonde, a historian. The story begins with the Professor travelling from Pune to Bombay via the Jijamata Express. However, he soon notices strange discrepancies in the world around him. The train stops at a station called Sarhad, which marks the beginning of British territory, a fact that confuses him because in his known history, the British Raj had ended long ago. As he reaches Bombay, the city looks entirely different, dominated by British buildings and symbols like the East India Company, which he believed had been dissolved after the 1857 revolt. This creates a deep sense of psychological conflict for the Professor, as his professional knowledge of history contradicts the reality he is witnessing.

To resolve his confusion, Gaitonde visits the Town Hall library to study history books. He discovers that the turning point was the Third Battle of Panipat. In his world, the Marathas lost, but in this alternate reality, they won because a bullet narrowly missed Vishwasrao. This victory led to a powerful, self-sufficient India that never fell under complete British subjection. The Marathas and the Mughals maintained a balance of power, eventually transitioning into a modern democracy where the British were mere leaseholders of Bombay. The Professor is fascinated by this prosperous India that avoided the scars of colonization. Later, while wandering through Azad Maidan, he sees a lecture in progress and is shocked to find an empty presiding chair. His historian’s instinct makes him protest this, as a lecture without a chairman is unthinkable to him. However, the crowd, tired of long introductions and formal ceremonies, reacts violently and ejects him from the stage.