1 The Slave

Pinaka was a slave. His family were serving the emperor from many generations. Pinaka was not an ordinary slave. He was supremely skilled in warfare, languages, governing laws and economics. His great great grandfather made a promise to the then emperor that he and his family would remain as slaves forever, serving the empire and that they will give their life to save the Emperor if such need arises. In the empire of Magadha, there was an ancient city by name Manipura. It was the capital city where the Royal Family resided. Manipura was the crown jewel of Magadha empire. It was so prosperous that precious stones like diamonds and emeralds were sold openly in the market. Manipura was also the major hub for education. There were many educational institutions situated there. Pinaka resided in the Royal palace itself. But in the slave quarters, not in the royal chambers. The then emperor Krishna Chandra was a peace loving emperor. There was seldom any conflict in the royal city or in the whole empire. Pinaka was loved and respected by everyone in the royal family. They say that only because of Pinaka's family, the supremacy of Chandra Dynasty is prevalent. It is said that Pinaka's ancestor gave away his life for the then emperor, Kulasekhara Chandra. Though Krishna Chandra invited Pinaka to join his family and live in the Royal chambers, Pinaka declined respectfully as he was taught from his childhood that he was just a slave. Pinaka's ancestor Kruta Veera was a war general under a king. But his king took away his war title and ousted him off his kingdom as he was framed by his enemies as a traitor in front of the King. He was not given a chance to prove his innocence. Kruta veera was heartbroken. He was roaming in the forests which were under desolation. Unexpectedly he found himself in front of a hungry tiger. Kruta Veera didn't even raise his sword. He felt like dying.

Then all of a sudden an arrow struck the great beast in its throat. The arrow injured the Jugular blood vessel and made the beast paralyzed eventually killing it. Kruta Veera was rescued by Kulasekhara Chandra, the then emperor of Magadha. Then Kruta Veera vowed that he and his family would serve as slaves to the Royal Family. His family was from then on residing in slave quarters of the Royal Palace and served the Royal Family.True to his word, he died protecting Kulasekhara and his family from bandits during a hunting trip.

The men in Pinaka's family were serving in the army or as personal bodyguards to the members of the Royal Family while the women were helping in the kitchen or teaching warfare and horse riding to the young Princesses. There was no differentiation in terms of sex. Be it a male or a female everyone was educated and trained in cooking, warfare, economics, law etc. This is especially applicable to Pinaka's family-Veera dynasty. This could be called as a golden period for the empire of Magadha.