Description
Fifty-eight, weathered to leather, and the head of a family that has run cargo boats on the Hooghly for four generations. He is not a large man and has not needed to be for a very long time.
He is courteous to strangers in the specific way that establishes he will not be helping them.
Background
He gave his sister to an English indigo trader because it was good business — Silas Ashby needed boats and the Dasis needed a shipper, and for eighteen years the arrangement made both families money. That is how the indigo moved, and that is why the marriage happened.
When Gerald Hewitt cut Silas out of the trade, the Ashbys were ruined in a year. The Dasis were ruined more slowly, which was worse — the contracts went, then the boats went one at a time, and it took nine years to build back to four hulls from eleven. Nobody has ever compensated anyone for that.
Connections
- Brother of Sarala Dasi; great-uncle by practice to Malati, who works his boats; uncle to Elizabeth Ashby.
In Play
Chapter 4, Session 11 (11 October 1814) — arrived, unmoved. Came to Sarala’s home with Malati after Elizabeth’s reunion with her mother was already under way. Showed little sympathy for Elizabeth’s account of her vengeance, consistent with a man who has spent years rebuilding what the Ashby collapse cost his boats. He was neither asked for the Hooghly boats nor offered them — the climax-relevant thread through his family remains open.
Appearances
Connections
People
Family
- Malati NPC warmWorks his boats; he raised her to it1 session: By Command of His Excellency
- Sarala Dasi NPC hostileHer elder brother, who never forgave the Ashbys1 session: By Command of His Excellency
Knows
- Elizabeth Ashby NPC hostileHer maternal uncle, head of the family's Hooghly boats. He has not forgiven the Ashbys and will not pretend to be glad to see her1 session: By Command of His Excellency
Rival of
- Silas Ashby NPC hostileBlames him for what the collapse cost the family's boats
Places
Located at
- Sutanuti Location warmThe Hooghly boat family1 session: By Command of His Excellency
- Calcutta 1814 Location neutralResident in Calcutta
Events
Participated in
- Sutanuti Homecoming Eventarrived after