Life of Ahmad — Page 718
718 CHAPTER 68 A CITIZEN OF THE EMPIRE Living in a remote village unsophisticated by politics, Ahmad as nevertheless did not live the life of a mere villager, detached from the outside world. Apart from the obligations and responsibilities of his exalted spiritual office, he kept in touch not only with Indian affairs in general but also with important events which took place abroad. By virtue of his office as a world Reformer he knew no bounds of race, colour or country. But as a citizen of the Empire to which he belonged he took due interest in its affairs and whenever an opportunity offered itself of serving its legitimate interests he did not hesitate to play his part. It should be remembered that some government officials looked upon Ahmad as with a certain amount of suspicion. His religious claims provoked a violent storm of bitter opposition on the part of all his countrymen. His enemies left no stone unturned in persecuting him. But it cannot be denied that he always remained a loyal subject of the Crown and never swerved even a hair’s breadth from the path of