Panchu is fined for selling foreign items in the market, and Swadeshi supporters burn his goods. Nikhil encourages him to file a complaint, but Panchu knows no one will serve as his witness. Nikhil tries to get Sandip to be a witness, who refuses. Instead, he tries to persuade Nikhil and Chandarath that real revolution comes from “bad men” and corruption. 

Frustrated by Sandip’s words, Nikhil volunteers to help Panchu by buying him new goods and renting him land. An aunt claiming kinship with Panchu moves into Panchu’s rented space, saying she is Panchu’s late uncle’s second wife.

For the first time in a while, Bimala sends for Nikhil. She appears“dressed up” and has made her room more orderly. She tries to persuade him to expel foreign goods from their markets, but Nikhil asserts that the goods belong to the vendors, not him. He will not “tyrannize,” even though Bimala argues, echoing Sandip, that tyranny is acceptable in service of one’s country. 

Bimala reports to Sandip that Nikhil did not agree to their plan. She was confident in her ability to win her husband over; having failed, her pride is bruised. Sandip grabs her hand. She turns pale, and the physical contact goes no further; Sandip believes they have sidestepped something that could have been a “crisis,” had they given into their attraction.

After the interaction, Bimala cannot concentrate and goes to her room to be alone, while Sandip wonders if he let a great opportunity pass by when he dropped Bimala’s hand. Meanwhile, Amulya, a young convert to the Cause, debriefs Sandip on various conflicts related to the Cause.

For those continuing to engage with foreign goods, Sandip suggests extreme measures, such as “burning their granaries” or sinking the boat of a man who refuses to comply with the Swadeshi ban on transporting foreign goods.  

Sandip tells Bimala they need money. She agrees to procure it but also feels she cannot simply take “[Nikhil’s] money.” Sandip trusts her to find a solution, encouraging her to think of her motherland.