Jama is a minor antagonist in the Bernard Cornwell novel Sharpe's Fortress. He is an Indian merchant in 1803.
Biography[]
Jama was described as tall and lean and in his 40s, and walked with a limp. The crooked British officer Captain Torrance was in debt to him, which he was paying off by providing him with stolen British supplies for Jama's brother Naig to sell. The stolen items were uncovered by Ensign Richard Sharpe, and Torrance quickly ordered Naig hanged for theft to cover up his own involvement, despite Jama trying to intercede.
Later, Jama came to see Torrance with his jetti henchman, Prithviraj, and threatened to have the captain castrated by him. Torrance put the blame for Naig's death on Sharpe. Jama accepted Naig had ignored both their advice in not hiding the stolen supplies, but insisted his death demanded vengeance. Torrance agreed to deliver Sharpe to him, a task he gave to Obadiah Hakeswill. In return, Jama cancelled Torrance's debts and gave him his nephew Sajit as a clerk.
Jama had Sharpe placed in an arena with Prithviraj and another jetti, declaring he would be killed slowly and painfully by being torn apart piece by piece. Sharpe's servant Ahmed managed to slip him a sword, which he used to blind the other jetti and get his spear. Sharpe's Mahratta ally Syud Sevajee took charge of the situation, declaring it should be a fair fight. Sharpe gave Prithviraj the sword and fought and killed him, with Sevajee's men ensuring his safe passage. Sharpe convinced Jama to admit it was Torrance who delivered him to him, and warned him if he ever came to the British camp again he'd be killed.
