Capta'm Tod's Comments on a Sanscrit Inscription. 149 



The Rajput princes of India have been, and still are, frequently poets 

 themselves ; resembling many of the princes of Europe about the same 

 period, many of whom were no mean Troubadours. Coeur de Lion, who, 

 with Blondel, bears some resemblance to the " Long-armed Chdhun"* and 

 his faithful Chand, was no bad poet. Pratap Sinh, Raja of Bakanair, 

 was esteemed the first of the non-professional bards of his time. The 

 great Akber himself, partial to the Hindus and to their literature, was no 

 mean artist in these matters ; nor are there any who do not repeat, and 

 few chiefs of intellect who do not compose, as occasion requires, sldcas or 

 stanzas. The present prince of Mei/wdr has them ready for every occasion, 

 and often makes and delivers very happy impromptus. 



But it is not in these points alone, that similarity of character exists 

 between the Rajput and the rude noble of the dark ages of Europe. The 

 feudal law, which guided both, may be still traced ; and several of its chief 

 incidents, except such as disagree with their notions of delicacy, may still 

 be found. But it is time to close these remarks, or I might venture to 

 surmise, that the colony led by Odin into Scandinavia, termed the Asi, 

 carried the superstitions, laws, and mythology of higher Asia with it. He, 

 who wiU compare the heroic poetry of the martial Rajputs with the Scandi- 

 navian poetical relics, will observe the same imagery, a similar peopling of 

 the celestial regions, the same incitements to glory^, and similar rewards. 

 Odin's Valhalla is not altogether so spiritual an abode as the Suraloka, or 

 Hindu hero's heaven ; nor is the Scandian Hebe, who pours out the mead, 

 so enchanting as the beauteous Apsaras, Rembhd, and Mainakd, though the 

 Cshatrii/a would scarcely refuse the cup he prized so much on earth, from 

 so fair a hand. 



The martial Rajput would hunt the boar with him on earth, but his 

 system is too refined to have such gross food in heaven. Serimyier, who 

 afforded perpetual repast to Odin's heroes, would have as little chance of 

 admission into Suraloka, as into the paradise of Muhammed. The Valky- 

 riur, or Destinies, sent by Odin to summon the heroes to Valhalla, are the 

 twin sisters of the celestial Apsaras, who summon the warrior of Hind from 

 the field of battle to the mansions of the sun. The Scandian messenger 

 of heaven has more of the attributes of Pallas ; the other, more of Venus. 



• A necessary sign and qualification of a true hero must be long arms, according to the 

 Hindu ordinances. 



