Major TuD, on an Inscription at Madhucarghar. i217 



Like the knights of St. John at Jerusalem, these heroes were devoted to 

 celibacy ; and lived as ascetics in the depths of the forests where they had 

 their establishments. Their garb is singular : for not only have they the 

 plume of the peacock (mor), as an ornament on their helms ; but their 

 bucklers are described as bearing its impress burnished on them, and the 

 housings of their steeds. The war shell, or conch, in those days always a 

 part of a warrior's equipment ; and from which, old poems mention their 

 always blowing a blast, before combat, or after victory. The episode is 

 very animated in the original ; and I shall venture to submit an extract 

 from my defective version, which may be listened to from curiosity. 



EXTKACT. 



" Who are those, said Prithi-Raj, in the guise of the recluse? Those, 

 replied Chand, enjoy the blessing of Naked! One thousand warriors of un- 

 spotted race served the prince of Taiking, equal to a million in arms. A 

 thousand shells they sounded on the banks of Ocean, their abode. Like the 

 thunderbolt is their soul : their devotion to the spirit alone, each the purest 

 of the tribe of- Rdjaputra. 



" When the Prdmdra of Tailang took sanctuary with the creator, to the 

 thirty-six tribes he made gifts of land. To Ke/iar he gave Katair ; to Rdi 

 Pahdr, the coasts of Sind : Rama Prdmdr Tailang made the grant ; and to 

 these, the forest lands. Rattan he gave to the Chaurds ; Sdmbhar to the 

 Chohdns; and Canwqj to the Khamdhaj ; Mdr-des to the Parihdrs ; Sorat'h 

 to the Yddavas ; DaJchin to tlie Jawala ; and Kuch to the Chdrans. 



" Twisted in their braided locks is the peacock's plume. Each sounded his 

 shell. Earth trembled, the firmament rolled, dismay seized the three 

 worlds, clouds of dust formed a canopy over the head of Jayachand. To 

 each warrior of the shell, he gave a sword. A peal was rung, which shook 

 Sumeru with affright : their station the person of their lord, tiiis day they 

 had to draw their swords in iiis defence. On one side they rehearse the 

 praise of their prince; the leaders of Dehli, the renown of PiuTHi-RAj." 



It was for historical and geographical fragments like these, that I had 

 read to me a great part of the works of tlie bard. 



