1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Banthamlor. 201 



in keeping their resolution is a hereditary virtue of the Chohans. You 

 have conquered the whole world and made many potent chiefs and monarchs 

 powerless and humble before your rod, but now Hamir matches with you and 

 challenges you to fight with him. Either he or you must be victorious. I 

 have advised him many times as to the folly of his keeping the exile under 

 his roof. He frowned, his blood boiled with anger, even at the mention of 

 the name ' Muhammad Shah.' ' I shall fight with the emperor, face to face,' 

 said he ' and cut. the imperial forces to pieces. Then at last I will offer my 

 head to the great Mahadeo, that my glory may be sung in the worlds 

 below and the heavens above. I have made a resolution. How can I break 

 through it ? I do not fear the anger of Ala-uddin, I do not fear his massive 

 arms, I do not fear his fury, nay I do not fear death, but I fear dishonour, 

 and above all, I fear staining the virtues of my renowned ancestors.' " 



Chapter IV. 

 Ala-uddin, wondering at the intrepidity and decision of character of 

 Hamir, made up his mind to besiege the fort of Eanthambor. With a view 

 to obtain information as to the Rao, his forces and the government of his 

 states, he made the following queries to Sultan Khan, the herald, who was 

 well conversant with those particulars. 



Emperor. — " How strong are the forces of Hamir ?" 

 Herald. — " Imperial Majesty, Hamir has 117,000 horse, and his foot 

 are 200,000 in number. In their midst rides he, the great Rao, on an ele- 

 phant. He has 500 commanders, tall, robust and well-skilled in the art of 

 war. He commands the allegiance of the princes of Chitor, Narwargar 

 and Grwaliar. The forces of one of his vassals, named Randhir, consist 

 of 31,000 horse, 80 elephants, and 10,000 heroes all invincible." 

 Emperor. — " How strong is the fort of Ranthambor ?" 

 Herald. — " The fort is very strong, and inaccessible to an enemy. Four 

 roads lead to it, and eighty-four passes, very close and narrow, go winding 

 amidst its surrounding hills. Five large tanks, fed by mountain-torrents and 

 therefore deep beyond compare and filled to the brim, strengthen the defence 

 of the fort. Temples of G-anesa, Siva, Nandi, Bhairav, Durga and her 

 attendant goddesses are situated within it. It is guarded by a body of 600 

 Nagas, all veteran soldiers, and 70 very wide-mouthed cannons, which cannot 

 be moved, and at whose report mountains tremble, women miscarry and 

 rivers become dry. Its supply of provisions and ammunition is immense. 

 Two very large underground stores are well stocked with grain, weighing 

 one crore, ten lacs and ten thousand maunds. The weight of the sunn cord 

 and pack-thread stored within the fort is ten lacs of maunds ; that of 

 bullets four lacs, that of ghi twenty thousand, that of tejra (opium husks or 



