1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Ranthambor. 203 



Emperor. — " What is the age of Hamir ?" 



Herald. — " Hamir is an accomplished youth of 28 and, at this early 

 age, a miracle of genius, prudence, heroism, wisdom and intelligence. 

 When he comes to the durbar, the minstrel Maqna thus sings his praises : 

 ' Bestower of gifts, great Rao of Ranthambor, the hero of heroes, that 

 bring on the golden age in this corrupt world, your virtues are incompara- 

 ble, and your might almost divine. Your truth is like that of Harish- 

 chandra ; charity like that of Karan ; attainments in learning like those 

 of Bhoj ; sympathy with the poor and administration of relief like those 

 of Vikram ; and beauty of features like that of Cupid. You are a Brik- 

 bhanu in power. Your words are sweet and full of love, and you are well 

 versed in fourteen kinds of arts and sciences. Your wealth is like Indra's, 

 your treasury and stores like Kuber's, whereon Riddhi (prosperity) and 

 Siddhi (fulfilment), two wives of the god Oanesa, always preside. There 

 are eight kinds of siddhis in your states, and all pieces of iron are turned 

 into gold.' 



" Thick, green gardens lie round about his fort, while around them are 

 deep and dark forests. The mango trees, the pomegranate, lime, apple, 

 berry, orange, khirni, plantain, cocoanut, dates, chiranji and jack, all 

 are loaded with their sweet, delicious fruits. There are very many timer 

 trees, hundred kinds of khyotds, the large acacia and the beautiful Jchir. 

 The bees hum amidst various flowers and draw nectar with great glee. 

 Here you can see in full bloom and blossom the rose and the jassamine ; 

 there the hetalci by its sweet smell draws together and charms a number 

 of bees. Here beds of Iceora, johi, jay, sindup and sabbu beautify 

 the scene ; there the pddal, chameli, kokbeld, satrang, srikhand, Jcund, 

 malati and shewti give fragrance to the air. The mafia plants are loaded 

 with flowers and the lallbang, vine, the nimble madhoj and other creepers 

 are plentiful. There are palms and tamdls on the banks of tanks, which 

 bear on their broad bosoms the dancing red lotus and the white lotus with 

 the bee, enjoying itself, being hid amidst the petals. All around are the 

 lofty hills covered with dense forests and clad in green. Waterfalls pour 

 from on high, where beside the waters play the peacock, the duck, the 

 chakravdk, the su/c, the chatralc and the blackbird." 



Chapter V. 

 Ala-uddiri 's soliloquy. — " I do not care for the pride of Hamir. In a 

 moment I can bring him to my feet, knock down his fort, seize the criminal 

 Muhammad Shah, and drag him to Dehli. Sure as my name is Ala-uddin, 

 I will do all these things. A Rao, possessing one fort only, vaunts so much 

 of his might ! Surely I cannot bear it. Yet I have scruples as to the cer- 



