210 B. Bandy opadhyaya — Hamir Rasa, [No. 3, 



270,000 horse to fall on me and conquer my fort. I depend only on thy 

 mercy. The sinner has his sins forgiven him by thy benign power. I have 

 come to thee to ask thy protection. Defend the fort ; defend truth and 

 the glory of the Rajput virtues. O thou, the lord of Uma, bless me, help 

 me, support me and encourage me. The fort is being drowned and swept 

 away by the mighty ocean of the Muhammadan army. Keep the honour 

 of my words inviolate. O god, assist me that thy name may be glorified 

 here on earth." Then Hamir closed his eyes and became lost in contem- 

 plation. 



The heavens opened and a sound issued — " Hear, son, the glory of thy 

 deeds shall remain untarnished for ever. Fight the Muhammadan forces : 

 thou hast nothing to fear, even if the siege last for 14 years. On 

 Saturday the eleventh after the full-moon in the month of July (the moon 

 being on the sign Pushya), there shall be a great final massacre. Thy name 

 and heroism shall be immortal both here and hereafter. Draw thy sword 

 for the glory of thy words, because such is the virtue of the Kshatriyas." 



With great joy Hamir prostrated himself at the feet of the god. He 

 was coming out of the temple, when he heard the following words : " Hear, 

 Rao, this is certain — if a thousand warriors Of thy ranks fall on the field, 

 they shall fall killing a lac of the infidels." 



Hamir called a council of war. His friends and ministers all assem- 

 bled. There were present warriors, heroes, Rawats and formidable Bhars — 

 men who regarded their lives as pawned for the safety and cause of their 

 liege-lord. They were not given to sensual pleasures, and, therefore, 

 their limbs were as strong and hard as rocks. The world and the flesh had 

 no influence on their minds. Their lips dropped honey, and they were ready 

 to cut off their own heads for the interest of others. Their glory and 

 heroism were sung by the minstrels. They held jdgirs which gave to 

 each of them an annual yield, worth a lac of Rupees. Rao Randhir of the 

 fort of Chhan, uncle to Hamir, was at the head of these heroes. He, having 

 bowed to the Rao, thus spoke, " Hamir, see my dexterity in using swords. 

 I shall do what our uncle Kan did when he fought with the Kamdhaj 

 Rattors of Kanauj." " Listen to what I say, my valiant uncle," replied the 

 Rao, " your heroism is not unknown to me. You are the defender of my 

 fort, fort -wall, town, my forces and all that I have in my possession. 

 Hear, I have said to the emperor, that I shall fight with him in an open 

 field of battle ; see that my words do not fall to the ground." 



Hamir strengthened the defences of the fort. Large cannons were 

 mounted on the bastions ; soldiers armed with bows and arrows were seated 

 beside the battlements. The gates were well guarded by very powerful sen- 

 tinels. Every pass, every entrance, every gap was very carefully shut up, and 



