1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Ranthamlor. 211 



defended by bodies of strong heroes. Then marched the great Chohan, riding 

 on an elephant, followed by many other warriors armed cap a pied each seated 

 on his own charger. The elephants were so tall that the heads of their 

 riders touched the sky. Such an impetuous rush they made, that it seemed 

 as if a host of devils ran forward to fight, having been awakened from 

 sleep. Then followed bodies of horses all brisk and fleet, well-dressed 

 and mailed. Young and powerful heroes rode on them and began to 

 pour down in parties. The head of the mighty Randhir was seen promi- 

 nent among the Rajput ranks. The valleys rang with the loud and thrill- 

 ing sounds of trumpets and drums. Randhir, with his warriors, pressed on. 

 The large number of horses and elephants, coming forward, looked as if the 

 waters of an ocean rolled on sweeping everything before them. 



Ala-uddin, on seeing the hostile troops before him, drawn up in bat- 

 tle-array, ordered, in great anger, to besiege the fort very closely. The 

 Rajput forces and the ranks of the Muhammadans met. Many a hero 

 rushed hither and thither, uttering shouts of war-cries at the top of 

 his voice. Arrows flew whizzing through the air and pierced the massive 

 bodies of elephants, as pass numbers of enraged serpents to their dens on 

 the sides of mountains. 



There was a sharp play of swords held in determined hands. 

 Randhir rode out in front, brandishing his steel very cleverly. Azmat 

 Khan and Muhammad Ali, at the head of 80,000 veteran soldiers, fell upon 

 him. The engagement was very fearful and lasted steadily for a long 

 time. " Hold fast your bows, Muhammadan," cried out Randhir. Mu- 

 hammad Ali rushed at him, furious like a tiger. While both the heroes 

 were engaged, Azmat Khan bent his bow and shot an arrow at the breast 

 of the Chohan, who, slightly hurt, thrust his lance on the former so 

 cleverly that it went right through his head, and down dropped the body 

 on the ground. " Think not, Chohan, that thou hast won the victory" 

 exclaimed Muhammad Ali, " I shall show thee my skill in the use of 

 swords, and the next moment thou shalt fall a prey to it." No sooner did 

 he say the above words than his flashing sword fell on the head of Randhir. 

 The helmet was cut off, but the wound on the head was very slight. The 

 brave Chohan then despatched the Muhammadan by one stroke of his sword. 

 When their brave commander fell the troops gave way. They shrank in fear. 

 Many veterans dropped down dead on the field ; sharp daggers were run 

 through many a breast. Heads began to roll on the ground, their teeth 

 grinding and eyes darting fire. Legs and hands were cut off, and yet the 

 stumps fought. A panic seized the Muhammadans, and they fled away 

 in confusion. The total loss on the Muhammadan side was a very great 

 number of soldiers, besides Muhammad Ali and Azmat Khan, Mirs of the 



