220 B. Bandyopadhyaya — Hamir Rasa, [Xo. 3, 



" Why not," replied Ala-uddin, " make Hamir understand what I say ? 

 Why extend the flame of war which feeds on many Rajputs and Muham- 

 madans ? He may reign in the territories of Ranthambor. I am not 

 averse to that, if he will only bring the exile Muhummad Shah to my feet : 

 else sure as my name is Ala-uddin I will curb his pride. If I break through 

 my resolution while Hamir is glorying in the firmness of his, I shall never 

 be worthy the name of ' Emperor.' It is certain that of two contending 

 parties one comes off the gainer. Listen, Randhir, listen to my word. I 

 know every creek and corner of the dominions of Hamir. By whose orders 

 has he been authorized to enjoy to this day the possession of the four forts — 

 Ranthambor, Chitor, Narwal and Gwaliar ? He has never served me ; 

 neither has he ever so far condescended as to make me an obeisance. 

 Mountains may move, the sun may rise in the West, and many such other 

 unnatural things might happen, but I, mighty Ala-uddin, will never return 

 to Delhi without the exile. If I do so, I shall be a coward and emphatically 

 the greatest of all cowards, not worthy to sit on an imperial throne." (Turn- 

 ing to his ranks), " Press bard the seige, my brave warriors, and carry the 

 fort." 



Randhir bade farewell to the fort. He gave alms to the Brahmans, 

 bowed down his head before the sun and joined his hands as if he awaited 

 his orders. Then, bending at the name of Hamir, he rushed forth very furi- 

 ously at the head of his heroes, warriors and soldiers. His 10,000 veterans 

 were in the front" line. Then followed the horsemen, the riders upon 

 elephants. Cannons boomed from the fort. Hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! 

 shouted the Chohan troops. Then, swift as flashes of lightning, they 

 fell upon the Muhammadan ranks, as fell the mighty Raghava upon the 

 rdkshasas of Ceylon. The heroes looked ferocious in anger. Steady in 

 fight, all of them vowed to abide by the virtues of their clans. There 

 was a standing cannon fire from both sides. The fort and its walls were 

 breached. On the earth it rained terrible showers of flame. Dark clouds, 

 produced by the smoke, hung on the atmosphere. Wherever there was a 

 circle of men, shots came in that direction. 



" Come, fight with us, ye Muhammadan wrestlers, if any of you be wor- 

 thy the name," cried out the brave veterans of Randhir, elated with pride. 

 They fell to wrestling. The battle raged, horse fought with horse, foot with 

 foot, and elephant with elephant. There was an incessant shower of shots. 

 Some lost their bodies, while others their heads, some their hands, while others 

 their legs. So profound was the darkness spread over the field, that it could 

 not be known whether it was day or night. Arrows flew fast piercing many 

 a horse and elephant. The strong steel mail was no protection from 

 their sharp points. Some soldiers were stabbed by the violent strokes of 



