1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Mantlutinoor. 221 



daggers. From the wounds caused by them, the blood flowed in torrents as 

 from roofs the rain water flows in the month of August. Numberless heads 

 dropped on the field and rolled like so many water-melons. The Muhamma- 

 dan forces shrank back. At the brave feat of arms of Randhir, even the 

 Emperor, although an enemy, could not forbear to exclaim, " Praise to 

 you, praise to your valour, mighty warrior," and at the same time, looking 

 at his dispersed troops, he frowned and then rebuked them, saying, " Why 

 fly, ye cowards, from the field, while I am still alive ?" 



Then bowed down the Bakhshi of the imperial legion. " Make me the 

 commander of the battle," said he exulting, " and I will with 100,000 

 Rumanians fight the Hindus and scatter them as flakes of cotton before 

 the wind." With a drawn sword in his hand he rushed out at the 

 command of Ala-uddin. Randhir, holding a lance, rode forward. The 

 warriors came face to face. The Muhammadan aimed a guraz (an iron 

 club) at the head of the Chohan. The latter warded off the blow 

 with his massive shield. Then a lance was darted at the former. It pierced 

 his body and that of his horse too, and the next moment he fell senseless 

 on the field. Fifty Mirs rushed forward, but all of them met the same 

 fate. Then came out a fierce Mir of Rum. A fearful engagement raged. 

 A dagger was run through his breast down to the hilt ; he dropped down, 

 and in a few minutes all his struggles subsided in the stillness of death. 

 The sword of a Balkkan fell on the shoulder of the Rao. The throat was 

 cut through, but behold the body rose with vehemence. It made a rush at 

 the murderer. It got him within its grasp and pressed him heavily. Down 

 they dropped and instantly the dagger of the Moslim went right through 

 his breast. 100,000 Rumanians fell. The body of the brave Chohan lay 

 on the field like a tall palm, with blood gushing out of the neck. The 

 Joginis (she-devils) regaled themselves with his blood, filled their cups, 

 drained them, and danced.* 



On Saturday the 9th before the full-moon in the month of Chait, 

 30,000 Rajputs fell for the defence of the fort, and 10,000 women burned 

 themselves on pyres with their husbands. The loss on the Muhammadan 

 side was thousands of Muhammadan soldiers, including the mighty Bakhshi, 

 who held a,jagir of 5 lacs, and other officers, holding from 10 to 20,000 

 Rupees' worth of land. 



When the intelligence of the capture of the fort of Chohan by Ala- 

 uddin reached Hamir, he became the more resolved to fight the Musalman 

 forces. He exclaimed, " Glory to you, uncle, glory to your uncommon 

 bravery. The death of a Kshatriya is both a glory and a blessing. You 

 have done, mighty hero, what uncle Kan did for Prithviraj at the battles 

 * It was a belief among the Eajputa that Joginis like the blood of mighty heroes. 

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