224 B. Bandyopadhyaya — Hamir Rasa, [No. 3, 



JSIiliram KJidn.-^" Hear, your Majesty, there is a tank outside the walls 

 of the fort which, if bridged over, can give a passage direct to the fort." 



Every arrangement was made for the building of a dam, and it was 

 finished after prodigious labour. 



"We can no longer defend the fort" said Hamir drawing a heavy sigh. 

 "It is lost, alas! the dear fort of my father is lost." In the dead of the 

 night Padam Sagar in the guise of a man appeared to him in his dreams. " Do 

 not be sorry, my bold son,"* said he "my waters are fed by springs issuing 

 forth from 7 oceans and 900 rivers. Be sure I will overflow the dam with 

 the greatest expedition. Be happy and live secure Avithin your fort." At 

 break of day, Hamir saw to his astonishment a vast sheet of water rolling 

 over the site of the erected dam. The emperor felt greatly disheartened. 

 He said in despair: "Alas, the fort baffles all our attempts." 



Great rejoicings were held within the fort. There was dancing in the 

 darlar of Hamir. Chandrakala, a fascinating dancing-girl, the harmonious 

 mriclang, Una (flutes), shitar sanayi, Jchanjuri, hartal, srimddal, sur, 

 ialtarang and such other musical instruments were bewitching the heart of 

 every one of the audience. Chandrakala had perfect knowledge of 6 Ragas 

 and 36 Raginis. The following airs were being sung. (Here follow a list of 

 the tunes which we omit.) The Rao was sitting in state reclining on his 

 pillow, and chamars were being fanned about him. 



When Ala-uddin saw this pomp and splendour of Hamir, his heart was 

 cut to the core. He said " Lo ! Hamir is enjoying pleasures like the rich 

 Indra of heaven. He does not break through his resolution and meet with 

 me, neither does he give me the Sheik, nor understand the consequences of 

 his inveterate pride. See, how he laughs with the dancing-girl who darts 

 quick glances at him, while she cares not at all for me. When the music calls 

 her for dancing, she bows her head to the Rao, while she shows her heels to 

 me. She insults me very greatly. See, how she laughs and makes her 

 feet as if she would kick me. Is there any one among my archers who, by 

 shooting her, could curb her pride and that of her master ? I would give a 

 very handsome prize to that hero." Mir Gabru joined his hands and prayed, 

 " It is not becoming for heroes, oh mighty Emperor, to hurt a woman." " Do 

 not shoot her dead, noble Mir," replied Ala-uddin "but wound her foot." 

 Fast flew the arrow of Mir Gabru whizzing through the air. It pierced a 

 foot of Chandrakala and fell in the midst of the Chohan Council. 



All the audience were struck dumb with surprise. Hamir looked 



dejected and became full of cares. " Singular !" he remarked. " How can 



an arrow come over such a distance ? Who is the archer ? a saint indeed." 



He looked around in confusion and was lost in astonishment. In utter 



* Padam Sagar was a large tank inside the fort of Eanthanibor. 



