230 B. Bandyopadhyaya — Hamir Hdsd, [No. 3, 



Chapter XI. 

 Hamir assembled the remainder of his forces in a grand darhdr and 

 thus spoke : " My friends, if a man live, he will continue enjoying the plea- 

 sures of the world, and if he fall in glory on the battle-field, he will be 

 translated to heaven. What do you prefer, my brave warriors ? the enjoy- 

 ment of the world, or the enjoyment of everlasting happiness ? if the 

 former, then do not come to me ; if the latter, then make yourselves ready 

 to fight the emperor." 



Muhammad Shah rose from the council and went with haste to his 

 palace . He drew a sword and cut off the heads of his dearest relatives, his 

 own kith and kin, even his own flesh and blood, lest Ala-iiddin should insult 

 them after his death. Soon afterwards he hastened to Hamir. In vain 

 did he struggle to repress his feelings. Tears rolled down his cheeks, when 

 he stood before the Bao and informed him of the massacre. 



Hamir said — " Do not be sorry, Muhammad Shah ; nothing is lasting in 

 this world ; none can escape from the jaws of death. In the various trans- 

 migrations which a man goes through, he remains subject to that grim 

 monster. There is none on the surface of the earth who wishes his death, 

 but would gladly extend his days. The death of a Sati, that of a hero, 

 and that of a virtuous man are truly glorious and productive of much 

 good." 



(Turning to his Omrao.) " Wear clothes dyed with saffron, my vassals, 

 because such a golden opportunity of attaining salvation and glorifying the 

 names of our noble clans will not twice present itself. I, Bao of Bantham- 

 bor, intend dying on the battle-field and abiding for ever at the feet of our 

 Mahadeo. Ala-uddin cannot fall twice on our fort. I will distribute 1000 

 cows among the poor and fasten the mor, the crown of marriage, to my 

 forehead." 



Drums were beaten, and at their sound the Chohan colours were un- 

 furled. Joy and the extreme thirst for glory knew no bounds and could not 

 be contained in the hearts of the Bao, his officers and soldiers. 5000 able 

 Bajpiits were kept for the defence of the fort, and 80,000 became ready 

 to fight the Muhammadans on the open field. None loved their lives 

 and interests, and all were impatient of delay in rushing at their enemy. 

 Here are the names of some of the thirty-six clans to which his vassals and 

 soldiers belonged.* 



Then went to arm himself the brave Bao Hamir, the hero of minstrels' 



* Kamadhaj, Karam, Graur, Tumar, Parihar, Puraj, Pandar, Chohan, Jadav, 

 Gohil, Gehlot, Sagar, Puaiir, and Bhils with Bhoj at their head. 



