1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Banthambor. 235 



world and withdraw in fear. What is to be done now, able minister, what 

 means shall we take in this dire extremity ?" 



Mihram Khan. — " Gracious Majesty, there is one means. Let us divide 

 our forces into four corps, each under an able general. Give the Diwan 

 the command of one, the Bakshi the other, me, your Yazir, the third, 

 and yourself take the fourth. Let us then all unite in the field and fight 

 very bravely ; Hamir Rao will never be able to withstand us." 



This arrangement having been made, the Muhammadan troops came 

 to the field. The crescents were raised aloft. Many able heroes, frantic and 

 dreadful, riding on horses and painted elephants, surrounded the Rajputs. 

 They gave out a thrilling shout and went on very cautiously. 



Both the Hindus and the Muhammadans rushed out, exulting, to the 

 fight, puffed up with pride and courage. Then a massacre ensued. The 

 cannons boomed. The fury of the shots drove the heroes to some distance. 

 Again they ran forward and met. The field rang with the peal of the 

 martial music, and the battle continued with unabated fury. The four- 

 headed arrows of warriors went right through the hearts of soldiers, causing 

 instant death. The forests of lances, darted with vehemence, repelled a 

 body of hostile troops for a moment. The latter rushed forward, vaunting 

 of their might. Their reeking swords cut down a large number of horses 

 and elephants. Many warriors were struck dead, and their heads dropped 

 down on the ground. Daggers were driven with determined hands. Thus 

 battled both the parties, each exulting and glorying to win the victory. 

 Heaps upon heaps of the slain lay scattered on the field — a dreadful 

 spectacle ! — on which vultures sat and feasted. The jackals licked the 

 blood, and the she-devils filled their vessels, danced and sang with merri- 

 ment. They wished for such another battle. They took pieces of flesh 

 and bone into their bloody mouths, drained their cups, sucked their clothes 

 steeped in blood and searched for more flesh. The superior archery of the 

 Chohans secured the victory. The Muhammadan ranks, seeing that the 

 day was against them, fled away in confusion. 



Then exclaimed Bahadur, the Mir of Abdal, curling his whiskers. 

 " Order me, Royal Master, and this very moment I will, like a lion seizing a 

 sheep, bring Hamir to your feet. Only give me in return the Raj of Ran- 

 thambor. I will drag him into your presence, placing my bow around his 

 neck." Abdal was placed at the head of 20,000 horse, determined to fight 

 the emperor's cause. With a wild outcry rushed the brave Mir to the 

 field and came in front of Hamir, and with him 20,000 troops and 30 

 elephants ran forward, mad and frantic with rage. On the Rajput side 

 Hamir ordered a hero to march forward and meet the Muhammadan 

 commander. 



