1S79.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Rantlictmlor. 237 



" Victory to the Crescent" was shouted by the Muhammadan ranks 

 and " Victory to Hamir" by those of the Chohan. " Hear, Emperor," cried 

 Mir Saduki, " hear what a trifle is Hamir to me who have subdued 

 1 Tatta Bhakar.' " With these words on his lips, he rushed out in wild 

 fury, taking with him a detachment of 6000 picked Khorasanis. Sonne 

 soldiers advanced with flying colours. Heroes met with heroes, all brave, 

 stalwart and proud. They bent their bows, pulled the strings, adjusted 

 arrows with joy and shot them, each boastful of his own skill. The great 

 Shaik began to fight very furiously. Swords flashed fire, and a dreadful 

 massacre ensued. Hands and feet, arms and legs, heads and bellies dropped 

 down. Many warriors fell on the ground and rose again with redoubled 

 rage. Their bellies were cut, and the bowels came out, full of wind. All 

 was a confused mass of flesh and blood. The 6000 soldiers were put to the 

 sword ; not a single man escaped. Their banners and drums were snatched 

 away and presented to the Rao. 



A stronger body of Muhammadan heroes rushed to capture Muham- 

 mad Shah. " Glory to you, valiant Chohan," exclaimed the latter, "your 

 bravery, courage, truth and other manly virtues have won you a universal 

 fame which will last for ever. You have staked your life and kingdom, 

 wealth and property for the honour of your words. Glory to your decision 

 of character, glory to your firmness. Your praises will be sung for ever- 

 more." The thought of parting with his noble patron crossed his heart 

 and drew tears from his eyes. He continued, " When my future mother 

 will give me birth, then shall I meet you, my generous Rao." 



Hamir replied. — " Warriors do not display soft feelings on the field. 

 They do not love life, thinking it frail and transient. Union and separation 

 go hand in hand. That which grows must perish ; so it is taught by the 

 Vedas. Do not be sorry, hero, do not lose heart. If you be separated here 

 by death, be sure that grim monarch cannot separate us there in heaven. 

 We shall all meet with one another, you, I, your wife, children, brother and 

 the emperor too, the moment we leave our bodies. Leave interest and love. 

 Nothing have we brought with us, and it is certain we can carry nothing 

 away. This frail body is turned to dust, while good deeds live for ever in 

 glory. Hear, Shaik, nothing is stable on the earth. What is our flesh ? 

 It is but a compound of dust, perishable at a slight accident. Why then 

 love it ? love virtue and glory and drain the last drop of your blood in 

 order to have them." 



Muhammad Shah rushed headlong to the fight. Mir Gabru ran out 

 from the imperial ranks and bowed to him. 



Mir Gabru. — " I eat the salt of Ala-uddin, brother, and you that of 

 Hamir. Let not our relation make cowards of us. Let us stand by our 

 virtues at the peril of our lives. Although we shall part here from each 

 g a 



