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



Ala-uddin's blood boiled. He sent forth troops to tbe field. All the 

 soldiers and officers became ready, and another battle raged with such fury 

 as surpassed that of the war, waged by Partha on the famous plain of Kuru- 

 kshetra. 



80,000 Rajputs and Bhils, armed with swords, bows, and arrows, were 

 drawn up in battle-array. The line of elephants looked like thick clouds 

 of autumn. Numbers of horses ran faster than the air. The swords flash- 

 ed like lightning. The arrows seemed as if showers of rain were falling fast 

 with violence. The war-minstrels sang martial airs. The drums sent forth 

 their soul- stirring peals. Messengers darted hither and thither. 



On the Muhammadan side Mir Sikandar took an oath, bowed his head, 

 and received orders. He said in a vaunting tone, " I have captured the 

 fort of Birjapur, so what a trifle is to me this fortress of Banthambor. In 

 vain have you, Emperor, pushed so many souls to death. Now see and 

 admire my skill in fighting." He took with him all the regiments of Kan- 

 dahar and marched with fury. 



From the Hindu ranks came out a Bhil, named Bhoj, and asked Hamir 

 for orders. 



" Allow me, noble lord, to fight the Kandaharis." "I can never do 

 so," replied Hamir. " Do you remember, Bhoj, that two brave Bhils were, of 

 their own accord, beheaded near the foundation of the gate-wall of the 

 fort ? of them One was your father. Raja Jait promised you protection. 

 You were bred by him, so how can I push you on to death ? You are wise 

 and valiant. Go to Chitor, there to serve under the prince Batan. Take 

 this fleet horse and go there with all speed." 



JBhoj. — " This head is devoted to your service, mighty Chohan. I am 

 old and as long as I live, I will serve you. I consider my life as a pawn 

 only for the cause of you, my master. If I lose this opportunity of show- 

 ing my fidelity I shall never be able to gain it." 



He bowed down to Hamir, took with him his regiment and rode for- 

 ward. There was a forest of bamboo bows, arrows and daggers on the 

 field of battle. 



Mir Sikandar rushed out and met them. The valleys rang with the 

 soul-stirring peals of drums and trumpets, and banners flew aloft. The 

 battle raged, the arrows whizzed. The two wings of the opposite parties 

 met each other. The Mir commanded the riders on elephants to go 

 forward. The Bhils pulled their clothes tight over their breasts and rush- 

 ed headlong to the fight. They, savage and ferocious with rage, held 

 bows in their hands. As the sound of drums inspires an athlete with cou- 

 rage, and he springs and jumps, so leaped Bhoj at the sound of war-songs. 

 Arrows were shot, and daggers driven into the bodies of enemies. An ele- 



