1879.] or a History of Hamir, prince of Ranthambor. 201 
in keeping their resolution is a hereditary virtue of the Chohans. You 
have conquered the whole world and made many potent chiefs and monarchs 
powerless and humble before your rod, but now Hamir matches with you and 
challenges you to fight with him. Either he or you must be victorious. I 
have advised him many times as to the folly of his keeping the exile under 
his roof. He frowned, his blood boiled with anger, even at the mention of 
the name ‘ Muhammad Shah.’ ‘I shall fight with the emperor, face to face,’ 
said he ‘and cut the imperial forces to pieces. Then at last I will offer my 
head to the great Mahddeo, that my glory may be sung in the worlds 
below and the heavens above. I have made a resolution, How can I break 
through it ? I do not fear the anger of Ala-uddin, I do not fear his massive 
arms, I do not fear his fury, nay I do not fear death, but I fear dishonour, 
and above all, I fear staining the virtues of my renowned ancestors.’ ” 
Cuartrer IV. 
Ala-uddin, wondering at the intrepidity and decision of character of 
Hamir, made up his mind to besiege the fort of Ranthambor. With a view 
to obtain information as to the Rao, his forces and the government of his 
states, he made the following queries to Sultan Khan, the herald, who was 
well conversant with those particulars. 
Emperor.— How strong are the forces of Hamir ?” 
Herald.—“ Imperial Majesty, Hamir has 117,000 horse, and his foot 
are 200,000 in number. In their midst rides he, the great Rao, on an ele- 
phant. He has 500 commanders, tall, robust and well-skilled in the art of 
war. He commands the allegiance of the princes of Chitor, Narwargar 
and Gwaliar. The forces of one of his vassals, named Randhir, consist 
of 31,000 horse, 80 elephants, and 10,000 heroes all invincible.” 
EXmperor.— How strong is the fort of Ranthambor ?” 
Herald.—“ The fort is very strong, and inaccessible to an enemy. Four 
roads lead to it, and eighty-four passes, very close and narrow, go winding 
amidst its surrounding hills. Five large tanks, fed by mountain-torrents and 
therefore deep beyond compare and filled to the brim, strengthen the defence 
of the fort. Temples of Ganesa, Siva, Nandi, Bhairav, Durga and her 
attendant goddesses are situated within it. Itis guarded by a body of 600 
Nagas, all veteran soldiers, and 70 very wide-mouthed cannons, which cannot 
be moved, and at whose report mountains tremble, women miscarry and 
rivers become dry. Its supply of provisions and ammunition is immense. 
Two very large underground stores are well stocked with grain, weighing 
one crore, ten lacs and ten thousand maunds. The weight of the sunn cord 
and pack-thread stored within the fort is ten lacs of maunds; that of 
bullets four lacs, that of ght twenty thousand, that of ¢ejra (opium husks or 
