204 B. Bandyopadhyaya—Hamir Rasa, [No. 3, 
tainty of my victory. I know not what might be the issue of my attack, if 
I rashly attempt it at once. Defeat, as well as victory, is in the hand of God. 
Who knows that I shall never be brought to the wall? It is, therefore, that 
I think it advisable to act up to the council of my ministers and vassals. 
I shall call a grand meeting and court discussion.” 
An open durbdér was held at the Council hall. The emperor thus ad- 
dressed. it :— 
“ My noble Khdns, Sultans, Rands and Réos—you have been for a long 
time aware that a Sheik, named Muhammad Shah, was for some heinous 
crime banished the dominions of our empire ; you are also aware, that he 
wandered far and wide, without house and shelter, till he came to Rantham- 
bor, where he found protection under the roof of the Chohan Chief of that 
place. I myself, through one of my heralds, tried in various ways to con- 
vince the Rao of the folly of his action, the certainty of his destruction 
and that of his fort, if he persisted in refusing to send me the culprit. 
But he, in spite of my friendly advice and remonstrance, cares not at all for 
me and my power and in a haughty style challenges me to fight. (The 
audience shouted “Let us draw our swords, let us draw our swords.’’) 
Hear, my noble Chiefs, in order to justly punish the folly and obstinacy of 
the Rao, I have determined to capture his fort, and plant on its tower the 
standard of the crescent. (The audience rose up from their seats and, 
reverently bowing their heads, stood ready to receive orders.) Be resolved, 
therefore, one and all, to fight. Faint not, fear not, but with hearts of steel 
let us march to curb the pride of the upstart and to show him the power, 
glory and energy of the followers of the true faith.” 
All the chiefs, assembled in the council, exclaimed with one voice—‘ We 
are ready to die, emperor, ready to sacrifice our lives and interests for this 
sacred and profitable cause : sacred because it concerns Islamism, and profit- 
able because it concerns the interest of our monarch, the sole preserver 
of our lives and property. Here is a rule and a very good one it is— 
If you goto hunt a jackal, be armed with all weapons necessary to hunt- 
ing a lion. The proud Rao challenges you to fight. It behoves us, there- 
fore, to attack him in his own house, demolish his fort and burn him and 
all that belongs to him to ashes.” 
All was excitement, when the Vazir Mihram Khan, with joined hands, 
thus began: “ May it please your Majesty, I ask your royal permission 
to speak only a few words. There is a great difference between hunting a 
lion and hunting a jackal. Do not think them all one. Why do you in- 
crease your anger? Why make much of the malice you bear towards the 
exile ? because the risk a man incurs by being engaged in a war is fearfully 
great. He hazards life and prosperity and can mever be sure of victory. 
