1879. ] or a History of Hamir, prince of Ranthambor. 215 
and Karim Khan were made commanders of the battle. Both the parties 
met. Showers of arrows fell, swords clashed, and rings were flung. Very 
great was the bravery displayed by the 10,000 heroes of the Chohan chief. 
The heads of 10,000 Habshis rolled on the ground. 500 Rajptt warriors 
were slain, on whose bodies sat vultures and jackals and feasted on their 
flesh and blood. Then, swift like a flash of lightning, Randhir, like a 
hungry lion, fell upon both the commanders and cut off their heads with 
great dexterity. A massacre ensued. The imperial troops were driven 
four miles behind. ‘‘ Behold, emperor,” exclaimed the Rao, ‘‘ see how your 
brave soldiers fly away. Pity their poor souls! Why do you number their 
days by pushing them on to the great furnace of Rajpit might ?” 
Randhir’s letter to Ald-uddin.—* Why delay, emperor, in taking my 
fort ? The few days, in which you said you would capture it, have passed 
away. Why do you not rase my fort? Shall you ever be able to do so? 
No, never. Why then sacrifice the lives of your poor soldiers ? Though 
you should besiege my fort for five years, you would not succeed in pulling 
a stone out of it, nor out of Hamir’s, if the siege were to last for twelve 
years.” 
Although an enemy, Ald-uddin could not forbear commending the 
military talents and prowess of Randhir. He said “ Glory to Randhir, glory 
to his bravery. See, amidst a forest of our men, he, at the head of a few 
troops, rushed in and darted like lightning, carrying the palm. Let us no 
more fight with swords except in special cases, for in the use of swords the 
Rajputs have, I am inclined to believe, no equal. Let us try to blow up 
the fort by planting batteries all around.” 
The Rajput officers and soldiers, with one voice, said to Randhir, 
“Continue fighting, invincible master, we will never show the enemy our 
backs. Fight without fear, trusting in our faithfulness. We shall die 
glorying in our death, thereby glorifying the name of the Chohdns, and 
thus ascend that world of felicity which is far above the earth and the 
sun.” 
At the instance of Réo Randhir, Réo Hamir called together the Ksha- 
triyas of thirty-six different clans. The troops assembled and seemed as 
numerous as clouds which overcast the sky. They stood in front, with their 
hands joined, and were thus addressed “ Listen, ye friends, listen with atten- 
tion; since we have drawn our swords against the emperor of India, we 
shall fight to the last drop of our blood. Come and side with us, ye who are 
brave, who dare sacrifice their lives for our sake. Let him who fears to die 
go away from our ranks.” 
The vassals replied—“ Royal Master, we have eaten your salt, and shall 
eat it as long as we live. How can we in this extremity leave your cause ? 
