224 B. Bandyopadhyaya—Hamir Rasa, [No. 3, 
Mihram Khén.—“ Hear, your Majesty, there is a tank outside the walls 
of the fort which, if bridged over, can give a passage direct to the fort.” 
Every arrangement was made for the building of a dam, and it was 
finished after prodigious labour. 
“We can no longer defend the fort’’ said Hamir drawing a heavy sigh. 
“Tt is lost, alas! the dear fort of my father is lost.” In the dead of the 
night Padam Sagar in the guise of a man appeared to him in his dreams. “ Do 
not be sorry, my bold son,”* said he “my waters are fed by springs issuing 
forth from 7 oceans and 900 rivers. Be sure I willoverflow the dam with 
the greatest expedition. Be happy and live secure within your fort.” At 
break of day, Hamir saw to his astonishment a vast sheet of water rolling 
over the site of the erected dam. The emperor felt greatly disheartened. 
He said in despair: “ Alas, the fort baffles all our attempts.” 
Great rejoicings were held within the fort. There was dancing in the 
darbér of Hamir. Chandrakala, a fascinating dancing-girl, the harmonious 
mridang, bina (flutes), shitar sdndyi, khanjuri, kartal, srimddal, sur, 
jaltarang and such other musical instruments were bewitching the heart of 
every one of theaudience. Chandrakala had perfect knowledge of 6 Ragas 
and 86 Raginis. The following airs were being sung.’ (Here follow a list of 
the tunes which we omit.) The Rado was sitting in state reclining on his 
pillow, and chamars were being fanned about him. 
When Ala-uddin saw this pomp and splendour of Hamir, his heart was 
eut to the core. He said “Lo! Hamir is enjoying pleasures like the rich 
Indra of heaven. He does not break through his resolution and meet with 
me, neither does he give me the Sheik, nor understand the consequences of 
his inveterate pride. See, how he laughs with the dancing-girl who darts 
quick glances at him, while she cares not at all forme. When the music calls 
her for dancing, she bows her head to the Rao, while she shows her heels to 
me. She insults me very greatly. See, how she laughs and makes her 
feet as if she would kick me. Is there any one among my archers who, by 
shooting her, could curb her pride and that of her master? I would give a 
very handsome prize to that hero.” Mir Gabru joined his hands and prayed, 
“ It is not becoming for heroes, oh mighty Emperor, to hurt awoman.”’ “ Do 
not shoot her dead, noble Mir,” replied Al4-uddin “but wound her foot.” 
Fast flew the arrow of Mir Gabru whizzing through the air. It pierced a 
foot of Chandrakala and fell in the midst of the Chohén Council. 
All the audience were struck dumb with surprise. Hamir looked 
dejected and became full of cares. “ Singular!’ he remarked. “ How can 
an arrow come over such a distance P Who is the archer? a saint indeed.” 
He looked around in confusion and was lost in astonishment. In utter 
* Padam Sagar was a large tank inside the fort of Ranthambor, 
