240 B. Bandyopidhy4ya—Hamir Risd, [No. 3, 
Ala-uddin’s blood boiled. He sent forth troops to the 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 Ranthambor. 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 Hindi 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 Ratan. Take 
this fleet horse and go there with all speed.” 
Bhoj.—* 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- 
