Indian Antiquary Vol 02

SR No.: 032494
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 428
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[DECEMBER, 1873.
action whereby he should not forfeit his word and yet that it should not be necessary to give his daughter, namely, to fix the wedding day for a certain day and so arrange that the in- vitation should reach Chandan Sodâ only the day before the day fixed for the wedding. As the distance was too great for Chandan Sodi to traverse in twenty-four hours, Lakhả would thus be freed from his promise. This plan was eventually determined on, and a day was fixed, namely, Servat 1116 Vaishîk Sudh 13th, and the Brahman who delivered the kankotri (or invitation) was instructed to deliver it on the 12th. The Brihinan accordingly delivered the krukotri to Chandan Soda on the 12th Vaishak Sadh. Chandan Sodi at once perceived the trick and was deeply grieved; he determined, however, to reach Kelikot in time, if it were possible for man and horse to do it. He then inquired at once if any one in Nagar Parkar possessed a horso or camel capable of doing the distance in the time, but none could be found. Just as Chandan was giving up in despair, a sutár named Dhara said: "I have two tame nylghai bulls which will travel three hun- dred miles in one day, and I will lend you them." Chandan, after thanking the sutár, directed them to be harnessed in the dranga (a two- wheeled car). The sutár harnessed the bulls in the dranga, and Chanduri, after putting on the mairingo-crown (mod), sat in the dringa, which was driven by the sutár. They drove so fast that they reached Kelâkot before dawn, and sent word to Lakhá Phulani that Chandan Soda had come to be married. As Chandan Sodi had arrived in time, Lakhaji determined to give hin his daughter, and made preparations for the marriage. The nuptial ceremonies were then performed with great pomp, and a separate palace was allotted to Chandan Sodi and Phulmati. Lakhî also provided a lodging for Dhara Satîr, and a stable for his nylghai. After a few days, Lâkhî paid a visit to Chandan Soda and in the course of conversation asked him how he had managed to arrive so quickly. Chandan Soda then told him that his sutár had lent him his nylghai balls, and that the sutár had yoked them in his drängá, and thus conveyed him so quickly to Kelákot. Lakhả Phulani considered within himself that he must obtain possession of these nylghai; Dhara, however, refused to sell them. Now it so happened that the sutâr's lodging
was beneath the palace of Rani Jalku, stepmother of Lakha Phalani; LAkhî accused the sutur of a criminal intimacy with Jalku, who was still young and beautiful, as she had married Jhirejâ Phulji, father of Lakhả, when she was quite a child, and but a few years before Phulji's death. The sntár being now in prison, Lakhả determined in about a month to seize on the nylghai, when every one would have forgotten to whom they belonged. Riņi Jalku, however, was extremely indignant at this false accusation, and considered that although the accusation was false, still people would believe it, and she would be eternally disgraced : she therefore determined to avoid false reproaches by actually running away with the sutár. Now she had a favourite slave-girl named Muli; she sent Muli accordingly on some pretext to Dhara Sutár, and said to him: "Take me away, I am willing to follow your fortunes, and as I will bring with me much wealth you will not be a sufferer by doing so." Dhara Satir replied: "How can I carry you off when I am here in prison ?" Riņi Jalku then represented that she would free him from prison provided he would agree to carry her off from Kelakot. To this Dhari Sutar agreed. Riņi Jalku then bribed the guard to release Dhiri Sutar, and she herself putting on armour, and taking with her her daughter Mira, an infant of three years of age, and slave-girl Muli, she waited for Dhara Sutir outside the city gate. Dhira Sutar after harnessing his nylghai went out by a side gate unobserved and joined Rani Jalku. The Raņi now dismissed her slave-girl Muli, and she and her daughter Mâra sat in the drunga, which was driven by Dhårå Satâr. They left Kelakot at dusk, and the nylghai went so fast that they made their first halt at Sbiagam, a village then belonging to the Solankhi tribe, and under the Dhinerà Pargana. They halted near the village well, under the shade of some trees. Some boys were playing near the well, and they induced two of them to accompany them. The name of one of these boys was Viramji, son of Jetmalji Solankhi. The other boy was a Rabari by caste and was named Devraj. On leaving Shiâgâm they took the two boys with them in the drángá. They next alighted near the Jhåber (or Jyeraj) hill, and there Dhark Sutar fonnded a village and dog a tank, and named the village Dharapura, and the tank Dhåråsar. With