Indian Antiquary Vol 06

SR No.: 032498
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 458
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 21 MB

Page 8

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JANUARY, 1877.
madan priests as to whether it were lawful for powder with a slow match attached to it. This, him to succour an infidel when attacked by a however, was, fortanately for the assailants, true believer, and on their replying in the blown off the gate by the wind in the direction negative he returned to Mandu without striking of the Rawal's palace, and there harmlessly exa blow in defence of Châmpâner. Sultan Mahmudploded. It was now too late for any further now returned to Chåmpaner and laid the founda- advance, but the whole of the Muhammadan army tions of the Jâmâa Mosque, to show the besieged remained under arms all night, while the Rajputs, that not only was their hope of aid from lighting the javhár, burned all their wives and Malwa gone, but that until the fortress was children. They then separated into two bodies, conquered he would never depart. in spite of a few hundreds flying to the upper fortress this, and though the garrison must have known (Pawagadh), while seven hundred Rajputs, baththat their surrender was now merely a matter ing, determined to conquer or die. In the morning of time, owing to the difficulty of introducing the gate was forced open, and a great slaughter fresh supplies of provisions into the fortress, ensued of the gallant defenders, and both the the Rawal continued gallantly to defend the Rawal and his minister Dungarshi fell wounded place. At last the approaches came so near he into the hands of the Sultan, who handed them walls that the soldiers of the approach, presided over to Muhá fiz Khân in order that their wounds over by the Sultan in person, were able to over- might be dressed. It is said that when RÂwal look the walls and see what the garrison were Jayasingh was brought wounded into the Sultan's doing. This statement, which is taken from presence he refused to do him obeisance, though the Tabakát-i-Akbari, distinctly shows that it is urged to do so by his guards. This happened not the upper fortress that is here alluded to, on the 2nd of Zilkad A.H. 889, and on this day that fortress being surrounded on all sides by a the Sultan named Châmpåner Muhammad ascarp which is nowhere, save at the gate, much båd. Three days after this the Rajputs who had lower than two hundred feet of sheer rock; fled to the upper fortress, being probably ill whereas near the ruins of the Rawal's palace on provided with provisions as well as demoralized the lower spur it is quite possible that approach by their defeat, surrendered. es might have been constructed which would Five or six months afterwards, in A.H. 890, overlook the defences. The soldiers observed when the Rawal's wounds were healed, tbat in the early morning the defenders were he was sent for to the Sultân's presence wont to disperse, to obey calls of nature and and ordered to embrace Islâm, and on his refor other reasons, and that consequently at that fusal was slain, together with his minister time the batteries were badly manned. The Dungarshi. RÂwal Jayasingh had two, if not siege had now lasted about two years, and, as three. sons. One of these, Râisinghji, who the Sultân was exceedingly anxious to obtain died before the siege of Chêmpâner, left two possession of the place, he directed Kiwamu'l- sons, Prithviraja and Dungarji, the founMulk to scale the fort next day at first dawn. ders of the houses of Chota Udayapu rand Kiwamu'l-Mulk accordingly, with a body of Bâriâ respectively. Another son, Limbaji, picked men, entering the fort when the garrison is said (vide Bombay Government Selections No. were off their guard, attacked the Rajputs, and XXIII., New Series, note to p. 146) to have after much slanghter drove them within the emigrated to Sasrodia (wherever that may be), citadel. The Rawal and his Rajputs now pre- and the third embraced Islâmism. The Mirat-ipared the javhár, or funeral pile, and continued Sikandri only mentions two danghters and one to defend themselves. But during the previous son, and says that the daughters were sent to cannonade several breaches had been made in the Sultan's harim, and that the son was made a the western face of the fortifications, and Malik Muhammadan and entrusted to Saifu'l-Mulk to Ayaz Sultâni, mounting one of these, suddenly educate, who brought him up, and in the reign arrived over the big gate. Sultan Mahmud, ob- of SultÂn Muzaffar, son of Mahmûd, this youth serving this from his post, sent strong reinforce- was ennobled by the title of Nizâmu'l-Mulk. ments. The Rajputa vainly tried to dislodge The Sultan now, making Muhammadabad Malik Ayaz and his men from their position over Champåner his capital, built the fortificathe gate, by throwing there a large canister of tions of the town called Jahan Panah, and con