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158
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JUNE, 1879.
have read your note, and have thereby attained my desire, and my disease has been cured by looking at your note. I will assuredly come and prostrate myself at your feet." The old woman took his reply, and came to the place where she had alighted, and closed her eyes, and was in a moment transported through the air to the Hâji, to whom she gave the Sultan's letter.
Meantime, Sultan Mahmud enters India, and marches by way of Jesalmer. The Râni of Jesalmer submits, and purchases safety, and Mahmud advances into Sorath, and approaches Påtan Somanath, where Raja Kunwar Pâl was ready to oppose him with a large army. The local landholders however advised Mahmud to first attack Mangalûr (Mangrol), which city is ruled by Jayapâl, who has married Kunwar Pal's sister. The Sultân accordingly marches thither by way of K âmeshwar Kotdi. On seeing the enormous array of Mah- mud's troops, Jayapal's ministers counsel him to purchase safety by ransom and submission, and the Rájâ agrees, saying-"Why should I bring upon myself the fate of Patan?" His ransom and submission are accepted, and Mahmud again marches for Patan, and encamps on the plain called Mâi H&jat' on the Verâ wal side of Patan, and Kunwar Pål encamps at the Bhalka Tala o. Several battles are fought, but owing to the superior strength of Mahmud's force, the Patan Râjâ is worsted and forced to fall back He now retires to the Mota Talâo, and Mahmud advances, and occupies the position of the Bhalka Talao. Up to this date, 24,000 men of the Patan Raja's army had fallen and 10,000 of the Muhammadans. The Pâtan Rajà now, at the advice of his ministers, offers submission and ran- som, and sends chârans and bards to the Sultan to negotiate peace, but the Sultan refuses, saying that he will only condone their offences on their adopting Islâm. He adds that he does not wish for a single rupee, but to break down the fort of Patan with cannon balls, to cast down their temples, and root out their infidelity. On receiving Mahmud's answer, the Râjâ resolved to fight to the last. The van of the Raja's army was commanded by two gallant Bhills named Hamir and Vegad, who commenced to fight bravely. The Râjâ was camped at the Mota
Talâo, and the Sultan at the Bhalka Talâo, and every day engagements took place between some of their army. Both sides fought well, and Hamir and Vegad especially distinguished themselves. The Sultân now assembled bis army, and ordered strong detachments to be posted on the road to Patan, so that the enemy might not be able to retire to the town, or receive reinforcements from thence, while he would attack them in force in front. This was accordingly done, and 10,000 men were placed so as to intercept all communication between the Raja's camp and the city. When the Râjâ heard of this he sent for Hamir and Vegad, "both fatherin-law and son-in-law," and said to them:-"You must attack the post placed to intercept our communications." Accordingly the Bhills went with all their forces, and lying in ambush all day, attacked the post at night. They attacked bravely, and were firmly received, but finally Hamir and Vegad were compelled to retreat unsuccessful though they made great slaughter. The Muhammadans who were slain were all buried near the battlefield, and their place of burial is called the Ganj Shahid unto this day. The Amirs and Vazirs now advised the Sultan to strengthen the optposts as so many men had fallen, and he accordingly withdrew three of the five posts, and placed instead two very strong ones, viz., one at the Gul Guwaran, and one at the Taluni-barah, so that no one might have access to Patan from the country, and that thus the place might be deprived of fresh reinforcements from without. Five months elapsed in continual fighting, and the Raja left his entrenched position and came down into the plain. While these conflicts were going on Haji Mahmud went to Ganga's shrine (Ganga Thinak), and took up his residence there, expelling the image of Gangå, which said to him:"O Pir Haji! whither shall I go ?" The Haji answered:-"Go where you choose, but return not here again, go and sit among the rocks, but cense to annoy me." Gangů replied :-"I am going with pleasure to the place where you send me."
After this the Hâji fell ill and died, and was buried, and a fine tomb was erected there over him. Thus died the Haji who invited Mah
. This is the temple of Kameshwar or Kampathi, about three kos from Mangrol in the direction of Patan.
This plain is close to the Devkå river and near Veriwal on the N. W. side.
See Ras Mala p. 275, &c., edition of 1878.
