Indian Antiquary Vol 08

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 81

MARCH, 1879.] THE HAMMERA MAHÅKÅVYA OF NAYACHANDRA SÛRI.
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Slightly attended as the king was, Shahâb- the time when the Muhammadans had suou'd-din was greatly terrified at the news of the ceeded in taking Prithviraja captive. But approach of the king, for he remembered too Shahâbu'd-din, fearing the consequences of well the former defeats and humiliations sus- further fighting with Udayarâja, retired tained at his hands. In the night, therefore, into the city, taking with him the captive he sent some of his confidential servants into monarch. the king's camp, and through them, with pro- When U da yarâ ja heard of the captivity mises of large sums of money, he seduced from of Prithviraja his heart throbbed heavily their allegiance the king's master of the horse with pain. He wished himself in the place of and the royal musicians. He then sent a large Prithviraja. He was unwilling to turn number of his Muhammadans secretly to the back leaving the king to his fate. Such a course, enemy's camp, who entered it early in the he said, would be detrimental to his fair name, in morning, when the moon in the west had his own country of Gauradesa. He therescarcely reached the horizon, and the sun was fore laid siege to the city of the enemy (YObut beginning to illuminate the east.
ginipura or Dehli, which ShahabudAll was now uproar and confusion in the king's din had taken possession of before this battle), camp. Some cried out, "Oh, brave comrades ! and sat before the gates for a whole month, up and to your arms! Haste, haste! the enemy fighting day and night. has approached and taken us by surprise. Let One day during the siege, one of Shahâbu'dus fight and return conquerors to our homes or din's people went up to him and remarked that to heaven!" While the king's followers were it would be becoming on his part for once to rethus preparing to meet their assailants, the dis- lease Prithviraj a, who had several times loyal master of the king's horse, as advised by taken him captive and then dismissed him with his seducers, saddled and brought forth as the honours. Shahâbu'd-din was not pleased with king's charger that day a horse styled Naty - this noble speaker, to whom he replied sharply rambha ("leader of the dance'); and the musi- that councillors like him were the sure decians, who were waiting their opportunity, stroyers of kingdoms. The angry ShahAbwhen the king had mounted, began to play a'd-din the ordered that Prithviraja upon their instruments tunes that were the should be taken into the fortress. When this king's favourites. At this the royal steed order was given, all the brave people hung began to dance proudly, keeping time with the their necks with shame, and the righteous, musicians. The king was diverted with this unable to suppress the tears gathering in their performance for a time, and forgot the all- eyes, lifted them towards heaven. Prithvi. important business of the moment.
râja a few days after this breathed his last The Muhammadans took advantage of the and went to heaven. king's indolence and made a vigorous attack. When U day a'r å ja learnt of the death of The Rajputs, under the circumstances, could do his friend, he thought that the best place of little. Seeing this, Prithviraja alighted abode for him now was that only whither his from his horse and sat on the ground. With late friend had sped. He therefore gathered the sword in his hand he cut down many Muham. together all his followers and led them into the madans. Meanwhile, a Muhammadan taking thickest of the battle, and there 'fell with his the king unawares from behind, threw his bow whole army, seduring for himself and them round his neck and drew the king prostrate to eternal happiness in heaven. the ground, while other Muhammadans bound | When Hariraja learnt the sad news him captive. From this time the royal captive of the death of Pșithviraja, his sorrow refused all food and rest.
knew no bounds. With tears gushing from Prithviraja, before he set out to en- his eyes, he performed the funeral ceremonies counter Shahâbu'd-din, had commanded Ud &- for the deceased monarch and then ascended yaraja to follow him to attack the enemy. the throne. He had not ruled long when the U da yaraja' reached the battle-field just about king of Gujarat, in order to secure his
1 This must be the famous Udayaditya Punar of MalwA, mentioned by Chanda as the great friend and ally of Prithviraja.