Indian Antiquary Vol 08

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 87

THE HAMMIRA MAHAKAVYA OF NAYACHANDRA SÛRI.
MARCH, 1879.] gadesa and the far Kâñchi-a king who was master of the six gunds and the three saktis, and who commanded a vast and powerful army-a king whom all other kings feared and obeyed, and who had a most valiant brother in Virama, the conqueror of many princes-a king who was served by the fearless Mongol chiefs Mahimâ áâ hi and others, who, after defeating his brother, had defied 'A lâu'd-din himself. Not only had Ham mira able generals, said Bhoja, but they were all attached to him. Seduction was impossible save in one quarter. One man only had his price in the court of Ham mira. What a blast of wind was to a lamp, what the cloud was to the lotuses, what night was to the sun, what the company of women was to an ascetic, what avarice was to all other qualities, that was this one man to Hammira-the sure cause of disgrace and destruction. The present time, too, said Bhoja, was not ill suited for an expedition against Ham mira. There was a bumper harvest this year in the Cho hân country and if 'Alâu'd-din could but snatch it from the peasantry before it could be stored away he would induce them, as they already suffered from the blind man's tyranny, to forsake the cause of Ham mira.
'Alâu'd-din liked Bhoja's idea, and forthwith commanded Ulugh Khân to invade Hammira's country with an army of 100,000 horse. Ulugh Khân's army now poured over the land like an irresistible torrent, the chiefs through whose territories it passed bending like reeds before it. The army thus reached Hinda vât, when the news of its approach and intention was carried to Hammira. Thereupon the Hindu king convened a council, and deliberated on the course they had best adopt. It was resolved that Virama and the rest of the eight great officers of state should go and do battle with the enemy. Accordingly, the king's generals divided the army into eight divisions, and fell on the Muhammadans from all the eight points of the compass at once. Virama came from the east, and Mahimâsâhi from the west. From the south advanced Jâjadêva, while Garbharuka advanced from the north. From the south-east came Ratipála, while Tichar Mongol directed the attack from the north-west. Ranamalla came from the
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north-east, while Vaichara chose the southwest for his direction of attack. The Rajputs set to their work with vigour. Some of them filled the enemy's entrenchments with earth and rubbish, while others set on fire the wooden fortification raised by the Muhammadans. Others, again, cut the ropes of their tents. The Muhammadans stood to their arms and vauntingly said they would mow down the Rajputs like grass. Both sides fought with desperate courage; but the Muhammadans at last gave way before the repeated attacks, of the Rajputs. Many of them, therefore, left the field and fled for their lives. After a time their example was followed by the whole of the Muhammadan army, which fled ignominiously from the battlefield, leaving the Rajputs complete masters of it.
When the battle was over, the modest Râj: puts went over the field to gather their dead and wounded. In this search they obtained much booty and arms, elephants and horses. Some of the enemy's women also fell into their hands. Ratipala forced them to sell buttermilk in every town they passed through.
Hammira was exceedingly delighted at the signal victory over the enemy gained by his generals. He held a grand darbår in honour of the event. In the darbâr the king invested Ratipala with a golden chain-comparing him, in his speech, to the war elephant who had richly deserved the golden band. All the other nobles and soldiers were also rewarded according to their deserts, and graciously ordered back to their respective homes.
All but the Mongol chiefs left the presence. Hammira observed this, and kindly asked them the reason of their lagging behind. They answered that they were loth to sheathe their swords and retire to their houses before they had chastised the ungrateful B hoja, who was enjoying himself in his jahâgir at Jagara. On account of the relation in which he stood to the king, said they, they had up to this time allowed Bhoja to live; but he now no longer deserved this forbearance, as it was at his instigation that the enemy had invaded the Ranathambhor territory. They therefore asked permission of the king to march on Jagara and attack Bhoja. The king granted the request, and at once the Mongols left the palace for Jagarà. They took the town by storm,