Indian Antiquary Vol 08

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 88

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[MARCH, 1879.
and taking Pitams captive, with many others, summons, brought their respective quotas to bronght him back to Raņa thambhô r. swell the invading army. Amongst this mis
Ulugh Khân after his discomfiture has- cellaneous host there were some who came tily retired to Dehli and apprised his brother of on account of the love they bore to the god. what had happened. His brother taxed him dess of war, while others were there who had with cowardico; but Ulugh Kh & n excused boen drawn into the ranks of the invaders his flight by representing that it was the only by the love of plunder. Others, again, only course open to him, under the circumstances, came to be spectators of the desperate fighting which could enable him to have the pleasure of that was expected to take place. There was onco more seeing his brother in this world, and such a thronging of elephants, horses, chariots, have another opportunity of fighting with and men that there was scarcely room for the Choh â n. Scarcely had Ulugh Khân one to thrust a grain of tila amidst the crowd. done with his excuses, when in came Bhoja, With this mighty concourse, the two brothers, red with anger. He spread the cloth which Nusrat Khan and Ulugh Khân, started he had worn as an upper garment on the for the Ranathambhôr country. ground, and began to roll upon it as one pos. 'Alau'd-din with a small retinue stayed sessed with an evil spirit, muttering inco- behind with the object of inspiring the Rajputs herently all the while. 'Alau'd-din was not with a dread of the reserves that must have a little annoyed at this strange conduct, and necessarily remained with him, their king. inquired the reason of it. Bhoja replied that The numbers in the army were so great that it would be difficult for him ever to forget the they drank up all the water of the rivers on the misfortune that had overtaken him that day : line of march. It was therefore found necesfor Mahima hi having paid & visit to bary not to halt the army longer than a few Jagará, had carried it by assault and dragged hours in any one place. By forced marches, his brother Pitama into captivity before the two generals soon reached the borders of Hammira. Well might people now, said the Ranathambhôr territory- an event Bhoje, point the finger of scorn at him, and which gave rise to conflicting sentiments in the Bay, Here is the man who has lost his all in the minds of the invaders. Those that had taken hope of getting more. Helpless and forlorn, no part in the late war said victory was now he could not now trust himself to 'lie on the certain, as it was impossible the Rajputs should earth, as it all belonged now to H&mmira; be able to withstand such troops as they and he had therefore spread his garment, on were. The veterans of the last campaign, which to roll in grief which had deprived him however, took a different view of the matter, of the power of standing.
and asked their more hopeful comrades to Already the fire of anger was kindled in the remember that they were about to encounter breast of 'Alau'd-din at the tale of the defeat Hammira's army, and that, therefore, they his brother had sustained, and Bhoja's speech should reserve their Faunting until the end of added fuel to the fire. Throwing to the the campaign. ground, in the vehemence of his feelings, the When the pass was gained which was the tarban he had on, he said Hammira's folly scene of Ulugh Khân's discomfiture and diswas like that of one who thought he could grace, he advised his brother not to place too tread upon the lion's mane with impunity, and much confidence in their power alone, but, as vowed he would exterminate the whole race the place was a difficult one, and Hammîra's of the Chohans. Then at once he despatched army both strong and efficient, to try stratagem letters to the kings of various countries, call. by sending some one on to the court of Haming upon them to join him in & war against mira, there to try to while away some days in Hammira. The kings of Anga, Telanga, negotiations about peace, while the army should Magadha, Maisûr, Kalinga, Banga, safely cross the mountains and take up a strateBhot, Meda pât, Panchal, Bå nga 1, " gical position. Nusrat Khân yielded to the Thamim, Bhilla, Nepal, Dhal, and superior experience of his brother, and Sri some Himalayan chiefs, who also obeyed the Molhaņa Deva was sent to propose the terms
W I apoll these names they are in the original.