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152
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JUNE, 1908.
from service." When the Rânt's letter reached the Râja he read it, and represented to the King that since his wedding day, twelve years before, he had never gone home and that he must go that day. The King ordered him to make up his accounts and receive his salary for the twelve years. The Raja said:" I will settle the accounts on my return, as I must needs go to-day."
Salabat Khân Nawab, who was present, suggested to the King:-"Your Majesty may grant the Raja leave, but ask him in how many days he will return."
Raja Amar Singh said he asked for seven days' leave, and Salâbat Khân told him that if he failed to return within seven days he would be fined a lakh of rupees for each day's absence.
Having taken his leave Raja Amar Singh went to his home and entered his palace, but he forgot all about his leave and his office and fourteen days elapsed instead of the promised seven. Salabat Khân informed the King that Raja Amar Singh had gone on leave of absence for seven days, whereas fourteen had now elapsed. The King said: "Write a letter to Amar Singh and say: If he is obedient, he will return at once, otherwise we will have him arrested and brought back here.""
According to the King's order the letter was written and sent to Râjâ Amar Singh. It reached him at dead of night, when he was resting in his private apartments, and he and his wife were conversing together. No sooner had the Rajà read the letter than he prepared to start for Dehl. When the Raja was about to mount his horse, the Rûnt took hold of the reins saying:-"'Tis no time to attend court at midnight. Amar Singh, drink a cup of wine and do not be anxious. Don't worry about the seven lakhs, I will give you nine. I will sell my ear-rings and necklace worth nine lakhs. If I write to my father he will send us many lakhs more."
The Raja would not listen to any of her suggestions, but taking off his ring threw it down and then asked the Rânî to pick it up; then, as she knelt down to do so, the Râja shook up his horse and rode away. When he reached Dehli and went to the imperial court, Salibat Khân, who was seated there, said to him: "Thou 'Lout (Ganwar), go no further, but first pay your fine and then seek admittance."
Kabit,
Un mukh se' gagga' kahá, un kadhi jamdhár. Yeh 'rarra' kahnd na payo, jo jamdhar utri pår.
Ankar Salawat ne zor se janát bál: bôlat ne mithe; bin bolat badh rûkhe. Pakar jamdhar ghusal-khana par dino jhár: pile hain háth, rang rate sab sakhe. Mámlá mohim par hatho nahin, Amar Singh chandi ke bajáe dam dene laga loh ke. Lohu ki kich par kúdat hain Amar Singh; ek ek ghád dina sagne sipahí, jí.
Na dhal ki panah, na diwal ki panah; eke nimak ki pandh se bachio hai Dehli Pattshahji.
Dehli Pattshahji ke charan bhae, chalwa ko ghari Amar Singh ján kí bát bahin bahîn bár ki. Kahat Mani Ram, woh to tharak tharak lot lothan se ár ki.
Hindan ki had sad bandh gaio Amar Singh karke; sardhon ki sardhon jamdhar ki
Paû ser lohe ki kajár se hild dini badshahi hoti shamsher rang Hôri ka khildûtd.
Amir umrdo sab bailh rahe, ek ko na jane dela; sabhi ko gerdûtá.
Duhái Saddsubhi ki! Mahárdj biswde kane, nimak ki na hafi, sår gadh ko chukáútá.
