Indian Antiquary Vol 60

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 15

JANUARY, 1931 ]
CHITOR AND ITS SIEGES
seem likely that he would attempt to reduce the place. But the fort was set in order, great quantities of provisions were stored, and the garrison consisted of 8,000 veterans, including the Rânâ's own men, with their wives and families. When the emperor entered the Rana's territory and was informed of his flight, he wished to pursue him, but he ascertained that the Råna had gone to a place far in the hills and jungles, which it was impossible to reach. So the emperor determined to attack Chitor, which is an exceedingly strong fortress. When ho came near the fort, the rains were so heavy, that for a time the fort was invisible; but as the weather cleared, he got a view of the place. The fortress is situated in the midst of a level plain, which has no other eminences. The circuit of this mountain at its base is six kos, and the ground upon which the walls of the fort stand is nearly three kos. Upon the top of the hill there is a fountain, but not content with that, the constructors of the fort formed large reservoirs of stone and mortar, which get filled in the rainy season. So with these supplies the garrison are never short of water. The eastern side of the fort, and towards the north, is faced with hard stone, and the garrison felt quite secure as to that portion. On the other sides if guns (top), swivels (zarb-zan), catapults (sang-t'ad), and manjaniks are able to reach the fortress, they cannot do so much harm. Travellers do not speak of any fortress like this in the whole habitable world. At this time, all the space of three kos at the top of the mountain was full, and the houses of the people rose several storeys over each other. Great numbers of men guarded the battlements at the top of the walls, and great quantities of ammunition were stored in the fortress. His Majesty carefully reconnoitred the place on every side, and saw that it would not fall without a long siege. When the garrison perceived the small number of men with the emperor, and thought of their fortress being six kos in circumference, they uttered cries of derision. The batteries were apportioned out among the amfrs, and bakhshis were appointed and sent to those amirs who had not yet come up. Every day some one arrived and went to his battery, so that in a short time the whole fort was invested.
"Asaf Khan went under orders to take Rampur. He took the place and having plundered and ravaged the country, he returned victorious. Husain Quli Khan went to attack Udipur, the capital of the Rana and of his ancestors. He ravaged the country with fire and sword, and returned bringing great spoil and numerous prisoners from the fastnesses of the mountains.
"From day to day the brave assailants carried their attacks closer to the fort on every side, and a great number of them suffered martyrdom, for the fort was very strong, and made a most excellent defence. Orders were given for digging ditches and for constructing 8dbåts, and nearly 5,000 builders, carpenters, stone-masons, smiths, and sappers were collected from all parts. Sabats are contrivances peculiar to Hindustan; for the strong forts of that country are replete with guns, muskets, and warlike apparatus, and can only be taken by means of sábats. A sábat is a broad (covered) way, under the shelter of which the assailants approach a fortress secure from the fire of guns and muskets. Two sábåts were accordingly begun. The one which was opposite the royal quarters was so broad that two elephants and two horses could easily pass along it, and so high that an elephant rider could carry his spear. The sábâts were commenced from the middle of the hill, which is a fortress upon a fortress. The people of the fort had never seen a sábát, and were puzzled, but they endeavoured to stop the work. Seven or eight thousand horsemen and numerous gunners exerted themselves to the utmost in attacking them. And although the sdbågs had thick roofs of cow and buffalo hides to proteot the workmen, no day passed without a hundred men more or less being killed. The bodies of the slain were used instead of stones and bricks. His Majesty's kind ness and justice would not allow any man to be pressed for the work, but heaps of rupees and dams were soattered as hire, and each man went to work for what he could get. In a short timo ono sábat reached the walls, and was so high that it overlooked them. On the top of it & seat was constructed for the emperor, from which he could see at his ease the efforts of his warriors, and from which he could also take a part in the fight if so minded. While the men of the garrison were endeavouring to interrupt the progress of the sábáts, the sappers formed