Annals and antiquities of Rajast'han : or, The Central and Western Rajpoot States of India

Front matter

TUFTS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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ANNALS AND ANTIQUITIES

Introduction

In placing before the Public the concluding volume of the Annals of Eajpootana, I have fulfilled what I considered to be a sacred obligation to the races amongst whom I have passed the better portion of my life ; and although no man can more highly appreciate public approbation, I am far less eager to court that approbation, than to awaken a sympathy for the objects of my work, the interesting people of Eajpootana.

I need add nothing to what was urged in the Introduction to the First Volume on the subject of Indian History ; and trust that, however slight the analogy between the chronicles of the Hindus and those of Europe, as historical works, they will serve to banish the reproach, which India has so long laboured under, of possessing no records of past events : my only fear now is, that they may be thought redundant.

I think I may confidently affirm, that whoever, without being alarmed at their bulk, has the patience attentively to peruse these Annals, cannot fail to become well acquainted with all the peculiar features of Hindu Society, and will be enabled to trace the foundation and progress of each state in Eajpootana, as well as to form a just notion of the character of a people, upon whom, at a future period, our existence in India may depend.

Whatever novelty the enquirer into the origin of nations may find in these pages, I am ambitious to claim for them a hiorher title than a mass of mere archseoloo^ical data. To see humanity under every aspect, and to observe the influence of different creeds upon man in his social capacity.

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INTRODUCTION.

must ever be one of the highest sources of mental enjoyment ; and I may hope that the personal qualities herein delineated, will allow the labourer in this vast field of philosophy to enlarge his sphere of acquaintance with human varieties. In the present circumstances of our alliance with these states, every trait of national character, and even every traditional incident, which, by leading us to understand and respect their peculiarities, may enable us to secure their friendship and esteem, become of infinite importance. The more we study their history, the better shall we comprehend the causes of their international quarrels, the origin of their tributary engagements, the secret principles of their mutual repulsion, and the sources of their strength and their weakness as an aggregate body : without which knowledge it is impossible we can arbitrate with justice in their national disputes ; and, as respects ourselves, we may convert a means of defence into a source of bitter hostility.

It has been my aim to diversify as much as possible the details of this volume. In the Annals of Marwar, I have traced the conquest and peopling of an immense region by a handful of strangers; and have dwelt, perhaps, with tedious minuteness on the long reign of Eaja Ajit Sing and the thirty years' war, to shew what the energy of one of these petty states, impelled by a sense of oppression, effected against the colossal power of its enemies. It is a portion of their history which should be deeply studied by those Avho have succeeded to the paramount power ; for Arungzdb had less reason to distrust the stability of his dominion than we have : yet what is now the house of Timour ? The resources of Marwar were reduced to as low an ebb at the close of Arungz^b's reign, as they are at the present time : yet did that state surmount all its difficulties, and brinof armies into the field that annihilated the forces of the empire. Let us not, then, mistake the supineness engendered by long oppression, for want of feeling, nor mete out to these high-spirited people the same measure of contumely, with which we have treated the subjects of our earlier conquests.

The Annals of the Bhattis may be considered as the link connecting the tribes of India Proper with the ancient

INTRODUCTION.

VU races west of the Indus, or Indo-Scythia ; and although they will but slightly interest the general reader, the antiquary may find in them many new topics for investigation, as well as in the Sketch of the Desert, which has preserved the relics of names that once promised immortality.

The patriarchal simplicity of the Jit communities, upon whose ruins the state of Bikaner was founded, affords a picture, however imperfect, of petty republics, — a form of government little known to eastern despotism, and proving the tenacity of the ancient Gete's attachment to liberty.

Amb^r, and its scion Shekhavati, possess a still greater interest from their contiguity to our frontier. A multitude of singular privileges is attached to the Shekhavati federation, which it behoves the paramount power thoroughly to understand, lest it should be led by false views to pursue a policy detrimental to them as well as to ourselves. To this extensive community belong the Larkhanis, so utterly unknown to us, that a recent internal tumult of that tribe was at first mistaken for an irruption of our old enemies, the Pindarris.

Harouti may claim our regard from the high bearing of its gallant race, the Haras ; and the singular character of the individual with w^hose biography its history closes, and which cannot fail to impart juster notions of the genius of Asiatics.

So much for the matter of this volume : — with regard to the manner, as the Rajpoots abhor all pleas ad misericordiam, so likewise does their annalist, who begs to repeat, in order to deprecate a standard of criticism inapplicable to this performance, that it professes 7iot to be constructed on exact historical principles : Non historia, sed particulce historioo.

In conclusion, I adopt the peroration of the ingenuous, pious, and liberal Abulfazil, when completing his History of the Provinces of India : " Praise be unto God, that by the assistance of his Divine grace, I have completed the History of the Rajpoots, The account cost me a great deal of trouble in collecting, and I found such difficulty in ascertaining dates, and in reconciling the contradictions in the several histories of the Princes of Rajpootana, that I had

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nearly resolved to relinquish the task altogether : but who can resist the decrees of Fate ? I trust that those, who have been able to obtain better information, will not dwell upon my errors ; but that upon the whole I may meet with approbation."

York Place^ Portman Square, March 10th, 1832.

Contents

ANNALS OF MARWAR.

Chapter I

The various etymons of Marwar. — Authorities for its early history. — Yati genealogical roll. — The Rahtore race, who inhabit it, descended from the Yavan kings of Parlipoor. — Second roll. — Nayn Pal. — His date. — Conquers Canouj. — Utility of Rajpoot genealogies. — The Surya Prakas, or poetic chronicle of the bard Kurnidban. — The Raj Roopac Akheat, or chronicle of A jit Sing's minority and reign. — The Beejy Vulas. — The Kheat, a biographical treatise. — Other sources. — The Yavanas and Aswas, or Indo-Scythic tribes. — The thirteen Rahtore families, bearing the epithet Camd'huj. — Raja Jeichund, king of Canouj. — The extent and splendour of that state before the Mahomedan conquest of India. — His immense array. — Title of Mandalica. — Divine honours paid to him. — Rite of Soenair undertaken by Jeichund. — Its failure and consequences.— State of India at that period. — The four great Hindu monarchies. — Dehli. — Canouj. — Mewar. — Anhulwarra. — Shabudin, king of Gor, invades India. — Overcomes the Chohan king of Dehli. — Attacks Canouj. — Destruction of that monarchy after seven centuries' duration.— Death of Jeichund.— Date of this event

Chapter II

Emigration of S^oji and Saitram, grandsons of Jeichund. — Their arrival in the Western Desert. — Sketch of the tribes inhabiting the desert to the Indus at that epoch. — Seoji offers his services to the chief of Koloomud.— They are accepted. — He attacks Lakha Phoolana, the famed freebooter of Phoolra, who is defeated. — Saitram killed. — Seoji marries the Solanki's daughter. — Proceeds by Anhulwarra on his route to Dwarica. — Again encounters Lakha Phoolana, whom he slays in single combat. — Massacres the Dabeys of Mehwo, and j:he Gohils of Kherdhur.— Seoji establishes himself in " the land of Kher." — The Brahmin community of Palli invoke the aid of S^oji againstthe mountaineers. — Offer him lands. — Accepted. — Birth of a son. — Seoji massacres the Brahmins, and usurps their lands. — Death of S^oji. — Leaves three sons. — The elder, Asot'hama, succeeds. — The second, Soning, obtains Edur. — Ajmal, the third, conquers Okamundala, originates the Badhail tribe of that region. — Asot'hama leaves eight sons,headsof clans. — Doohursucceeds. — Attempts to recover Canouj. — Failure. — Attempts Muudore. — Slain. — Leaves seven sons. — Raepal succeeds. — Revenges his father's dea^h. — His thirteen sons. — Their issue spread over Maroo. — Rao Kanhul succeeds. — Rao Jalhun. — Rao Chado. — Rao Theedo. — Carry on wars with the Bhattis and other tribes. — Conquest of Beenmahl. — Rao Siluk. — Rao Beerumdeo, killed in battle with the Johyas. — Clans, their issue. — Rao Chonda. — Conquers Mundore from the Purihar. — Assaults and obtains Nagore from the Imperialists.— Captures Nadole, capital of Godwar. — Marries the Princess of Mundore. — Fourteen sons and one daughter, who married Lakha Rana

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of Mewar. — Result of this marriage. — Feud between Irinkowal, fourth sou of Chonda, and the Bhatti chieftain of Poogul. — Chouda slain at Nagore. — Rao Rinmul succeeds. — Resides at Cheetore. — Conquers Aj ra^r for the Rana. — Equalizes the weights and measures of Marwar, which he divides into departments. — Rao Rinmul slain. — Leaves twenty -four sons, whose issue constitute the present frerage of Marwar. — Table of clans

Chapter III

Accession of Rao Joda. — Transfers the seat of government from Mundore to the new capital Jodpoor. — The cause. — The Vana-perisfc, or Druids of India. — Their penances. — The fourteen sons of Joda. — New settlements of Satulm§r, Mairta, Bikan^r. — Joda dies. — Anecdotes regarding him. — His personal appearance. — Rapid increase of the Rahtore race. — Names of tribes displaced thereby. — Accession of Rao Soojoh. — First conflict of the Rahtores with the Imperialists. — Rape of the Rahtore virgins at Peepar. — Gallantry of Soojoh. — His death. — Issue. — Succeeded by his grandson Rao Ganga. — His uncle Saga contests the throne. — Obtains the aid of the Lodi Pat'hans. — Civil War. — Saga slain. — Baber's invasion of India. — Rana Sanga generalissimo of the Rajpoots. — Rao Ganga sends his contingent under his grandson Raemul. — Slain at Biana. — Death of Ganga. — Accession of Rao Maldeo. — Becomes the first amongst the princes of Rajppootana. — Re-conquers NagoreandAjmer from the Lodis, Jhalore and Sewanoh from the Siudhils. — Reduces the rebellious allodial vassals. — Conquest from Jessulm^r, — The Maldotes. — Takes Pokurn. — Dismantles Satulmer. — His numerous public works. — Cantons belonging to Marwar enumerated. — Maldeo resumes several of the great estates. — Makes a scale of rank hereditary in the line of Joda. — Period favourable to Maldeo's consolidation of his power. — His inhospitality to the Emperor Hemayoon. — Shere Shah invades Marwar. — Maldeo meets him. — Danger of the Imperial army. — Saved by stratagem from destruction— Rahtore army retreats. — Devotion of the two chief clans. — Their destruction. — Akber invades Marwar. — Takes Mairta and Nagore. — Confers them on Rae Sing of Blkauer. — Maldeo sends his second son to Akber's court. — Refused to pay homage in person. — The emperor gives the firman of Jodpoor to Rae Sing. — Rao Maldeo besieged by Akber. — Defends Jodpoor, — Sends his son Oodi Sing to Akber. — His reception. — Receives the title of Raja. — Chunders^n maintains Rahtore independence.—Retires to Sewanoh. — Besieged, and slain. — His sons, — Maldeo witnesses the subjection of his kingdom. — His death. — His twelve sons,

Chapter IV

Altered condition of the Princes of Marwar. — Installation of Raja Oodi Sing. — Not acknowledged by the most powerful clans until the death of Chundersen. — Historical retrospect. — The three chief epochs of Marwar history, from the conquest to its dependence on the empire. — Order of succession changed, with change of capital, in Mewar, Amber, and Marwar.— Branches to which the succession is confined. — Dangers of mistaking these. — Examples. — Joda regulates the fiefs. — The eight great nobles of Marwar. — These regulations maintained by Maldeo, who added to the secondary fiefs. — Fiefs perpetuated in the elder branches. — The brothers and sons of Joda. — Various descriptions of fiefs. — Antiquity of the Rajpoot feudal system. — Akber maintains it. — Paternity of the Rajpoot sovereigns not a fiction, as in Europe. — ^The lowest Rajpoot claims kindred with the sovereign. — The name Oodi Sing, fatal to Rajpootaua. — Bestows his sister Jod Bae on Akb^r. — Advantages to the Rahtores of this marriage. — Numerous progeny of Oodi Sing. — Establishes the fiefs of Govingurh and Pisangurh. — Kishengurh and Rutlam. — Remarkable death of Raja Oodi Sing. — Anecdotes. — Issue of Oodi Sing. — Table of descent ... .t. # •

CONTENTS.

Chapter V

Accession of Raja Soor. — His Military talents obtain him honours. — Reduces Rao Soortan of Sirohi. — Commands agaiusD the King of Guzzerat. — Battle of Dhundoca gained by the Raja. — Wealth and honours acquired. — Gifts to t)ie bards. — Commanded against Umrah Bal^cha. — Battle of the Rewa. — Slays the Chohan. — Fresh honours. — Raja Soor and his son Guj Sing attend the court of Jehangir. — The heir of Marwar invested with the Sword by the Emperor's own hands. — Escalade of Jhalore. — Raja Guj attends Prince Khoorm against the Rana of war. — Death of Raja Soor. — Maledictory pillar erected on the Nerbudda. — The Rahtore chiefs' dissatisfaction at their long detention from their native land.— Raja Soor embellishes Jodpoor. — His issue. — Accession of Raja Guj. — Invested with the Rajaship of Boorhanpoor. Made Viceroy of the Dekhan. — The compliment paid to his contingent. — His various actions. — Receives the title of BuWhumna, or * barrier of the host.' — Causes of Rajpoot influence on the Imperial succession. — The Sultans Purv^z and Khoorm, sons of Rajpoot Princesses. — Intrigues of the Queens to secure the succession to their immediate offspring. — Prince Khoorm plots against his brother. — Endeavours to gain Raja Guj, but fails. — The Prince causes the chief adviser of Raja Guj to be assassinated.— Raja Guj quits the royal army. — Prince Khoorm assassinates his brother Purvez. — Proceeds to depose his father Jehangir, who appeals to the fidelity of the Rajpoot Princes. — They rally round the throne, and encounter the rebel army near Benares. — The emperor slights the Rahtore Prince, which proves nearly fatal to his cause. — The rebels defeated.— Flight of Prince Khoorm. — Raja Guj slain on the Guzzerat frontier. — His second son. Raja Jeswunt, succeeds. — Reasons for occasional departure from the rules of primogeniture amongst the Rajpoots. — Umra, the elder, excluded, the succession. — Sentence of banishment pronounced against him. — Ceremony of des-vatus or 'exile,' described. — Umra repairs to the Mogul court. — Honours conferred upon him. — His tragical death ..,

Chapter VI

Raja Jeswunt mounts the gadi of Marwar. — His mother a princess of Mewar. — He is a patron of science. — His first service in Goudwana. — Prince Dara appointed regent of the empire by his father. Shah Jehan — Appoints Jeswunt viceroy in Malwa. — Rebellion of Arungzeb, who aspires to the crown. — Jeswunt appointed generalissimo of the army sent to oppose him. — Battle of Futtehabad, a drawn battle. — Jeswunt retreats. — Heroism of Rao Rutna of Rutlam. — Arungzeb proceeds towards Agra. — Battle* of Jajow. — Rajpoots overpowered. — Shah Jehan deposed.— Arungz6b, now emperor, pardons Jeswunt, and summons him to the presence. — Commands him to join the army formed against Shuja. — Battle of Cudjwa. — Conduct of Jeswunt. — Betrays Arungzeb, and plunders his camp. — Forms a junction with Dara. — This prince's inactivity.— Arungzeb invades Marwar.— Detaches Jeswunt from Dara. — Appointed viceroy of Guzzerat. — Sent to serve in the Dekhan. — Enters into Sevaji's designs. — Plans the death of Shaista Khan, the King's lieutenant.— Obtains this oflSce. — Superseded by the prince of Amber. — Reappointed to the army of the Dekhan. — Stimulates Prince Moazzim to rebellion. — Superseded by Delire Khan. — Jeswunt tries to cut him off. — Removed from the Dekhan to Guzzerat. — Outwitted by the King, — Ordered against the rebellious Afghans of Cabul. — Jeswunt leaves his son, Pirthi Sing, in charge of Jodpoor. — Pirthi Sing commanded to court by Arungzeb, who gives him a poisoned robe. — His death. — Character. — The tidings reach Jeswunt at Cabul, and cause his death. — Character of Jeswunt. — Anecdotes illustrative of Rahtore character, — Nahur Khan. —

His exploits with the tiger, and against Soortan of Sarohi

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CONTENTS.

Chapter VII

The pregnant queen of Jeswunt prevented from becoming Sati. — Seven concubines and one Rani burn with him. —The Chandravati Ram mounts the pyre at Mnndore. — General grief for the loss of Jeswunt, — Posthumous birth of Ajifc. — Jeswunt's family and contingent return from Cabul to Marwar. — Intercepted by Arungzeb, who demands the surrender of the infant Ajit. — The chiefs destroy the females, and defend themselves.— Preservation of the infant prince. — The Eendos take Mundore. — Expelled. — Arungzeb invades Marwar, takes and plunders Jodpoor, and sacks all the large towns. — Destroys the Hindu temples, and commands the conversion of the Rahtore race. — Impolicy of the measure. — Establishes the Jezeya, or tax on infidels. — The Rahtores and Seesodias unite against the king.— Events of the war from the Chronicle. — The Mairtea clan oppose the entire royal army, but are cut to pieces. — The combined Rajpoots fight the imperialists at Nadole. — Bheem, the son of the Rana, slain, — Prince Akber disapproves the war against the Rajpoots. — Makes overtures. — Coalition. — The Rajpoots declare Akber emperor. — Treachery and death of Tyber Khan. — Akber escapes, and claims protection from the Rajpoots. — Doorga conducts Prince Akber to the Dekhan. — Soning, brother of Doorga, leads the Rahtores. — Conflict at Jodpoor. — Affair at Sojut. — The Cholera morbus appears. — Arungzeb offers peace. — The conditions accepted by Soning. — Soning's death. — Arungzeb annuls the treaty. — 'Prince Azim left to carry on the war. — Mooslem garrisons throughout Marwar. — The Rahtores take post in the Aravulli hills. — Numerous encounters. — Affairs of Sojut. — Cheraie. — Jytarun. — Rainpoor. — Palli. — Immense sacrifice of lives. — The Bhattis join the Rahtores. — The Mairtea chief assassinated during a truce. — Further encounters. — Sewanoh assaulted. — The Mooslem garrison pub to the sword. — Noor Alii abducts the Assani damsels. — Is pursued and killed. — Mooslem garrison of Sambhur destroyed. — Jhalore capitulates to the Rajpoots

Chapter VIII

The clans petition to see the young Raja. — Doorjun Sal of Kotah joins the Rahtore cause. — They proceed to Aboo. — Are introduced to Ajit, who is conveyed to Ahwa, and makes a tour to all the chieftainships. — Consternation of Arungzeb. — He sets up a pretender to Jodpoor. — The Rahtores and Haras drive the Imperialists from Marwar. — They carry the war abroad. — Storm of Poor Mandil. — The Hara Prince slain. — Doorgadas returns from the Dekhan. — Defeats Sefi Khan, governor of Ajraer who is disgraced by the King. — Sefi Khan attempts to circumvent Ajit by negotiation. — His failure and disgrace. — Rebellion in Me war. — The Rahtores support the Rana. — Arungzeb negociates for the daughteV of prince Akber left in Marwar. — Ajit again driven for refuge into the hills. — Affair at Beejipoor. — Success of the Rahtores. — Arungzeb's apprehension for his grand-daughter. — The Rana sends the coco-nut to Ajit, who proceeds to Oodipoor, and marries the Rana's niece. — Negotiations for peace renewed. — Terminate. — The Surrender of the princess. — Jodpoor restored.— Magnanimity of Doorgadas. — Ajit takes possession. — A jib again driven from his capital. — Afflictions-of the Hindu race. — A son born to Ajit, named Abhye Sing. — His horoscope. — Battle of Droonara. — The viceroy of Lahore passes through Marwar to Guzzerat. — Death of Arungzeb.— Diffuses joy. — Ajit attacks Jodpoor. — Capitulation. — Dispersion and massacre of the king's troops. — Ajit resumes his dominions. — Azim, with the title of Bahader Shah, mounts the throne. — Battle of Agra. — The king prepares to invade Marwar. — Arrives at Ajm^r. — Proceeds to Bai Bilaru. — Sends an embassy to Ajit, who repairs to the imperial camp. — Reception. — Treacherous conduct of the emperor. — Jodpoor surprised.— Ajit forced to accompany the emuei-or to the Dekhan. — Discontent of the Rajas.— They abandon the king, and join Rana Umra

CONTENTS.

xiii afe Oodipoor. — Triple alliance. — Ajifc appears before Jod poor, which capitulates on honourable terms. — Ajit undertakes to replace Kaja Jey Sing on the gad! of Amber. — Battle of Sambhur, Ajit victorious. — Amb^r abandoued to Jey Sing. — Ajit attacks Blkan^r. — Redeems Nagore. — The Kajas threatened by the king. — Again unite. — The king repairs to Ajm^r. — The Rajas join him — Receive firmans for their dominions.— Ajit makes a pilgrimage to Citru-kheta. — Reflections on the thirty years' war waged by the Rabtores against the empire for independence.— Eulogium on Doorgadas 63

Chapter IX

Ajlfc commanded to reduce Nahn and the rebels of the Sewaluk mountains.— The emperor dies. — Civil wars. — Ajit nominated viceroy of Guzzerat. — Ajit commanded to send his son to Court. — Daring attack on the chief of Nagore, who is slain. — Retaliated. — The king's army invades Marwar. — Jodpoor invested. — Terms. — Abhye Sing sent to court. — Ajlfc proceeds to Dehli. — Coalesces with the Syed ministry of the king.— Gives a daughter in marriage to the emperor. — Returns to Jodpoor. — Repeal of the Jezeya. — Ajit proceeds to his viceroyalty of Guzzerat. — Settles the province. — Worships at Dwarica. — Returns to Jodpoor. — The Syeds summon him to court. — The splendour of his train. — Leagues with the Syeds. — The emperor visits Ajit. — Portents. — Husein AUi arrives from the Dekhan. — Consternation of the opponents of the Syeds and Ajit. — Ajit Blockades the palace with his Rahtores. — The emperor put to death. — Successors. — Mohammed Shah. — He marches against Arab^r. — Its Raja claims sanctuary with Ajit. — Obtains the grant of Ahmedabad. — Returns to Jodpoor. — Ajit unites his daughter to the Prince of Amb6r.— The Syeds assassinated. — Ajit warned of his danger. — Seizes on Ajmer. — Slays the governor. — Destroys the mosques, and re-establishes the Hindu rites.— Ajit declares his independence. — Coins in his own name. — Establishes weights and measures, and his own courts of justice. — Fixes the gradations of rank amongst his chiefs. — The Imperialists invade Marwar. — Abhye Sing heads thirty thousand Rahtores * to oppose them. — The king's forces decline battle. — The Rahtores ravage the Imperial provinces. — Abhye Sing obtains the surname of ^ DhonJcul,* or exterminator. — Returns to Jodpoor. — Battle of Sambhur. — Ajit gives sanctuary to Choramun Jat, founder of Bhurtpore. — The emperor puts himself at the head of all his forces to avenge the defeat of Sambhur. — Ajmer invested, — Its defence. — Ajit agrees to surrender Ajmer. — Abhye Sing proceeds to the Imperial camp. — His reception. — His arrogant bearing. — Murder of Ajit by his son. — Infidelity of the bard. — Blank leaf of the Raj* Boupaca, indicative of this event. — Extract from that chronicle. — Funereal rites. — Six queens and fifty-eight concubines determine to become Satis. — Expostulations of the Nazir, bards, and purohits. — They fail. — Procession. — Rite concluded. — Reflections on Ajlt's life and history 74

Chapter X

The parricidal murder of Ajit, the cause of the destruction of Marwar. — The parricide, Abhye Sing, invested as Raja by the emperor's own hand. — He returns from court to Jodpoor. — His reception. — He distributes gifts to the bards and priests. — The bards of Rajpootana. — Kurna, the poetic historian of Marwar. — Studies requisite to form a JBardai. — Abhye Sing reduces Nagore. — Bestows it in appanage upon his brother Bukhta. — Reduces the turbulent allodialists. — Commanded to court. — Makes a tour of his domain.— Seized by the small-pox. — Reaches the court. — Rebellion of the viceroy of Guzzerat, and of prince Jungali in the Dekhan.— Picture of the Mogul court at this time. — The beera of foreign service against the rebels described. — Refused by the assembled nobles. — Accepted by the Rahtore prince. — He visits Ajmer, which he gar-

CONTENTS.

risons. — Meeting at Pooshkur with the Raja of Amb^r, — Plan the destruction ot the empire. — At Mairta is joined by his brother Bukbl Sing. — Reaches Jodpoor. — The Jcher or feudal levies of Marwar, assemble.— Consecration of the guns. — The Meenas carry o£E the cattle of the train. — Rajpoot contingents enumerated. —A bhye reduces the Meena strong-holds in Sirohi. — The Sirohi prince submits, and gives a daughter in marriage as a peace-offering. — The Sirohi contingent joins AbhyeSing. — Proceeds against Ahmedabad. — Summons the viceroy to surrender. — Rajpoot council of war. — Bukhta claims to lead the van. — The Rahtore prince sprinkles his chiefs with saffron-water. — Sirbullund's plan of defence. — His guns manned by Europeans. — His body-guard of European musketeers. — The storm. — Victory gained by the Rajpoots. — Surrender of Sirbullund. — He is sent prisoner to the emperor. — AbhyeSing governs Guzzerat. — Rajpoot contingents enumerated. — Conclusion of the chronicles, the BaJ Roopaca and Surya Frakds. — Abhye Sing returns to Jodpoor. — The spoils conveyed from Guzzerat 86

Chapter XI

Mutual jealousies of the brothers. — Abhye Sing dreads the military fame of Bukhta. — His policy. — Prompted by the bard Kurna, who deserts Jodpoor for Nagore. — Scheme laid by Bukhta to thwart his brother. — Attack of Bikaner by Abhye Sing. — Singular conduct of his chiefs, who afford supplies to the besieged. — Bukhta's scheme to embroil the Amb^r prince with his brother. — His overture and advice to attack Jodpoor in the absence of his brother. — Jey Sing of Amb^r. — His reception of this advice, which is discussed and rejected in a full council of the nobles of Amber. — The envoy of Bukhta obtains an audience of the prince of Amb^r. — Attains his object. — His insulting letter to Raja Abhye Sing. — The latter's laconic reply. — Jey Sing calls out the Kher, or feudal army of Amb^r. — Obtains foreign allies. — One hundred thousand men muster under the walls of his capital. — March to the Marwar frontier. — Abhye Sing raises the siege of Bikaner. — Bukhta's strange conduct. — Swears his vassals. — Marches with his personal retainers only to combat the host of Amb^r. — Battle of Gangaria. — Desperate onset of Bukhta Sing. — Destruction of his band. — With sixty men charges the Amb^r prince, who avoids him. — Eulogy of Bukhta by the Amber bards. — Kurna the bard presents a third charge. — Bukhta's distress at the loss of his men. — The Rana mediates a peace. — Bukhta loses his tutelary divinity. — Restored by the Amber prince. — Death of Abhye Sing. — Anecdotes illustrating his character 95

Chapter XII

Ram Sing succeeds. — His impetuosity of temper. — His uncle, Bukhta Sing, absents himself from the rite of inauguration. — Sends his nurse as proxy. — Construed by Ram Sing as an insult. — He resents it, and resumes the fief of Jhalore. — Confidant of Ram Sing. — The latter insults the chief of the Champawuts, who withdraws from the court. — His interview with the chief bard. — Joins Bukhta Sing. — The chief bard gives his suffrage to Bukhta. — Civil war. — Battle of Mairta. — Ram Sing defeated.— Bukht Sing assumes the sovereignty. — The Bagri chieftain girds him with the sword. — Fidelity of the Purohit to the ex-prince, Ram Sing. — He proceeds to the Dekhan to obtain aid of the Mahrattas. — Poeticalcorrespondence between Raja Bukhtaand the Purohit. — Qualities, mental and personal, of Bukhta. — The Mahrattas threaten Marwar. — All the clans unite round Bukhta. — He advances to give battle. — Refused by the Mahrattas.— He takes post at the pass of Ajmer. — Poisoned by the Queen of Amber. — Bukhta's character. — Reflections on the Rajpoot character. — Contrasted with that of the European nobles in the dark ages. — Judgment of the bards on crimes. — Improvised stanza on the princes of Jodpoor and Amb6r. — Anathema of the Sati, wife of Ajlt. — Its fulfilment. — Opinions of the Rajpoot of such inspirations 101