Al

him, Kaimas the Kayeth, Chamunda Rao the Bara Gujar, Govind Rai the Gahilot, and other chieftains assembled, and Someswara putting himself at their head, leaving Prithwi Raj at home, marched against Mewat at the hour prescribed by the Astrologers. Having received, on his march, another insolent despatch from Khorasan Khan, he sent it on to his son, and Prithwi Kai immediately assembled his warriors, and marched to join his father. As he approached the camp of Someswara by night, he fell in with the hostile force, and attacked them instantly as a hawk flies upon a partridge, a lion upon an elephant, or Garura upon a suake. though the attack was unexpected, the Moguls fought valiantly, and swords glittered like falling stars amidst the darkness of night. Mangad Rai the Rathore, who commanded the Mewati army, was opposed by Kahna; Bajid the Pathán, who led the left wing, by Kaymas; and Narayan the Kurma, who commanded on the right, by Ram, the Bara Gujar. The battle was resolutely maintained, and the loss on both sides was severe, without fortune inclining much to either, when the shouts of the combatants, and the clang of horse and trumpet and kettle-drum, reached the ears of Someswara-he immediately mounted his elephant, and led his army to the scene of action, where they mingled with the combatants. Bajid Khan was killed by Kaymas. Nárayan the Kurma was opposed to the Bara Gujar, and struck him on the head with such force, that he clove his helmet, and drew a torrent of blood from the scalp, but the Gujar although staggered by the blow, returned with fury to the attack, and in requital levelled his antagonist with the earth. Mangad Rai the Rathore was fiercely assailed by Kahna, who clove him from the head to the loins, just as he had struck a blow at the steed of the Chouhan, which split his head and dismounted his rider, who then on foot continued to spread havock and alarm wherever he stepped. The prowess of the Hindu warriors could no longer be resisted, and the Mogul army fled. Prithwi Rai, after taking care of his wounded, and burning his dead, ravaged the country of Mewat, and then returned to his capital.

REMARKS.

THESE exploits the successful inroads of a petty chief, marked in general by a single battle, in which the personal valour and fortune of a few select champions decided the fate of the day-are of the same character as the Baronial wars in Europe, whilst Fiefs were of large extent, and the feudai chiefs owned merely nominal subjection to a superior. We have not been able to determine the position of Mandowar, unless it be the same with Mando in Malwa, afterwards the capital of a Mohammedan principality. It was not very far from Ajmer. That Mewat was a Mohammedan Government so early as the time of Prithwi Rai, before the advance of Mohammed Ghori, seems rather unlikely, and does not harmonise with the Musselman histories of the conquest of India.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRITHWI RAJ, AND SHEHAB AD DIN GHORI, KING OF GHIZNI.

THE brother of Shehab ad din, named Mir Hosein, was celebrated for his skill as an archer, for his musical talents, and his liberal and benevolent disposition. He became enamoured of a female singer named Chitrarekha, a damsel of surpassing beauty and accomplishments, and she returned his affection with entire devotedness and sincerity. Her charms had also made an impression upon the King, who was highly incensed to find her affection fixed upon his brother, and banished him under pain of death from his capital. Hosein accordingly left Ghizni, taking bis mistress along with him, and sought protection at the Court of Prithwi Raj. Hosein met with the prince out a hunting, and sent to him Sundara Das the Khetri, to solicit his hospitality. Prithwi Raj assembling his chiefs, consulted them whether it were advisable to give the Mir a reception, to which they replied that he could not well avoid so doing, as it was one of the principal duties of the warrior caste to give protection to those by whom it was sought-and they cited sundry instances from the Puranas in support of the doctrine. Prithwi Raj, therefore, sent for Sundar Das, and heard from him in detail the story of the Mir-he afterwards invited the Prince to join him, and conducting him to Nagour, entertained him with a splendid feast, presenting him at the close with two fine chargers, which Hosein, placing their bridles on his head, himself led to his stable. On the following day, he presented Prithwi Raj with his nezer, consisting of five Khorasani bows and quivers, the latter containing three hundred arrows each; a white elephant from Ceylon; five horses, richly caparisoned; and a ruby and diamond of uncommon size and inestimable value. Prithwi Raj was much gratified by the presents, and he and Hosein became close friends. On hearing of this, Shehab ad din was grievously vexed, and calling for an Arab Sheikh, an old man for whom he entertained great veneration, he desired him to repair to Nagour, and command Hosein to return immediately, recommending to Prithwi Raj at the same time to send him away, if he did not wish to bring destruction upon himself and his country. The old man accordingly set out on his journey, escorted by three hundred horse, travelling himself in a palankin. He arrived at Nagour in a month, and was received with much civility by Mir Hosein, to whom he communicated the King's orders, which the Mir refused to obey. The Sheikh then demanded an audience of Prithwi Raj, to whom he delivered his master's message, and a letter from Shehab ad din to the same effect. Upon reading the letter, the brows of the Chouhan were contracted into a dark frown; his eyes reddened, and large drops of perspiration stood on his forehead. The chiefs were at no loss to understand their Sovereign's feeling, and partook of his resentment. Kaymas addressed the Sheikh, and said-Your master knows little of our Prince or his followers, to have hazarded such a demand. Hosein has

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come hither for protection, and will find it. Kahna then continued -Your Sovereign knows nothing of the duties of a warrior, or he would not have dared to send so idle a message. claimed-what sort of city is this Ghizni; what warriors can it Others then exsend forth, that its King should presume to dictate to Prithwi Raj. The Sheikh being thus satisfied of the feelings of the whole Court, took his leave, and returning to Ghizni, faithfully reported to his Sovereign every thing that had occurred. Shehab ad din immediately assembled the chief Kazi and his principal nobles, as Tatar Khan, Mir Zeman, Mir Kamal, Khorasan Khan, Rehman Khan, Rustam Khan, Haji Khan, Ghazi Khan, Ghizniya Khan, Mohabet Khan, and Mir Khan; and having related to them the result of his mission, enquired of them what was to be done. Khan instantly offered his services to lead an army against the insoTatar lent infidels, and promised to bring Prithwi Raj a prisoner to Ghizni. The old Sheikh endeavoured to check his presumption, by dilating upon the prowess of Prithwi Raj and his champions; but Tatar Khan laughed at his description, and persisted in his purpose.

THE King then broke up the Council and retired to rest, but was unable to sleep; and two hours before dawn ordered the nakara to be beat. At the third peal Shehab ad din, in complete mail, mounted his horse, and all his nobles were around him in full armour, bestriding fleet and powerful chargers-then the loud trumpets blew an inspiring strain, and countless instruments of martial music rent the heavens with their clangor, at which the host commenced its march.

THE hostile advance of Shehab ad din was no sooner reported to Prithwi Raj than he gave orders for his troops to move. fore starting he performed his ablutions, and made gifts of kine to Bethe Brahmans-he performed the worship of princes, and adored the Goddess Chandi. He then took a sprig of the Tulasi shrub, sacred to Vishnu, which he placed in his helmet, and with his hands crossed upon his breast, addressed his prayers to the Deity, who loves the flower. He then assumed his battle-ornaments and his arms, and calling for his horse, which was brought magnificently caparisoned, he thus spoke to his steed-I am a Kshetriya, on fire for glory-you are the best of steeds, and Hansa is your name; as light is your tread upon the turf as if it were red hot iron-be you my friend in fight. So saying, and calling Siva to mind, he vaulted into his seat, and bade the signal to march be given. The trumpets sounded, and the warriors shouted jaya, jaya, in reply.

As the army passed the encampment of Mir Hosein, that prince joined it with his troops, and was received with a friendly welcome by Prithwi Raj-the united hosts then proceeded to seek the enemy, marching along confidently and merrily amidst the clang of shells and trumpets, the bells of the elephants, the roar of

the animals themselves, the neighing of steeds, and the hubbub of men. The beasts and birds of prey flocked round their march, anticipating with joy their feast upon the fallen combatants.

Shehab ad din drew up his army in five divisions-Tatar Khan led the right, and Khorasan Khan the left-Ghazi Khan and others commanded the advance-Mir Zeman the reserve; and the King the centre, assisted by Rustam Khan. The horse and elephants were posted round the army-and in this array they awaited the advance of the enemy.

Prithwi Raj having stationed Mir Hosein on the left, directed Jaman the Yadava, Mohun Sinh the Parihar, Ram the Bara Gujar, and other of his chiefs, to support the prince. Kaymas, Chamunda Ray and others, with 4,000 troops, formed his right wing. His centre consisted of five thousand under his own command, assisted by Kahna, Govind Rai, Deva Rai, and others. The action be gan on the left, where Mir Hosein, with five thousand men, attacked Tatar Khan with 20,000. Undismayed by the inequality of number, they rushed together like dark clouds in the rainy season, and the sabres flashed like lightning. The leaders encountered face to face, and engaged in personal conflict-both were speedily dismounted, when they fought with unabating fury on foottheir weapons broke, and they closed hand to hand, and drawing their daggers, inflicted so many wounds on each other, that both fell senseless on the ground; but they were not slain, and were carried off by their attendants. The troops of Tatar Khan were nevertheless discomfited by his fall, whilst Jaman the Yadava, and the other Hindu chiefs, encouraged the followers of Mir Hosein to revenge him-the Musselmans were soon broken, and fled, leaving five thousand dead upon the field.

ON the right the action was equally sanguinary. Chamund Rai encountering Khorasan Khan, the latter aimed a blow at him with a mace, which felled his charger to earth. Chamund Rai enraged at this, drove his lance through both the thighs and the steed of the Khan, so that both fell together like a mountain. Seeing this, Haji Khan and others spurred their steeds upon Chamund Rai; but Chandrapundira and others riding up, to his rescue, killed or put his assailants to flight. Then the Mohammedan troops gave way, and in this wing also the Hindus were victors.

THE two wings of the Hindu army having concentrated them. selves upon the main body, Prithwi Raj advanced to the attack of Shehab ad din, already intimidated by tidings of the disastrous events on either flank. He stood firm, however, for some time, and the battle continued to rage with great fury, until all the principal captains of the Mohammedans were slain or disabled, when the troops began to give ground. Chamund Rai, Chandrapundria, Kaymas, and Jaman, observing this, made a dash into the melée

The

to seize the King. Such of his chiefs as survived, closed round to protect him, and the action was renewed with augmented vivacity. Resistance to the valour of the Hindu warriors was in vain. Mirs were killed and scattered, and Shehab ad din taken prisoner -his own horse being killed, he was placed upon the steed of Chamund Rai, and then conveyed to Prithwi Raj. The battle lasted from sun-rise nearly to sun-set-twenty thousand fell of the Musselmans, and thirteen hundred of the Hindus. The bodies were strewed over the country for three kos and a half. Prithwi Raj ordered the plain to be cleared, and carried off the wounded in litters-amongst them was Hosein Khan, whose return gave new life to Chitrarekhá, for she had heard that he had fallen, and was determined not to survive-now she was once more happy, and in her rejoicing distributed liberal bounties to the poor.

Prithwi Raj having received the captive King, conducted him to his palace, where he treated him with the greatest respect for five days, and then presented him to his guest Mir Hosein. The Mir having thrice bowed to him, requested him to consider himself at liberty, and advised him to be cautious how he again provoked the indignation of Prithwi Raj. Then placing the King in his palankeen, he took his own station amongst the attendants. Shehab ad din then returned to Ghizni, where he received the congratulations and homage of his nobles, and distributed much money in alms and gratuities to holy men,

REMARKS.

THAT there were repeated conflicts between the Hindu Prince Prithwi Raj and Shehab ad din Mohammed Ghori, we know from the Mohammedan historians; and they also acknowledge a severe defeat sustained by the latter from Pithoura and his brother Kande Rai of Delhi, intending possibly the warrior of our text, Kahna. We do not find, however, any notice of the captivity of Mohammed Ghori, nor does any mention occur of Mir Hosein his brother. Nagore appears to be the city built by Balin towards the mountains, and occupied probably by the Hindus during the reigns of the two last princes of the house of Ghizni, when they were contending for existence with the Ghorian princes. The courage and generosity of the Hindu heroes is very much of the nature of ancient chivalry; and there are many features in common between the Rajputs and the Knights of Europe about the same period. A remarkable circumstance also is the amalgamation of Hindus and Mohammedans, the alliance of a Musselman Prince with a Hindu Raja, and the command of a Musselman army by a Hindu General. The contests between the two people in the Punjab, which at this time had continued for nearly two centuries, had rendered them apparently more tolerant of each other's prejudices, like the wars in Spain between the Christians and Moors.

(To be Continued.)