हम्मीर महाकाव्यम् (रणथम्भौर चौहान वीरगाथा एवं इतिहास)

21

him captive and then dismissed him with honours. Shahâbu'd-
dîn was not pleased with this noble speaker, to whom he replied
sharply that councillors like him were the sure destroyers of
kingdoms. The angry Shahâbu'd dîn then ordered that Prith-
vîrâja should be taken into the fortress. When this order
was given, all the brave people hung their necks with shame,
and the righteous, unable to suppress the tears gathering in their
eyes, lifted them towards heaven. Prithvîrâja a few days
after this breathed his last and went to heaven.
When Udayarâja learnt of the death of his friend, he
thought that the best place of abode for him now was that only
whither his late friend had sped. He therefore gathered together
all his followers and led them into the thickest of the battle, and
there fell with his whole army, securing for himself and them
eternal happiness in heaven.
When Harirâja learnt the sad news of the death of Prith-
vîrâja, his sorrow knew no bounds. With tears gushing from
his eyes, he performed the funeral ceremonies for the deceased
monarch and then ascended the throne. He had not ruled long
when the king of Gujarât, in order to secure his favour, sent
to him some dancing women from his country as presents.¹²
These girls were exceedingly beautiful and highly accomplished,
and they drew to themselves the king's heart so much that all his
time was usually spent in their company, in listening to their
music and seeing their dancing. At last matters came to such a
pass that most of his revenues were squandered on musicians and
dancers, and nothing was left with which to pay the salaries of
the servants of the state, who naturally were disgusted with the
king and his manners. His subjects also were dissatisfied.

---

¹² Gujarât in ancient times was famous for the number and beauty of its
dancing girls. One of its kings was forced to give his daughter in marriage
to an ancient Persian king who took with him from the country 1200 dancing
girls. The professional dancing girls of Persia are said have been the descend-
ants of this stock! Vide As. Res. vol. IX., Bickram and Salibahan.