हम्मीर महाकाव्यम् (रणथम्भौर चौहान वीरगाथा एवं इतिहास)

34

100,000 horse. Ulugh Khân’s army now poured over the land
like an irresistible torrent,—the chiefs through whose territories
it passed bending like reeds before it. The army thus reached
Hindavât, when the news of its approach and intention was
carried to Hammîra. Thereupon the Hindu king convened
a council, and deliberated on the course they had best adopt. It
was resolved that Vîrama and the rest of the eight great officers
of state should go and do battle with the enemy. Accordingly,
the king’s generals divided the army into eight divisions, and
fell on the Muhammadans from all the eight points of the
compass at once. Vîrama came from the east, and Mahim-
âsâhi from the west. From the south advanced Jâjadêva,
while Garbharûka advanced from the north. From the
south-east came Ratipâla, while Tichar Mongol directed
the attack from the north-west. Ranamalla came from the
north-east, while Vaichara chose the south west for his direc-
tion of attack. The Râjputs set to their work with vigour.
Some of them filled the enemy’s entrenchments with earth and
rubbish, while others set on fire the wooden fortification raised by
the Muhammadans. Others, again, cut the ropes of their tents.
The Muhammadans stood to their arms and vauntingly said they
would mow down the Râjputs like grass. Both sides fought
with desperate courage; but the Muhammadans at last gave
way before the repeated attacks of the Râjputs. Many of them,
therefore, left the field and fled for their lives. After a time their
example was followed by the whole of the Muhammadan army,
which fled ignominiously from the battlefield, leaving the Râjputs
complete masters of it.
When the battle was over, the modest Râjputs went over
the field to gather their dead and wounded. In this search they
obtained much booty and arms, elephants and horses. Some of
the enemy’s women also fell into their hands. Ratipâla
forced them to sell buttermilk in every town they passed through.