हम्मीर महाकाव्यम् (रणथम्भौर चौहान वीरगाथा एवं इतिहास)

26 tached to Jelâlu'd-dîn. After a few days' hospitality, however, the prince was poisoned and died. The joy of the Muhammadans at this event was excessive. They exclaimed that now the whole tree was prostrate at their feet, and they could help themselves to any part of it. As the king was no more, and Vâgbhaṭa had left for Mâlwâ, Raṇa thambhôr was without defenders, and easily fell into the hands of the enemy. Once in possession of Raṇa- thambhôr, Jelâlu'd-dîn sent a message to the king of Mâlwâ to say that Vâgbhaṭa should be put to death. The king of Mâlwâ, it appears, lent a willing ear to this nefarious proposal, but Vâgbhaṭa discovered the secret. He murdered the king of Mâlwâ, and possessing himself of his throne, soon gathered round him many of the distressed Râjputs. Pos- sessed thus at once of a country and an army, he made a league with the Kharpûrâs,¹³ who were already in arms against the Muhammadans. Vâgbhaṭa conducted the combined army to Raṇathambhôr and reduced its Muslîm garrison to such a plight that they vacated the fort. Thus Vâgbhaṭa and the Râjputs once more became masters of Raṇathambhôr. It was Vâgbhaṭa's policy to station large forces at different posts along the frontier and thus to keep off his enemies. He died after a happy reign of twelve years. Vâgbhaṭa was succeeded by his son Jaitrasiṅgh. His queen was named Hîrâ Dêvî, who was very beautiful, and in every way qualified for her high position. In course of time, Hîrâ Dêvî was found to be with child. Her cravings in this condition presaged the proclivities and greatness of the burden she bore. At times she was possessed with a desire to bathe herself in the blood of the Muslîms. Her husband satisfied her wishes, and at last, in an auspicious hour, she was delivered of a · 13 Ferishta says "Khakars," a Mongol tribe, who also seem to have invaded India at this time.