हम्मीर महाकाव्यम् (रणथम्भौर चौहान वीरगाथा एवं इतिहास)

29 Some days after this, Hammîra inquired of his spiritual guide, Viśvarûpa, as to the efficacy of the merits arising from the performance of a sacrifice called the Koṭi-yajña, and being answered by the high priest that admittance into Svarga-loka was secured by the performance of the sacrifice, the king ordered that preparations should be made for the Koṭiyajña. Accord- ingly, learned Brâhmans from all parts of the country were convened, and the sacrifice was completed according to the ordi- nances laid down for its performance in the holy Śâstras. The Brâhmans were sumptuously feasted, and handsome dakshiṇas were given to them. To crown all, the king now entered on the Munivrata, which he was to observe for an entire month. While these things were taking place at Raṇathambhôr, many changes had occurred at Dehli, where 'Alâu'd-dîn was now reigning. Apprised of what was passing at Raṇatham- bhôr, he commanded his younger brother Ulugh Khân¹⁶ to take an army with him into the Chohân country and to lay it waste. "Jaitrasingh," he said, "paid us tribute; but this son of his not only does not pay the tribute, but takes every opportunity of showing the contempt in which he holds us. Here is an opportunity to annihilate his power." Thus com- manded, Ulugh Khân invaded the Raṇathambhôr country with an army of 80,000 horse. When this army reached the Varṇanâśâ river, it was found that the roads which led into the enemy's country were not practicable for cavalry. Ulugh Khân, therefore, encamped here for some days, burning and destroying the villages in the neighbourhood. The king at Raṇathambhôr, not having yet completed the Munivrata, was unable to take the field in person. He therefore despatched his generals, Bhîmasingh and Dhar- masingh, to drive away the invaders. The king's army came ¹⁶ Malik Mûizzu'd dîn Ulugh Khân, called "Aluf Khan" by Briggs in his translation of Firishtah.