हम्मीर महाकाव्यम् (रणथम्भौर चौहान वीरगाथा एवं इतिहास)

37 take place. There was such a thronging of elephants, horses, chariots, and men that there was scarcely room for one to thrust a grain of tila amidst the crowd. With this mighty concourse, the two brothers, Nusrat Khân and Ulugh Khân, started for the Raṇathambhôr country. 'Alâ'u'd-dîn with a small retinue stayed behind with the object of inspiring the Râjputs with a dread of the reserves that must have necessarily remained with him, their king. The numbers in the army were so great that they drank up all the water of the rivers on the line of march. It was therefore found necessary not to halt the army longer than a few hours in any one place. By forced marches, the two generals soon reached the borders of the Raṇathambhôr territory—an event which gave rise to conflicting sentiments in the minds of the invaders. Those that had taken no part in the late war said victory was now certain, as it was impossible the Râjputs should be able to withstand such troops as they were. The veterans of the last campaign, however, took a different view of the matter, and asked their more hopeful comrades to remember that they were about to encounter Hammîra's army, and that, therefore, they should reserve their vaunting until the end of the campaign. When the pass was gained which was the scene of Ulugh Khân's discomfiture and disgrace, he advised his brother not to place too much confidence in their power alone, but, as the place was a difficult one, and Hammîra's army both strong and efficient, to try stratagem by sending some one on to the court of Hammîra, there to try to while away some days in negotia- tions about peace, while the army should safely cross the mountains and take up a strategical position. Nusrat Khân yielded to the superior experience of his brother, and Śri Molhaṇa Deva was sent to propose the terms on which the Muhammadans would conclude a peace with Hammîra. Pending negotiations,