Jawamiʿ al-hikayat wa lawamiʿ al-riwayat 6.1

6.1

[I. xiii. 15.] In the city of Nahrwála there was a Rái who was called Jai Sing. He was one of the greatest and wisest princes of the time Before his time there was no Rai in Guzerat and Nahrwála. He was the first man who possessed dominion and claimed sovereignty there. He ruled over the country with great gentleness, and controlled the other chiefs. When his fame had reached all quarters of the world, the Rái of Daur, who was the head of all the Ráis of Hindústán, heard of him and sent ambassadors to ascertain upon what grounds he had assumed royalty; for in former times there was no Rái in Nahrwála, which had only been a den of thieves, and threatening that if he did not relinquish his pretensions he would lead an army against him, and hurl the very earth of Guzerat into the air with the hoofs of his horses. When the ambassadors arrived and delivered the message, the Rái showed them the greatest civility and hospitality. One night the Rái changed his clothes, putting on such as were worn by soldiers, and having buckled a sword round his waist, he went out and proceeded to the house of a courtezan, and having bargained with her, he stayed in her house that night, but kept himself under control. When the woman was fast asleep, the Rái took away all the clothes and property he could find, and buried them in a certain place. He then turned homewards, but as he was going along he saw a weaver, who was engaged in weaving cotton.