Nuh sipihr 2.5

2.5

The rái, in apprehension of his life, refused to leave the fort, but sent jewels, clothes, sandal, gold, horses, elephants, and other valuables to the Khan, by way of jizya. There were one hundred elephants and twelve thousand horses. The rapacious Khan, however, was not satisfied with all this, but sent a message to intimate that what had been sent was but "a leaf in the garden of the rái's wealth;" he therefore enjoined him to send everything in his possession, or to prepare for war. The rái solemnly affirmed that he had nothing left of all his former wealth, "As I am rái and have a regard for my own fair name, I would not tell a lie, which would not obtain credence." To this the Khan replied that if the rái were speaking truth, he could have no objection to submit to an ordeal. "He should thrust his hand into hot oil, and if he sustain no injury from the heat, no suspicion will exist against him." To this the rái would not consent, but on the demand of the Khan, made over some of his relations as hostages, and wrote a letter, saying, "If any concealed treasure should hereafter be discovered, the fault will be with me, and I am responsible. This written promise soon arrived from Arangal, and it was stamped with the seal of Mahádeo."