Chahar gulzar-i Shujaʿi 1: Khándi Rao, son of Malhár Rao, Mahratta, killed by Súraj Mal Ját; and A'ppáji Mahratta by the Ráthor Rájpúts.
Chahár Gulzár Shujá'í, of Hari Charan Dás (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 1
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In 1160 a.h. (1747 a.d.) A'ppáji, Malhar Rao, and other Mahrattas, having collected a large force from Málwa and Gujarát, poured like a torrent upon Dig and Kumbher, then held by Súraj Mai Jat. They laid siege to those forts, and devastated the country. The war continued for several months, and ended in the death of Khandi Rao, who was killed in an action with Suraj Mai.
After the death of this chief, the Mahrattas, finding themselves unable to stand against the Jats, turned their arms towards the country of Raja Bakht Singh and other Rathor chiefs, and demanded a contribution from the Raja, who, immediately on receiving the message, assembled a council of war, and thus resolutely addressed all his chiefs: "Alas! how deplorable is the condition of Rajputs, that a mean and contemptible tribe from the Dakhin demands tribute from them! Where are those Rajputs gone who were so brave, that only ten of them could oppose a thousand of the enemy, and who once with the edge of their sword not only punished the rebels who occupied the most secure and impenetrable valleys of Kabul, but drove them out and became masters of their strongholds? While the Rajputs occupied the road between Kabul and India, no power could force its way into this country from that direction, nor did any people there dare to disturb the peace of the subjects or rise in rebellion against the throne. Surely, the blood of true Rajputs is altogether extinct." He uttered many such inflammatory sentences before the assembly, and a Rajput, roused by his speech, broke silence and said, "The Rajputs of this time possess more courage than those of former ages; but the Rajas of the present time are not so brave or so judicious in command as they were of old." "Of course," replied the Raja, "if the soldiers of an army be cowards, blame is thrown upon the weakness and inability of its leader."
In short, after a long discussion, the Rajput rose up with six other persons, two of whom were his sons, two his nephews, and two his friends. They all mounted their horses, and spurring them on, proceeded direct to Appaji's camp, which was at the distance of thirty kos from that of Raja Bakht Singh. They alighted from their horses, and at once entered the tent of Appaji, turning a deaf ear to the guards who stood at the door and tried to prevent them from going in. The chief of these brave Rajputs, dauntlessly approaching the Mahratta chief, sat close to his cushion, and freely entered into a conversation with him. He asked him, in the name of his Raja, what he meant by coming into this territory, and demanding contribution from the Ráthor chief. "I came here," replied Appaji, "by the force of my arms, and I demand the tribute by right of might. If God pleases, I will penetrate in a few days to the very palaces of your Raja." "No, no," said the Rajput, "you must not be too sure of your bravery and power. God has made other men stronger than you."
On hearing these words, Appaji's indignation knew no bounds, and at once breaking out into passion, he began to abuse him and the Raja. The Rajput could not restrain himself, and, inflamed with anger, drew out his dagger, and stabbing the Mahratta chief, put an end to his existence with one blow. Having severed his head from his body, he made off with it, and took it to Raja Bakht Singh, while his other companions engaged with the Mahrattas, who, with loud shouts, ran towards them, to avenge the death of their chief. Three of these Rajputs were slain, and three, though much wounded, escaped from the hands of the enemy. After the death of Appaji, the Mahrattas were obliged to decamp, and return to their country.