History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c8.s2.8

c8.s2.8

The investment of Ranthambhor had proved to be a long drawn out affair. During this while a general like Nusrat Khān had perished, attempts on the sultan's life had been made, and the empire had been convulsed with rebellions; and yet 'Alāuddīn's determination to take the fort had not faltered in the least. The army was reduced to extreme distress, but not a single soldier dared to desert the camp for fear of the sultan's imposing a fine of three years' pay upon him.²⁹ While the open country around had altogether been ruined, a spirit of despair had begun to overtake the Imperial troops. Cut off from the capital, the soldiery was certain in its belief that they were destined to perish under the impregnable walls of Ranthambhor. In secret 'Alāuddīn would deliberate with his confidential nobles about the causes of the successive revolts and the seriousness of the situation, but outwardly he showed as if nothing of importance had happened, and pressed the siege with great vigour. The soldiers, finding it impossible to fill the whole ravine, concentrated on filling a small portion of the moat with bags filled with sand and stone and succeeded in reaching the outskirts of the fort. But the Hindus kept throwing fire and missles and succeeded in keeping the enemy away from the battlements for two or three weeks more. At last provisions fell short in the fortress and soon famine raged to such an extent that one "grain" of rice could be purchased only for two "grains" of gold. "Man can bear every affliction but that of a starving stomach," says Amīr Khusrau, and the valiant Rajputs could not bear the pangs of hunger. In the imperial camp, on the other hand, gold was distributed freely among the troops to give them fresh incentive to fight. When nothing remained in the fort except hardship, despair and starvation, the heroic act of Jauhar was performed. A blazing fire was lit and the ladies of the Rai, headed by Ranga Devī,²⁰ the chief queen of Hammīr, perished on the pyre. The remnant of the Rajput soldiery, their nobles and king donned saffron garments and dashed forth to engage the enemy in a last combat. They fought desperately for there was not the least desire to save a single life. The battle raged fiercely and blood flowed on everyside. Muḥammad Shāh and Kehbru, grateful to the last to the Rajput king for his hospitality and sacrifice, fought side by side with their patron. At last the great Rana Hammīr fell, fighting gallantly on the field of battle, as yet in the prime of his life.²¹ 'Iṣāmī asserts that none of the Rai's family was captured alive.²²