Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v1.c20.s3.191

v1.c20.s3.191

The Johar.—The infant, Udai Singh, was placed in safety with Surthan, prince of Bundi,² the garrison put on their saffron robes, while materials for the johar were preparing. There was little time for the pyre. The bravest had fallen in defending the breach, now completely exposed. Combustibles were quickly heaped up in reservoirs and magazines excavated in the rock, under which gunpowder was strewed. Karnavati, mother of the prince, and sister to the gallant Arjun Hara, led the procession of willing victims to their doom, and thirteen thousand females were thus swept at once from the record of life. The gates were thrown open, and the Deolia chief, at the head of the survivors, with a blind and impotent despair, rushed on his fate [312].