Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v1.c20.s4.1

v1.c20.s4.1

Rāna Partāp Singh, A.D. 1572-97.—Partap² succeeded to the titles and renown of an illustrious house, but without a capital, without resources, his kindred and clans dispirited by reverses : yet possessed of the noble spirit of his race, he meditated the recovery of Chitor, the vindication of the honour of his house, and the restoration of its power. Elevated with this design, he hurried into conflict with his powerful antagonist, nor stooped to calculate the means which were opposed to him. Accustomed to read in his country’s annals the splendid deeds of his forefathers, and that Chitor had more than once been the prison of their foes, he trusted that the revolutions of fortune might cooperate with his own efforts to overturn the unstable throne of Delhi. The reasoning was as just as it was noble ; but whilst he gave loose to those lofty aspirations which meditated liberty to Mewar, his crafty opponent was counteracting his views by a scheme of policy which, when disclosed, filled his heart with anguish. The wily Mogul arrayed against Partap his kindred in faith as well as blood. The princes of Marwar, Amber, Bikaner, and even Bundi, late his firm ally, took part with Akbar and upheld despotism. Nay, even his own brother, Sagarji,¹ deserted him, and received, as the price of his treachery, the ancient capital of his race, and the title which that possession conferred [332].