Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v1.c20.s4.76

v1.c20.s4.76

Repose was, however, no boon to the noblest of his race. A mind like Partap’s could enjoy no tranquillity while, from the summit of the pass which guarded Udaipur, his eye embraced the Kunguras of Chitor, to which he must ever be a stranger. To a soul like his, burning for the redemption of the glory of his race, the mercy thus shown him, in placing a limit to his hopes, was more difficult of endurance than the pangs of fabled Tantalus. Imagine the warrior, yet in manhood’s prime, broken with fatigues and covered with scars, from amidst the fragments of basaltic ruin ¹ (fit emblem of his own condition !), casting a wistful eye to [348] the rock stained with the blood of his fathers ; whilst in the ‘ dark chamber ’ of his mind the scenes of glory enacted there appeared with unearthly lustre. First, the youthful Bappa, on whose head was the ‘ mor he had won from the Mori ’ : ² the warlike Samarsi, arming for the last day of Rajput independence, to die with Prithiraj on the banks of the Ghaggar : again, descending the steep of Chitor, the twelve sons of Arsi, the crimson banner floating around each, while from the embattled rock the guardian goddess looked down on the carnage which secured a perpetuity of sway. Again, in all the pomp of sacrifice, the Deolia chiefs, Jaimall and Patta ; and like the Pallas of Rajasthan, the Chondawat dame, leading her daughter into the ranks of destruction : examples for their sons’ and husbands’ imitation. At length clouds of darkness dimmed the walls of Chitor : from her battlements ‘ Kungura Rani ’¹ had fled ; the tints of dishonour began to blend with the visions of glory ; and lo ! Udai Singh appeared flying from the rock to which the honour of his house was united. Aghast at the picture his fancy had portrayed, imagine him turning to the contemplation of his own desolate condition, indebted for a cessation of persecution to the most revolting sentiment that can assail an heroic mind—compassion ; compared with which scorn is endurable, contempt even enviable : these he could retaliate ; but for the high-minded, the generous Rajput, to be the object of that sickly sentiment, pity, was more oppressive than the arms of his foe.