Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v1.c20.s9.t2.1

v1.c20.s9.t2.1

The Case of Āmli.—One more anecdote may suffice. The lands and fortress of Amli had been in the family of Amet since the year 27, only five years posterior to the date to which these arrangements extended; their possession verged on half a century. The lords of Amet were of the Sixteen, and were chiefs of the clan Jagawat. The present representative enjoyed a fair character: he could, with the chief of Badnor, claim the succession of the loyal; for Partap and Jaimall, their respective ancestors, were rivals and martyrs on that memorable day when the genius of Chitor abandoned the Sesodias. But the heir of Amet had not this alone [493] to support his claims; for his predecessor Partap had lost his life in defending his country against the Mahrattas, and Amli had been his acquisition. Fateh Singh (such was his name) was put forward by the more artful of his immediate kin, the Chondawat interest; but his disposition, blunt and impetuous, was little calculated to promote their views: he was an honest Rajput, who neither could nor cared to conceal his anger, and at a ceremonious visit paid him by the Agent, he had hardly sufficient control over himself to be courteous, and though he said nothing, his eyes, inflamed with opium and disdain, spoke his feelings. He maintained a dogged indifference, and was inaccessible to argument, till at length, following the example of Badnor, he was induced to abide by the Agent's mediation. He came attended by his vassals, who anxiously awaited the result, which an unpremeditated incident facilitated. After a long and fruitless expostulation, he had taken refuge in an obstinate silence; and seated in a chair opposite to the envoy, with his shield in front, placed perpendicularly on his knees, and his arms and head reclined thereon, he continued vacantly looking on the ground. To interrupt this uncourteous silence in his own house, the envoy took a picture, which with several others was at hand, and placing it before him, remarked, “ That chief did not gain his reputation for *swamidharma* ¹ (loyalty) by conduct such as yours.” His eyes suddenly recovered their animation and his countenance was lighted with a smile, as he rapidly uttered, “ How did you come by this—why does this interest you ? ” A tear started in his eye as he added, “ This is my father ! ”—“ Yes,” said the Agent, “ it is the loyal Partap on the day he went forth to meet his death ; but his name yet lives, and a stranger does homage to his fame.”—“ Take Amli, take Amli,” he hurriedly repeated, with a suppressed tone of exultation and sorrow, “ but forget not the extent of the sacrifice.” To prolong the visit would have been painful to both, but as it might have been trusting too much to humanity to delay the resumption, the Agent availed himself of the moment to indite the *chhorchittha* ² of surrender for the lands.