Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v2.c27.s7.t2.43.1

v2.c27.s7.t2.43.1

“ Wherever the anwal puts forth its yellow blossoms, the land is of right ours ; we want nothing more. Let them enjoy their stunted babuls, their karil, and the ak ; but give us back our sacred pipal, and the anwal of the border.” ¹ In truth, the transition is beyond credence marked : cross but a shallow brook, and you leave all that is magnificent in vegetation ; the pipal, bar, and that species of the mimosa resembling the cypress, peculiar to Godwar, are exchanged for the prickly shrubs, as the wild caper, jawas, and many others, more useful than ornamental, on which the camel browses.² The argument was, however, more ingenious than just, and the old envoy was here substituting the effect for the cause ; but he shall explain in his own words why Flora should be permitted to mark the line of demarcation instead of the rock-enthroned (Durga) Cybele. The legend now repeated is historical, and the leading incidents of it have already been touched upon ; ³ I shall therefore condense the Pancholi’s description into a summary analysis of the cause why the couplet of the bard should be deemed “ confirmation strong ” of the bounds of kingdoms. These traditional couplets, handed down from generation to generation, are the most powerful evidence of the past, and they are accordingly employed to illustrate the Khyats, or annals, of Rajputana.