Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v2.c27.s7.t2.82.2

v2.c27.s7.t2.82.2

As before observed, these classes take advantage of their sacred character amongst the Rajputs to become the general carriers of the country : but the advantage which might result to the State from the respect paid to them is neutralized by their avarice and constant evasion of the payment of all established duties. A memorable example of this kind occurred during the reign of Amra the First with the ancestor of this same Pema. The Rana would not submit to the insolent demands of the Bhats, when they had recourse to one of the most sanguinary sacrifices ever recorded—the threat alone of which is generally sufficient to extort acquiescence and concession. But the firmness of Amra has been recorded : and he braved them. Collecting the elder portion of their community, men, women, and youths of both sexes, they made a sacrifice to the number of eighty souls with their daggers in the court of the palace. The blood of the victims was on the Rana’s head.¹ It was a species of excommunication, which would have unsettled a weaker reason ; for the Rajput might repose after the murder of a Brahman, but that of the prophetic Vates would rise against him here and hereafter. For once they encountered a mind too strong to be shaken ; Amra banished the whole fraternity of Bamania Bhats from his dominions, and the town of Bamani reverted to the fisc.