Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v2.c30.t2.166

v2.c30.t2.166

The banished prince remained two years and a half with Raja Bijai Singh, who treated him like a son. But he carried his arrogant demeanour with him to Jodhpur; for one day, as he was going out to hunt, a Bania, to whom he was indebted, seized his horse by the bridle, and invoking the an of Bijai Singh, demanded payment of his debt. The prince, in turn, required him, with the invocation "by Mulraj!" to unloose his hold. But the man of wealth, disregarding the appeal, insolently replied, "What is Mulraj to me?" It was the last word he spoke; the sword of Rae Singh was unsheathed, and the Bania's head rolled on the ground: then, turning his horse's [266] head to Jaisalmer, he exclaimed, "Better be a slave at once than live on the bounty of another." His unexpected arrival outside his native city brought out the entire population to see him. His father, the Rawal, sent to know what had occasioned his presence, and he replied that it was merely preparatory to pilgrimage. He was refused admittance; his followers were disarmed, and he was sent to reside at the fortress of Dewa, together with his sons Abhai Singh and Dhonkal Singh, and their families.