Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v3.c41.s1.122

v3.c41.s1.122

On the third day after the occurrence, Jai Singh, in a full meeting of his chiefs, related the circumstance, and held out the bira¹ against Deoti ; but Mohan Singh of Chaumun² warned his prince of the risk of such an attempt, as the Bargujar chief was not only estimated at court, but then served with his contingent. This opinion of the chief noble of Amber alarmed the assembly, and none were eager to seek the dangerous distinction. A month passed, and war against Deoti was again proposed ; but none of the Kothribands seeming inclined to oppose the opinion of their ostensible head, Fateh Singh Banbirpota, the chieftain of one hundred and fifty vassals, accepted the bira, when five thousand horse were ordered to assemble under his command. Hearing that the Bargujar had left Rajor to celebrate the festival of Ganggor,³ he moved towards him, sending on some messengers with " the compliments of Fateh Singh Banbirpota, and that he was at hand." The young Bargujar who, little expecting [366] any hostile visitation, was indulging during this festive season, put the heralds to death, and with his companions, completely taken by surprise, was in turn cut to pieces by the Jaipur troops. The Rani of Rajor was the sister of the Kachhwaha chief of Chaumun : she was about giving a pledge of affection to her absent lord, when Rajor was surprised and taken. Addressing the victor, Fateh Singh, she said, " Brother, give me the gift (dan) of my womb " ; but suddenly recollecting that her own unwise speech had occasioned this loss of her child's inheritance, exclaiming, " Why should I preserve life to engender feuds ? " she sheathed a dagger in her bosom and expired. The heads of the vanquished Bargujars were tied up in handkerchiefs, and suspending them from their saddle-horses, the victors returned to their prince, who sent for that of his intended assassin, the young Bargujar chieftain. As soon as Mohan Singh recognized the features of his kinsman, the tears poured down his face. Jai Singh, recollecting the advice of this, the first noble of his court, which delayed his revenge a whole month, called his grief treason, and upbraided him, saying, " When the spear was levelled for my destruction, no tear fell." He sequestrated Chaumun, and banished him from Dhundhar : the chief found refuge with the Rana at Udaipur. " Thus (says the manuscript), did Jai Singh dispossess the Bargujar of Deoti and Rajor, which were added to his dominions : they embraced all the tract now called Macheri.”¹