Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s1.143

c7.s1.143

There are many well-known examples of Jauhar during our period. The example of Hamir Deva, the Chauhan warrior of Ranthambor, is well known. When facing the overwhelming numbers of Sultan Ala-ud-din Khalji he committed Jauhar after putting up a sturdy resistance for a long time.² However, we have more graphic details of the Jauhar committed by the Raja of Kampila when his fortress was besieged by Sultan Muhammad Tughluq to punish him for sheltering a State rebel named Baha-ud-din Gushtasp. The Raja first managed to smuggle the refugee out of the fortress and arranged for his (the rebel’s) shelter in anothr place of security. He then ordered a great fire to be lighted and approached the members of his own family with the following words : ‘I have made up my mind to die. Such of you who choose to follow me do the same.’ All the ladies washed themselves, rubbed their bodies with sandal-wood paste, then made their solemn obeisance to their master and quietly threw themselves into the fire. The families of the ministers and other nobles joined them in this supreme sacrifice. The Raja and his warriors in their turn similarly washed and rubbed themselves with sandal-wood paste, girded themselves with their arms but discarded the protective breastplate. The heroic band then proceeded to fight the besiegers until every one of them was killed.³