Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s4.28

c7.s4.28

It is reported that when Qutlugh Khan revolted against Sultan Nasir-ud-din and was routed, he was looking for some place of shelter. He sought refugee with Rana Ran Pal of Santur the ruler of a very small principality. The valiant Hindu chief readily fell in with the proposal. By doing this, as the Muslim chronicler explains, he was carrying on the old tradition of his house—the protection of ‘those who sought shelter with them’.² The case of Hamira Deva of Ranthambhor is famous in the annals of Rajasthan. It is related that when the Mongols unsuccessfully rebelled against the generals of Ala-ud-din Khalji in Gujarat, the rebel chief Muhammad Shah solicited the protection of Hamira Deva and surrendered his person to him. The proud Rajput told the Mongol chief that now that he had committed himself to him, not even Yama, the god of death, could harm him, much less the Muslim Sultan. This provoked the rage of ‘Ala-ud-din Khalji who exterminated the dynasty of Hamira Deva and devastated his territory. The details of the rest of the story are familiar to the students of history and no true Rajput but is proud of the rash but noble action of the famous hero.¹