«Анналы и древности Раджастхана, том 3»

Transcriber’s Note:

Текст снабжен многочисленными сносками, которые нумеровались по порядку на каждой странице. Порой сама сноска поясняется примечанием. В предыдущих двух томах на них ссылались с помощью символов (например, *, †), которые были заменены на буквенную последовательность (например, A, B). Однако в этом томе «подсноски» в одном случае выступают в виде цифр. Ради последовательности было принято условное обозначение, использовавшееся в предыдущих томах.

Поскольку в этом томе насчитывается более 900 примечаний, они были собраны в конце каждой главы и заново пронумерованы для каждой из них. Предусмотрены ссылки для перехода от упоминания к примечанию и обратно.

Примечания представляют собой сочетание примечаний автора и редактора настоящего издания. Текст последнего заключен в квадратные скобки. Полужирные фразы, начинающие каждую тему, также добавлены редактором, и написание хинди или санскритских слов в этих фразах может отличаться от авторского текста.

Нумерация страниц оригинального издания, вышедшего в 1820-х годах, сохранена для удобства ссылок путем включения этих номеров страниц в текст, также заключенных в квадратные скобки.

План Крука по обновлению оригинального текста Тода, включая обсуждение транслитерации неанглийских слов, подробно изложен в Предисловии.

Несколько таблиц занимали несколько страниц, причем суммы подводились перед разрывом страницы как «Перенесено» и повторялись на следующей странице. Они были удалены ввиду характера текущего текста.

Незначительные ошибки, возникшие по вине печатника, были исправлены. Учитывая историю текста, было сочтено за лучшее оставить всю орфографию в том виде, в каком она была напечатана.

Подробную информацию об обращении с любыми текстовыми проблемами, возникшими при подготовке этого текста, см. в примечании составирта в конце данного текста.

Сложная генеалогическая таблица приводится на стр. 1457, вставленная посреди абзаца и охватывающая стр. 1456 и 1458. Она была перенесена так, чтобы предшествовать этому абзацу. Таблица не поддавалась воспроизведению в таком формате. Она была приблизительно воссоздана в тексте, а также предоставлена ссылка на изображение оригинальной страницы.

Изображение на обложке было дополнено идентификационной информацией и в исправленном виде переведено в общественное достояние.

Любые исправления отмечены выделением в виде подчеркивания. Если навести курсор на исправление, во всплывающем окне появится оригинальный текст.

Любые исправления обозначены в виде гиперссылок, которые перенаправят читателя к соответствующей записи в таблице исправлений в примечании в конце текста.

ANNALS AND ANTIQUITIES

OF RAJASTHAN

ПОЛКОВНИК ТОД И ЕГО ГУРУ-ДЖАЙНИСТ. (С картины, как утверждается, работы местного художника автора, Гхаси.) Фронтиспис.

АННАЛЫ И ДРЕВНОСТИ РАДЖАСТХАНА

OR THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN

RAJPUT STATES OF INDIA

BY

Lieut.-Col. JAMES TOD

LATE POLITICAL AGENT TO THE WESTERN RAJPUT STATES

EDITED WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY

WILLIAM CROOKE, C.I.E.

HON. D.SC. OXON., B.A., F.R.A.I.

LATE OF THE INDIAN CIVIL SERVICE

IN THREE VOLUMES

VOL. III.

HUMPHREY MILFORD

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

LONDON EDINBURGH GLASGOW NEW YORK

TORONTO MELBOURNE BOMBAY

1920

CONTENTS

PAGE

BOOK VIII SKETCH OF THE INDIAN DESERT CHAPTER 1

General aspect—Boundaries and divisions of the desert—Probable etymology of the Greek oasis—Absorption of the Ghaggar river—The Luni, or salt-river—The Rann, or Ran—Distinction of thal and rui—Thal of the Luni—Jalor—Siwanchi—Machola and Morsin—Bhinmal and Sanchor—Bhadrajun—Mewa—Balotra and Tilwara—Indhavati—Gugadeo-ka-thal—Thal of Tararoi—Thal of Khawar—Mallinath-ka-thal, or Barmer—Kherdhar—Juna Chhotan—Nagar Gura 1257

CHAPTER 2

Chauhan Raj—Antiquity and nobility of the Chauhans of the desert—Dimensions and population of the Raj—Nagar—Bakhasar—Tharad—Face of the Chauhan Raj—Water—Productions—Inhabitants—Kolis and Bhils—Pitals—Thals of Dhat and Umrasumra—Depth of wells—Anecdote—City of Aror, the ancient capital of Sind—Dynasties of the Sodha, the Sumra, and the Samma princes—Their antiquity—Inferred to be the opponents of Alexander the Great, and Menander—Lieutenant of Walid takes Aror—Umarkot: its history—Tribes of Sind and the desert—Diseases—Narua or Guinea-worm—Productions, animal and vegetable, of the desert—Daudputra—Itinerary 1275

BOOK IX ANNALS OF AMBER, OR DHUNDHAR CHAPTER I

Designations given by Europeans to the principalities of Rajputana—Dhundhar known by the name of its capitals, Amber or Jaipur—The country of the Kachhwahas an aggregate of conquests by the race so called—Etymology of Dhundhar—Origin of the Kachhwahas—Raja Nal founds Narwar—Dhola Rae expelled, and founds Dhundhar—Romantic legend of Dhola Rae—His treachery to his benefactor, the Mina lord of Khoganw—Marries a daughter of a Bargujar chief, and becomes his heir—Augments his territories, and transfers his government to Ramgarh—Marries a daughter of the prince of Ajmer—Is killed in battle with the Minas—His son Kankhal conquers Dhundhar—Medal Rae conquers Amber, and other places—Conquests of Hundeo—Of Kuntal—Accession of Pajun—Reflections on the aboriginal tribes at this period—The Mina race—Pajun marries the sister of Prithiraj of Delhi—His military prowess—Is killed at the rape of the princess of Kanauj—Malesi succeeds—His successors—Prithiraj creates the Barah-kothris, or twelve great fiefs of Amber—He is assassinated—Baharmall—The first to wait on the Muhammadan power—Bhagwandas the first Rajput to give a daughter to the imperial house—His daughter marries Jahangir, and gives birth to Khusru—Accession to Man Singh—His power, intrigues, and death—Rao Bhao—Maha—Mirza Raja Jai Singh, brother of Raja Man, succeeds—Repairs the disgraces of his two predecessors, and renders immense services to the empire—Is poisoned by his son—Ram Singh—Bishan Singh 1327

CHAPTER 2

Sawai Jai Singh succeeds—Joins the party of Azam Shah—Amber sequestrated—Jai Singh expels the imperial garrison—His character—His astronomical knowledge—His conduct during the troubles of the empire—Anecdote illustrative of the evils of polygamy—Limits of the raj of Amber at the accession of Jai Singh—The new city of Jaipur—Conquest of Rajor and Deoti—Incidents illustrative of Rajput character—Jai Singh’s habit of inebriation—The virtues of his character—Contemplates the rite of Aswamedha—Dispersion of his valuable manuscripts—His death—Some of his wives and concubines become Satis on his pyre 1341

CHAPTER 3

The Rajput league—Aggrandizement of Amber—Isari Singh succeeds—Intestine troubles produced by polygamy—Madho Singh—The Jats—Their Rajas—Violation of the Amber territory by the Jats—Battle—Rise of Macheri—Decline of the Kachhwaha power after the death of Madho Singh—Prithi Singh—Partap Singh—Intrigues at his court—The stratagems of Khushhaliram, and the Macheri chief—Death of Firoz the Filban, paramour of the Patrani—Broils with the Mahrattas—Partap attains majority, and gains the victory of Tonga—His difficulties—Exactions of the Mahrattas—Jagat Singh—His follies and despicable character—Makes Raskapur, his concubine, queen of half Amber—Project to depose him prevented by a timely sacrifice—Mohan Singh elected his successor 1356

CHAPTER 4

Jaipur the last of the Rajput States to embrace the proffered alliance of the British—Procrastination habitual to the Rajputs, as to all Asiatics—Motives and considerations which influenced the Jaipur court in declining our alliance—A treaty concluded—Death of Jagat Singh—Effects of our interference in the intrigues respecting the succession—Law of primogeniture—The evils attending an ignorance of Rajput customs—Violation of the law of succession in the placing of Mohan Singh on the gaddi—Reasons for departing from the rule of succession—Conduct of the British authorities—The title of Mohan Singh disputed by the legal heir-presumptive—Dilemma of the Nazir and his faction—The threatened disorders prevented by the unexpected pregnancy of one of the queens of Jagat Singh—Birth of a posthumous son 1366

SHAIKHAWAT FEDERATION CHAPTER 5

Origin of the Shaikhavati federation—Its constitution—Descent of the chiefs from Balaji of Amber—Mokalji—Miraculous birth of his son—Shaikhji—Aggrandizes his territory—Raemall—Suja—Raesal—His heroism—Obtains grants from Akbar—Gets possession of Khandela and Udaipur—His exploits and character—Girdharji—Is cut off by assassination—Dwarkadas—His extraordinary feat with a lion—Falls by Khan Jahan Lodi—Birsinghdeo—His authority usurped by his son—Bahadur Singh—Aurangzeb directs the demolition of the temple of Khandela—Bahadur deserts his capital—Shujawan Singh Raesalot flies to its defence—He is slain, the temple razed, and the city garrisoned—Kesari—Partition of the territory between Kesari and Fateh Singh—Fateh Singh assassinated—Kesari resists the regal authority—Is deserted in the field and slain—His son Udai Singh taken to Ajmer—Khandela retaken, and restored to Udai Singh, who is liberated—He resolves to punish the Manoharpur chief—Is baffled by that chief’s intrigues—Is besieged by Jai Singh of Amber—Khandela becomes tributary to Amber 1378

CHAPTER 6

Bindrabandas adheres to Madho Singh in the civil wars of Amber—Partition of lands annulled—Self-immolation of the Brahmans—Consequences to Bindraban, in his contest with Indar Singh, the other chief of Khandela—Civil war—Prodigal expiatory sacrifice of Bindraban—He abdicates—Govind Singh—Is assassinated—Narsinghdas—Rise and devastations of the Mahrattas—Siege of Khandela—Terms of redemption—Murder of deputies by the Mahrattas—Indar Singh perishes in the attempt to avenge them—Partap Singh—Rise of the Sikar chief—Transactions between Partap and Narsingh, his co-partner—Partap obtains the whole of Khandela—Narsingh recovers by stratagem his share of Khandela—Domestic broils and feuds—General assembly of the Sadhani and Raesalot chiefs, to counteract the encroachments of Amber—Treaty between the Shaikhawats and the court of Amber—Violated by the latter—The confederacy assault the town of the Haldia faction—Narsingh refuses tribute to the court, and Khandela is sequestrated—Narsingh and Partap treacherously made captive, and conveyed to Jaipur—Khandela annexed to the fisc 1395

CHAPTER 7

Bagh Singh opposes the faithless court of Amber—He is joined by the celebrated George Thomas—Desperate action—Bagh Singh placed in the fortified palace at Khandela—His garrison, with his brother, slain by Hanwant Singh, son of Partap—Bagh regains the palace—The lands of Khandela farmed by Amber to two Brahmans—They are expelled by the feudatory Barwatias, who resist the court—They become a banditti—Sangram Singh, cousin to Partap, their leader—He avoids the treachery of the court—His death—The confederacy unite in the league against Jodhpur—New treaty with the Amber court—Liberation of Partap and Narsingh—Grand union of the Shaikhawats—Abhai Singh succeeds in Khandela—Treachery of the court—Hanwant regains Govindgarh, Khandela, etc.—Restoration of Khushhaliram to the ministry of Jaipur—New investitures granted to the feudatories of Khandela—Abhai and Partap inducted into their ancestral abodes—Incident illustrative of the defects of the Rajput feudal system—Khandela assailed by Lachhman Singh, chief of Sikar—Gallant defence of Hanwant—His death—Surrender of Khandela to Lachhman Singh—The co-heirs exiled—Power and influence of Lachhman Singh—Foils the designs of the Purohit—Present attitude of Lachhman Singh—Subordinate branches of the Shaikhawats—The Sadhanis—Their territories wrested from the Kaimkhanis and Rajputs—The Khetri branch of the family of Sadhu attains superiority—Bagh Singh of Khetri murders his own son—The Larkhanis—Revenues of Shaikhavati 1408

CHAPTER 8

Reflections—Statistics of Amber—Boundaries—Extent—Population—Number of townships—Classification of inhabitants—Soil—Husbandry—Products—Revenues—Foreign army—The feudal levies 1428

BOOK X ANNALS OF HARAVATI BUNDI CHAPTER 1

Haravati defined—Fabulous origin of the Agnikula races—Mount Abu—The Chauhans obtain MahishmatiMahishmati, Golkonda, and the Konkan—Found Ajmer—Ajaipal—Manika Rae—First Islamite invasion—Ajmer taken—Sambhar founded; its salt lake—Offspring of Manik Rae—Establishments in Rajputana—Contests with the Muhammadans—Bilandeo of Ajmer; Guga Chauhan of Mahra; both slain by Mahmud—Bisaldeo Generalissimo of the Rajput nations; his period fixed; his column at Delhi; his alliances—Origin of the Hara tribe—Anuraj obtains Asi—Dispossessed—Ishtpal obtains Asir—Rao Hamir—Rao Chand slain—Asir, Alau-d-din—Prince Rainsi escapes to Chitor; settles at Bhainsror, in Mewar—His son Kolan declared lord of the Pathar 1441

CHAPTER 2

Recapitulation of the Hara princes from the founder Anuraj to Rae Dewa—He erects Bundi—Massacre of the Usaras—Dewa abdicates—Ceremony of Yugaraj, or abdication—Succeeded by Samarsi—Extends his sway east of the Chambal—Massacre of the Kotia Bhils—Origin of Kotah—Napuji succeeds—Feud with the Solanki of Toda—Assassination of Napuji—Singular Sati—Hamu succeeds—The Rana asserts his right over the Patar—Hamu demurs, defies, and attacks him—Anecdote—Birsingh—Biru—Rao Banda—Famine—Anecdote—Banda expelled by his brothers; converts to Muhammadanism—Narayandas puts his uncles to death, and recovers his patrimony—Anecdotes of Narayandas—Aids the Rana of Chitor—Gains a victory—Espouses the niece of Rana Raemall—His passion for opium—Death—Rao Surajmall—Marries a princess of Chitor—Fatal result—Aheria or Spring-hunt—Assassination of the Rao—His revenge—Two-fold sati—Rao Surthan—His cruelty, deposal, and banishment—Rao Arjun elected—Romantic death—Rao Surjan succeeds 1466

CHAPTER 3

Rao Surjan obtains Ranthambhor—Is besieged by Akbar—The Bundi prince surrenders the castle—Becomes a vassal of the empire—Magnanimous sacrifice of Sawant Hara—Akbar bestows the title of Rao Raja on the Hara prince—He is sent to reduce Gondwana—His success and honours—Rao Bhoj succeeds—Akbar reduces Gujarat—Gallant conduct of the Haras at Surat and Ahmadnagar—Amazonian band—Disgrace of Rao Bhoj—Cause of Akbar’s death—Rao Ratan—Rebellion against the emperor Jahangir—The Hara prince defeats the rebels—Partition of Haraoti—Madho Singh obtains Kotah—Rao Ratan slain—His heir Gopinath killed—Partition of fiefs in Haraoti—Rao Chhattarsal succeeds—Appointed governor of Agra—Services in the Deccan—Escalades Daulatabad—Kalburga—Damauni—Civil war amongst the sons of Shah Jahan—Character of Aurangzeb by the Bundi prince—Fidelity of the Hara princes—Battles of Ujjain and Dholpur—Heroic valour of Chhattarsal—Is slain, with twelve princes of Hara blood—Rao Bhao succeeds—Bundi invaded—Imperialists defeated—Rao Bhao restored to favour—Appointed to Aurangabad—Succeeded by Rao Aniruddh—Appointed to Lahore—His death—Rao Budh—Battle of Jajau—The Hara princes of Kotah and Bundi opposed to each other—Kotah prince slain—Gallantry of Rao Budh—Obtains the victory for Bahadur Shah—Fidelity of the Bundi prince—Compelled to fly—Feud with the prince of Amber—Its cause—Ambitious views of Amber—Its political condition—Treachery of Amber—Desperate conflict—Rao Budh driven from Bundi—Bundi territory curtailed—Rao Budh dies in exile—His sons 1480

CHAPTER 4

Rao Ummeda defeats the troops of Amber—Conflict at Dablana—Ummeda defeated and obliged to fly—Death of Hanja, his steed—Takes refuge amidst the ravines of the Chambal—Redeems his capital—Is again expelled from it—Interview with the widow of his father; she solicits aid from Holkar to reinstate Ummeda—The Amber prince forced to acknowledge the claims of Ummeda—He recovers Bundi—Suicide of the Amber prince—First alienation of land to the Mahrattas—Madho Singh of Amber asserts supremacy over Haraoti—Origin of tributary demands thereon—Zalim Singh—Mahratta encroachments—Ummeda’s revenge on the chief of Indargarh; its cause and consequences—Ummeda abdicates—Ceremony of Yugaraj, or abdication—Installation of Ajit—Ummeda becomes a pilgrim; his wanderings; cause of their interruption—Ajit assassinates the Rana of Mewar—Memorable Sati imprecation—Awful death of Ajit—Fulfilment of ancient prophecy—Rao Bishan Singh succeeds—Ummeda’s distrust of his grandson; their reconciliation—Ummeda’s death—British army retreats through Haraoti, aided by Bundi—Alliance with the English—Benefits conferred on Bundi—Bishan Singh dies of the cholera morbus; forbids the rite of Sati—His character; constitutes the Author guardian of his son, the Rao Raja Ram Singh 1499

KOTAH CHAPTER 5

Separation of Kotah from Bundi—The Kotah Bhils—Madho Singh, first prince of Kotah—Its division into fiefs—The Madhani—Raja Mukund—Instance of devotion—He is slain with four brothers—Jagat Singh—Pem Singh—Is deposed—Kishor Singh—Is slain at Arcot—Law of primogeniture set aside—Ram Singh—Is slain at Jajau—Bhim Singh—Chakarsen, king of the Bhils—His power is annihilated by Raja Bhim—Umat tribe—Origin of the claims of Kotah thereon—Raja Bhim attacks the Nizamu-l-mulk, and is slain—Character of Raja Bhim—His enmity to Bundi—Anecdote—Title of Maharao bestowed on Raja Bhim—Rao Arjun—Civil contest for succession—Shyam Singh slain—Maharao Durjansal—First irruption of the Mahrattas—League against Kotah, which is besieged—Defended by Himmat Singh Jhala—Zalim Singh born—Siege raised—Kotah becomes tributary to the Mahrattas—Death of Durjansal—His character—His hunting expeditions—His queens—Bravery of the Jhala chief—Order of succession restored—Maharao Ajit—Rao Chhattarsal—Madho Singh of Amber claims supremacy over the Hara princes, and invades Haraoti—Battle of Bhatwara—Zalim Singh Jhala—The Haras gain a victory—Flight of the Amber army, and capture of the ‘five-coloured banner’—Tributary claims on Kotah renounced—Death of Chhattarsal 1521

CHAPTER 6

Maharao Guman Singh—Zalim Singh—His birth, ancestry, and progress to power—Office of Faujdar becomes hereditary in his family—His office and estate resumed by Guman Singh—He abandons Kotah—Proceeds to Mewar—Performs services to the Rana, and receives the title of Raj Rana, and estates—Serves against the Mahrattas—Is wounded and made prisoner—Returns to Kotah—Mahratta invasion—Storm of Bakhani—Its glorious defence—Sacrifice of a clan—Garrison of Sohet destroyed—Zalim Singh employed—His successful negotiation—Restoration to power—Rao Guman constitutes Zalim guardian of his son Ummed Singh, who is proclaimed—The Tika-daur, or ‘raid of accession’—Capture of Kelwara—Difficulties of the Protector’s situation—Cabal against his power—Destruction of the conspirators—Exile of the nobles—Sequestration of estates—Conspiracy of Aton—Predatory bands—Aton surrenders—Exile of the Hara nobles—Curtailment of the feudal interests—Conspiracy of Mohsen—Plan for the destruction of the Regent and family—Mohsen chief takes sanctuary in the temple—Is dragged forth and slain—Maharao’s brothers implicated in the plot—Their incarceration and death—Numerous projects against the life of the regent—Female conspiracy—How defeated—The Regent’s precautions 1534

CHAPTER 7

Zalim regarded as a legislator—His political views on Mewar—Kotah sacrificed thereto—His tyranny—His superstition—Makes a tour of his dominions—Establishes a permanent camp—Trains an army—Adopts European arms and discipline—Revises the revenue system of Haraoti—The Patel system described—Council of four—Extent of jurisdiction—The Bohras described—Their utility in the old farming system of India—Patels usurp their influence—Depression of the peasantry—Patels circumvented, imprisoned, and fined—Patel system destroyed—Return to the old system—Moral estimation of the peasant of Rajputana—Modes of realizing the land revenue described—Advantages and disadvantages 1547

CHAPTER 8

Farming system of Zalim Singh—Extent to which it has been carried—Its prosperity, fallacious and transitory—Details of the system—Soil of Kotah—The Regent introduces foreign ploughs—Area cultivated—Net produce—Value—Grain-pits—Prices, in plenty and famine—Zalim sells in one year grain to the amount of a million sterling—Monopoly—The tithe, or new tax on exported grain—The Jagatya, or tax-gatherer—Impolicy of this tax—Gross revenue of Kotah—Opium monopoly—Tax on widows—On the mendicant—Gourd-tax—Broom-tax—The Regent detested by the bards—Province of Kotah at this period, and at assumption of the government, contrasted—Question as to the moral result of his improvements 1559

CHAPTER 9

Political system of the Regent—His foreign policy—His pre-eminent influence in Rajwara—His first connexion with the English Government—Monson’s retreat—Gallant conduct and death of the Hara chief of Koila—Aid given by the Regent involves him with Holkar—Holkar comes to Kotah—Preparations to attack the capital—Singular interview with Zalim—Zalim’s agents at foreign courts—Alliance with Amir Khan, and the Pindari chiefs—Characteristic anecdotes—Zalim’s offensive policy—His domestic policy—Character of Maharao Ummed Singh—Zalim’s conduct towards him—Choice of ministers—Bishan Singh Faujdar—Dalil Khan Pathan—Circumvallation of Kotah—Foundation of the city Jhalrapatan—Mihrab Khan, commander of the forces 1569

CHAPTER 10

The Rajput States invited to an alliance with the British Government—Zalim Singh the first to accept it—Marquess of Hastings sends an agent to his court—Confederation against the Pindaris—The Regent’s conduct during the war—Approbation and reward of his services—Peace throughout India—Death of Maharao Ummed Singh—Treaty and supplemental articles—Sons of Maharao Ummed Singh—Their characters—Sons of the Regent—State of parties—The Regent leaves the Chhaoni for Kotah—He proclaims Kishor Singh as successor of the late prince—His letter to the British agent, who repairs to Kotah—Dangerous illness of the Regent—Plots to overturn the order of succession—The Regent’s ignorance thereof—Intricate position of the British Government—Arguments in defence of the supplemental articles—Recognition of all rulers de facto the basis of our treaties—Kishor Singh refuses to acknowledge the supplemental articles—Consequences—The Regent blockades the Prince, and demands the surrender of his son Gordhandas—The Maharao breaks through the blockade—The British agent interposes—Surrender and exile of Gordhandas—Reconciliation of the Maharao and the Regent—Coronation of the Maharao—Mutual covenants executed—The Regent prohibits dand throughout Kotah—Reflections 1577

CHAPTER 11

Banishment of Gordhandas, the natural son of the Regent—His reappearance in Malwa—Consequent renewal of dissensions at Kotah—The troops mutiny and join the Maharao—The Regent assaults the castle—Flight of the Maharao and party—Reception at Bundi—The Maharao’s second brother joins the Regent—Gordhandas’ attempt to join the Maharao frustrated—The Maharao leaves Bundi—General sympathy for him—He arrives at Brindaban—Intrigues of Gordhandas and superior native officers of the British Government, who deceive the Maharao—Returns to Kotah at the head of a force—Summons the Haras to his standard—His demands—Supplemental article of the treaty considered—Embarrassing conduct of the Regent—The Maharao refuses all mediation—His ultimatum—British troops march—Junction with the Regent—Attack the Maharao—His defeat and flight—Death of his brother Pirthi Singh—Singular combat—Amnesty proclaimed—The Hara chiefs return to their families—The Maharao retires to the temple of Krishna in Mewar—Negotiation for his return—Satisfactory termination—Reflections on these civil wars—Character and death of Zalim Singh 1595

BOOK XI PERSONAL NARRATIVE: UDAIPUR TO KHERODA CHAPTER 1

Departure from the valley of Udaipur—Lake of Kheroda—Ancient temple of Mandeswar—Bhartewar—Its Jain temples—Kheroda—Connected with the history of the feuds of Mewar—Exploits of Sangram Singh—He obtains Kheroda—Curious predicament of Jai Singh, the adopted heir of Sangram—Calmness with which political negotiations are managed in the East—The agricultural economy of Kheroda—Precarious nature of sugar-cultivation—Hinta—Large proportion of land alienated as religious grants—Hinta and Dundia established on church-lands—Mandhata Raja—Traditions of him—Performed the Aswamedha—His grant of Mainar to the Rishis—Grant inscribed on a pillar—Exploit of Raj Singh against the Mahrattas—Morwan, boundary of the Mewar territory—Reflections on that State—The Author’s policy during his official residence there 1621

CHAPTER 2

The chief of Hinta—Difficulty of arranging the separation of Hinta from the fisc—Anomalous character of its present chief, Man Singh Saktawat—His history—Lalji Rawat of Nethara—Origin of the Dudia family—Adventure of Sangram Singh, the Rana of Mewar—His son, Chandrabhan, and Rana Raj—Extraordinary manner in which he acquired Lawa—Decline of the family—Form of deed of conveyance of lands from the lord paramount—Address of Man Singh—Atrocious murder of a Rathor boy—Its singular sequel 1635

CHAPTER 3

Morwan—The solitude of this fine district—Caused by the Mahrattas and their mercenaries—Impolicy of our conduct towards the Mahrattas—Antiquities of Morwan—Tradition of the foundation and destruction of the ancient city—Inscriptions—Jain temple—Game—Attack by a tiger—Sudden change of the weather—Destructive frost—Legend of a temple of Mama-devi—Important inscription—Distress of the peasantry—Gratitude of the people to the author—Nikumbh—Oppression of the peasants—Marla—Inhabited by Charans—Reception of the Author—Curious privilege of the Charanis—Its origin—Traditional account of the settlement of this colony in Mewar—Imprecation of Satis—The tandas, or caravans—Their immunity from plunder and extortion—Nimbahera—Ranikhera—Indignity committed by a scavenger of Laisrawan—Sentence upon the culprit—Tablet to a Silpi—Reception at Nimbahera 1646

CHAPTER 4

The Patar or Table-land of Central India—View from thence—Project of a canal—Its advantages to Mewar—Utility of further works to the people—Traces of superstition in the Pathar—Temple of Sukhdeo—The Daitya-ka-har, or 'Giant’s bone'—The Vira-jhamp, or ‘Warrior’s Leap’—Proprietorship of the Patar—Its products—The poppy—Pernicious effects of its increased cultivation—Account of the introduction and mode of culture of opium—Original spot of its cultivation—The manufacture of opium kept pace with the depopulation of Mewar—Process of cultivation, and of manufacture—Its fluctuation of price—Adulterated opium of Kanthal—Evil consequences of the use of opium—Duty of the paramount power to restrict the culture—Practicability of such a measure—Distribution of crops—Impolicy of our Government in respect to the opium monopoly 1660

CHAPTER 5

Dhareswar—Ratangarh Kheri—Colony of Charans—Little Atoa—Inscription at Paragarh—Dungar Singh—Sheo Singh—Law of adoption—Kala Megh—Ummedpura and its chief—Singoli—Temple of Bhavani—Tablet of Rana Mokal—Traditionary tales of the Haras—Alu Hara of Bumbaoda—Dangarmau—Singular effects produced by the sun on the atmosphere of the Patar 1672

CHAPTER 6

Bhainsrorgarh—Cairn of a Rajput—Raghunath Singh of Bhainsror—Castle of Bhainsror—Passage forced by the Chambal through the Plateau—Origin and etymology of Bhainsror—Charans, the carriers of Rajwara—The young chief of Mewa becomes the champion of Mewar—Avenges the Rana’s feud with Jaisalmer, and obtains Bhainsror—Tragical death of his Thakurani, niece of the Rana—He is banished—The Pramar chiefs of Bhainsror—Cause of their expulsion—Lal Singh Chondawat obtains Bhainsror—Assassinates his friend the Rana’s uncle—Man Singh, his son, succeeds—Is taken prisoner—Singular escape—Reflections on the policy of the British Government towards these people—Antiquities and inscriptions at Bhainsror—Dabhi—View from the pass at Nasera—Rajput cairns—Tomb of a bard—Sentiments of the people on the effects of our interference—Their gratitude—Cairn of a Bhatti chief—Karipur—Depopulated state of the country—Inscriptions at Sontra—Bhil temple—Ruins—The Holi festival—Kotah, its appearance 1687

CHAPTER 7

Unhealthiness of the season at Kotah—Eventful character of the period of the Author’s residence there—The cuckoo—Description of the encampment—Cenotaphs of the Haras—Severe tax upon the curiosity of travellers in Kotah—General insalubrity of Kotah—Wells infected—Productive of fever—Taking leave of the Maharao and Regent—The Regent’s sorrow—Cross the Chambal—Restive elephant—Kanari—Regent’s patrimonial estate—Nanta—Author’s reception by Madho Singh—Rajput music—The Panjabi tappa—Scene of the early recreations of Zalim Singh—Talera—Nawagaon—Approach of the Raja of Bundi—Splendour of the cortège—Bundi—The castellated palace, or Bundi ka mahall—Visit to the Raja—Illness of our party—Quit Bundi—Cenotaphs in the village of Satur—The tutelary deity, Asapurna—Temple of Bhavani—Banks of the Mej—Thana—Inscriptions—Jahazpur—Respectable suite of the Basai chief 1704

CHAPTER 8

Extraordinary attack of illness in the Author—Suspicion of poison—Journey to Mandalgarh—The Karar—Tranquil state of the country—The Minas subsiding into peaceful subjects—Scenery in the route—Sasan, or ecclesiastical lands—Castle of Amargarh—Kachaura—Its ancient importance—Our true policy with regard to the feudatories in these parts—Damnia—Manpura—Signs of reviving prosperity—Arrival at Mandalgarh—The Dasahra—Sickness of the party left behind—Assembly of the Bhumias and Patels—Description of Mandalgarh—Rebuilt by one of the Takshak race—Legend of Mandalgarh—Genealogical tablet of stone—Pedigrees of the tribes—Mandalgarh granted to the Rathors by Aurangzeb—Recovered by the Rana—Taxes imposed—Lavish grants—Baghit—The Author rejoins his party—BirslabasBirslabas—Akola—Desolation of the country—Inscriptions—Hamirgarh—Siyana—Superb landscape—Mirage—Testimony of gratitude from the elders of Pur—Thriving state of Marauli—Rasmi—Antiquities—Curious law—Jasma—Waste country—Inscriptions—Copper mines—Sanwar—Tribeni, or point of junction of three rivers—Temple of Parsvanath—Deserted state of the country—Karera—Maoli—Barren country—Hunting seat of Nahra-Magra—Heights of Tus and Merta—End of second journey 1716

CHAPTER 9

The Author obliged to take a journey to Bundi—Cause of the journey—Sudden death of the Rao Raja, who left his son to the Author’s care—The cholera morbus, or mari—Its ravages—Curious expedient to exclude it from Kotah and Bundi—Bad weather—Death of the Author’s elephant—Pahona—Bhilwara—Gratifying reception of the Author—State of the town contrasted with its former condition—Projects for its further improvement—Reflections on its rise—Jahazpur—Difficulties of the road—Arrival at Bundi—The aspect of the court—Interview with the young Rao Raja—Attentions paid to the Author 1732

CHAPTER 10

Ceremony of Rajtilak, or inauguration—Personal qualities of the Rao Raja and his brothers—The installation—The tilak first made by the Author, as representative of the British Government—Ceremonies—Message from the queen-mother—Balwant Rao, of Gotra—The Bohra, or chief minister—Power and disposition of these two officers—Arrangements made by the Author—Interview and conversation with the Rani—Literary and historical researches of the Author—Revenues of Bundi—Its prospects—Departure for Kotah—Condition of the junior branches of the Haras—Rauta—Grand hunts in Haraoti 1740

CHAPTER 11

Pass of Mukunddarra—View from the summit of the pass into Pachel—Marks set up by the Banjaras—Monastery of Atits, or Jogis—Their savage aspect—The author elected a chela—The head of the establishment—His legend of the origin of the epithet Sesodia—The grand temple of Barolli—Conjecture as to its founder—Barolli 1750

CHAPTER 12

The Chulis, or whirlpools of the Chambal—Grandeur of the scene—Description of the falls and rocks of the Chambal in this part—The remarkable narrowness of its bed—The roris, or stones found in the whirlpools—Visit to Gangabheva—Its magnificent temple and shrines—The details of their architecture—The main temple more modern than the shrines around it—Dilapidation of these fine specimens of art—Effects of vegetation—The gigantic amarvela—Naoli—Takaji-ka-kund, or fountain of the snake-king—Fragments of sculpture—Mausoleum of Jaswant Rao Holkar—Holkar’s horse—His elephant—Bhanpura—Tranquillity and prosperity of these parts—Garot—Traces of King Satal Patal, of the era of the Pandus—Agates and cornelians—The caves of Dhumnar—Description of the caves and temples—Explanation of the figures—Jain symbols on one side of the caves, Brahman on the other—Statues of the Jain pontiffs—Bhim’s bazar 1764

CHAPTER 13

Route over the ground of Monson’s retreat—Battle of Pipli—Heroism of Amar Singh Hara, chief of Koila—Conduct of General Monson—Pachpahar—Kanwara—Thriving aspect of the country—Jhalrapatan—Temples—Commercial immunities of the city—Judicious measures of the Regent in establishing this mart—Public visit of the community of Patan—The ancient city—Legends of its foundation—Profusion of ancient ruins—Fine sculpture and architecture of the temples—Inscriptions—Cross the natural boundary of Haraoti and Malwa—The Chhaoni of the Kotah Regent—Chhaoni of the Pindaris—Gagraun—Narayanpur—Mukunddarra Pass—Inscriptions—Anecdotes of the 'Lords of the Pass'—The Chaori of Bhim—Ruins—Ordinances of the Hara princes—Return to Kotah—Field sports—Author attacked by a bear—Ruins of Ekelgarh 1777

CHAPTER 14

Visit to Menal—Definition of the servile condition termed basai—Bijolia—Inscriptions—Ancient history of Bijolli—Evidence that the Chauhans wrested the throne of Delhi from the Tuars—Jain temples—Inscriptions—Saiva temples—Prodigious extent of ruins—The Bijolli chief—His daughter a Sati—Menal, or Mahanal—Its picturesque site—Records of Prithiraj, the Chauhan—Inscriptions—Synchronism in an enigmatical date—March to Begun—Bumbaoda, the castle of Alu Hara—Legends of that chief—Imprecation of the virgin Sati—Recollections of the Haras still associated with their ancient traditions—Quit Bumbaoda and arrive at Begun 1796

CHAPTER 15

Begun—Serious accident to the Author—Affecting testimony of the gratitude of the Rawat—Expulsion of the Mahrattas from Begun—The estates of the Rawat sequestrated—Restored—Basai—Chitor—‘Akbar’s Lamp’—Reflections upon the Ruins of Chitor—Description of the city, from the Khuman Raesa, and from observation—Tour of the city—Origin of the Bagrawat class—Inscriptions—Aged Fakir—Return to Udaipur—Conclusion 1810

APPENDIX 1828

INDEX 1837

ИЛЛЮСТРАЦИИ

Colonel Tod and his Jain Guru Frontispiece

TO FACE PAGE

Raghubīr Singh, Māhārāo Rāja of Būndi 1441

City of Kotah from the East 1521

Country Seat of the Kotah Prince 1530

Palace and Fortress of Būndi 1710

Fragment from the Ruins of Barolli 1752

Outline of a Temple to Mahadeva at Barolli 1754

Sculptured Niche on the Exterior of the Temple at Barolli 1756

Ceiling of the Portico of Temple at Barolli 1758

Remains of an Ancient Temple at Barolli, near the Chambal 1760

Temples of Ganga Bheva in the Forest of Pachail in Mewar 1766

Smaller Group of Temples of Ganga Bheva 1768

Image of the Snake King at the Fountain of the Amjar 1770

Cave Temples of Dhamnar 1776

Entrance to the Sanctuary of a Temple at Chandravati 1784

Sculptured Foliage in Chandravati Temple 1786

Sculptured Ceilings of Temple at Chandravati 1788

Columns of Chandravati Temples 1790

Entrance to the Sanctuary of a Temple at Chandravati 1792

Ruins of Bhīm’s Chaori in the Mukunddara Pass 1794

Ancient Columns in the Mukunddara Pass 1796

Temples of Menāl in Mewār 1800

Second Group of Temples of Menāl in Mewār 1802

Jaistambha, Pillar of Victory 1820

Columns in the Fortress of Chitor 1822

ANNALS AND ANTIQUITIES

OF RAJASTHAN

КНИГА VIII. ОЧЕРК ИНДИЙСКОЙ ПУСТЫНИ

ГЛАВА 1

Никогда не проникая лично вглубь пустыни дальше Мандора, древней столицы всего Марустхали, старого замка Хиссар на ее северо-восточной границе и Абу, Нахрвала и Бхуджа на юге, возможно, перед тем как вдаваться в подробности, стоит заранее отвести обвинения в самоуверенности или некомпетентности, попросив читателя иметь в виду, что мои разведывательные отряды пересекали ее во всех направлениях, подкрепляя свои путевые журналы живыми свидетельствами их точности и доставляя ко мне уроженцев каждого тхала от Бхатнера до Умаркота и от Абу до Арора.[1] Тем не менее я хотел бы, чтобы понималось совершенно ясно: я рассматриваю это лишь как общий контур, который, показывая, что можно сделать, может послужить стимулом для дальнейших исследований; однако в условиях существующего дефицита информации по данному вопросу я не колеблясь выпустил его со столькими неизбежными ошибками в качестве (как я надеюсь) первопроходца на пути к более обширным и точным знаниям.

Сделав эту предварительную оговорку, приступим к деталям, которые, если бы не уже названные причины, должны были войти в географическую часть работы и которые, хотя и не имеют отношения к исторической части, слишком важны, чтобы [290] помещать их в примечания. Могу добавить, что выводы, сделанные отчасти на основе личных наблюдений, но главным образом благодаря описанным выше источникам, подтверждаются картиной, нарисованной г-ном Эльфинстоном во время его прохождения через северную пустыню в составе посольства в Кабул, что делает вполне удовлетворительными для меня те взгляды, которых я придерживался ранее. На данном этапе полезно упомянуть, что по ходу дела неизбежны некоторые незначительные повторения, поскольку многие из характерных особенностей пустыни упоминались вскользь в «Анналах Биканера», чего нельзя было избежать в силу положения этого штата.

Описание пустыни. —The hand of Nature has defined, in the boldest characters, the limits of the great desert of India, and we only require to follow minutely the line of demarcation; though, in order to be distinctly understood, we must repeat the analysis of the term Marusthali, the emphatic appellation of this ‘region of death.’ The word is compounded of the Sanskrit mri, ‘to die,’ and sthala, ‘arid or dry land,’ which last, in the corrupted dialect of those countries, becomes thal, the converse of the Greek oasis, denoting tracts particularly sterile. Each thal has its distinct denomination, as the ‘thal of Kawa,’ the ‘thal of Guga,’ etc.; and the cultivated spots, compared with these, either as to number or magnitude, are so scanty, that instead of the ancient Roman simile, which likened Africa to the leopard’s hide, reckoning the spots thereon as the oases, I would compare the Indian desert to that of the tiger, of which the long dark stripes would indicate the expansive belts of sand, elevated upon a plain only less sandy, and over whose surface numerous thinly-peopled towns and hamlets are scattered.

Границы пустыни. —Marusthali is bounded on the north by the flat skirting the Ghara; on the south by that grand salt-marsh, the Ran, and Koliwara; on the east by the Aravalli; and on the west by the valley of Sind. The two last boundaries are the most conspicuous, especially the Aravalli, but for which impediment Central India would be submerged in sand; nay, lofty and continuous as is this chain, extending almost from the sea to Delhi, wherever there are passages or depressions, these floating sand-clouds are wafted through or over, and form a little thal even in the bosom of fertility. Whoever has crossed the Banas near Tonk, where the sand for some miles resembles waves of the sea, will comprehend this remark. Its western boundary is alike defined, and will recall to the English traveller, who may be destined to journey up the valley of Sind, the words of Napoleon on the Libyan desert: “Nothing so much resembles the sea as the desert; or a coast, as the valley of the Nile”: for this substitute ‘Indus’ [291], whence in journeying northward along its banks from Haidarabad to Uchh, the range of vision will be bounded to the east by a bulwark of sand, which, rising often to the height of two hundred feet above the level of the river, leads one to imagine that the chasm, now forming this rich valley, must have originated in a sudden melting of all the glaciers of Caucasus, whose congregated waters made this break in the continuity of Marusthali, which would otherwise be united with the deserts of Arachosia.Arachosia.

Мы можем повторить здесь предание, иллюстрирующее географию пустыни, а именно: в отдаленные времена ею правили князья рода панвар (прамара), что дополнительно подтверждает шлока, или бардический стих, перечисляющий названия девяти крепостей (Нау-коти Мару-ки), столь превосходно расположенных для удержания этих регионов в повиновении. Мы освободим ее от стихотворной формы и начнем с Пугала на севере; Мандора в центре всего Мару; Абу, Кхералу и Паркара на юге; Чхотана, Умаркота, Арора и Лодорвы на западе, владение которыми несомненно знаменует собой суверенитет над пустыней. Древность этой легенды подтверждается отсутствием каких-либо современных городов, поскольку нынешняя столица бхатти не упоминается. Даже Лодорва и Арор, города, лежащие в руинах на протяжении веков, — это имена, известные лишь немногим завсегдатаям пустыни, а Чхотан и Кхералу, если бы не традиционные строфы, побудившие нас к изысканиям, возможно, никогда бы не появились на карте.

Природные деления пустыни. —We purpose to follow the natural divisions of the country, or those employed by the natives, who, as stated above, distinguish them as thals; and after describing these in detail, with a summary notice of the principal towns whether ruined or existing, and the various tribes, conclude with the chief lines of route diverging from, or leading to, Jaisalmer.

Весь Биканер и та часть Шайкхавати к северу от Аравалли входят в состав пустыни. Если читатель обратится к карте и отыщет город Канод [2] в пределах британской границы, то он увидит то, что г-н Эльфинстон считал началом пустыни во время своей интересной экспедиции в Кабул.[3] «От Дели до Каноунда (Канорга на моей карте), на расстоянии ста миль, путь лежит через британские владения и в описании не нуждается. Достаточно сказать, что местность песчаная, хотя и недурно возделываемая. При приближении к Каноунду мы впервые увидели пустыню, к которой ждали с тревожным любопытством. За три мили до этого места мы подошли к песчаным холмам, которые сначала были [292] покрыты кустарником, но впоследствии представляли собой голые скопления рыхлого песка, поднимающиеся один за другим подобно морским волнам и исчерченные ветром на поверхности наподобие наметенного снега. Через них пролегали дороги, утрамбованные шагами животных; но в стороне от дороги наши лошади увязали в песке выше колена». Такова была начальная картина; маршрут посольства пролегал через Сингхану, Джунджуну к Чуму, откуда они вступили в Биканер. О Шайкхавати, которую он только что покинул, г-н Эльфинстон говорит: «Она утрачивает право называться частью пустыни, если сравнить ее с теми двумястами восемьюдесятью милями между ее западной границей и Бахавалпуром, и даже из них лишь последняя сотня миль абсолютно лишена жителей, воды и растительности. Наш путь от Шекхавати до Пугала пролегал через холмы и долины рыхлого и тяжелого песка. Холмы были точно такими же, какие иногда образуются ветром на морском берегу, но намного превосходили их по высоте, составлявшей от двадцати до ста футов. Говорят, что они меняют свое положение и форму под воздействием ветра, а летом проход становится опасным из-за туч движущегося песка; но когда я видел эти холмы (зимой), они казались весьма постоянными, поскольку на них росла трава, а также фок, бабул и баир, или зизифус, что в совокупности придает им вид, порой доходящий до зелени. Среди самых мрачных песчаных холмов то и дело встретишь деревеньку, если это название можно применить к нескольким круглым соломенным хижинам с низкими стенами и коническими крышами, похожим на маленькие стога хлеба». Это описание северной части пустыни, принадлежащее автору, главными чертами которого являются точность и простота, позволит читателю составить более верное представление о том, что следует далее.[4]

Сделав эти замечания и помня о том, что уже было сказано о физиографии этих регионов, мы переходим к описанию различных тхалов и оазисов в этой «области смерти». Удобно оставить без внимания древнее индусское географическое деление, согласно которому Мандор является столицей Марустхали — отличие, которое как по своему характеру, так и по положению больше подходит Джайсалмеру, находящемуся почти в центре того, что можно назвать сплошной пустыней. По сути, это оазис, со всех сторон изолированный огромными массивами тхала, некоторые из которых имеют ширину в сорок миль и не содержат ни следов человека, ни чего-либо, способного его прокормить. Из Джайсалмера мы перейдем в Марвар и, не пересекая Луни, опишем Джалор и Сиванчи, а затем поведем [293] читателя в почти неизвестный радж Паркар и Виравах [5], управляемый князьями раджпутского рода чаухан. Оттуда, огибая политические границы современного Раджпутана, к регионам Дхат и Умра-сумра, находящимся ныне во владении Синда, мы завершим изложение весьма кратким очерком Даудпупры и долины Инда. Эти подробности получат дальнейшее освещение благодаря замечаниям, сделанным о каждом городе или деревушке, расходящихся веером от «холма Джай» (Джайсалмер). Если бы наблюдатель, глядя на запад с этого «трехвершинного холма» [6] через этот песчаный океан на голубые воды (Нилаб) [7] Инда, мог охватить взглядом все его течение от Хайдарабада до Учха, он увидел бы посреди этих долин с песчаными холмами небольшие колонии живых существ, сплотившихся в каждом месте, которое вода делает обитаемым. На всем этом пространстве, простирающемся на четыреста — пятьсот миль по долготе и от ста до двухсот миль по диагональной ширине, разбросаны маленькие деревушки, состоящие из рассеянных хижин пастухов пустыни, занятых выпасом своих стад или возделыванием этих крошечных оазисов ради пропитания. Он может разглядеть длинную вереницу верблюдов (называемую китар, имя более известное, чем кафила или карван), с тревожным трудом пробирающихся по часто сомнительной тропе, и проводника-чарана, который на каждом этапе завязывает узел на конце своего тюрбана. Он может обнаружить затаившуюся бандю сахариев, бедуинов нашей пустыни (сахра) [8], верхом на верблюдах или лошадях выслеживающих караван либо занимающихся менее опасным делом — угоном стад пастухов раджар или мангалия, мирно пасших их у тар или бава, или же разыскивающих припасы, спрятанные среди хижин вечнозеленого джала [9], которые служат одновременно зернохранилищами и укрытием от солнца. Можно увидеть мигрирующий отряд, кочующий со своими стадами с истощенных ими земель в поисках новых пастбищ:

And if the following day they chance to find

A new repast, or an untasted spring,

Will bless their stars, and think it luxury!

Или же их можно застать за приготовлением рабри — блюда, весьма похожего на кускус их нумидийских собратьев, или за утолением жажды из ваха своего маленького оазиса, суверенным владением которым они гордятся, пока длится пастбище или пока они не столкнутся с какой-нибудь более мощной общиной.

Оазис. —We may here pause to consider whether in the bah, bawa, or wah, of the Indian desert, may not be found the oasis of the Greeks, corrupted by them from el-wah, or, as written by Belzoni (in his account of the Libyan desert, while searching for the [294] temple of Ammon), Elloah. Of the numerous terms used to designate water in these arid regions, as par, rar, tar, dah or daha, bah, bawa, wah, all but the latter are chiefly applicable to springs or pools of water, while the last (wah), though used often in a like sense, applies more to a water-course or stream. El-wah, under whatever term, means—‘the water.’ Again, daha or dah is a term in general use for a pool, even not unfrequently in running streams and large rivers, which, ceasing to flow in dry weather, leave large stagnant masses, always called dah. There are many of the streams of Rajputana, having such pools, particularized as hathi-dah, or ‘elephant-pool,’ denoting a sufficiency of water even to drown that animal. Now the word dah or daha, added to the generic term for water, wah, would make wadi (pool of water), the Arabian term for a running stream, and commonly used by recent travellers in Africa for these habitable spots. If the Greeks took the word wadi from any MS., the transposition would be easily accounted for: wadi would be written thus وازي, and by the addition of a point وازي, wazi, easily metamorphosed, for a euphonous termination, into oasis.[10]

Рискуя в некоторой степени повториться, мы должны указать здесь несколько главных черт, разнонящих это море песка, и, определив разницу между руи и тхалом, которые будут часто встречаться в путеводителе, сразу же окунуться in medias res.

Потерянная река пустыни. —We have elsewhere mentioned the tradition of the absorption of the Ghaggar river, as one of the causes of the comparative depopulation of the northern desert. The couplet recording it I could not recall at the time, nor any record of the Sodha prince Hamir, in whose reign this phenomenon is said to have happened. But the utility of these ancient traditional couplets, to which I have frequently drawn the reader’s attention, has again been happily illustrated, for the name of Hamir has been incidentally discovered from the trivial circumstance of an intermarriage related in the Bhatti annals. His contemporary of Jaisalmer was Dusaj, who succeeded in S. 1100 or [295] A.D. 1044, so that we have a precise date assigned, supposing this to be the Hamir in question. The Ghaggar, which rises in the Siwalik, passes Hansi Hissar, and flowed under the walls of Bhatner, at which place they yet have their wells in its bed. Thence it passed Rangmahall, Balar, and Phulra, and through the flats of Khadal (of which Derawar is the capital), emptying itself according to some below Uchh, but according to Abu-Barakat (whom I sent to explore in 1809, and who crossed the dry bed of a stream called the Khaggar, near Shahgarh), between Jaisalmer and Rori-Bakhar. If this could be authenticated, we should say at once that, united with the branch from Dara, it gave its name to the Sangra, which unites with the Luni, enlarging the eastern branch of the Delta of the Indus.[11]

Река Луни. —The next, and perhaps most remarkable feature in the desert, is the Luni, or Salt River, which, with its numerous feeders, has its source in the springs of the Aravalli. Of Marwar it is a barrier between the fertile lands and the desert; and as it leaves this country for the thal of the Chauhans, it divides that community, and forms a geographical demarcation; the eastern portion being called the Raj of Suigam; and the western part, Parkar, or beyond the Khar, or Luni.[12]

Качский Ранн. —We shall hereafter return to the country of the Chauhans, which is bounded to the south by that singular feature in the physiognomy of the desert, the Rann, or Ran, already slightly touched upon in the geographical sketch prefixed to this work. This immense salt-marsh, upwards of one hundred and fifty miles in breadth, is formed chiefly by the Luni, which, like the Rhone, after forming Lake Leman, resumes its name at its further outlet, and ends as it commences with a sacred character, having the temple of Narayan[13] at its embouchure, where it mingles with the ocean, and that of Brahma at its source of Pushkar. The Rann, or Ran, is a corruption of Aranya, or ‘the waste’;[14] nor can anything in nature be more dreary in the dry weather than this parched desert of salt and mud, the peculiar abode of the khar-gadha, or wild-ass, whose love of solitude has been commemorated by an immortal pen.[15] That this enormous depository of salt is of no recent formation we are informed by the Greek writers, whose notice it did not escape, and who have preserved in Erinos a nearer approximation to the original Aranya than exists in our Ran or Rann. Although mainly indebted to the Luni for its salt, whose bed and that of its feeders are covered with saline deposits, it is also supplied by the overflowings of the Indus, to which grand stream it may be indebted for its volume of water. We have here another strong point of physical resemblance between the valleys of the Indus and the Nile, which Napoleon [296] at once referred to the simple operations of nature; I allude to the origin of Lake Moeris, a design too vast for man.[16]

Тхал, Руи. —As the reader will often meet with the words thal and rui, he should be acquainted with the distinction between them. The first means an arid and bare desert; the other is equally expressive of desert, but implies the presence of natural vegetation; in fact, the jungle of the desert.

Тхал Луни. —This embraces the tracts on both sides of the river, forming Jalor and its dependencies. Although the region south of the stream cannot be included in the thal, yet it is so intimately connected with it, that we shall not forego the only opportunity we may have of noticing it.

Джалор. —This tract is one of the most important divisions of Marwar. It is separated from Siwanchi by the Sukri and Khari,[17] which, with many smaller streams, flow through them from the Aravalli and Abu, aiding to fertilize its three hundred and sixty towns and villages, forming a part of the fiscal domains of Marwar. Jalor, according to the geographical stanza so often quoted, was one of the ‘nine castles of Maru,’ when the Pramar held paramount rule in Marusthali. When it was wrested from them we have no clue to discover;[18] but it had long been held by the Chauhans, whose celebrated defence of their capital against Alau-d-din, in A.D. 1301, is recorded by Ferishta, as well as in the chronicles of their bards. This branch of the Chauhan race was called Mallani, and will be again noticed, both here and in the annals of Haraoti. It formed that portion of the Chauhan sovereignty called the Hapa Raj, whose capital was Juna-Chhotan, connecting the sway of this race in the countries along the Luni from Ajmer to Parkar, which would appear to have crushed its Agnikula brother, the Pramar, and possessed all that region marked by the course of the ‘Salt River’ to Parkar.

Сонагир, «золотая гора» — более древнее название этого замка, принятое чауханами в качестве отличительного признака их племени, когда старый термин «маллани» был заменен на «сонигира». Здесь они установили свое божество-покровительницу, Маллинатха, «бога малли», который удерживал свои позиции до тех пор, пока в эти края не вступили сыновья Сиахджи, после чего название Сонагир было заменено на Джалор — сокращение от Джаландхарнатх, святилище которого находится примерно в коссе к западу от замка. Неизвестно, был ли Джаландхарнатх [297], «божество Джаландхара», завезен из Ганга или оставлен вместе с богом малли бывшими [ci-devant] маллани; но если это окажется пережитком врагов Александра, изгнанных им из Мултана [19], вероятность этого возрастает ввиду того, что поблизости находятся пещеры Джаландхара (столь прославленные как место индусского паломничества еще во времена Бабура). Как бы то ни было, ратхоры, подобно римским завоевателям, добавили эти местные божества в свой собственный пантеон. Потомки изгнанных сонигиров ныне занимают земли Читалваны близ развилки [furca] Луни.

Джалор включает в себя подчиненные округа Сиванчи, Бхинмал, Санчор, Морсин, приписанные к халисе, или казне, помимо крупных паттайятов, или вождеств, Бхадраджан, Мева, Джасола и Синдари — полосу земли длиной в девяносто миль и почти такую же в ширину, с неплохой почвой, залегающей близко к поверхности водой, которая требует лишь хорошего управления, чтобы стать столь же плодородной, как любая земля сопоставимого размера в этих краях, и достаточной для покрытия всех личных расходов раджей Джодпура (около девяти лакхов рупий); однако вследствие анархии в столице, коррупции управляющих и набегов сахариев пустыни, а также мин Абу и Аравалли она плачевно опустошена. Через округ проходят несколько горных хребтов (на одном из которых стоит замок), но ни один из них не соединяется с плоскогорьем Мевар, хотя с разрывами прослеживается почти до самого Абу. В одном отношении он обнаруживает свое сходство с пустыней, а именно в растительном мире, поскольку здесь нет никакой иной древесной растительности, кроме джала, бабула, карила и других кустарников тхала.