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the fort, and sent a despatch to 'Alåu’d-dî n, informing him of the critical situation he was in. He also sent him in a box Nusrat Khān's body for burial. Upon this intelligence reaching 'Alāu'd-din, he started at once for Ranathanbhor. Arrived there, he immediately marched his army to the gates of the fort and invested it.
Hammira, to mark his contempt of these proceedings, had caused to be raised, on many places over the walls, flags of light wickerwork. This was as much as to say that 'Alā'u'd-din's advent before the fort was not felt to be a burden to, or an aggravation of, the sufferings of the Rajputs, The Muhammadan chief at once saw that he had to deal with men of no ordinary resolution and courage, and he sent a message to Hammira saying he was greatly pleased with his bravery, and would be glad to grant any request such a gallant enemy might wish to make. Of course this was bidding in some way for peace. Hammira however, replied that as 'Alā'u'd-din was pleašed to grant anything he might set his heart upon, nothing would gratify him so much as fighting with him for two days, and this request he hoped would be complied with. The Muhammadan chief praised very much this demand, saying it did justice to his adversary's courage, and agreed to give him battle the next day. The contest that ensued was furious and desperate in the last degree. During these two days the Muhammadans lost no less than 85,000 men. A truce of some few days being now agreed upon by both the belligerents, fighting ceased for a time.
On one of these days the king had Rådhà Devi dancing before him on the wall of the fort, while there was much company round him. This woman, at stated and regular intervals, well understood by those who understand music, purposely turned her back towards Alaud-din, who was sittling below in his tent not far from the fort, and who could well see what was passing on the fort wall. No wonder that he was incensed at this conduct, and
