Chapter Four

When Jagatsingh returned to his father's camp from the temple of Shaileshwar, the Maharaja Man Singh learnt from his son's lips that some fifty thousand Pathan soldiers had pitched their camp near the village of Dharpur, were plundering the neighbouring villages, and had taken or constructed forts at various points, behind the shelter of which they rested in comparative security. Man Singh saw that the immediate suppression of the Pathans' insolence had become urgently necessary, but that the task was one of great difficulty. To deliberate upon what should and what should not be done, he assembled the commanders who were with him, laid all these matters before them, and said: "Day by day, village by village, pargana by pargana, the land is slipping from the Lord of Delhi's hand. The Pathans must now be chastised — but how shall they be chastised? They are stronger in numbers than we; and moreover they will fight from behind their chain of fortresses; even though we defeat them in the field, we shall not be able to destroy them or dislodge them — they will easily take refuge within the forts and be secure. But consider well: if we are defeated in battle, we shall be destroyed without shelter or resource in the very heart of the enemy's dominions. In my judgement, it is not fitting to place reliance upon such reckless daring and bring about so great a destruction of the Lord of Delhi's soldiery, and to extinguish all hope of the conquest of Orissa altogether; it seems proper to await Syed Khan — yet some immediate remedy against the enemy's outrages is also needful. What counsel do ye give?"

The elder commanders were of one mind and resolved that for the present it was right to wait for Syed Khan. The Raja Man Singh said: "I am of a mind to send forth, without hazarding the whole army, only a small number of troops under some able commander into the presence of the enemy."

An old Mughal soldier said: "Your Highness — if there is danger in sending all our forces, what purpose can a small number serve?"

Man Singh replied: "It is not my intention to send a small force forward in open battle. A little band, keeping themselves unobserved, may hold in check several of the Pathan parties occupied in harassing the villages."

Thereupon the Mughal said: "Your Highness — what commander will march to certain destruction?"

Man Singh frowned and said: "What! Among so many Rajputs and Mughals, is there not one who fears not death?"

No sooner were these words heard than five or seven Mughals and Rajputs rose to their feet and said: "Your Highness, your servants are ready to go." Jagatsingh too was present there; he was the youngest of them all; standing behind the rest, he said: "If it please your Highness, this servant also will endeavour to accomplish the service of the Lord of Delhi!"

The Raja Man Singh said with a smile: "Why not? Today I know that the name of Mughal and Rajput is not yet near its end. Ye are all prepared for this arduous duty — now whom shall I keep and whom shall I send?"

One of the courtiers said with a laugh: "Your Highness, it is well that so many have volunteered for this service. On this occasion you may reduce the expenditure of troops. Let the one who is willing to go with the smallest force be entrusted with the task of the royal service."

The Raja said: "This is excellent counsel." He then asked the first volunteer: "How many troops dost thou wish to take with thee?" The commander replied: "With fifteen thousand infantry I will accomplish the service of the crown."

The Raja said: "If fifteen thousand be detached from this camp, not many will remain. What warrior will march to battle with ten thousand?"

The commanders were silent. At last Yashovant Singh, a Rajput soldier who was a favourite of the Raja, begged permission to obey the Raja's command. The Raja looked about him with a glad countenance. Prince Jagatsingh had been standing there, eager to catch his eye; and the moment the Raja's gaze fell upon him, he said respectfully: "Your Highness, if your royal favour permit, this servant with five thousand companions will drive Katlu Khan beyond the Subarnarekha and return!"

The Raja Man Singh was struck dumb with amazement. The commanders began to whisper together. After a moment the Raja said: "My son! I know that thou art the glory of the Rajput race; but thou dost a rash thing!"

Jagatsingh folded his hands and said: "If I fail to keep my word and cause wasteful destruction of the Badshah's troops, I shall be worthy of the royal punishment."

The Raja Man Singh reflected a little while and then said: "I shall not hinder thee from the fulfilment of thy Rajput duty. Do thou undertake this expedition."

So saying, he embraced the Prince with eyes brimming with tears and bade him farewell. The commanders withdrew to their respective tents.