CHAPTER III. IN THE LAND OF THE RAJPUTS (Continued)
CHAPTER IV. IN THE PUNJAB
CHAPTER V. AMONG THE HIMALAYAS
CHAPTER VI. AMONG THE HIMALAYAS (continued)
CHAPTER VII. THE GREAT PLAINS OF THE GANGES
CHAPTER VIII. THE LAND OF THE MOGUL KINGS
CHAPTER IX. THE LAND OF THE MOGUL KINGS (continued)
CHAPTER X. IN THE MUTINY COUNTRY
CHAPTER XI. THE SACRED CITY OF THE HINDOOS
CHAPTER XII. THE CAPITAL OF INDIA
CHAPTER XIII. ACROSS THE DECCAN
CHAPTER XIV. AT THE COURT OF A NATIVE PRINCE
CHAPTER XV. THE RELIGIOUS MENDICANTS
CHAPTER XVI. IN THE BAZAAR
CHAPTER XVII. IN THE JUNGLE
CHAPTER XVIII. IN THE JUNGLE (continued)
CHAPTER XIX. IN AN INDIAN VILLAGE
CHAPTER XX. IN AN INDIAN VILLAGE (continued)
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Rajputana is the land of the Rajputs, a splendid warrior race of Northern India. In times long gone by the Rajputs held power over the wide plain watered by the Upper Ganges, but seven hundred years ago their Moslem foes drove them westwards into the land still called Rajputana.
The history of the Rajputs is one of battle. They are born fighters. They have taken a share in all the wars which have torn India through all the centuries. They struggled hard against the British power, but now they are good friends of ours, and their Princes rule under British protection.
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Then a great plan was made throughout the place: all, men and women, would die for their beloved city. In the vaults and caverns which stretch below the rock a vast funeral pyre was built, and to it came the Rajput women singing, dressed in their festal robes, and glittering in all their jewels. The last to enter the vault of death was Padmani, and when the gate was closed upon her the men knew their turn had come. Setting the little Prince in the midst of a picked band, who had sworn to bear him off in safety, the King led his sons and chieftains to the battle. The gates were flung open, and the warriors, clad in bridal robes, hurled themselves upon the foe: for the bride they sought was death.
When the last had died for Chitore, Allah-u-din entered the city. But it was an empty triumph. Every house, every street, was still and silent, only a wisp of smoke oozed from the vault. This was the first sack of Chitore.
