Kanhadade Prabandha Quotes

“Wikipedia: Kanhadade Prabandha”

“I have composed and narrated in Prakrita this account of fearless chivalry and sacrifice in this Kaliyuga, befitting the great renown and prestige of the Chauhana kula.”

“"This is contrary to our dharma! The Kings do not give passage when by doing so villages are devastated, people are enslaved, ears of women torn (for omaments), and cows and Brahmanas are tortured."”

“The publication of this work may be looked up as quite an event in Gujarātī and Rājasthānī studies. Here we have at last a very careful and well-authenticated edition of what may be considered to be a great classic in New Indo-Aryan Literature...”

“How to deal with the war, now raging like a forest fire fanned by a strong wind! How to save oneself from the Turks who had descended with their swords on this fair and beautiful land! Junagarh and Gimar were destroyed, the land of Kachchha (Cutch) overrun, and Kanthagehadi, Parkar and Thatta were trembling with fear.””

“Padmanabha's Kanhadade prabandha, completed in 1455, is one of the most striking works of Old Gujarati literature-a bardic tale that begins with the conquest of Somnath and Anahilvad Patan by Ulugh Khan, the general of Ala-ud-din..... The English of the translation is somewhat quaint but is on the whole very faithful to the original...”

“"O beautiful and lovely one! We bid you adieu in this life, fair one, till we meet aggin in our next birth. We pray that Viramade be bom again in the noble Chauhana house*” and may we again be his consorts here at Sonagiri."> Saying these words, they walked up to the Jauhar site, and filled with exalted emotions, they sacrificed themselves in the raging fire.25”

“The scene in Gujarat had changed suddenly. The ravaging and plundering Turkish troops were now roaming about all over the country. They plundered grain, seized cattle of good breed, and made people prisoners.” They behaved with great severity in Gujarat and took away everything. Drums were now struck and the Khan set out with his army for Somanatha Patana (Somaiya).”!”

“Viramade, in the interest of the dynasty, ruled for three and half days. His queens, all of noble lineage, now prepared for Jauhar* They took bath, distributed charities, and visited the temple. Accompanying their lord in death, they said, "By performing Jauhar, we will bring glory to the families."?9? Their female companions, all lovely and beautiful, looked on tearfully as the queens walked up to the bastion and, controlling their tears, they addressed their beloved Jalor mountain: *°"”

“The Muslim troops then marched towards Asaval, after establish- ing military post (th*a) at Patanagarh. Everywhere in Gujarat, terror spread following Turkish conquest of Patana.‘” Asaval, Dholka, Khambat, Strat and Raner—how many other towns may be mentioned—Champaner including—all these began to tremble (on hearing of the fall of Patana). The coastal towns alike were utterly shaken and terrorised. The Turks saw there vast stores, like sea itself, full of gold, silver, silk, and raw camphor.”

“After the flight of Karna, Patana fort was destroyed, its well-filled stores and treasures were captured, and excellent horses of fine breed in the royal stables taken away by Ulugh Khan.™ What took place in Anhalapur (Patana) had never happened earlier, nor would ever happen again. Where formerly temples stood, now the call to prayer (bang) by Musalmans (Sillari) could be heard. Ulugh Khan first destroyed Patanagarh and then dwelt on its good aspects. He then had Alauddin's sovereignty proclaimed there.”

“The Emperor's reply was plain and firm: "We have nine lacs of mounted troops and ten lacs foot soldiers. Any number of them may be killed, yet a great number of them will still remain." The Hindus, on the other hand, are said to have eighty thousand foot, and, in all one lac horsemen. Do not tum back even if your losses reach twice their number.''! You know, Kanhadade will not break his word; he would not make a night attack in any case."!"? And rightly so, says Padmanabha Pandita. Even if the Dhruva star becomes unstable, the noble people do not break their pledge.""”

“But the Princess replied: “My dear father, I pray you kindly listen to me. There is a great difference between the Hindus and Turks: Hindus alone know how to enjoy good things of life, like Indra. They are wise in speech and conversation-sweet and intelligent at the same time.'?5 They have such a variety of food preparations and they bedeck themselves with finery and ornaments in a most beautiful and graceful manner. I have no desire to wed a Turk even if I may have to remain unmarried throughout my life. Either, my dear father, I will marry Viramade, or else I shall end my life!"”

“A farman (firman) was now given to Gori Malik (to sack Bhinmal).... The Turkish [Muslim] invaders entered the town making dreadful din and clamor. Orders were issued clear and terrible: `The soldiers shall march into the town spreading terror everywhere! Cut down the Brahmanas [Brahman priests], wherever they may be-performing homa or milking cows! Kill the cows-even those which are pregnant or with newly born calves!" The Turks ransacked Bhinmal and captured everybody in the sleepy town. Thereafter, Gori Malik gleefully set fire to the town in a wanton display of force and meanness.”

“(Now, coming back to the doings of the Turks, a sorry and dark narration indeed). People were made prisoners, Modasa was destroyed, and the villages set on fire. The plunderers, taking advantage of the confusion and fleeing of people from their villages., rushed about looting and pillaging.*” Kahanama (Kanam) and Charottara regions (defa) were thoroughly destroyed. So also were Bavan and Khedara (Kheda) regions of Gujarat. And yet there was no end to violence and destruction by the invaders.** The Muslim troops overran Dandahi and Dahottara, Dhanadhara, and Dhan-dhol, spreading consternation everywhere.”

“This book, although not free of difficulties, is an extremely valuable addition to the sources of religious and literary history of medieval India. It is an English translation, accompanied by copious notes, of the epic poem Kanhadade Prabandha....This text represents the Hindu version of those events and is of one piece with the general Hindu view of Muslim rule in India-that this period represents a phase of heroic struggle and cultural survival on the part of the Hindus in the face of military defeat and political oppression, a view also represented by such works as Prithviraj Raso and Hammiramahakavya.”

“The Sultan's army bumt down the villages and devastated the country (desu). They completely destroyed several towns, spread constemation in Soratha region, and plundered the property of the people.’ They made people captive — Brahmanas and children, and women, in fact, people of all the eighteen varnas, huddled them and tied them by straps of raw hide. The number of prisoners made by them was beyond counting.'*
• Different translation: “The conquering army burnt villages, devastated the land, plundered people’s wealth, took Brahmins and children and women of all classes captive, flogged with thongs of raw hide, carried a moving prison with it, and converted the prisoners into obsequious Turks.””

“Hindus found it very hard to understand the psychology of this new invader. For the first time in their history, Hindus were witnessing a scene which was described by KãnhaDade Prabandha (1456 AD) in the following words: “The conquering army burnt villages, devastated the land, plundered people’s wealth, took Brahmins and children and women of all classes captive, flogged with thongs of raw hide, carried a moving prison with it, and converted the prisoners into obsequious Turks.” That was written in remembrance of Alauddin Khalji’s invasion of Gujarat in the year 1298 AD. But the gruesome game had started three centuries earlier when Mahmud Ghaznavi had vowed to invade India every year in order to destroy idolatry, kill the kãfirs, capture prisoners of war, and plunder vast wealth for which India was well-known.”

“Upon this, Madhava Brahmana submitted in humble tones: "The kshatriya dharma has vanished from there. Rao Kamade has become insane”? and has developed infatuation for his body. Daily he takes aphrodisiacal Vachhanaga, and struts about with an unsheathed sword in hand! No bodyguard dares to be near him.” At meal time, apprehensive for their safety, the cooks (sar) put before him wooden spoons and serving vessels, but not of metal, lest he strikes them down in anger. The Rai first humiliated me. Then he killed my brother KeSava,”* and even took away his wife and kept her in his palace. Such a provocation is beyond toleration! I will wage war against Gujarat and pray you to send an army with me for the purpose.” I will attack the Hindts, drive them into jungles, killing and enslaving them! Your Majesty, consider me of brutal and dangerous disposition! Either I will conquer Gujarat by force or perish."”

“At that time, the ruler of Gurjaradhara was Sarangadeva. He humiliated Madhava Brahmana, and this very fact became the cause of conflict.' Madhava, who was the favourite Pradhana of the Raja, was inconsolably offended. He gave up food, and vowed that he would not take meals on the soil of Gujarat, till he had brought the Turks there.'
Madhava Muhta (Mantri or Minister) committed a great sin indeed: who can deny it? But, alas! one cannot escape from the deeds (karmas) of the previous birth. Where Saligrama was wor- shipped and Hari's name was recited,’> where yajnas were per- formed and charities (tyaga) given to the Brahmanas, where Tulsi plant and Pipal tree were worshipped and Vedas and Puranas were studied and recited to comprehend dharma, ** where everyone went on pilgrimages and respected Smritis, Puranas, and cow, in such a country (defa) Madhava brought the Mlechchhas! No wonder, in all the nine continents (Khanda), he earned ill-repute!””