Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/237

 Sareni. Par. RAE 229 The complete extinction of this people has occasioned much surprise, but it is not difficult to understand. Both the Musalmans and the Hindus were conquering nations, and the hand of each was turned against the old inhabitants whom they wished to dispossess. Against one enemy the Bhars might have stood and retained, even when defeated, a portion of their former rights, but in the wars between the invaders, each victory, to whichever side it inclined, was to them a new defeat, and entailed another onslaught on their possessions. As the balance swayed from side to side in the long and doubtful struggle between the Rajputs and the eastern empire, they suffered with every change of fortune, and were conquered not once but many times. It was not one war of extermination, but the harassing attacks of two centuries, often repeated, each time with new vigour, before which they fell. Their customs, their position, and we may conjecture their language and nationality prevented anything like a perfect anion with either of their enemies. And yet there can be no doubt that while many were slain, and many fled to the north and to the east, many still survive in their old territory under modern names. The statesmanship of Tilok Chand elevated not a few of the principal families to the rank of Chhattris, and the Tirgunait Brahmans, the Kharibind Kurmis, the Bha- rotia and Bhattia Ahírs, and many families of the Gújars, are connected with their race by hardly doubtful tradition. A careful enquiry into the private worship and peculiar customs of the present castes of the district would probably stil further disprove the tale of their utter extinction, but it can hardly be a matter for surprise that the more obvious evidences of their kingdom have been swept away. Hitherto I have followed Mr. Benett, but must now adventure indepen- dently in order to make clearer the succession and distribution of property among the sons of Tilok Chand. The first remarkable thing is that nei- ther of the legitimate sons assumed the title of rája, which therefore it is not likely that Tilok Chand himself bad claimed. Pirthí Chand, the eldest, took the southern province, ruling from Daundia Khera or Sangrámpur; his heritage was worth 14 lakhs; he was called ráo; the second, Harhardeo, without any title; his grandson afterwards became rána, took the northern, Kbíron and Pátán, ruling from Sáthanpur; his estate was worth seven lakhs, and the illegitimate son, the Ráwat of Harha, got one of five lakhs in that pargana. Now what were the dominions of which this division was made ? The following list is given by Mr. Elliot. I have corrected it freely :-- Daundia Khera. Ứnchgon. Kumhi. Harha, Bachhráwán. Purwa. Kahanjar. Maurátyán. Anita Sarwan Asoha. District Rae Bareli... Gorinda. Dalmau, Parsandan. Bareli. Bihár. District Lucknow Bijngur. Pátan, Panban, Sáthanpur, Uno Magráyar.