17. Bhāt songs.
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)
In conclusion a few specimens of Bhāt songs may be given. The following is an account of the last king of Nāgpur, Raghuji III., commonly known as Bāji Rao:
They made a picture of Bāji Rao;
Bāji Rao was the finest king to see;
The Brāhmans told lies about him,
They sent a letter from Nāgpur to Calcutta,
They made Bāji Rao go on a pilgrimage.
Brothers! the great Sirdārs who were with him,
They brought a troop of five hundred horse!
The Tuesday fair in Benāres was held with fireworks,
They made the Ganges pink with rose-petals.
Bāji Rao’s gifts were splendid,
His turban and coat were of brocaded silk,
A pair of diamonds and emeralds
He gave to the Brāhmans of Benāres.
Oh brothers! the Rāja sat in a covered howdah bound on an elephant!
Many fans waved over his head;
How charitable a king he was!
In the above song a note of regret is manifest for the parade and display of the old court of Nāgpur, English rule being less picturesque. The next is a song about the English:
The English have taken the throne of Nāgpur,
The fear of the English is great.
In a moment’s time they conquer countries.
The guns boomed, the English came strong and warlike,
They give wealth to all.
They ram the ramrods in the guns.
They conquered also Tippoo’s dominions,
The English are ruling in the fort of Gāwilgarh.
The following is another song about the English, not quite so complimentary:
The English became our kings and have made current the kaldār (milled) rupee.
The menials are favoured and the Bhāts have lost their profession,
The mango has lost its taste, the milk has lost its sweetness,
The rose has lost its scent.
Bāji Rao of Nāgpur he also is gone,
No longer are the drums beaten at the palace gate.
Poona customs have come in.
Brāhmans knowing the eighteen Purāns have become Christians;
The son thinks himself better than his father,
The daughter-in-law no longer respects her mother-in-law.
The wife fights with her husband.
The English have made the railways and telegraphs;
The people wondered at the silver rupees and all the country prospered.