TARA BAI, daughter of Rao Surtan, Solanki Rajput chief of Bednore in Rajputana. Rao Surtan was the lineal descendant of the Balhara kings of Anhilwara. Thence expelled by tho arms of Ala-ud-Din, in the 13th century they migrated to Central India, and obtained posses sion of Tonk Thoda. nnd its lands on tho Bunas, which from remote times had been occupied (perhaps founded) by the Taks, and hence bore the name of Taksilla-naggar, familiarly Takitpur and Thoda. Surtan had been deprived of Thoda by Lilla the Afghan, and now occupied Bednore, at the foot of tho Aravalli, within the bounds of Mev,ar. Stimulated by tho reverses of her family and its ancient glory, Tara Bai leanied military exercises, and joined in an unsuccessful attempt to wrest Thoda from the Afghans. Jai Mul, the third son of Rana Rai 3ful, Sesodia Rajput, proposed for her in person, and Tara Bai promised to be his if he redeemed Thoda, but before accom plishing this he rudely attempted access to her, and was slain by her indignant father. His
brother Prithi-raj accepted the gage, and, relying on his honour, she accepted him in anticipation. She accompanied her husband in an attack on tho Muliammadans when celebrating the 3faharram ; the lance of Prithi-raj and arrow of Tara Bai slew the Muhammadan chief, and their followers, rush ing on, regained Thoda. Prithi-raj had been en gaged in the war from tho ago of 14 to 23, when lie was poisoned in revenge of an insult by his brother-in-law. Ile died at KomiIvor ; and Tara, too late to see him in life, burned herself with bis remains. Their ashes are in a lonely gorge opposite the temple of Mama Devi, where the road leads to 31arivar.—Tod's Rajasthan, i. p. 673. Sea Tak.