In 1753, the new Raja of Mewar in modern-day Rajasthan, Vijay Singh, faced a rebellion from an ousted rival, his cousin Ram Singh. After losing a key battle, Vijay and five loyal men hoped to flee to Nagpaur under cover of night, but their horses were too weary, so Vijay hailed a passing ox-cart and went on alone.

The driver of the ox-cart, who did not recognise his passenger in the dark, ignored Vijay’s cries to go faster, and reminded him sententiously of the hardships of the poor prince. When dawn came and he saw who was sharing his cart, he was utterly mortified, and hurried his oxen to Nagpaur as fast as it would go.

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