History of the Maratʾha wars in Hindustan 12.1

12.1

Bhao, conjecturing that the fort of Dehli would be devoid of the protection of any garrison, and would therefore, immediately on being besieged, fall under his subjection, went and took up a position near Sa'du-llah Khan's mansion, with a multitude of troops. * * Ibrahim Khan Gardi, who was a confederate of Bhao, and had the superintendence of the European artillery, planted his thundering cannon, with their skilful gunners. opposite the fort on the side of the sandy plain, and having made the battlements of the Octagon Tower and the Asad Burj a mark for his lightning-darting guns, overturned many of the royal edifices. Every day the tumultuous noise of attack on all sides of the fort filled the minds of the garrison with alarm and apprehension. The overflowing of the Jumna presented an insurmountable obstacle to the crossing of the Durrani Shah's army, and hindered it from affording any succour to the besieged. The provisions in the fort were very nearly expended, and Ya'kub 'Ali Khan was forced to enter into negociations for peace. He first removed, with his female relatives and property, from the fort to the domicile of 'Ali Mardan Khan, and then, having crossed the river Jumna from thence on board a boat, betook himself to the Shah's camp. On the 19th of the aforesaid month and year, Bhao entered the fort along with Biswas Rao, and took possession of all the property and goods that he could find in the old repositories of the royal family.