The Book of Akbar 169: Sher Khan's taking of Fort Rohtas.

169

The short account of this is as follows : When Sher Khan arrived in the neighbourhood of Rohtas, which is a very strong fort, he sent messengers to Raja Cintaman, a brahman, the owner of the fort, reminding him of past favours, and after making a foundation of friendship, he represented to him that he was in a difficulty, and begged him to treat him with humanity and to receive his family and dependants into the fort, and thus make him (Sher Khan) pledged to be his benefactor. By a hundred flatteries and deceptions the simple-minded Raja was persuaded by the tricks of that juggler. He, a stranger to friendship's realm, prepared six hundred litters, and placed in each two armed youths, while maidservants were placed on every side of the litters. By this stratagem he introduced his soldiers and took the fort. Having placed his family and soldiers there, he extended the arm of sedition and blocked the road to Bengal.