Tadhkirat al-waqiʿat 1.3

1.3

Permission being given, the attack was kept up till mid-day, and the royal army lost nearly 700 men. For all their efforts they could not take the place, and the garrison by their fire smashed one portion of the battery. Next morning Rumi Khan again prepared his battery. The Afghans saw that the assailants were resolute and vigorous, and that the place must soon fall, so they proposed to capitulate. Under His Majesty's command the garrison marched out, and the royal forces took possession of the fortress. Rumi Khan, being very irate and furious, cut off both hands of 300 gunners and others who had formed part of the garrison. When His Majesty was informed of this, he was very angry with Rumi Khan, and declared that no injury ought to be inflicted on men who had surrendered. After the capture of the fort a grand banquet was given and great rejoicings were made; rewards were distributed and great honours were bestowed. His Majesty then asked Rumi Khan as to the fortress and to the way he would deal with it. The Khan replied, that if the place were in his hands he would not allow a Bengali to approach within a kos of it. And upon His Majesty asking who ought to be placed in command of it, he replied, that he knew of no one fit for the position but Beg Mirak. Upon this advice His Majesty placed Beg Mirak in command of the fortress.