Padshah-namah 8: Capture of the Fort of Mansur-garh.

8

[Text, vol. i. p. 332.] In the course of the past year, Bakir Khan had proceeded to the pass of Khera-para, two kos from Chhatardawar. This is a very narrow pass, between the territories of Kutbu-l Mulk and Orissa, and a small force of musketeers and archers might hold it in security. He ravaged the country round, but when the rains set in, he retired without making any attempt upon the fort of Mansur-garh, which a slave of Kutbu-l Mulk's, named Mansur, had built about four kos from Khera-para. After the rains, under the royal orders, he again marched to Khera-para. Sher Muhammad, and other officers of Kutbu-l Mulk, had collected about 3000 horse and 10,000 foot, and having strengthened the fort with guns, muskets, and other implements of warfare, they made ready for battle. * * On the 8th Jumada-l awwal, Bakir Khan arrived in the vicinity of Mansur-garh, and found the enemy drawn up in a plain north-east of the fort. * * The enemy were unable to withstand the assault of the royal forces, but broke and fled. Flushed with victory, Bakir Khan resolved to attack the fort. Notwithstanding a heavy fire of cannons and muskets, he advanced to the base of the walls, planted his scaling-ladders, and began to ascend. The garrison being dismayed, took grass between their teeth, as is the manner of that country, and begged for quarter. Bakir Khan allowed them to march out in safety, and then placed a garrison of his own in the fort.