Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.15.1

12.15.1

"It is before his death that the worthy man's merits must be known, and placed to his account; "For none deserves to be deemed such, but he that carries such a character to the very grave." After a digression which the reader shall set to the account of the importance of the personage, and the singularity of the event, we shall return to the thread of our history. Baladji-rao, sensible that an army of Marhattas would never remain under control at the sight of plunder, and anxious to approve himself as good as his word, quitted Daüd-pür; and striking to the right, he continued his route by Ticarry and Gaya, behind Azim-abad, and at some distance from that city, through Manpür and Bahar, from whence he came again into the high road by Mongher and Baghalpür, two populous towns, the territory and inhabitants of which suffered exceedingly from the passage of his troops. Numbers had fled to the other side of the Ganga; but a lady of distinction, relict of Ghaüss-qhan, (a General of great character whom we have seen slain at the battle of Gheriah) being unable for want of means to cross the river with her numerous family; and having it not in her power to provide otherwise for her safety; resolved to stand her ground and to defend her honour to the the very last drop of her blood. This heroine called her relations and dependants together, exhorted them to perish rather than to behold their women defiled or even attempted;