Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.17.1

12.17.1

On the Governor's arrival at Azim-abad, the rumour of the approach of the Marhattas became stronger; and as it produced a general consternation, he thought that the only method that could be devised to quiet the minds of all the inhabitants, and to secure their persons and properties, would be to raise a wall round the city. There was already such a wall; but so neglected and decayed, and withal, so beset by houses, that it could hardly be distinguished from them. He therefore ordered that a deep ditch should be sunk round, and that the earth dug from it should be thrown behind and upon the old wall, so as both to raise and strengthen the same. But as this was not to be done without ruining the houses already built on the side of the old wall or close to it, it did not fail to occasion much murmuring and much discontent among the owners, who could not see in that inconveniency and in the loss they underwent as individuals, the safety and welfare which they acquired upon the whole ; they could not forbear exhaling themselves in sobs and complaints. But the utility of the undertaking was so apparent, that no regard could be paid to their complaints ; and in a little time the wall rising gradually from the ground, afforded an insurance of future safety. In process of time, whenever the country came to be overrun by Marhattas, (and it has been so several times) not only vast numbers of people used to retire within the walls, and to find their safety there ;