The Nāṣirī Generations 128.1.4

128.1.4

The Khwarazmi army, by a contrivance devised by Husain-i-Kharmil, dammed up the water of the river of Hirat above the city, and all round became like unto a sea ; and matters assumed such an aspect, that, if the city had not been entirely surrounded by walls, the water, which rose higher than the housetops, would have overwhelmed it. As it was, upon one or two occasions the ground opened in the middle of the city, and water issued forth from the midst, but it was diverted [and the danger obviated]. For a period of eight months hostilities continued between the defenders of the city and the Khwarazmi forces in boats ; and, when eleven months of the investment had passed, Sultan Muhammad-i-Takish arrived from Khwarazm, and gave directions that the dyke [which kept the water in] should be opened ; and, when the water flowed out, it carried along with it about three hundred ells of the walls of the city, and a breach was thereby effected; and, after fifteen days’ fighting, the city was taken by assault.