The Nāṣirī Generations 265.7

265.7

The siege was prosecuted with vigour and as bravely defended during a period of 6 months and 17 days, when, in the month of Jamadi-ul-Awwal, 619 H., the Mughal commander determined upon a supreme effort, and assaulted the place for several successive days, with the loss of some 5000 men upon each occasion. The walls, from the constant battering of the catapults and other military engines, had become quite honeycombed, when, one day, about 50 ells of the curtain gave way, burying, among others, 400 men of note among the Mughals under the ruins. Three days after this misfortune division arose among the defenders—one party being for holding out, and the other for surrender. Matters had now become much straitened, for military stores, as well as food to feed the immense number of inhabitants and fugitives within the beleaguered city, while, day by day, reinforcements and assistance were reaching the Mughals. At length, on a Friday, in the month of Jamadi-ul-Awwal—Rauzat-us-Safa says in the month of Jamadi-ul-Akhir—619 H., the final assault was delivered; another portion of the curtain fell, and the Mughals entered the fortifications at the Tiri Burj [bastion] and captured the city. They at once commenced an indiscriminate massacre—old and young— through the city fully armed, and arrayed in defensive armour ; and, lance in hand, fought against the infidels until he attained martyrdom ; but God knows the truth of the matter.