The Nāṣirī Generations 272.2

272.2

As there was no stone in those parts, the Mughals had to use blocks of wood for their catapults, cut from the timber of the mulberry-trees ; but I do not see how blocks of that, even though “ hardened by being soaked in water,” as a European writer states, could have had much effect upon walls of burnt brick ; but some say wood blocks were only used towards the close of the siege when the stones had all been expended. The Mughals, as was usual with them, made the men of the conquered cities do the hard work in sieges, and so they obtained assistance from Jund and other conquered places, in the shape of men, tools, and materials, including loads of stone which were brought in carts. When all had been prepared, and the missiles and battering apparatus were ready, they opened the siege, and carried on their operations with vigour, but the defenders were as active and determined in the defence. After a considerable time, the Mughals sent a force of 3000 men to divert the stream or branch of the river Jihun, which flowed past the city, and supplied the people with water, and there effect an entrance [the aqueduct apparently mentioned at page 474, which proved an effectual barrier to the Ghuris] ; but the garrison made a sally to prevent it, and slew every one of the detachment. Here again P. de la C. has fallen into error, and makes the Mughals dig a canal to drain the ditch !