Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.4.1

2.4.1

Although disappointed of his prey, Aureng-Zebe felt that there was no occasion for alarm, and that he might securely prosecute his endeavours to obtain possession of the King's person. The entire spoliation of the palace was his next act. He stript it of all its costly contents, but sent the women to the King, according to a custom most scrupulously observed amongst Eastern despots. He then determined to besiege the King in his fortress, but as he was without a supply of the necessary munitions of war the siege was protracted, and Chah-Jehan, two months after its commencement, peremptorily commanded his son to relinquish his enterprise, and return without delay to the Decan; so that, although the fortress had been reduced to the last extremities from the want of provisions and war material, he was obliged to retire.