Storia do Mogor 65.31.4

65.31.4

Dara penetrated sufficiently the object of Mahabat Khan, and, adopting a new idea, now gave orders that all the artillery and munitions of war got ready by Shahjahan for taking the fortress of Qandahar should be embarked on boats. To these were added all the treasures that he had carried with him, and at that time present in Lahor. Other appliances for strengthening the fortress of Bacar (Bhakkar) were added. Aware that Aurangzeb was drawing nearer and nearer, and distrusting his officers, having a force insufficient [213] for resistance, Dara sent an order to withdraw the few men and guns posted at the river crossing. He directed his powder-magazine to be blown up, which was speedily done. He then left Lahor in the end of October one thousand six hundred and fifty-six (correctly 1658). He took with him the whole of his family, and at the head of eight thousand horsemen started for the city of Moltan (Multan), which lies on the bank of the river Ravi, the same river as at Lahor. The distance of that city (Multan) from Lahor is ten days' journey. I made up my mind not to march along with Dara, owing to some business, but to leave on the third day. During the second day I passed before the door of the officer second in command of the artillery, a Turk by race, called Rumican (Rumi Khan), who was busy in preparations and the enlistment of men; he had also some field-pieces, which he meant to take with him.