Travels in India (Tavernier) 49.4

49.4

Finding that he was unable to carry the place by main force, he had two mines made by an European, who succeeded completely, and having fired the first on the 29th of December 1659, it brought down a large portion of the walls, which filled the moat, and caused great alarm to the besieged. But they quickly plucked up courage, and, although they were few in number, defended themselves bravely for the space of more than forty days, during which time they did much injury to the army of Murād Baksh, and slew many of his soldiers. Shāhbāsh Khān, irritated by this vigorous resistance, caused search to be made for the women and children, and also the relatives and friends of the artillerymen in the fortress, in order to place them in front of his soldiers during the attacks which he made; and he also sent one of the brothers of the Governor of the place to parley with him, and to make an advantageous offer to him, if he would deliver it up into his hands. But the Governor, a good servant of the King, not having received any certain tidings of his death, replied that he recognised no other master than ShAh JahAn, who had confided the place to him, which he would not relinquish but to the King himself, or to whoever he pleased to order ; that he honoured MurAd Baksh as Prince and son of the King his master, but not so much so as to hand the place over to him without receiving an express order to do so from the King.