South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c10.5.2

c10.5.2

He was cleverly giving it out on his march that he was going towards Rajamundri to take service with the Raja there as he was far from being satisfied with his uncle's treatment of him. Deogir happened to be denuded of its troops at the time as Shankar Deo had ‘gone southwards at the head of his army on pilgrimage.’ When information reached Deogir that Alau-d-din was at Ghati-Lajura, Ram Deo collected together such forces as he could and sent about two or three thousand men to oppose the further advance of the Muhammadan army. Alau-d-din overpowered this small force easily and sent it in hasty retreat into the capital, himself following in hot pursuit. The Raja threw himself into the citadel, which was then undefended even by a ditch. The garrison had not adequate provision to stand a siege. At this time a caravan of bags which merchants were bringing from the Konkan happened to be abandoned at the approach of the enemy, and these were laid hold of and put into the fort in the belief that they contained grain. Having received this welcome supply Ram Deo determined to stand a siege. In the meanwhile, Alau-d-din’s troops entered the town, captured the Brahmans and the principal merchants of Deogir, and plundered the city. In the course of these operations Alau-d-din adopted the clever ruse of circulating a rumour that his was but the advance-guard of the main army of 20,000 horse following him.