The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.25

v4.c20.25

While the siege operations languished, the Mughul army fell into the grip of famine, as the enemy infested the roads and effectually stopped the transport of provisions. In June the rain descended in torrents, turning the roads into quagmires and the camp into a lake, and completely washing out the trenches and raised batteries. The enemy seized the opportunity. In the night of 15 June, amidst a deluge of rain, they raided the Mughul advanced batteries and trenches, slew the careless gunners, damaged the guns, destroyed the materials and munition, and carried off the chief of artillery (Ghairat Khān) and thirteen other high officers as prisoners. It was only after three days of struggle that the Mughuls were able to reoccupy the lost battery. Meantime, three mines had been carried under the bastions of the fort and each loaded with heavy charges of gunpowder. On 30 June, under the emperor’s own eyes, the first of them was fired, but the force of the explosion was directed outwards and the scattered rock killed 1100 of the densely crowded imperialists. After this the garrison made a sortie, seized the Mughul trenches and outposts opposite, and were driven out only after a long contest and heavy slaughter. Then the second mine was fired with the same disastrous consequences, the Mughuls losing another thousand men. The enemy immediately made another sortie and took possession of the field-works and outposts. The Mughuls fought desperately to recover them, Fīrūz Jang and two other generals being wounded and large numbers of their men slain. Aurangzīb himself advanced into the field to aid his troops; cannon-balls began to fall near him, but he coolly kept his position and cheered his soldiers by his example. While this battle was raging a tempest burst on the plain with the tropical fury of wind, rain and thunder. The rising water forced the Mughuls back, and then the enemy made another charge, seizing the trenches further off and carrying away or damaging all their guns. At sunset the defeated Mughuls fell back on their rear lines. Next morning the third mine was fired, but having been discovered and flooded with water by the enemy, it did not explode. Thus the Mughuls failed with all their efforts and the siege dragged on.