The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.36

v3.c20.36

From Kanauj Mahmūd marched to Manaich, afterwards known as Zafarābād, near Jaunpur. The fortress was strongly garrisoned and well furnished with supplies, but a vigorous siege of fifteen days reduced the defenders to such despair that they performed the rite of *jauhar*¹, first slaying their wives and children and then rushing out to perish on the swords of the enemy.