Later Mughals v1.c6.s25.4

v1.c6.s25.4

About the middle of January 1712 the Emperor's health failed.* Preparations for the annual celebration of his accession were made, but he was unable to appear. It would seem that he began to be troubled by delusions, for he gave orders to kill every dog both in the camp and the city. Hundreds were killed every day. Amin-ud-din, whose tent was on the bank of the river, himself saw the city dogs at early dawn jumping into the river and swimming to the other side, only returning after dark to the houses of those who fed them. Bahadur Shah held his last audience on the 24th February 1712. The next day he was reported to be ill, but no danger was anticipated. On the 26th it was noticed that the Princes were preparing for their own safety, and on the following day it was known that there was no hope and the men in camp began to send their families and property into the city, which was about two kos from the camp. Among those who sought refuge with their families in Lahor were Wazarat Khan, Inayatullah Khan, his father, the Sadar-us-sadur, Sayyid Amjad Khan, and Ikhlas Khan, the superintendent of arz mukarrar. [Kamwar, Dastur-ul-insha 15, Siyar, Mirza Md. 126.]