Later Mughals v2.c16.s1.11

v2.c16.s1.11

At last, alarmed at the danger to the two nobles, and angered at seeing the bruised and bleeding faces of their own captains, the Afghans lost all patience and set upon the attacking party, sword in hand and shield on arm. The bazar men would have soon got the worst of it. But the artillery who had taken up their cause now fell on, armed with fusils and European pistols. Joined with them was a body of unruly Mughals from the quarter of Mughalpura. One of the Habshis fired from near the pulpit at the two nobles. Thereupon the Afghans wild with excitement rushed forward; and the ranks of both sides were inextricably intermingled. The Afghans were far more numerous than the artillery men while the shoesellers were unarmed. Up to this point the Mughals round the Wazir had hardly been able to restrain themselves; but now, as the day was going against their fellow countrymen, they disregarded all the Wazir’s orders. Seizing their weapons they took part in the fray.