History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c12.s1.38

c12.s1.38

The work of filling the moat round the fort was begun with feverish activity. To guard against a sudden attack from the enemy, orders were given to the soldiers to fell trees and construct a barricade. By throwing mud and stones and other things the ditch was filled at one place and the Muslim army could reach the bastions of the fort. Malik Naib called a council of officers, and all the generals unanimously agreed that the construction of *pashib* for escaldings the walls of the fort was a hard task. They decided to engage the enemy in a hand to hand fight before constructing a *pashib*. By the middle of February a breach in the outer walls was effected by the sinewy "diggers." After persitent efforts for a whole week the imperial general got possession of the outer fortress of mud and then began the investment of the inner fort of stone, by crossing another ditch that lay between the two lines of fortification.