New History of the Marathas v2.c27.15

v2.c27.15

As soon as the Emperor’s departure became known to Malika Zamani and other members of the harem (more than 350 all told), they hurriedly loaded their valuables on their elephants and started in a long train for Delhi. The Maratha troops were not far off. They got news of these ladies escaping with their jewels and suddenly fell upon them, on the dark night of 26th May. The ladies were made prisoners and stripped of all their valuables and belongings : the camp of Sikandarabad was plundered of every useful article. When Ghazi-ud-din and Malharrao learned of this outrage on the imperial zanana, they felt ashamed. Malika Zamani called Malharrao to her presence and censured him. He slapped his own face in the Queen’s presence and tried to plead his innocence saying that it was the work of the plundering Pindaries attached to the army. Malharrao caught hold of a few culprits and cut off their heads in her presence. He then collected all the ladies and their goods together and sent them two lacs for their expenses. Although the imperial jewellery was restored, a large stock of the Sikandarabad camp, 500 guns, tents, equippage and gold and silver trappings fell into Maratha hands. Ghazi-ud-din himself met Malika Zamani on 28th, fell prostrate before her and asked pardon.