New History of the Marathas v2.c27.43

v2.c27.43

The Abdali Shah now started a reign of terror inflicting all kinds of atrocities on the unfortunate residents not only of Delhi but of Mathura and other towns within about a hundred miles radius from the capital. The harrowing accounts of these atrocities are a most painful reading. How much wealth Abdali accumulated it is difficult to say: possibly he himself had no correct idea of it. In addition to what he might have carried away for his own State, most of his followers freely appropriated, whatever they could lay their hands on. A reporter writes “Most peoples’ houses in Delhi were dug up to find hidden treasures. He sent his son escorted by ten thousand troops back to his country with loaded animals of accumulated treasure, choice horses, elephants, camels. People left their homes in huge crowds running for shelter to different localities. The territory round Delhi is now quite desolate. Mathura and Agra have also suffered the same fate. About 20 thousand Marathas and 15 thousand Jats are ready preparing for a conflict. The whole town of Delhi is occupied by the Pathan troops, each one of whom now owns a house occupying it as its real master. Many men have been killed; many women have been ravished; several committed suicide; others drowned themselves to avoid dishonour. All the imperial princesses that were discovered, have been married forcibly to these foreign invaders; every Hindu lady of handsome features was hunted out and taken into some Muslim harem. Najib Khan is appointed to govern the city. Abdali married the Wazir Ghazi-ud-din in his own presence to Umda Begam, daughter of Mughlani. Every house in the city was searched; every individual was examined for his belongings. Every householder was served with a written order to disclose his wealth. Those who resisted suffered terrible hardships. People brought out for sale whatever they possessed, but found no buyers. Several took poison and put an end to their lives. Minute details were supplied to the Shah by Mughlani Begam.”