History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v2.c23.53

v2.c23.53

Acting on this plan, Aurangzib's men by a sudden rush possessed themselves of the Khiziri gate which opens on the river. The arch of the gateway protected them from the fire of the defenders on the ramparts, and they could safely prevent the taking of water from the river into the Fort. The garrison now began to suffer the horrors of a siege. With the Jumna at hand, all other sources of water supply had been neglected in the Fort. It had a few wells no doubt, but their water was bitter and they had been long disused. The Emperor and his Court, so long accustomed to the "molten snow" of the Jumna, found the well-water intolerable. Many of his officers, pampered idlers of the Court, being unable to bear the hardship for more than a day, slipped out of the Fort under the plea of looking after the admission of water. Others were corrupted by Aurangzib's gold. The rank and file had indeed courage and fidelity, but all were disheartened in being led by an old and invalid master, and wanted to beg for quarter. Shah Jahan, compelled in his old age and sickness to quench his thirst in the burning heat of June with the bitter well-water, wrote the following touching letter to his cruel son :—