History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c66.s7.2

v4.c66.s7.2

Some citizens removed to the fort, in the course of the night, whatever they could carry away on their own persons or by means of hired porters. But most people had to stay in their own houses, dazed and helpless, as Bhimsen found them a few days afterwards. The city presented the spectacle of a sack after assault by an enemy. "Before the news of the king's flight could reach Prince Shah Alam's camp, the ruffians and robbers of the city began to loot it. . . . . . In every ward, street, and market-place, there were lakhs of Rupees worth in cash, property, China-ware of the nobles and tradesmen, and carpets of the king and the aristocracy, besides horses and elephants. These were looted in the midst of a terrible uproar. Many Hindu and Muslim wives and children were kidnapped and some of them outraged. Rich carpets, too heavy to be carried off, were slashed with the sword or dagger and the pieces removed by the robbers . . . Even the doors were taken off their hinges." (Dil. 190; K.K. ii. 306-307.)