Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c10.s6.1

v1.c10.s6.1

After leaving Lāhor on 19th February, Abdāli had forded the Satlaj at Ludhiāna (1st March) and pushed on to Sarhind (40 miles south-eastwards) in the course of the following night. Early next morning he delivered an impetuous attack on the utterly surprised garrison of the fort. The fire of his camel-swivels drove the defenders away from the walls. Then the Afghāns by one rush reached the gate of the fort, broke it open and entered within, pillaging slaying and burning the thatched houses in the fort and the city. The imperial musketeers soon exhausted their powder and shot and were then butchered; the women were reduced to slavery. It is difficult to exaggerate the effect of this victory on the whole campaign. All the rockets, military stores, treasure &c. of the Delhi army except what was carried by the troops in the field, fell into Abdāli’s hands and immensely strengthened him. The imperialists were correspondingly depressed; their rear was cut into and the invader was reported to be on the march to Delhi with a clear path before him. The alarm reached the capital (about 10th March); the Emperor ordered a detachment to go with artillery to Sarāi Bādli, 7 miles northwest of Delhi, and block the invader's route. The ordinary citizens made a rush to flee from the city and thus escape a repetition of Nādir's massacre, but the police, under orders, shut the gates to keep them in. Many citizens however sent their women outside in disguise. [TAh. 6a.]