Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c13.s1.5

v1.c13.s1.5

Ahmad totally lacked the martial spirit, the capacity to lead armies, and even personal courage. He could not be persuaded to come out of the safety and seclusion of his palace-fort and show himself at the head of his troops, even when his very life and throne demanded that he should thus hearten his supporters and confound the rebels. The imperial army clamoured under his window inviting him to lead them forth in a campaign for wresting the provinces from usurpers, so that revenue might again come to the Delhi Exchequer and the starving soldiery and servants of the royal household might get their long arrears of salary. But he would not agree to it. [*TAh.* 66*b*, 117*a*.] His panic flight from Sikandrabad abandoning all the women of his family to captivity and possible dishonour, at a mere demonstration by the Marāthas, has branded his name with infamy in Indian history for all time.