Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c16.s8.16

v1.c16.s8.16

After Ahmad Shah had reached Shorajpur with his few companions, spies brought the report that the Marathas were coming up in pursuit. He immediately mounted two fast-paced female elephants,—himself and his son on one with an open haudā, and his mother and wife on the second which carried a covered litter on its back,—and fled to Delhi with the utmost speed. About 2 o’clock in the afternoon of 26th May he sneaked into the palace of Delhi by the side of the octagonal tower; the few waggons following him entered by the southern gate. Only the royal jewellery had been brought away in safety, all other kinds of property, both of the State and of individuals, as well as all the artillery (said to be over 500 pieces of all calibres, Bayān 283), stores, treasure (some lakhs in gold and silver coins), tents &c. fell into the enemy’s hands. But the greatest loss was that of the honour of the imperial family; queens and princesses were held in captivity by the rude spoilers from the South. Such a calamity had never before fallen on the house of Timur and it lowered the head of every one in Delhi.