Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c8.s2.21

v1.c8.s2.21

Alivardi now became a prisoner in deed. In order to gain time for reinforcements to reach him, he opened negotiations with the Marāthas. But Bhāskar knew the strength of his position; he demanded as the price of peace all the Nawāb's elephants in addition to one *kror* of Rupees. Next night Alivardi made an appeal to the generosity of his Afghāns. He went to their tents in utter humility, unaccompanied by a single attendant or torch-bearer and taking his little grandson Sirāj-ud-daulah by the hand, and placed his honour and the lives of both at the feet of their captains. This move won over Mustafa Khān, their leading general. Roused by Mustafa's eloquent and chivalrous speech, the Afghān soldiers vowed to defend their master to the death.