Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c9.s2.2

v1.c9.s2.2

Then followed a general assault and plunder of the governor's officers and attendants, many of whom were slain or wounded, some after an attempt at self-defence and others helplessly. A few escaped after being stripped of their robes and arms. The whole palace and city were now in uproar and alarm; but the surprised and out-numbered royal troops could do nothing without a leader or known plan of defence. The porters and guards fled from their posts in the harem, but Zainuddin's widow promptly closed the gates and thus saved the women's quarters from an immediate sack. No stand was made against the Afghāns, who seized the murdered governor's aged father Hāji Ahmad and tortured him for seventeen days to make him divulge the place of his buried treasure, till at last (on 30th January) death released him from his sufferings. Guards were placed round the palaces of the two murdered nobles and thus Zainuddin's wife and children became prisoners. The entire city passed into the hands of the Afghāns, and the people were subjected to frightful oppression and insult for the sake of extorting money. The news that a king of their own race had again risen in Afghanistan and had captured Kābul and Qandahār almost unopposed, and was advancing victoriously upon Delhi, had emboldened the Dārbhangā Afghāns to do these acts of violence and usurpation. They dreamt of a return of the days of Sher Shah, another Afghān of Bihār who had driven out the Mughal from the throne of Delhi and given the sovereignty of India to an Afghān dynasty once again.