Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c22.s3.26

v2.c22.s3.26

After thus settling the new administration, Jahān Khan planned to cut off a large body of Sikh rebels who had assembled at Amritsar for a religious bath, and, as was their usual practice, had taken to plunder and violence. Two divisions, under Hāji Atāi Khan and the wazir, were ordered to converge upon the city and attack the Sikhs simultaneously. But Atāi Khan delayed his march, so that when Jahān Khan approached Amritsar with 2,000 horsemen, he was unsupported and had to meet the full force of the Sikh attack. "Many of our men turned to flee, but the Sikhs had left them no path to escape by, and they had to return to our group. We fought in desperation. Then Hāji Atāi arrived and put the Sikhs to flight. The victors gave chase, occupied Amritsar, and slew five Sikh infantrymen who were standing on guard before a screened door"—evidently the shrine of their Holy Book. [Miskin, 162.]