Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c22.s4.13

v2.c22.s4.13

It was impossible for Timur Shah to defend Lahor against the myriads of Marathas; the fort was out of repair and insufficiently provisioned with food and material; the Sikh population throughout the province was hostile, his reliable troops, Afghans and Persian Turks, numbered only a few thousands, and there was no hope of relief from Ahmad Shah who was troubled by risings in Khurāsān and had to go there in person with all his forces. So Timur decided on flight (c. 19 April.) Setting up a temporary camp on the other bank of the Rāvi, he and his Durrāni followers loaded their property in carts and sent it by repeated trips from the city to this camp. Every one was busy in preparing for the exodus; none thought of making a stand or guarding the city. Next day news came that the vanguard of the invaders under Adina Beg and Mānāji Pāygudé had crossed the Biās and arrived twelve miles north of Lahor. That day at noon Timur abandoned his capital and crossed over to the camp, his wazir following him. Throughout that day of evacuation, utter confusion and terror reigned in the masterless city; but Tahmāsp Khan (pen-name Miskin), a former page of Muin-ul-mulk, on his own initiative shut the city gates and patrolled the streets all night.