Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c22.s7.36

v2.c22.s7.36

The peace, however, was shortlived. The main Afghan army had withdrawn, but bands of soldiers from it continued to revisit the city under orders to secure transport, guns, or provisions for the Shāh’s camp in the south, and utilized this opportunity and the absence of their master to rob on their own account. On 15th February the Delhi chronicler records, “The Mughalias and *nasaqchis* engaged in plunder, and all day and night cries of distress were heard.” Next day, “the same state of things continued ; many wards of the Old and New cities were burnt and some remained safe. Intizām and Jahān Khan went out and set fire to Khori-ganj and other places.” On the 19th, “Three Turks and Peshwari-bachchas entered the female apartments of the people in search of horses, opened the chambers, and carried off whatever furniture they could find. They even seized the householders and pressed them to find out and supply porters [for the Shāh’s march], but afterwards set them free on receiving money.” [*DC.*] Again, “on 28th February a thousand *kalaposhes* came to Delhi fort for removing four large cannon to the Shāh’s army. They seized the bullocks of the passers-by and thus collected about a hundred cattle. Then going to the river-bank they plundered the people who were coming across the river and the washermen of their clothes. Wherever they heard of ropes, bamboos, or wooden beams in any shop bazar or house, they took them away... The plundering by the *kalaposhes* had stopped the coming of grain from Shahdara to Delhi. ... On 5th March the *kalaposhes* left the city, and much grain having come from Shahdara, wheat sold at 91/2 seers against 7 seers before. The cheapness increased daily.” [*TALS.*, 104-105b.]