Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c27.s10.23

v2.c27.s10.23

That attack came on 22nd July, when a strong force detached by the Bhāu from Mathurā under Malhar, Jankoji, and Balwant Ganesh Méhéndélé, accompanied by the titular wazir Imād-ul-mulk (whom Suraj Mal had introduced to the Bhāu at Mathurā), appeared in the morning and assaulted the city-gate.* The defenders were so few that the resistance was prolonged only by the huge stone walls of the capital. But in the afternoon the invaders broke into the city by way of Jāvid Khan's mansion. The fort held out under Yaqub Ali Khan, who kept the assailants back by fire from the ramparts. One body of Marathas crowded before the Asad-burj and attacked the Khiziri gate, another body assaulted the Delhi Darwāza. For nearly two hours Malhar and Jankoji tried to break the Khiziri gate, but it was covered with brass plates and braced with iron bars, and defied all their efforts.