Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c28.s1.3

v2.c28.s1.3

Throughout the last three months, “a feeling as of death had settled upon that unhappy city from rumours of the Shah’s coming,” and on his arrival “grain became extremely dear.” Its Maratha governor Nāro Shankar, had found his position untenable as soon as the news of the disaster to the Bhāu’s army reached Delhi. The Muslim mob assembled and engaged in plunder without fear or check ; every fugitive from Pānipat was stripped of his all. But, thanks to the grateful support of the ex-Empress Zinat Mahal, Nāro Shankar issued from the city with his property and family without molestation, except for being forced to pay up the dues of the Abyssinian qiladar Habsh Khan and his garrison. He presented 3½ lakhs of Rupees in cash, besides costly articles of the Deccan to the Queen-mother; much dispersed property which he could not collect and carry away in his hurry, came into the imperial treasury.