Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c36.s9.1

v3.c36.s9.1

This abortive enterprise precipitated a crisis in the government of Delhi. By undertaking it Abdul Ahad Khan dug his own grave. When, on 16th October, fast couriers brought to the Emperor the news that his son had begun his retreat from Patiāla two days earlier, hemmed round by lakhs of Sikh horsemen, the royal Court was filled with utter consternation and despair. The only army under the Emperor's own control seemed doomed to annihilation and his beloved son to an ignominious end in that far off field. And after that sure disaster the tumultuous flood of Sikh mounted musketeers would sweep resistlessly southwards and take Delhi, now left without a single defender. The one ray of hope was Mirzā Najaf, then campaigning in the south with a large and efficient army and very capable lieutenants. Frantic orders were despatched to him to come immediately to the rescue. The Mirzā hurriedly called in his outlying detachments and his officers from their fiefs, and gathering his force together set his face towards Delhi. At the news of the royal invitation to Najaf, Abdul Ahad abandoned everything in his camp and hurried back to Delhi with the prince in order to forestall his rival in the possession of his master's ears.