Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c42.22

v3.c42.22

On the 15th the weak Emperor was tricked by his nāzir into granting an audience to Ghulām Qādir. Thus began the last Afghan occupation of Delhi which lasted for two and a half months, from 18th July to 2nd October, 1788. It inflicted unspeakable suffering and dishonour on the royal family and ruined the prestige of the empire beyond recovery. Shah Alam was deposed (30 July) and blinded (10 Aug.), tender children and helpless women were done to death by denying them food or drink for days together, princes were flogged, princesses were dishonoured, servants were beaten till they died, the entire palace area, as well as the mansions of the rich outside the fort, were turned upside down by digging for concealed treasure, the palace was denuded of its property and the royal family of its youthful beauties to gratify the Ruhela's passions. It was a dance of demons for nine weeks.