Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c42.s2.45

v3.c42.s2.45

Meantime the exchange of fire between the depleted starving Ruhela garrison within the fort and the Marathas in their trenches outside continued. On 10th October, on the eve of the martyrdom of Imām Husain at Karbāla, while Ghulām Qādir was still in the fort, a powder-magazine there blew up through the negligence of some Ruhela soldiers who were issuing munitions from it. The effect was like that of a volcanic eruption and the ruins were flung down to the middle of the city. Ghulām Qādir read the omen and said, “Now the fort itself refuses to keep me”. Taking his remaining property and latest booty with him, he vacated the fort with all his men, by means of boats. That morning grain had sold at two seers for a Rupee within the palace, and next day absolutely no food-stuff could be had there for love or money.