Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c56.s14.6

v4.c56.s14.6

Thus forcing an entrance, the stormers advanced, under constant fire from the walls, to the second and the third gates, Lucan showing the way. These two were easily entered, the retreating enemy being too confused to make a stand. Then the column came up before the fourth gate which led into the inner quadrangle. No gun could smash it, but Major Macleod, who was leading the assault, after Monson had been dangerously wounded, boldly entered through the wicket in this gate, ascended the rampart and followed by his men drove the enemy back. The resistance soon after died out, and the fortress of Aligarh, so long deemed impregnable, was conquered by British arms in an hour's time. Some of the garrison who submitted were permitted to depart in safety. The majority tried to escape, but perished in the attempt; great numbers leaped into the ditch, many of whom were drowned; and even those who swam to the plain outside were cut up by a picquet of the 27th Dragoons, as the British soldiers had received orders to spare none. The Maratha loss was estimated at two thousand men, "the surrounding ditch being almost filled with dead bodies".