Indian Antiquary Vol 60

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 16

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[JANUARY, 1031
several mines under the walls, and wherever stones were met with, the stone-masons openeda way through with their iron tools. Two bastions in front of the royal battery were completely undermined, and, according to order, both mines were filled with gunpowder. Three or four hundred brave men of the imperial army were posted ready armed near these bastions, to rush in as soon as the explosion took place, before the defenders could rally to resist them. Both mines were fired, and one which took effect blew the bastion from its foundations into the air, and every stone fell at a distance. A great breach was visible, and the storming party instantly rushed forward shouting their war-cry. A strong party of the garrison came forward to oppose them, and while the contest was at the hottest, and a great number of the faithful and of the infidels were struggling upon the other bastion, the mine exploded, and blew friend and foe together into the air, scattering their limbs in all directions. The quantity of gunpowder used was so enormous that stones of fifty and a hundred mans were hurled to the distance of two and three kos. Many corpses were also found within a radius of two kos. Saiyid Jamalu'd-dîn and..other braves of the imperial army perished. Vast numbers of the garrison were killed. The vast quantities of dust and smoke prevented all movement in the imperial army for a time; stones, corpses, and limbs fell from the air, and the eyes of the soldiers were injured. The enemy, concealing their loss, showed a brave front. When the cmperor perceived the state of affairs, he exerted himself more strenuously to take the place. He ordered the sábåt in front of Shuja'at Khan's battery to be pushed forward. The garrison was more distressed, and ready to succumb, but no one had the courage to propose surrender to the emperor. For he had determined that he would capture by storm this the strongest fortress of Hindústân, so that in future no other fortress should dare to resist the imperial army. He took is position on the top of the sábát, and his brave soldiers kept up such a discharge from their bows and muskets that no one could escape from the place. His Majesty also had his own musket, deadly as the darts of fate, with which he killed every moving thing that caught his eye. On the 5th Sha'ban, 975 (A.D. 4th Feb., 1568) the assault was made by the emperor's command. The walls had been breached in several places, and the signs of victory were in favour of the assailants. Jaimal,73 the commandant of the fortress, an infidel yet valiant, all day long struggled bravely in every part, inciting his men to fight and resist. At the time of evening prayer he came in front of the royal battery, where His Majesty, holding his musket, discharged it as often as light blazed out in the bastion. It so often happened that Jaimal was standing in that tower when His Majesty discharged his piece into a lighted place. The ball struck Jaimal in the forehead and killed him on the spot. When the men of the garrison saw their leader fall, they felt that all further resistance was useless; they gave up fighting, and after first burning the body of Jaimal, they performed the jauhar at their own homes. Jauhar is the name of a rite among the Hindus. When they know for certain that there is no escape, they collect their wives and children, goods and chattels, heap firewood around the pile, and fire it with their own hands. After the burning is accomplished, they rush into the fight, and give themselves over to death. This they esteem a great act of devotion. The great flames of the jarhar and the lull of the conflict on the bastions and walls showed the assailants that the garrison was reduced to extremity, so they began to make their way into the place in parties. Some of the boldest of the infidels, who had no wives and families, stood to their posts resolved to sell their lives. The emperor witnessed the prowess of his warriors from the top of the sábát. Under his orders thrce clephants were taken through the breach into the city, and one of them named Madkar on that day killed many infidels, and although he received many wounds, never turned tail. The second elephant named Jagna was surrounded by infidels, and died of the numerous wounds he received from spears and swords. In the last watch of the night the assailants forced their way into the fortress in several places, and fell to slaughtering and plundering. At early dawn the emperor went in mounted on an elephant, attended by his nobles and chiefs on foot. The order was given for
13 In Memoirs of Jahangir (Rogers and Beveridge), vol. I, p. 45, Jaimal is misnamed Jitmal.