Page:Aurangzíb and the Decay of the Mughal Empire.djvu/185

179 the Prince drew near to Haidarábád, where he ought to have been six months before.

On his tardy approach, the greatest terror and confusion prevailed in the city. The Hindús accused the Muhammadans of betraying their country, and the Muhammadan general went over to the Mughals. The King fled to the fortress of Golkonda, and the city was given over to rival bands of rioters, who plundered and raped and destroyed at their pleasure. There was a stampede to Golkonda, and many thousand gentlemen, unable to save their property or find horses, took their wives and children by the hand, and led them, without veils and scantily clothed, to the protection of the fort.

'Before break of day, the imperial forces attacked the city, and a frightful scene of plunder and destruction followed, for in every part and road and market there were lacs upon lacs of money, stuffs, carpets, horses, and elephants, belonging to Abu-l-Hasan and his nobles. Words cannot express how many women and children of Musalmáns and Hindús were made prisoners, or how many women of high and low degree were dishonoured. Carpets of great value, which were too heavy to carry, were cut to pieces with swords and daggers, and every bit was struggled for. The Prince appointed officers to prevent the plunder, and they did their best to restrain but in vain .'

After all these horrors, Prince Mu'azzam, or as he was now styled, Sháh-'Álam ('King of the World') made peace (1685), on the King's agreeing to pay an