Page:History of Aurangzib (based on original sources) Vol 1.djvu/181

CHAP. VIII.] contracted with the tribal chiefs for the supply of provisions to the Prince's army during the march and siege.

The force sent against Qandahar numbered between 50,000 and 60,000 men, of whom one-fifth were musketeers and artillery men. The officers formed one-twentieth of the strength. The artillery consisted of eight big cannon, some of which carried 70 lb. shot, twenty of smaller calibre, each carrying 4 or 5 lb. shot, twenty swivels mounted on elephants and a hundred on camels. The transport was entrusted to ten choice elephants from the Emperor's own stables, besides many others owned by the generals, and three thousand camels. Two krores of rupees were set apart for the expenses. The Emperor himself stayed at Kabul with a reserve of 40 to 50 thousand men, to reinforce the besiegers if necessary, and to keep their communication with the north open.

The main army, led by the Prime Minister Sadullah Khan, entered Afghanistan by the Khaibar Pass and reached Qandahar by way of Kabul and Ghazni. Aurangzib with a smaller