Page:History of India Vol 4.djvu/36

18 retreated to the Aravali hills on Akbar's approach in 1567.

The citadel in Akbar's time is thus described by Mulla Ahmad: "The castle is situated in the midst of a level plain which has no other hills. The mountain is twelve miles round at the base, and nearly six at the summit. On the east and north it is faced with hard stone, and the garrison had no fears on those sides, nor could guns, swivels, stone-slings, or mangonels do much damage on the other sides, if they managed to reach them. Travellers do not mention any fortress like this in all the world. The whole summit was crowded with buildings, some several stories high, and the battlements were strongly guarded and the magazines full." The garrison laughed at the slender force of three or four thousand which the emperor had brought against a fortress twelve miles in girth, and well they might.

They had to deal with a skilful engineer, however, and Akbar made his dispositions with great care. Batteries were set up all around the fort, and a strict blockade was established. Meanwhile generals were sent to seize Rampur and Udaipur, and to lay the surrounding country waste. "From day to day," says Mulla Ahmad, "the gallant assailants brought their attacks closer to the fort on every side, though many fell under the resolute fire of the defenders. Orders were given for digging trenches and making sabats, and nearly five thousand builders, carpenters, masons, smiths, and sappers were mustered from all parts.