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Rh after a heavy loss, he succeeded in obtaining possession of. A series of bitter wars ensued between the Moguls and the Mahrattas, with varying success, from this period till the death of Aurungzebe, which took place in 1707, after a reign of nearly half a century, and at the patriarchal age of ninety-four. Under Aurungzebe the Mogul empire attained its widest boundaries, as well as the summit of its prosperity and splendour.

Aurungzebe was succeeded on the throne of Delhi by his eldest son, Shah Aulum (King of the Universe); and after a reign of five years he was followed in rapid succession by several weak princes, till the reign of Mahomed Shah, which was marked by a terrible and unexpected visitation.

Nadir Shah, a native of Khorassan, and the son of a maker of sheepskin coats and caps, had renounced the peaceful occupation of his father for that of a robber chief. He next entered the Persian service, and finally seated himself on the Persian throne. Being engaged in a war with the Affghans, in 1739, Nadir either had, or affected to have, a reasonable cause of complaint against the Court of Delhi, amongst other things for the murder of an envoy: he accordingly advanced to inflict punishment with his accustomed vigour and celerity. On the plain of Kamal, about four days' journey from Delhi, he fell suddenly upon the unsuspecting forces of the Emperor, and, quickly putting them to flight, removed every obstacle to his advancement to the capital, the gates of which were thrown open to receive him.

Peace and order prevailed in Delhi for two days after the entry of the Persian, till a foolish and frantic outbreak of the inhabitants compelled the conqueror, as it were, to deliver them over to fire and sword. Pillage and bloodshed then became the order of the day. The city was wrapped in flames, and in the course of a few