57 



attempt to plunder and destroy his territories: these suspicions 

 were verified by the approach of a considerable army towards his 

 capital, commanded by Ismael Beg Khan, and assisted by Dowlut 

 Row Sindia. Gulam Kaudir told the emperor on this, that he 

 had nothing to fear, he having an army sufficiently strong to op- 

 pose the enemy; and that all the emperor had to do, was to march 

 out with his troops, give them a supply of cash, and he would 

 stake his head on the enemy's being overcome. t To this the empe- 

 ror replied, that he had no money to carry on the contest. Gulam 

 Kaudir said this should be no objection, as he would advance 

 the necessary supply of cash, and tliat all his majesty had to do 

 was to head the army. " This," said he, " will animate and give 

 them courage, as the presence of a monarch is above half the 

 battle." The emperor agreed in appearance, and requested Gulam 

 Kaudir to assemble the army, pay their arrears, and inform them of 

 his intentions. Gulam Kaudir retired contented, but great was his 

 astonishment when he intercepted, the next day, a letter from the 

 emperor to Sindia, desiring him to make all possible haste and 

 destroy Gulam Kaudir; " for," as the letter expresses it, " Gulam 

 Kaudir desires me to act contrary to my wishes, and oppose you." 

 On this discovery Gulam Kaudir marched out with his Mo- 

 guls, crossed the Jumna, and encamped on the other side, oppo- 

 site to the fort of Delhi. He then sent the emperor the intercepted 

 letter, and asked him if his conduct did not deserve to be 

 punished by the loss of his throne? He began to besiege the fort, 

 and carried it in a few days ; he entered the palace in arms, flew 

 to his majesty's chamber, treated the aged monarch in the most 

 barbarous manner, knocked him down, and kneeling on his breast, 



VOL. IV. I 



