1870.] Translations from the Tdrikh i Firuz Slidhi. 21 



also kept his troops ever alert and vigilant, and constantly on the guard 

 and watch, and in every [trench, alang~\ under arms ready to receive 

 any assault of the Mughuls ; but he deferred engaging in a pitched 

 battle. With each division and in each trench too, were stationed 

 five elephants incased in armour, and a party of infantry to keep guard 

 and watch over them. On the other hand the Mughuls used to go 

 round and round the camp, longing to make a sudden irruption on it, 

 and destroy it. 



So formidable an invasion of the Mughuls as this, had never before 

 been witnessed at Dihli for many ages ; for did Turghi remain but a 

 single month longer on the banks of the Jamnah, he would inspire such 

 dread, as to create utter desolation in Dihli. During the present 

 blockade, however, whereby the supply of water, forage, and firewood 

 was rendered very difficult for the people, the entrance of caravans of 

 grain totally prevented, and the dread of the Mughuls so widely spread 

 that their horsemen used to advance up to Chautrah Segani, \_Bibl. 

 Ind. Subhani, as on p. 320] and Murdodhi [Mori and Hadhi, Bill. 

 Ind.~], and the reservoir, and alight at these places, and drink wine 

 there ; grain and stores were sold at a moderate price out of the 

 royal depots, and no great scarcity was felt.* 



On two or three occasions desultory conflicts and skirmishes occurred 

 between the outposts on either side, but neither party gained any 

 decided advantage. By the grace of God, Turghi found himself un- 

 able to force his way by any means into the Sultan's camp ; and by 

 virtue of the supplications of the poor, after a period of two months, 

 the accursed wretch marched off with his army, and made the best of 

 his way back to his own country. 



This occasion, on which the army of Islam had received no injury 

 from the Mughul force, and the city of Dihli had escaped unhoirmed, 

 appeared one of the miracles of the age to all intelligent persons ; for 

 the Mughuls had arrived in great force quite early in the season, and 

 had blockaded the roads against the entry of reinforcements or sup- 

 plies ; and the royal army was suffering under the want of proper 

 equipments, while they were in the most flourishing and hearty con- 

 dition. 



* Vide a plan of 'Alauddin's Intrenchment in Campbell's ' Note on the Topo- 

 graphy of Dihli,' J. A. S. Bengal, 1866, Pt. I., p. 217. 



