"When I came to the determination of taking the fort of Bhamir, I appointed Shaikh Nuru-d din, Amir Sulaiman, Amir Allah-dad, and other amirs, to direct the attack upon the right of the fort and to endeavour to make themselves masters of the walls. I appointed Prince Khalil Sultan, Shaikh Muhammad, son of Aiku-timur and some other commanders of regiments, to make the assault upon the left, and try to take the fort. I, myself, led the center of my army against the gate. My brave soldiers stormed the fort and walls in all directions, and at the very first assault the fortifications and walls (hisar wa shahr-band) were rested from the hands of the Hindus and the town was taken. Many Rajputs were put to the sword, and all the enormous wealth and property which was in the city fell as spoil into the hands of my soldiers. My brave men showed much courage and determination in this capture of the fort. Rao Dul Chain, with his fighting [p. 39] Rajputs, drew up at the gate of the fort to dispute the entrance. I then directed the generals of the division of Prince Shah Rukh, Amir Sulaiman Shah and Amir Jahall Maljk to fall upon Rao Dul Chain and the men who had rallied round him. They engaged in the conflict, and showed much intrepidity and valour with their flashing swords. Jahan Malik fought like a lion, and Saiyid Khwaja cut down several of the enemy. Army officers and brave soldiers swarmed round the fort like ants and locusts; some advanced to the edge of the ditch and some passed over it. When Rao Dul Chain perceived that his fort was being taken by the valour and prowess of my men, he raised a cry for quarter, and prayed a cessation of fighting, declaring his determination to come and make his submission to me. He sent a saiyid to intercede for him. When the saiyid came to me and represented the forlorn and miserable state of the Rao Dul Chain, my respect for the gray beard of the intercessor, and the reverence which I have for saiyids in general led me to give the command for my soldiers to leave off fighting, telling them that the Rao had determined to come and surrender on the following day. In consequence of this order the soldiers withdrew from the fort and took up their quarters outside the town. The night passed with much vigilance and caution on our part. When morning came the Rao broke his word, and did not come to pay homage to me. I gave the order for again attacking the fort vigorously and I directed that every man should strive to mine the wall in front of him and to make a passage underneath. In execution of this order, the soldiers pressed forward to make holes under the wall, and a terrible fight ensued. The besieged cast down in showers arrows and stones and fireworks upon the heads of the assailants but my brave men received these missiles on their heads and shoulders, and, treating them as mere dirt and rubbish pushed on their work. The enemy found themselves hemmed in on all sides with breaches open, [p. 40] so fear took possession of them, their hearts fell, and they gave up resistance. Rao Dul Chain and his followers (sipah) came out on the top of the battlements, and with many signs of distress and trouble begged for mercy, promising that if I would graciously pardon their offences they would surrender, and faithfully wait upon me to pay their homage. I knew very well their hopeless condition, but I remembered the saying of the wise, that “Clemency is better than victory,” so I granted the prayer of the enemy and returned to my camp. In the evening of the same day, Rao Dul Chain sent his son and his deputy to my tent, bringing with them some head of game and some Arab horses as presents. I received the both with kindness and princely distinction, gave him a robe and a sword with a golden scabbard, and sent him back to his father. I enjoined him to warn his father against giving way to any suggestions of deception and false play, but to come in and take a frank submission; I would then treat him with favour. If, however, he made any delay, he should see what would happen."