The Seven Cities of Delhi
carrying on their backs towers filled with archers and slinorers; in the intervals were crossbowmen. The veteran troops of Timur were considerably dismayed at the sight of the elephants, but firmly met the attack, repulsed it, and pursued the flying enemy to the gates of Old Delhi, which was abandoned during the night.
The next five days were spent by Timur in feasting by the side of the Hauz Khas; but on the 17th of December — a Wednesday — he re- paired to the idgah which was in front of the Darwaza-i-Maidan Gate, towards the Hauz Khas, and there received the submission of the prin-cipal inhabitants of the three cities, to whom he promised protection of life and property. The imperial standard was set up over the principal gate; two days after that, the Moulvi, whose hands were dyed with blood, pronounced from the pulpit of the cathedral mosque of Firozabad the names and titles of the conqueror.
But while this was going on the people were being put to the sword. Some of Timur's ladies had ridden into the city of Jahanpanah to inspect the " Palace of a Thousand Pillars." The people feared an attack by the escort, and themselves brought on a scuffle, which resulted in a massacre for three whole days. The man who, in cold blood, could put harmless captives to death, was202
