The Seven Cities of Delhi
of Mahomed Shah, who were estimated at two hundred thousand strong, received a defeat, but were not driven from the camp.
After some days of perplexity and wavering counsel, Mahomed, afraid of the intrigues of the Nizam, who was bargaining with the enemy, surrendered himself to Nadir Shah, and was received with the respect due to a king. He was, however, reproached with his inattention to the affairs of his state and with his want of generalship, and was informed that the empire would not be taken from him, but that Delhi would be occupied until an indemnity was paid. On March 9, 1739, Nadir Shah, preceded by Mahomed Shah, entered Delhi and took up his quarters in the palace, Mahomed contenting himself with the Shah Burj, while the invader occupied the main apartments. Strict orders were given that the inhabitants were not to be molested, but on the evening of the loth a scuffle was started by some grain-sellers at Paharganj, and a report was spread that Nadir Shah had been killed. A riot quickly developed, and Nadir Shah, highly incensed, proceeded on the following morning to quell it. As he entered the Golden Mosque of Roshan-ud-daula, in the Chandni Chouk, a musket was fired at him, and the ball narrowly missed. He gave orders at once for a general massacre. From the234
