1 mtSrtfy
2 '
3 The siege of
4 Mooltan,
5 Is taken by
6 the Sikhs*
7 Desperate i
8 sistance of
9 Moozuffur
10 Khan.
11 180 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS.
12 which the Sikhs took possession after a severe
13 fight; but the siege of the fort lasted for three
14 months, when the Maharajah determined to pro¬
15 ceed in person ; and with ghis view, encamped at the i
16 Shalamar gardens. He sent daily expresses, urging
17 the siege to be continued. The well-known hatred
18 existing between the Sikhs and Mussulmans, rein-
19 dered the engagement of the fiercest kind on both
20 sides. The Sikhs entrenched themselves outside
21 the ditch, and approached close to the latter; the
22 Mussulmans made sorties, and frequent desperate
23 fights took place. The number and size of the
24 Sikh guns, at length, effected practicable breaches
25 in the walls of the fort, and on the 18th of Jeth,
26 (May) a desperate attack was made on the fort by
27 the Sikhs. Moozuffur Khan and his two sons
28 fought in the most gallant manner in defending the
29 breaches, and many were killed on both sides. At
30 length, the Sikhs made good their entrance; but
31 still tlie struggle inside was desperate. The Pa-
32 thans fought hand to hand, with the Kbalsa troops.
33 The latter were at last victorious, and pillaged the
34 fort, where they found great quantities of money,
35 clothes, and other valuable articles. As a last
36 effort, Moozuffur Khan, arming himself and his
37 followers, rushed out of the citadel on the assail¬
38 ants, cut his way through them, arid reached the
39 tomb of Bhawul Tluk, and prepared for battle
40 afresh. Moozuffur Khan fought desperately ; but «
41 was slain, after receiving repeated wounds. Seve¬
42 ral of his sons likewise fell, and one of his daugh-