It was late in the night when the group reached Pune. The soft diffused light of the ashtami moon spread over the ground. The guards at the gate came out adjusting their guns hearing the horses. One of the guards challenged, ‘Kaun hai?’ One of Ibrahim’s men stepped forward and slapped the guard hard shouting, ‘Badtameez! Khansahab ko pehchanta nahin?’ The other guards hastily bent in mujras and salaams. The route was now clear. Ibrahim moved forward in a casual yet dignified manner as if nothing had happened. It was silence all over sans the intermittent warning shouts of the guards parading the area. Most of the Mughal troops were tired of the day long Ramzan fast and were fast asleep after a heavy meal.

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Hljóðbók: 5 januari 2023