THE SIEGE BEGUN 209

leagues from the fortress and cut off all communica- tion between it and the city. Next day Shaikh Abu-1- barakat, brother of Shaikh Abu-1-fazl, joined the be- sieging force with the elephants and artillery which had been sent under his command. The army now removed to a more favourable position, and it was resolved to form trenches in every suitable place near the fort and to close the roads and entrances. Another letter was received from Bahadur Khan, to which Shaikh .Farid replied, but the former trusted in the strength of his fort, and thought that its height and strength were such that no mortal force could take it. One day when the commander rode toward the fort to examine it, a large gun was fired at him, whereupon, it is related, some of the battlements of the tower on which it was placed fell down, and the gun itself also fell. This was received as a good omen by the Impe- rial army. Miran Sadr-i Jahan, who had returned to the emperor, now came back, charged with an Imperial message. Next day Miyan Sayyid went round and looked after many things in the construction of the trenches, so that they might afford protection to the men and enable them to stay there day and night. The mind of Akbar was intent upon this undertaking. Let- ters constantly arrived from him with instructions and urgent directions. Every day some one of his officers came to inspect and report upon the business of the siege. Having received orders to wait upon the emperor, Shaikh Farid proceeded on the 18th to the royal camp