made by the Horse Guards in the courtyard driving in pegs for their horses’ heel-ropes.”1 Then he rounded on his servant and abused him for disturbing his rest with childish alarms. Grumbling, he lay down again and composed himself to sleep. A moment later the Marathas had made a breach in the wall. Shivaji, sword in hand, pushed his way through into the room and sprang towards the Khan’s bed. With panic agility, Shayista rolled off his bed
