The Institutes of Akbar 250.5

250.5

and, in consequence of it, he hesitated to take an active part in the operations, leaving the command of his detachment chiefly in the hands of M. Sháhrukh (No. 7). Only on one occasion after Murád’s departure from Ahmadnagar, he took a prominent part in the war. Mu’tamiduddaulah Suhail Khán (Briggs, II, 274; III, 308) threatened Prince Murád, who had been persuaded by his officers not to engage with him. M. ’A., Rájah ’Alí Khán, and M. Sháhrukh, therefore took it upon themselves to fight the enemy. Moving in Jumáda II, 1005 from Sháhpúr, M. ’A. met Suhail near the town of Ashtí, 12 kos from Páthrí. The fight was unusually severe. Rájah ’Alí Khán with five of his principal officers and five hundred troopers were killed (Briggs IV, 324). The night put an end to the engagement ; but each party believing itself victorious, remained under arms. When next morning, M.’A.’s troopers went to the river [near Supt, Firishtah] to get water, they were attacked by 25,000 of the enemy’s horse. Daulat Khan who commanded M.’A.’s avantguard, said to him, “It is dying a useless death to fall fighting with but 600 troopers against such odds.” “Do you forget Dihli?” asked M.’A. “If we keep up,” replied Daulat Khan, “against such odds, we have discovered a hundred Dihlis; and if we die, matters rest with God.” Qasim of Barha and several other Sayyids were near; and on hearing M.’A.’s resolution to fight, he said, “Well, let us fight as Hindustanis, nothing is left but death;