Riyaz al-salatin 104.2
The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 104.2
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104.2.1
On the next day, advancing from his entrenchment, he arrayed his troops, posting armed heroes and warriors in the right and left wings, in the centre, in the van, and in the rear. Placing the artillery in front, he advanced like the wave of the sea, and struck the kettledrum of war. When the din of call to battle resounded in the ear of Rahim Shah, the latter became perturbed, but moved with his intrepid Afghan soldiers to encounter the Imperialists. From the side of the Imperialists, Zabardast Khan ordered the artillery to be brought into action, and directed the discharge of muskets and war-rockets. The gunners and musketeers and rocketeers did not slacken their fire, whilst gallant combatants charged with their swords, and worked havoc in the enemy's ranks. They charged with their spears and swords, And shed profuse blood on that battle-field. From the smoke of gun-waggons and from the dust raised by the infantry, The earth up to the sky became pitchy dark. From profuse spilling of blood on that battle-field, One roaring sea of crimson was spread. The heads of warriors looked like ripples therein, Their corpses swam like fish therein. After terrible carnage, the cowardly Afghans took to their heels and Rahim Shah retreated from the field. Zabardast Khan, who was strong and agile, became triumphant, and striking blows after blows, drove the Afghans like cattle to their tents. For three full hours the fire of warfare continued to blaze.
104.2.2
Towards sun-down, owing to the excessive sultriness of the wind, and owing to terrible exertion and fatigue, the cavalry had to give up the chase. So the victors withdrew their hands from the work of blazing the fire of warfare and encamped on the battle-field, and set about washing, and burying the dead, and nursing and dressing the wounded. They passed the night in alertness and watchfulness, posting advance-guards and night-patrols. Next morning when the King of the East, riding on a blue charger and suspending the dagger of rays, advanced on the plain of the celestial sphere, the darkness of the hosts of night and the troops of stars became effaced, nay extinguished, by its one onset ; and again triumphantly seeking vengeance, the victors set about setting their forces in battle-array. On the approach of the two armies, they charged with their spears, swords, and daggers. The Imperialists tying the girdle of devotion and self-sacrifice to the waist of their lives, engaged in killing the insurgents, and piled up a heap from the slain. And after two hours' fighting the Afghan force was once again shattered. Rahim Shah, stooping to the disgrace of flight, fled, and in a hapless state took the route to Murshidabad. Zabardast Khan to a distance of one farsakh rode forward, beat and chased the enemy, captured and slew a large number of the rebels, and capturing their treasures, effects, armaments and horses, triumphantly returned to his own camp.
104.2.3
He then made a gift of the booty to the soldiers, according to their rank, and did not spare himself in winning their hearts. For three days he halted there, and looked after the nursing of the wounded. For the purpose of effectually blockading the passages, and cutting off the enemy's supplies he despatched stringent orders to the zamindars and watchmen of passages. He sent the wounded soldiers, together with the more precious goods and spoils, to Jahangirnagar (Dacca), and detailed scouts in all directions for ascertaining the whereabouts of those who had fled. Rahim Shah, in a hapless condition and in an anxious mood, reached Murshidabad, and there exerted himself diligently to mobilise troops. Rallying round some of his vanquished rabble, who were in a state of disorder, and also others who were in straits and without armour and helmets, he opened out his treasures and chests, and by distributing horses and arms and by lavishing money, he quickly mobilised an army, and once again prepared for battle. Zabardast Khan, on the fourth day, striking the kettledrum of march from the battle-field, advanced in pursuit of the enemy towards Murshidabad. In the meantime, the zamindars of the vicinity flocked in and joined the Imperialists. After marching several stages, Zabardast Khan encamped on the east side of the plain. Rahim Shah, seeing the overwhelming force of the Imperialists, felt himself no match for them, and cowardly fled to Bardwan.
104.2.4
Zabardast Khan hotly chased him and gave him no rest.