Riyaz al-salatin 104.2.1

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.