Riyaz al-salatin 110.2.5

110.2.5

In this sword-charge, wherein the boisterous wind of Death threw down on the plain of annihilation corpses like leaves of trees, and the flood of blood raged tumultously on every side, Mardan A'li Khan, the Bakhshi of Shuj'a Khan's regime, who was now the generalissimo of Sarfaraz Khan's army, and commanded the van, feeling himself incapable of continuing the contest any longer, fled. At the sight of this flight, Sarfaraz Khan's army was demoralised, and a general stampede ensued in its ranks. Each one felt contented with saving himself, No one cared for another. Save and except his Georgian and Abyssinian slaves and a few of his old comrades, not one out of the numerous mock-heroes remained to cover Sarfaraz Khan's elephant. The elephant-driver perceiving that victory had declared itself for the enemy, said to Sarfaraz Khan:—"If it be your Highness's pleasure, I shall carry you to Birbhum to the Zamindar, Badi'u-z-zaman." Sarfaraz Khan, striking the elephant-driver a blow on the neck, retorted: "Tie the chain round the feet of the elephant, as I will not retreat before these dogs." The elephant-driver was obliged to drive on his elephant. The Barqandozes and the Bhaliahs of the enemy's Army, who had from before ranged themselves like a ring round Sarfaraz Khan's tent, discharged from all sides cannon-shells on his elephant; and over and above, rockets and cannon-balls, arrows and muskets were showered incessantly by the hostile army.