Chahar gulzar-i Shujaʿi 7.6

7.6

When the rainy season was over, the English, having marched from 'Azimabad, pitched their tents near Baksar, opposite the Emperor's and the Nawab's camp, at a distance of five or six kos. Lines of intrenchment were prepared on either side, and the action commenced with guns and muskets. As Nawab Shuja'u-d daula had heavy artillery with him, the English army could not stand against it, and they at last prepared to engage in close combat. When recourse was had to this kind of warfare, both parties stood their ground firmly, and the warriors of both sides, expertly using their swords, bows and arrows, destroyed their opponents, and increased the business in the market of the angel of death. The brave and intrepid warriors of Nawab Shuja'u-d daula's army, having overcome the enemy, fell upon his camp, and stretched out their hands to plunder. They put a great number of them to the sword, and beat the drums of triumph and conquest. The Nawab ordered his soldiers not to let any one escape alive. The army of Shuja'u-d daula surrounded the enemy on all sides, and the English, having no way left for flight, collected at one spot, and having resolved to die, made a very desperate attack upon their opponents. Shuja' Kuli Khan, alias 'Isa, who was a slave of the Nawab, and had 4000 horse under his command, observed the furious attack of the English, and cried out to his soldiers, "Friends! it was for such a day as this that you put on those arms.