Chahar gulzar-i Shujaʿi 7.8

7.8

When Shuja' Kuli Khan, alias 'Isa, was slain, all his cavalry at once took to flight, and caused great confusion in the army of Nawab Shuja'u-d daula. The English, being informed of this, with great impetuosity attacked the division of Rája Beni Bahadur, the deputy of the Nawab. The Raja, who had never been in action, could not stand his ground, and fled without attempting to fight. As he commanded several thousands, both of horse and foot, his flight caused the defeat of the armies of the Emperor and the Nawab. The English took possession of the intrenchments of the fugitives. Although the Nawab tried much to rally them, and cried out (in the words of Sa'di), "Ye brave men, exert yourselves to fight, and do not put on the clothes of women," yet none returned, all sought safety in flight. When the Nawab and the Emperor's forces fled, the English fell upon their camps, and began to plunder them. The Nawab hastened in confusion towards Benares, and halted when he arrived there. The English took possession of his tents, guns and other property. The Emperor also fled to Benares. The Nawab, after some days, hastened to Allahabad, and stayed there three months collecting a large army.