[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [General histories](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general) › [Ṭabaqāt-i Akbarī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari) › [Tabakat-i Akbari of Nizamu-d din Ahmad (extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot) › 55 # The Akbarī Generations 55: Defeat of Daud Khan by Khan-khanan. Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 55 - **Language:** English ### Defeat of Daud Khan by Khan-khanan. ### [55.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.55.1) After the conquest of Tanda and the flight of Daud to Orissa, Khan-khanan devoted his attention to the settlement of the affairs of the country. Then he sent Raja Todar Mal with some other amirs towards Orissa, in pursuit of Daud. He appointed Majnun Khan Kakshal to the government of Ghoraghat. When the Khan proceeded to Ghoraghat, Sulaiman Mangali, the jagirdar of the place, and one of the bravest of the Afghans, collected a force to resist his taking possession. Some sharp fighting followed, and Sulaiman was killed, and the wives and children of him and of other Afghans were made prisoners. Immense booty fell into the hands of the Kakshals. Majnun Khan married Sulaiman's daughter to his own son Jabbari. He then went on to Ghora-ghat, and after dividing the whole of the country among the Kakshals, he made a report to Khan-khanan. Raja Todar Mal, who had been sent in pursuit of Daud, when he reached Madaran, was informed by his scouts that Daud was engaged collecting men in Din-kasari, and that his forces were daily increasing. Todar Mal stopped at Madaran, and wrote a full report from thence to Khan-khanan. On receiving it, the Khan sent Muhammad Kuli Khan Birlas \* \* with reinforcements for the Raja. Upon their arrival, all the chiefs concurred in the expediency of marching to Gowalpara, ten kos from Din-kasari, with all speed. When Daud heard this, he did not fly, but stood his ground at Dharpur. ### [55.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.55.2) The spies now brought in information that Junaid, son of Daud's uncle, a man of high repute among the Afghans for bravery and resolution, who had formerly come into the service of the Emperor, but fled from Agra to Gujarat, and afterwards came from Gujarat to Bengal, was now at Din-kasari, seeking to form a junction with Daud. Raja Todar Mal, with the approval of the other amirs, sent Abu-l Kasim Namaki and Nazar Bahadur to attack Junaid. These men, making light of the matter, neglected the precautions necessary in warfare, and were defeated by Junaid, thus bringing disgrace upon themselves. Raja Todar Mal, on receiving the news, with the approval of his amirs, marched against Junaid; but before he could arrive, Junaid had fled into the jungles. Todar Mal therefore stopped at Midnapur. Muhammad Kuli Khan Birlas died here after a few days' illness. He was an able man, and his loss was a great cause of weakness in the Imperial forces. ### [55.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.55.3) In concurrence with the remaining amirs, Raja Todar Mal returned from Midnapur to Madaran. Here Kiya Khan Gang, being offended with the other amirs, without reason, went off into the jungle. Todar Mal reported the fact to Khan-khanan, and remained for some days in Madaran. Hereupon Khan-khanan sent Shaham Khan Jalair and \* \* \* to support Raja Todar Mal. When they joined the Raja at Bardwan, the Raja left them, and went out into the jungle after Kiya Khan, and having pacified him, brought him back with him. From Madaran they marched to Jitura. There they were informed that Daud, with his forces, had gone into the fort of Katak Banaras, and was engaged in preparations for war. Raja Todar Mal halted, and sent swift messengers to inform Khan-khanan of the position of affairs. Khan-khanan then left Tanda to march against Daud, and he formed a junction with Raja Todar Mal. Daud had organized his army and now advanced to meet him. The Afghans entrenched their camp. On the 20th Zi-l ka'da, 982, the armies met. After the array was formed, the Afghans advanced rapidly and boldly to the attack. Khan-khanan ordered fire to open upon them from the swivels (zarb-zan) and light guns (zamburak), which were mounted on arabas in front of his line. The fire of the guns drove back the elephants which were placed in front of the Afghan attack, and the musketry mowed down the Afghans who were in the advance. ### [55.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.55.4) Gujar Khan, with his division in excellent order, now came up boldly, and drove back Khan-khanan's advanced force upon the Altamsh. Khan-i 'alam, who commanded the advance, held his ground, and was killed. The Altamsh division was next defeated and driven back upon the centre, which in its turn was in great difficulty. Khan-khanan did all in his power, but could not restrain his men. At this time, Gujar Khan attacked and wounded Khan-khanan, and as the latter had no sword, he returned Gujar Khan's cuts with slashes of his whip. In this conjuncture Khan-khanan's horse took fright; and although his rider was anxious to stop him and rally the fugitives, he could not restrain him. The Afghans pursued Khan-khanan for half a kos, when Kiya Khan Gang attacked the Afghans, and showered arrows upon them. The Afghans were exhausted by their long ride, and could not move. Then Khan-khanan got his horse under control, and rallying his men, led them back to the field. They discharged showers of arrows, and by the guidance of fate, an arrow struck Gujar Khan, and brought him down. When the Afghans saw their leader fall, they turned their backs and fled; but many of them were cut down in their flight. Raja Todar Mal, Lashkar Khan, and others who were upon the right, now charged the left of the enemy. Shaham Khan and others, who were on the left, also attacked their opponents of the right, defeated them, and drove them back upon Daud. ### [55.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.55.5) His elephants, being worried by the arrows, turned round upon the body of his army, and the stone of dismay was cast among them. The banner of Khan-khanan now became visible, and the death of Gujar Khan came to the knowledge of Daud. This shook his resolution, and he turned and fled. Immense booty fell into the hands of the victors, and Khan-khanan encamped victorious on the battle-field. He remained there a few days, to have his wounds tended, and sent a report of the victory to the Emperor. All the prisoners taken were put to the sword. Lashkar Khan Mir-bakhshi, who had rendered such good service, died of his wounds before the army moved. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.55](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.55) · Pramāṇa