Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 51.7

51.7

Ahmud Khan, having reached the vicinity of Kunowj, was attacked by Yekbal Khan, a dependent of Azim Hoomayoon Sheerwany, who, rushing out from an ambuscade with 5000 horse, cut off a number of the royal troops, and made good his retreat. The King was greatly exasperated against Ahmud Khan, on receiving intelligence of this defeat, and wrote to him not to expect his favour, if he did not quickly exterminate the rebels; at the same time he sent another detachment of troops to his support. The army of the insurgents now amounted to 40,000 cavalry, 500 elephants, and a large body of infantry, with which they proceeded to oppose the royalists under Ahmud Khan. The two armies came in sight of each other, but did not engage; for Sheikh Rajoo Bokhary, a holy man, highly esteemed in that age, was in hopes of bringing affairs to an accommodation. Overtures being made, the insurgents agreed to disband their troops the moment that Azim Hoomayoon Sheerwany should be set at liberty. The King, however, refusing to accede to these terms, sent orders to Daria Khan Luhaney, governor of Behar, to Nuseer Khan Lohany, the collector of Ghazypoor, and to Sheikhzada Mahomed Furmully, the governor of Oude, to advance against the rebels, who very imprudently permitted themselves to be amused till these armies united, when they were compelled either to fly or to fight on unequal terms. They resolved on the latter alternative, and accordingly drew up in order of battle.