Zubdat al-tawarikh 12: Death of Birbal.

12

In this year (994 A.H.), the victorious armies were sent, under the command of Raja Birbal, to put down the insurgent Yusufzais. A person came to the Raja, and told him that the Afghans intended to make a night attack upon his force, that the mountain pass did not extend beyond three or four and that if he could traverse that distance he would be in safety. Birbal, without communicating with Zain Khan, resolved to go through the pass, and setting his forces in motion, he arrived at the gorge about sunset. The Afghans assembled from all sides upon the summits of the pass with arrows and stones, and the royal forces, losing their way amid the darkness in the narrow defile, fell into the deep holes and abysses, and there perished. The royal army thus experienced a severe defeat, and nearly 8000 men were slain. Raja Birbal, who fled to save his life, was killed, and no trace of him was found. Zain Khan and Abu-l Fath were also defeated on the 5th Rabi’u-l awwal of the same year, and with great difficulty made their way to A'tak. This defeat had great effect upon the mind of the Emperor, and several times he refused to see (these commanders). Raja Todar Mal was chosen to head a well-appointed force, and repair this disaster. The Raja advanced into the mountains with great skill, where he erected several forts, and he conducted the campaign with such consummate judgment, that the Afghans were soon driven back, and kept within narrow bounds.