Nigar-namah-i Hind 1: Ahmad Shah's Review of his Army.

1

The ever-triumphant army of the Shah, consisting of twenty-four corps, each of which consisted of 1200 horsemen, were drawn up, armed and accoutred, at the foot of the mound, under the command of the under-mentioned chiefs: Barkhurdar Khan, Ashrafu-l Wuzra Shah Wali Khan, Sardar-i Sardaran Sardar Jahan Khan, Shah Pasand Khan, Nasir Khan Baluch, Barkhurdar Khan Sakina'ah, Zamralah Khan Kulwaraghasi, and Murad Khan an Irani Mughal. Out of the whole 24,000 horsemen, 6000 were ghulams, who were encamped all round the royal pavilion at the distance of half a kos; and the rest of the army was ranged under the above-named leaders. Two thousand camels for the transport of shahins, each camel carrying one shahin (a swivel-gun) and two shahinchis (men to serve it), as well as 40 pieces of ordnance, and several camels laden with rockets, were counted among the royal troops. Along with Nawab Shuja'u-d daula Bahadur were 2000 cavalry, 2000 infantry, and 20 guns of different calibre; and with Najibu-d daula 6000 cavalry and 8000 Rohilla infantry. * * Along with Dundi Khan and Hafizu-l Mulk Hafiz Rahmat Khan were counted 18,000 Rohilla infantry, 3000 or 4000 cavalry, and some guns; while with Ahmad Khan Bangash Farrukhabadi there were only 2000 horse and foot altogether, besides camp followers and attendants and a few guns.
The total force on this side was reckoned at 40,000 cavalry and several thousand infantry; out of which number 40,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry. The men of the royal army were of several different denominations. First, Durranis of the same tribe as the Shah, every one of whom might be well called iron-hearted, and a smasher of the hardest rock; second, Kazalbashis, all of whom were equal in strength and martial prowess to Rustam and Nariman; third, Kabulis, who used the sher-bachahs, all youths with frames sturdy as elephants, and mounted on steeds of foreign breed, looking like mountains and accustomed to traverse the desert; fourth, the valiant and devoted ghulams and 4000 shahinchis, well-drilled and expert shots, two of whom rode one camel. These made up 24,000 cavalry, and there were also 4000 shahinchis, who were reckoned the most warlike force, and used to receive subsistence money from the presence. Their names were inscribed on a roll in the Bakhshi's office; they were all picked and experienced soldiers of proved courage and loyalty, and strong, valiant and impetuous warriors. Besides, there was a force not taken into account, which was styled the corps of yatims, for in company with each Durrani were four yatim horsemen. The corps was intended solely for harassing and pillaging the enemy; and hence, after the Durranis made a charge in the heat of a battle, the yatims followed in rear of them, and prosecuted their attacks. These same Abdali yatims used to be employed for the purpose of cutting off supplies, and making predatory forays, and whatever spoil fell into their hands, they were allowed to retain, but no subsistence was granted them by government.