[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Hindustan](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan) › [Nigār-nāmah-i Hind](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan.nigar-namah-i-hind) › Nigár-náma-i Hind, of Saiyid Ghulám 'Alí (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) # Nigár-náma-i Hind, of Saiyid Ghulám 'Alí (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) Translation of [Nigar-namah-i Hind (Nigār-nāmah-i Hind)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan.nigar-namah-i-hind) - **Language:** English - **Date:** 1877 CE - **Translators:** [Henry Miers Elliot](https://indike.org/pramana/person/elliot), [John Dowson](https://indike.org/pramana/person/dowson) - **Extent:** 4 passages, 1,361 words - **Text:** complete digital text - **Source:** archive.org · The History of India, as told by its own Historians. The Muhammadan Period. The posthumous papers of Sir H.… · Public domain (published before 1930) ## Contents - [1 Ahmad Shah's Review of his Army.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan.nigar-namah-i-hind~en-elliot.1) - [2 Review of the Bhao's Troops.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan.nigar-namah-i-hind~en-elliot.2) - [3 Entrenched Camps.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan.nigar-namah-i-hind~en-elliot.3) - [4 The Bhao makes Overtures for Peace.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan.nigar-namah-i-hind~en-elliot.4) ## Text ### [1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan.nigar-namah-i-hind~en-elliot.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. ### [2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan.nigar-namah-i-hind~en-elliot.2) Sadasheo Rao Bhao, having heard the news that the Shah had been holding a review of his troops, and that the royal army resembling the waves of the sea was preparing to move, came several marches this side of Kunjpura, and had an inspection of his own soldiery. In effect, the muster of the army (terrible from its numbers as the day of judgment) belonging to the Rao in question was according to the under-mentioned detail. Ibrahim Khan, besides the body of horsemen mentioned below, of whom only 2000 accompanied him, had 9000 Gardi carbineers, with four pieces of ordnance to every 1000 men. His full complement was 6000 cavalry; Malhar Rao Holkar, 5000 cavalry; Jhankuji Sindhia, 10,000; Appaji Gaikawar, 3000; Jaswant Rao Panwar, 2000; Shamsher Bahadur, 3000; Piluji, Jadun's son, 3000; Bithal Sheo Deo, 3000; Balwant Rao, a half-brother of Bhao, who, on all trying occasions, dashed forward in advance of the latter, 7000; Biswas Rao's private risalah, 5000; and Appaji Mangesiah, 2000. In a word, there mustered 51,000 warlike cavalry, suitably armed and mounted, and 11,000 infantry, together with the Gardi carbineers, 200 pieces of artillery, and camels carrying rockets, and several others zamburaks. The arms, horses, and equipments of this force were in such excellent order, that no one of the royal or Hindustani armies had ever reached so high a state of discipline. Out of all the irregular troops accompanying Biswas Rao and the body of Ghorghori Dhol horsemen, there were nearly 20,000 cavalry, as well as 2000 Rajput horse, along with the wakils of the Rajas of Kachhwaha and Rathor, and other people belonging to the forces of different chiefs of Hindu extraction, who had mostly, through fear of the ravages of the Dakhinis, put the ring of obedience in their ears, and deeming submission to these chiefs the means of escape from disaster, hastened zealously to comply with their instructions. As for Naro Shankar, who had been left behind with 6000 cavalry and a small quantity of military stores, with a view to protect the city of Dehli, his detachment was in addition to this. It is a well-known fact that the whole Dakhin came along with Bhao, and I therefore assert, that however large the equipment and army which has been enumerated may appear, it is but a trifle after all. ### [3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan.nigar-namah-i-hind~en-elliot.3) Having at last reached Panipat, the Bhao encompassed that city, and having regularly encamped his army around it, gave directions for the excavation of a ditch all round his own camp. Immediately after the promulgation of the order, the men applied themselves vigorously to the work, and having in a very short space of time dug a ditch twenty yards broad, and deeper than the height of an elephant, made it their safeguard against the enemy's fire, and having thus gained confidence, held their ground with firmness and intrepidity. Bhao having fixed upon this place in his own mind as the scene of strife and tumult, took up his quarters there, and planting his artillery at intervals connected by chains all along the ditch, closed the path of access against the enemy. The Shah having likewise arrived at the head of his army, terrible as the day of judgment, within a distance of four kos, directed the excavation of an ordinary ditch, such as was usually dug every day. The pioneers, agreeably to orders, dug a ditch according to custom, and placed along the brink of it an abattis of dhak trees, or whatever else they could find; but as a longer stay was expected here than at other places, the excavation of a larger ditch than usual was undertaken. ### [4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan.nigar-namah-i-hind~en-elliot.4) Bhao, notwithstanding his vast pomp, mighty valour, and numerous associates, lost heart, and beholding the form of adversity in the mirror of his understanding, let slip the cord of firmness from his hand, and knocked at the door of humble solicitation with the utmost importunity. Kashi Raj, who is the narrator of these incidents, has thus related the story: "An individual by name Ganesh Pandit, who occupied the post of newswriter on behalf of the above-mentioned Rao at the Court of Nawab Shuja'u-d daula Bahadur, and enjoyed the honour of being admitted to his presence, began, after the occurrence of these events, to make overtures for peace at the instance of the aforesaid Rao. Most of the Hindi notes in the Mahratta dialect he wrote to me with his own hand, and the pith of their contents was this: 'Do you solicit His Highness, and urgently persuade him to this course, viz., in combination with Ashrafu-l Wuzra (Shah Wali Khan), to throw open the door of peace to me, and if a peace be concluded, immense favours shall be shown him in return for it.' Accordingly, on one occasion he sent His Highness the impression of his hand in saffron, together with a sworn agreement, and a white Dakhini turban, with a sarpech studded with diamonds, by way of an interchange of turbans, and I presented it for the auspicious inspection. From this side likewise the customary present was made in return, and by degrees I brought His Highness's mind to this, that he entered into a consultation with Ashrafu-l Wuzra on the subject; and whatever appeared in writing between them was always addressed to Ashrafu-l Wuzra through the medium of your humble servant. \[Long consultations upon the proposal.\] After all, the communications led to nothing." --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan.nigar-namah-i-hind~en-elliot](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.hindustan.nigar-namah-i-hind~en-elliot) · Pramāṇa